Thirty-second post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces"
"Living Large in Small Spaces"
Today's feature at Living Large In Small Spaces is an encore of a popular post from March 2013. These charming cottages are some of my favorites. Enjoy.
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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
One of the things I most like to do at A Joyful Cottage is take you on cottage tours. I often feature traditional cottages abroad for their timeless appeal. For me it's all in the details. Like deep window wells, plank walls, nooks and crannies, and little architectural surprises. A thatched roof grabs my attention every time. And, oh yes, if there's a cottage garden involved, I'm in.
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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
But today I'm staying in the United States. I'm going all American, and I'm delighted and privileged to feature the home designs of Ross Chapin Architects. This award-winning Whidbey Island firm has been featured in a plethora of newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Cottage Living and Metropolitan Home, just to name a few. Taunton Press books such as The New Cottage Home by Jim Tolpin, Cottage by M. Caren Connolly and Louis Wasserman, and The Distinctive Home by Jeremiah Eck have included Chapin designs. And Ross Chapin himself has written a book entitled Pocket Neighborhoods.
What struck me immediately about these contemporary cottages and small homes is that their judicious use of space is not a sacrifice to charm. Remember, I said "for me it's all in the details." Come, and I'll show you what I mean along the way.
Let's start with pocket neighborhoods.
Ross Chapin and developer Jim Soules first partnered in 1996 to create Whidbey Island's Third Street Cottages, eight cheerful cottages gathered around a common green.
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| Third Street Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Chapin coined the name "pocket neighborhood" when the cottages "seemed [to him] like a pocket safely tucking away its possessions from the outside world."
Since the completion of Third Street Cottages more than a dozen pocket neighborhoods have been developed in North America.
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| Greenwood Avenue Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Designed to foster a sense of community, pocket neighborhoods remind me of vintage homes built around a city park, much like the small Midwestern town where I grew up.
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| Danielson Grove Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Each cottage boasts its own swinging gate and private garden.
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| Third Street Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
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| Third Street Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Front porches act as outdoor rooms and invite lingering.
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| Greenwood Avenue Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Cheerful flower boxes add to the enchantment.
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| Greenwood Avenue Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
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| Classic Street Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
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| Classic Street Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
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| Betty Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Owners are encouraged to name their cottages.
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| Pears and Cherries Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
The board and batten ceiling and decorative trim on this porch are extra touches that delight.
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| Bartlett Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Are you dying to see what's inside? Let's take a peek, starting with the Hilltop Cottage. And by the way, the plans for all the homes I'm showing you are available for purchase through Ross Chapin Architect's Goodfit plan collection.
The Hilltop Cottage plan comes in two versions: A 729 sf and B 831 sf.
As an owner of a 640 sf cottage, I know the challenges of small house living. Ross Chapin understands my angst. The Hilltop kitchen is bright and cheery, yet functional, with space provided for full-size appliances. I live in a mountain community where many cottages have apartment size ranges and refrigerators, so for me this particular feature is a big draw. (We are fortunate to have full size appliances in our cottage.)
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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
This plan has one bedroom and a loft.
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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Banquette dining conserves space, but not at the expense of design. Built-in shelves provide storage and add architectural interest. The tall window is perfect for this space.
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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
The living room has the deep well windows I love.
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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Ceiling beams and a romantic reading nook give this bedroom a vintage feel.
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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
More ceiling beams and three small windows -- as opposed to one large -- raise the charm level in the bath.
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Next up, the 720 sf Bartlett Cottage.
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| Bartlett Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
The Bartlett's kitchen's craftsman cabinetry is delightful. Very cottagey.
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Craftsman touches repeat in plank walls, board and batten ceilings . . .
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and overhead built in shelves.
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The Betty cottages come in four styles ranging from 708 - 838 sq ft: The Betty Lu, Betty Lu Lu, Betty Jane, and Betty Gable. (Wouldn't it be fun to name the cottages?)
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| Betty Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
The pitched ceiling and abundance of natural light keep this small cottage from feeling cramped. The raised ambient lighting is a great touch.
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| Betty Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Glass front cabinets maintain the kitchen's openness. The island shows off its nice detail.
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| Betty Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Banquette dining surrounded by windows. Very cozy.
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| Betty Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Placement of windows above the living room's built-in bookcases increases the natural light.
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| Betty Cottages Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
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| Dine's Point House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Such a pretty entrance.
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| Dine's Point House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Interior space is beautifully defined with craftsman trim.
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| Dine's Point House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
I could seriously nap right here.
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The living room is filled with light and relates well to the outdoors.
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Lots of cottage love in this kitchen.
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Wonderful detailing.
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Glass front cabinets, built-in hutch. There's so much to love here.
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The Three Gable Cottage surprised me. This house seems bigger than its 1,100 sf.
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| Three Gable House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
The woodwork in this cottage is beautiful.
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Large windows and French doors create a sunny living area.
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The dining room is warm and inviting.
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I really like the built-in window seat (or is it a daybed)tucked in the stairwell landing. And there's one of my favorite surprises -- a deep well window.
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Spruce House is a 1,492 sf charmer, and I have to tell you it's my favorite.
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| Spruce House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
This home has a comfortable, old world feel.
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| Spruce House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Craftsman appeal throughout.
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| Spruce House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
Just look at the woodwork. The kitchen is reminiscent of one seen in an English cottage.
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| Spruce House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
The half door in the dining room reinforces the cottage feel. Imagine sitting with family and friends around this table and enjoying the view outside those terrific windows.
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| Spruce House Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
I hope you've enjoyed the tour of these cottages and small houses as much as I have. Do you have a favorite?
