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HEARSTBOOKSandCOUNTRYLIVINGareregisteredtrademarksandthedistinctiveHearst
BookslogoisatrademarkofHearstCommunications,Inc.
©2018HearstCommunications,Inc.
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ISBN978-1-61837255-0
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CONTENTS
Introduction
PartOne:THESMALLOFFAME:20BIGGER&BETTERIDEAS
PartTwo:THEHOUSES:TOURSFROMTHETINYTOTINIEST
TheMinimalistEscape
1,456squarefeet
PENDLETON,INDIANA
Sunny-SideUp
1,375squarefeet
SARASOTA,
SARASOTA,FLORIDA
OutoftheBlue
1,325squarefeet
SPRUCEGROVE,ALBERTA,CANADA
NeutralTerritory
1,200squarefeet
RHINEBECK,NEWYORK
MaineAttraction
1,200squarefeet
SOUTHWESTHARBOR,
SOUTHWESTHARBOR,MAINE
LoggedIn
1,200squarefeet
VASHONISLAND,WASHINGTON
FindersKeepers
1,200squarefeet
MCKINNEY,TEXAS
OpenSeason
1,200squarefeetAUSTIN,
AUSTIN,TEXAS
RanchReform
1,145squarefeet
VENTURACOUNTY,CALIFORNIA
HillsideHideaway
1,100squarefeet
BUCKSCOUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA
CountryStrong
1,000squarefeetACADIA,
ACADIA,OKLAHOMA
Calm,Cool,andCollected
1,000squarefeetSHARON,
CONNECTICUT
InBloom
970squarefeet
REDLANDS,CALIFORNIA
ShipshapeStunner
880squarefeet
NANTUCKET,
NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS
CharmSchool
858squarefeetHOBART,NEWYORK
One-KitWonder
800squarefeetNAPA,
CALIFORNIA
CitySavvy
735squarefeet
NEWYORK,
NEWYORK,NEWYORK
LoftyAspirations
700squarefeet
MINNEAPOLIS,MINNESOTA
ForestStation
665squarefeetDAYTON,WYOMING
PartyOn
600squarefeet
WILMINGTON,
DELAWARE
GardenVariety
600squarefeetDOUGLAS,GEORGIA
Open-HousePolicy
500squarefeetELKINS,
NEWHAMPSHIRE
WorkofArt
480squarefeet
HARPERSVILLE,ALABAMA
ALABAMA
SheddingStyle
250squarefeetDALLAS,TEXAS
SouthernComforts
192squarefeetNATCHEZ,MISSISSIPPI
SmallWonder
192squarefeet
PORTLAND,OREGON
OREGON
HappyLittleCamper
100squarefeet
ST.GEORGE,UTAH
RoomwithaView
100squarefeet
NASHVILLE,TENNESSEE
PhotoCredits
Credit1
INTRODUCTION
Itmayseemcounterintuitiveforamagazinethatregularlyshowcasessprawlingfarmhousesandwide-openacreagetobecomeanauthorityonallthingssmall.Butinthepastfew
yearsatCountryLiving,we’vewitnessedaseeminglyinsatiablehungerforsmallspacesofallsorts—fromcharmingshe-sheds
tohappycamperstoquaintlittlecottages.
WhileonitssurfacetheTinyHouseMovementmayseemcontradictorytopastorallife,it’sactuallyrootedinsomethinginherentlycountry:simplicity.The“callofsmall”speakstothoseseekingtoparedown—tofocuslessonminutiaeandmoreonwhatmatters—andthat,inanutshell,istheheartandsoulofCountryLiving,nomatteryoursquarefootage.Throughoutthesepages,you’llfindseeminglyboundless,outside-the-
boxinspirationforlivingwellwithless,whetherit’sawhimsicaltreehousedesignedforwhilingawayanafternoon(190)oranunbelievablychicgardenshedequippedforbothrosesandrosé(152).Thesesmallwondersprovethatcompactlivingdoesn’thavetocomeatthecostofcharacter,nordoesitdemandaminimalistapproachtodecorating.Infact,manyofthehallmarksofcountrydesign—anaestheticthat’sessentiallyrootedintheideaoflivingresourcefully,afterall—arerightathomeinsmallspaces.Easy-accessopenshelving,slidingbarndoors,flush-mountschoolhouselighting,andbenchseatingatthefarmtableareallbeautifulandpracticalchoiceswhenthere’shardlyasquarefoottospare.Functionalcollectiblessuchasmasonjarsservedouble-dutyasdecorationandstorage.Evenouraffectionforlinearmotifs—tickingstripesonlinens,beadboardpanelingonwalls—provesusefulwhenitcomestomakingaspacefeellarger.Sowhetheryou’relookingtocarveoutyourownbackyardescape(169
or172),tryingtoinfuseatinycityapartmentwithcountrycharm(128),orsimplylookingtodownsize,takebiginspirationfromthosewho’vemade
simplylookingtodownsize,takebiginspirationfromthosewho’vemadethe(tiny!)leap.Theyknowthatalittleroomtobreatheisreallytheonlyroomyouneed.
