Living Large In Small Spaces - Montlake Bungalow

This Seattle bungalow is a heartbreaker. She's a classy little house and I know you're going to love her as much as I do.




Welcome to the sixty-ninth post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".


Built in 1926, the bungalow has recently been remodeled with an eye toward maintaining the architectural integrity of the original home. Throughout the space you will see "architectural pop outs [that] serve as window seats or garden windows."

The dining and living rooms were opened up, and the ceiling in the central vestibule was lifted up through the roof and topped with a skylight that provides daylight to the middle of the house.




Open shelving instead of upper cabinets give the stream-lined kitchen a more spacious feeling. The back door is stunning.




A generous display shelf follows the kitchen perimeter, offering a place to showcase collectibles.

I'm captivated by this hallway. 



Window seats get me every time, and this one in the bedroom is stunning. Jewelry as wall art is a brilliant idea.



The outdoor space is as charming as the interior. Love the shake shingle siding and brick pavers.




A "broken-down garage" was converted to a studio for the architect owner. The roof was raised three feet, and triple french doors were installed. 




Now the light and bright space relates beautifully to the bungalow and courtyard.




Who wouldn't want to work in this gorgeous space?



Was I right? Do you love Montlake Bungalow?



Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours and small living ideas in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.




51 comments

  1. Nancy, It is hard to believe that one could get that much charm into such a small space. I love that library looking room in the house and the garage. Incredible. Blessings for a great weekend, xoxo,Susie

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  2. This is a lovely, charming home. I see some ideas that could be incorporated into our mid-50's ranch.

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  3. Nice layout, I love that front porch!

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  4. Oh yes, I love it too. So many good ideas here for those of us who live in small, older houses. I love the hall, and the bedroom window seat....so much to look at. Thank you for showing us this lovely cottage.

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  5. A lovely craftsman home, and quit charming.

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  6. Darling, darling, darling!
    The wow-factor are those French doors!!

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  7. It looks beautiful. I especially love all the shelves in the rooms.

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  8. Would love to have a house this nice, big or small.

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  9. It's really cute. I especially like all the books, the eyebrow they added on the front to vent the attic, and the garage turned into an office. I always like French doors. xoxo Su

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  10. I love the combination of new and old furniture, and white and wood grain. And of course the built in bookshelves call to me--library!

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    1. We've talked about a library wall in our sitting room. I'm feeling inspired by this one.

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    2. We have a 'library wall' in our den/office. Wall to wall bookshelves. I have a question: have you ever featured a stone cottage? I've looked a bit through your posts although I haven't been through them all...

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    3. Yes, I have featured stone cottages. At least five or six, maybe more. If you go to my Living Large In Small Spaces page I have links to all the cottages I've featured. By looking at the photos you can probably see which ones are stone: http://www.ajoyfulcottage.com/p/living-large-in-small-spaces-series.html

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  11. So right you are! My favorite room in the "main" house is the dining/library/intimate seating area....but everything here is charming!

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  12. Oh my, that kitchen. And the window seat in the bedroom is so charming. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to look at it again. :)) Deb

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  13. Wow! What s beautiful home!! Hard to believe it's so charming in the inside. Love the kitchen!!!

    Blessings
    Gert

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  14. You are right, it is another heart stealer! I absolutely love the light throughout the home, and the window seats, oh my! And how fun to hang jewelry on the wall, I would never have thought to do that. I am loving the idea of the library on the walls too. A great way to maximize space, especially if you love books! Another great sharing today Nancy :)

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  15. I feel speechless, my sweetest Nancy, you always show us such wonderful, cozy and inspiring rooms !
    I'm so grateful to you for this, dearie !

    May your Sunday be blessed with so much love,
    and let me wish you also a wonderful new week ahead,
    thinking of you
    Dany

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  16. ANOTHER swoon inducing cottage, Nancy!!!! YES! It takes careful planning and genius architectural skills and an artistic flair to conserve the integrity of a vintage home. Unfortunately many gorgeous vintage houses in the suburb where I work have been torn down to make room for LARGER, looming custom homes that yes, are gorgeous, but my heart breaks any time I see a sweet old cottage with a FOR SALE sign because sure enough once it's sold, the house is demolished. But here, this sweet house was rescued and given a facelift. WELL DONE.I so look forward to you shares because there is always something to see that inspires us not only to decorate, but to embrace the small spaces of our lives.

    HAPPY VALENTINES!

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  17. Hello! !
    I look forward to always nice blog.
    Today 14 days in Japan "HARU ITIBAN" visited.
    This language is that of the wind to inform the spring in Japan.

