Living Large In Small Spaces - Sauvie Island Family Cottage

Seventh post in the series

"Living Large in Small Spaces"

I've long admired this charming cottage owned by Jessica Helgerson and her architect husband Yianna Doulis, and I'm excited to be sharing it with you today.

Jessica and Yianni purchased and remodeled the 540 sq ft Sauvie Island cottage, intending to make it their weekend retreat. It didn't take long, however, before the tiny house on five acres became a full-time home for the couple and their two children.

The cottage began life as part of Vanport Village, an Oregon development built in the early1940's to house shipyard workers. In 1948 the area was destroyed by a flood and the cottage was floated down the Columbia River to Sauvie Island, where it served as the goose-check station. Much later it was remodeled to become a rental house. 

After Jessica and Yianni bought the neglected property in 2008 they decided to retain the existing cottage footprint, gutting and redesigning it for maximum efficiency. Nearly all of the remodeling was done with reclaimed materials. The new green roof is both whimsical and practical; planted with moss and ferns gathered along the Columbia Gorge it provides efficient insulation.

The entry door opens into a great room; to the left is the kitchen and dining area, and to the right is the living room. Many of the insulated cottage walls are covered in wood cladding reclaimed from a barn on the property. 

The wood stove heats the entire cottage.

The couple stained one wall and painted the rest white. Native Oregon white oak was used for the flooring. Yianni made the beautiful farm table from locally salvaged walnut. The vintage range is a Craigslist find. 

A walnut ladder provides access to the parents' sleeping loft.

Large, comfortable built-in sofas double as guest beds; drawers underneath hold the children's toys. Books and other items are stowed in the shelves lining the wall.  The home now has tall, high-efficiency windows that bring in more natural light, and are large enough to allow the kids and cats to go in and out of the house.  Such a fun idea.

A casement window opens up the loft to the outdoors.  

The bathroom is packed with cottage charm. Storage is concealed in the wall opposite the sink.

Salvaged from a friend's demolition site, the soaking tub has new wooden feet designed and built by Yianni.

The children's room has two bunk beds with built-in storage.  A pull-out closet at the end of the bunks offers drawers and a hanging rod. There is a double bed for guests in the room, as well.

Life for this young family involves growing much of their own food. 

They've planted vegetable gardens, berries and fruit trees.

In a further move toward self-sufficiency they raise chickens for meat and eggs, keep bees and make cheese from a neighbor's goats and cows.


Jessica Helgerson and Yianni Doulis are successful professionals who have chosen to move out of the city and live a simpler life.  On the weekend their cottage is often filled with family and friends coming from nearby Portland to enjoy a bit of country life.  Is it any wonder?

I wish to express my thanks to Jessica Helgerson Interior Design for allowing me the privilege of sharing her "Tiny House".

Beautiful photos by Lincoln Barbour

Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.

Would you like to share your small space story 
or have your home 
featured  in this special series?
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(See the "Contact Me" page for email address.)

Amaze Me Monday    The Art of Homemaking   Tweak it Tuesday   

Wow Us Wednesday   Home and Garden Thursday   

Share Your Cup Thursday    Home Sweet Home   Feathered Nest Friday