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| Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
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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
