Living Large In Small Spaces - Waverly Cottage

Built in 1895, Waverly Cottage in Medford, Oregon is this week's featured small space.




Welcome to the eightieth post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".


As soon as I discovered Waverly Cottage I felt the 1200 sq ft gem was destined to be part of the Living Large In Small Spaces series.  Fortunately, the owners Robert and Tiffany Pool have allowed me the privilege of sharing it with you.

Also known as the Shone-Charley House, Waverly Cottage was built by Joe Shone in the Queen Anne/Eastlake style. W. J. Benett was the architect. An article in the Medford Mail, January 10, 1896, page 5 reads:

"Joe Shone is putting in some good work these days on his new residence, which, when completed, will be one of the best and prettiest buildings in Medford. Joe being a carpenter—and a good one—he is leaving not a thing undone that would help the building's beauty and convenience. One especially fine feature is that the building stands well up off the ground, thus permitting of the grading of splendid grounds around it. The finish of the building is to be of a style of architecture very out of the ordinary and when completed it cannot fail to attract much favorable comment." (source)





The Shones sold the house in 1901 to William and Andromeda Charley. The house remained in the Charley family until 1978.

When the Pools purchased Waverly in the early 2000s it was in poor shape, and so they began a complete restoration from the foundation up. Using old photos as a guide, Robert rebuilt the original porch and the carriage house. (He's also in the process of recreating all the elaborate embellishments.) The project took four years to complete, after which the Pools lived in the home for four years. Later, they used it as an antique store and now operate the cottage as a bed and breakfast.




It's easy to see the love and care Robert and Tiffany have poured into Waverly's revival. On the National Register of Historic Places, Waverly Cottage was the winner of the City of Medford Historic Renovation Award by the city’s Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission in 2008.




The archway between the parlor and dining room is hand carved of red cedar with gold leaf designs and decorative glass insets. The arch is offset with similarly intricate matching red cedar woodwork.

In every aspect this charming cottage lives much larger than its size. Each room is beautifully decorated with period antiques.



Even the kitchen is equipped with antique appliances. The house has seven operable transom windows above the doors.



You'll notice chandeliers throughout the cottage. 




True to the age of the home, artwork hangs from picture rails.



The bathroom is dreamy. 






Walking through the door of Waverly Cottage one may feel as if they've stepped through a time portal. It has so much character. 

Tell me, do you live in a period home?


Waverly Cottage is a Boutique style two bedroom, one bath National Historic Home/Museum and was featured courtesty of Robert and Tiffany Pool. To learn more about Waverly Cottage and reservation opportunities, click here


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.

23 comments

  1. What a pretty house that is. I love the paint colours used on the outside - so true to the era.
    We live in a house that is pretty true to its 1927 building date. The kitchen is modern and the arch between living and dining rooms was taken out in the 60's, sadly. The tub, on the other hand is regrettably authentic and dates from the building of the house!

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  2. Beautiful! We don't live in a true period home but we've built our home to look like it is 100 years old. Love that we don't have the upkeep but we can have the look! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Nancy, What a charming little cottage. I love the old fashioned kitchen...even though I would be wailing about lack of storage space if I lived there. Blessings for a fun weekend, xoxo, Susie

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  4. Oh my god, what a beautiful home

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  5. This home is truly a dream to me, thank you for the stunning moments you've made me live, dearest Nancy, I'm almost off to bed and I'm sure I'm going to do such wonderful dreams !


    Hope you're having a lovely Saturay, I'm wishing you a most wonderful remainder of your weekend, sweetie, sending love to you

    Dany

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  6. I feel like I just stepped back in time. And to my favorite era!
    I think I'm dreaming....ahhhhh...

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  7. The exterior is so filled with details it's hard to take it all in! What a wonderful job they've done renovating and furnishing the interior, too. Thanks so much for sharing another charming home with us, Nancy.

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  8. We do not live in a period home . . .
    I appreciated stepping back in time to see this very authentic cottage home.
    I found this blessing today . . . thought you'd enjoy . . .

    Bless be you and yours
    As well as the cottage you live in.
    May the roof overhead be well thatched
    And those inside be well matched.

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  9. Interesting! It is a very pretty cottage!

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  10. My uncle's home looked nearly the same inside. All the gingerbread embellishments on the exterior of the Waverly cottage are lovely.

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  11. Hi Nancy, thank you for showing this amazing cottage. It looks like nothing is left undone. The cottage surely looks like you have walked back in time. They just don't make them like they use to. Lovely, lovely. Have a wonderful weekend. xx Jo

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  12. Beautiful houses and interiors. Greetings

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  13. Now THAT is a true period home! Anyone who obtains such a treasure truly has a special home on their hands. The antiques are so specific to the time and fit right into the home and I wonder how it feels to live surrounded with ALL antiques, like in a museum! I wonder, does it slow you down, does it make one feel as if they are living back in that time? The environment in which we live does make a difference. How JOYFUL!

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  14. That first photo almost looks like it came from a story book! How beautiful! And such a labor of love. What a lovely bed and breakfast they have created. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Really pretty! I love the Eastlake style and I really love the pictures hanging from the picture rails. I do live in a period home and it is on some Historical society....can't remember exactly!! I have paperwork! Mine was built in 1870, a Victorian that originally had gingerbread trim on the wrap around porch. Someone decided to take it all off and put siding on the house!

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  16. Yep, I live in a period home, the period of the 80's - HAHA! I still have my dated laminate countertops - ick! Anyway, this home is so sweet, I've actually been to Medford in the early 80's. My friend and I drove by many older homes, but I'm sure, at the times, this one was not is fine shape! Thank you for sharing this beauty! Blessings, Cindy xo

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  17. This one reminds me of my grandmother's home. All of the woodwork is lovely!

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  18. Beautiful. I like the outside and the inside.
    Our home is over 100 years old. We have done a lot of work as well. Many homes had the original wood floors covered with carpet, when carpet became the in thing. Thankfully, we were able to have our original wood floors :-) Some scratches and a few traces of the carpet, but otherwise, all good.
    I could go on, Ha!
    I always enjoy this series, thank you for the time you put in to share with us.
    Carla

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  19. This cottage is lovely, I'm always drawn to old houses, as you know.

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  20. This house is gorgeous! I've driven by it several times when we were in the Medford area and I've always wished I could see the inside. Thank you for sharing it with us. It's a work of art, for sure.
    ~Adrienne~

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  21. William and Andromeda Charley were my great-great aunt and uncle. I've admired that house for years, and heard many stories. I'm thankful I got to see inside. I meant to do that when it was an antique store, but didn't get that done. Ruth

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    1. I’m so glad I was able to give you a glimpse of this beautiful home today. Isn’t wonderful that it is in such good hands? I’m sure it means a lot to you, knowing your connection to it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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