A big thank you to Ross Chapin Architects for allowing me to feature these wonderful homes here at A Joyful Cottage. And a special thank you to Debbie at Ross Chapin for getting back to me so quickly and graciously when I contacted her about doing this post. You can learn more about Ross Chapin Architects and view more delightful homes at http://rosschapin.com/.
"Just as there comes a warm sunbeam into every cottage window, so comes a love-born of God's care for every need."
-- Nathaniel Hawthorne
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.
From the comments I've received, many
people have been encouraged by the homes and lives shared here.
If you live in a small space I'd
love to feature your story, too.
Send me an email and let's collaborate.
(See the "Contact Me" page for my email address.)
i'd take any one of those sweeties but the Three Gable Cottage is my favorite. :)
ReplyDeleteI found myself unable to make a choice - each was more charming, in some way, than the one before.
ReplyDeletethank you for the wonderful tour--what lovely homes and small neighborhoods...amazing...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI love the third street cottages but they are a little to close for me. I live in a one story condo and that is the main drawback, too close. My neighbor is a smoker so I am unable to sit on my back porch in the morning and enjoy the fresh air. He also sits in only a towel. :0 I loved my little patio home and I am slowly decorating it to my taste (beach cottage) so I have no plans to move. Just wish my neighbor would get healthy and put on clothes. LOL Debbie
ReplyDeleteWonderful dream homes. I could live in any.
ReplyDeleteNancy, you have out done yourself with this post. I enjoyed it so much that I have plans to come back and go through it again, when I have even more time to linger over all the details. I think that it is wonderful that there is such a love for this style of home, that now they are making new construction. They are from a by gone time, when life was simple and when neighbors knew each other . . . I personal think that front porches have a lot to do with that:)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend.
Connie :)
Nancy, I loved all these, because they had some European details like the blue and white tile. The smallest ones were my favorites, because it shows a lovely home can be achieved at any size. xoox Su
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post full of so much beauty with cottage living at its best - wow! I can't even narrow down a choice, but the ones that offer solitude speak much louder to me than those with neighbors a stones throw away. Just love the deep set window walls as well. I would have my plants enjoying those spaces, lol! Thanks for another amazing post that will deserve a trip back here again to view and drool, lol! Hope all is going well with your little cottage, and know you are very busy, but can't wait for another update when you can :) Have a blessed Saturday!
ReplyDeleteNancy,
ReplyDeleteI am smittened with the Greenwood Avenue cottages, but enjoyed them all. Quaint and inviting with generous appointments of detail. The landscape, curved walkways, uniquely painted fronts all add up to irresistible charm.
xoxo,
Vera
What a beautiful neighborhood...it's like a fairy tale! I would love to live there!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are so beautiful. the links under the pics are dead though. I was hoping to see more of some of the cottages but none of the ones I tried would work.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny,
DeleteThanks for telling me about the links. I've fixed them, so you should be able to use them now. I'm sorry about that; I'm sure it was very frustrating for you.
I love small homes like these. I adore those colorful ones in the close-knit community setting. Wish there were more of those around.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Such cute cottages and the idea of having a private garden is appealing. I do think I'd have trouble with such a small amount of private outdoor space, but it looks like a darling community! Thank you for sharing these! Blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed each of the cottages. I could almost 'see' myself living in them! I love the cottage look and it's certainly at its best in these darling homes. Thank you for sharing them with us - I can't wait to see more.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
I loved them all!!
ReplyDeleteLove these homes. I am so ready for small living.
ReplyDeleteOh Nancy I just loved your tour. My favorite cottage has to be the 3 gabled home. It has so many fun extras. Thank you for sharing them. Have a marvelous weekend. Jo
ReplyDeleteThose cottages are really cute. I love how each of them has character thanks to pretty, but different, details.
ReplyDeleteGood morning sweet Nancy! I always look forward to Sundays when I can find your post in my email. These are the most precious cottages, and those last two wood-rich cottages are FABULOUS. Cottages make my heart flutter! Yesterday on my way out to go grocery shopping, I was surprisingly and delightfully caught up in a whirlwind of activity in Minneapolis; there were yard sales EVERYWHERE in this one large portion by Lake Harriet. Street vendors were cooking up food, antique stores were inviting guests to come into the shops and have wine and cheese, and the cottages in the area (lots of them) were so dressed up with beautiful gardens. Later that day upon returning to my end of town, there was this HUGE art show all over town. We went to a local coffee shop to listen to music and meet up with poet friends. We read, discussed and had such a magical day. But the cottages I saw yesterday just reminded me of the beauty found in COMMUNITY. The gardeners that were out greeting other neighbors and yard sale buyers were so friendly.
ReplyDeleteWell my friend, you did it again. You blessed me! Anita
Oh my how your post set my heart a flutter ...as a recent empty nester ( the youngest of 5 sons just graduated from college ) I am so ready to downsize. I love our home, but as a center hall colonial with four bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathes, it no longer fits my life. You have inspired me to dream. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely charming! I dream of living like that someday!
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you-I don't think I could begin to pick a favorite! They are ALL amazing. I do LOVE that one with all the big multi-paned windows! These are all just dream inducing. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteNancy,
ReplyDeleteThese are all so charming. One cuter than the next. I don't think I could pick just one either.
Have a great Sunday.
Kris
I think my favorite cabotage is the same as yours, but I love the kitchen in Dine's Point House. That tile is darling!
ReplyDeletexo,
rue
FUN! I just love it. :-) I love all the names too.
ReplyDeleteCarla
Loved that post! Those cottages are adorable. You had me at garden and swing gate! Inside they are even more charming. Space is used so cleverly.
ReplyDelete