Living Large In Small Spaces - The Old Blacksmith's Cottage

An 1888 renovated cottage in Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, Australia is this week's featured small space.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

Welcome to the 115th post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".

The two bedroom, two bath cottage we're exploring today is the home of a single mother and her young daughter. Purchased after it was passed up at auction, the cottage -- known to locals as "the Blacksmith's cottage" -- was severely run-down and required a major overhaul to transform it into the charming home it is today.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

Originally, the home was a one-bedroom worker’s cottage surrounded by avocado groves. At the time of its purchase the cottage was hidden from the street by overgrown vegetation, but with the help of a late friend the landscape was cleaned up and transformed into a beautiful extension of the cottage.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

Although the cottage was sitting on top of a water tank and sloped badly, the new owner wasn't deterred. She'd had experience renovating five previous homes and saw the potential of the property. The good news was that the foundation had been partially redone and it had a new roof. She hired a good carpenter, and the first thing they did was raise the house off the water tank using steel supports, then leveled out all of the windows and doors to make them functional again.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

The entry door opens directly from the small, quaint front porch into the main living area.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

The space is light and airy. When renovating the cottage, the owner maintained much of its original character, such as the windows, flooring and the window seat. 

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

She purchased fabric for less than $5/yard and had the window seat cushions made for $150. 

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

While the decor leans toward a minimal style, the rooms are anything but stark. "Country cottage chic" is how the owner describes her style. I can't see one thing I'd change about this room. It's altogether lovely.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

Although the sandstone pieces behind the fireplace were a bargain at $20 total, installation was not so cheap, as it took 10 days for the tile contractor to piece them in the final pattern.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

A third bedroom was turned into a media room. Previous owners said this room was originally the main living area of the old worker’s cottage. 

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

To the left of the fireplace is the door to the kitchen. 

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

All the stained glass in the cottage is original to the home.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

Thirty cabinets were used in the professional remodel of the kitchen. To keep to her budget the owner chose plain white laminate for the countertops. She's happy with her decision, stating that the laminate is "clean, functional and easy care."

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

The owner enjoys cooking and spends most of her time in the kitchen. She added the TV and considers this her main living space.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

The vintage canisters were purchased years ago from an auction house.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

Pressed tin was used for the stunning backsplash. Originally the owner was going to paint the tin white, but once she saw it installed she decided to leave it silver.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

This before picture shows the extent of the remodeling done to create the gorgeous kitchen. It's not hard to believe it consumed the lion's share of the renovation budget, which included removal of a wall. 

By Tamara Armstrong 

The space now features a built-in buffet and breakfast bar for kitchen dining. The pretty door leads to the daughter's bedroom and bathroom.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

The child's bedroom was originally a sleeping porch that led to the main bedroom at the front of the home. Rather than install a closet which would infringe on the small space, tall free-standing pieces were used for wardrobes and storage. 

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

The Master Bedroom is at the front of the cottage, just off the living room.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

The elegant wall mirror was a gift from the owner's mother and the vintage trunk was found at an antique store. 

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

A 25 year-old bedspread completes the understated elegance of the bedroom.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

Behind the original frosted glass panel doors is the master bath. I wish there were more photos of it.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

The stunning stained glass windows are original to the cottage.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong - Look for home design pictures

A back deck runs the width of the home and is accessible from the kitchen and the media room. 

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

I'm sure this delightful space gets a lot of use.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong 

Jessica the family dog exits a shed located next to the small courtyard at the front of the property.

Photo by Tamara Armstrong

The owner had just sold her previous home when she bought the cottage and moved in with her daughter, and they lived in the cottage during the entire renovation. Originally she had planned to renovate the cottage, sell it and move on to another project. However, her plans changed when the construction was complete and she discovered that what she had created was the perfect mountain home for herself and her daughter.

An excellent decision I'd say.


You can read more about the cottage, the owner and her daughter in the article by Tamara Armstrong, who also took all the photos, on Houzz here.

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.