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  18. What a sweet space! Love the cottage and the little space out back.

    Happy Valentine's Day ~ FlowerLady

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  19. Oh my...I definitely could move right in!! It's beyond charming with such a spacious look and feel. Beautiful!!
    Mary Alice

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  20. Cute cute cute. Love that front porch. What a sweet cottage. Love all the rooms. Great choice Nancy for this week. It is really a cute one.
    Kris

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  21. Love. Yes. Absolutely! The books, the door in the kitchen and the bungalow ceilings are all just fabulous! Thanks for my weekend cottage fix! ;)

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  22. Hello Nancy! What a sweet surprise and joy to find you in my comments page today! I had a very difficult time making that function work again. I would try and try and nothing, but today, it's back. It's funny about that RAW metaphor; it happened as I was rewriting my thoughts, but it was so apropos because truly, I've had to face my raw emotions and self this year in many areas of my life but what God does is great. He gives you that fresh start. Oh, so many metaphors in life! BLESSINGS!

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  23. Love craftsman homes. My favorites of this one is the library/dining/cozy room and the studio is fabulous. I could get some quilting done there. Have a blessed week.

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  24. He sure made a small place look so large and very interesting. I don't remember seeing a tv anywhere...perhaps the bedroom? It is just beautiful!!

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  25. Oh my word, that studio! I dream about spaces like that, haha. I love the art displays and the bookshelves, too. Wonderful cottage!

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    1. Yes, I think the studio would get a lot of use, and Dennis and I just might fight over it!

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  26. Nancy,
    Now this bungalow is definitely swoon worthy. The open bookcases the touches of nature combined with textures are décor impactful and invite leisure and relaxation. Love the architectural interest of sky lights and beams. Excellent choice Nancy and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you and Dennis.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  27. hi Nancy que casa mas encanradora, adore cada espacio,,espero que hayas tenido un romantico San Valentin y que tengas un buen comienzo de semana
    cariños

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    1. Sí, Angélica. Tuvimos una muy romántico Día de San Valentín. Era nuestro aniversario de boda, también.

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  28. I love absolutely everything about this house. And could move right into the little studio if they'd let me. :)

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  29. It's a very inspiring house. I was very interested in the studio. I'd love to transform my garage into a studio, though it's a lot smaller and I probably won't fit a bathroom there!

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  30. I love it! I love the use of gallery walls everywhere. It really adds so much.

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  31. what a great house, I could fall in love right away.
    Greetings from the wet humid Germany
    Antje

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    1. So glad to make a new friend. Thanks for visiting, Antje.

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  32. Good Afternoon Nancy, This is such an interesting home. I love that it is filled with such beautiful treasures.... it is very eclectic, with so much to look at. Definitely my style of decorating.
    Another great find Nancy.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  33. It's a cozy warm cottage filled with rich romance, not only did I fall in love with so many elements of this Seattle home, what about the state it rest in? It's a perfect place for this home to love its surroundings and where it's planted.
    The sunny yellow exterior I am sure brightens the neighborhood its in on the greyest of Seattle days.
    The hallway is a great space, love that it's like a little art gallery.

    Would love to visit this home.

    See you soon Nancy.

    Xx
    Dore

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  35. You are so right Nancy, it's a stunner. Love it all from the front exterior to that awesome kitchen. Wow!!! Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great week.

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  36. Oh boy were you ever right indeed! I love everything about this one!

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  37. "SWOON" Oh my goodness.... what a spectacular home :-) Makes my house feel so.....so..... dumpy lol

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  38. Montlake Bungalow is gorgeous! I could live in it just the way it is! Craftsman is one of my favourite styles, I lived in one for five years and enjoyed the vintage feel of it.

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  39. This house is fascinating! I went through it thinking "I love this room" only to keep saying it over and over. Oh for a home office like this one! I think I'd even love working on taxes in that room.

    One other thing, I'm just not fond of gallery wall treatments, is that what they're called? But the ones in the living room and home office? Oh, my, what beauties!

    I'm going back now to view them again!

    Dewena

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  40. Love this house! So many wonderful details. The window seat is lovely. Gallery walls catch my interest. Your newest follower, Linda

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  41. I love the bookshelves in the dining area. Makes really good use of a room seldom used by many homeowners. Gorgeous home!

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  42. Oh, yes, I love it! I'm catching up after being under the weather for far too long. This sweet bungalow reminds me of a home we lived in when I was four years old. Not far from Seattle. I love everything about this home - the rows and rows of books, the walls of maps and art and jewelry. It's wonderful!
    ~Adrienne~

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