RachelHardageBarrettEditor-in-Chief,CountryLiving
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|No.1|PegRail
PegrailsoriginatedinthelivingspacesoftheShakercommunity.Thehandcraftedrailingoftenborderedanentireroomatshoulderlevelforeasystorageofchairs,baskets,andthelike.Todayit’sastylish,streamlinedwaytowrangleclutterinfoyers,mudrooms,orhallways.
Credit3
|No.2|BarnDoors
Whetherusedoncabinetry,asshownhere,orbetweenadjoiningrooms,thiscountryiconisn’tjustsupercharming;it’salsosuperfunctional.Why?Tract-hingeddoorsdon’trequirethewideradiusoftheirtraditionalcounterparts,makingthemidealfortightspacesornarrowhallways.Useasalvageddoororcoatanewonewithchalkboardpainttomakeanevensmarterstatement.
Credit4
|No.3|Wall-MountedDesks
Makeyourwallsworkovertimewithawall-mounteddesk,whichcanfoldupwhennotinuse.Theversatilepiecealsoeasilytransitionsintoacocktailbar,acraftstation,or,ifyouequipitwithamirror,avanity.
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|No.4|RetroAppliances
Generallyspeaking,vintageandvintage-inspiredappliancessuchasBigChill®andSMEG®haveasmallerfootprintthanmodern-daybehemoths.Theyalsoadddecorativepanache—andawelcomepopofcolor!—inasmallspace.
color!—inasmallspace.
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|No.5|Built-InBeds
Tuckingbedsintoalcovesandotherwiseunusedwallrecessesinstantlyincreasestheavailablefloorspaceinaroom.(Andtalkaboutasweetspottosnooze!)Todoubledownonefficiency,considerincorporatingbunkbedswhereceilingheightallows.
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|No.6|ConvertedClosets
Howdoyouaddanewroomtoatinyhousewithoutafull-blownrenovation?Reimagineacloset!Whetheryoucarveoutahomeoffice,acraftroom,abar,orevenaguestroomwithafoldawaybed,youcanampupahouse’slivingspacewithsmartfurnishingsandasplashofcolor.(Thelatterwillhelpdifferentiatetheareafromitssurroundings.)
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|No.7|FoldingChairs
Handsomewoodfoldingchairsareattractiveenoughtogarneraspotaroundaformaldiningtable.Buttheirrealbeautyliesintheirstorability.Thecollapsibleperchescanbeclearedatamoment’snotice,lettingasmallhouse’seatingareaquicklytransitiontoanotheruse.
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|No.8|Mirrors
Tricktheeyeintoseeingabiggerroomwiththeintroductionofmirrors.Thelight-reflectingsurfacesampupthenaturallightandsurroundingviews.Goallinwithasingleoversizeone,ortryafloor-to-ceilingassortmentliketheonesliningthewallsofthissunnybathroom.
|No.9|Sconces
Nightstandsarealuxuryinatinyhome.Ifyou’reluckyenoughtosqueezeone(orbetter,yet,two!)intoyoursleepingquarters,you’llwanttomaximizethembyreplacingtablelampswithwall-mountedsconces.Electricorhardwired,thefixtureswillilluminateabedsidewithoutencroachingonpreciousrealestate.
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|No.10|CoffeeTableTrunks
Don’tsquanderpreciousfloorspacewithacoffeetablethatfailstoearnitskeep.Insteaduseanoldtrunkforthislivingroomessential.You’llinfusethespacewithstoriedstyleandalsohandilyconcealthrowblankets,computerchargers,kids’toys,andmore.
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|No.11|OpenShelving
Inkitchens,bathrooms,andjustaboutanywhereelse,youcantakethestrainoffacrampedroombyswappingbulkycabinetswithairyopenshelves.Thestreamlinedstoragetransformsutilitarianpiecesintoworksofartandalsoalleviatestheawkwardanglesthatcanarisefromsqueezed-incabinetdoors.
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|No.12|ElevatedDraperies
Theeasiestwaytomakearoomfeeltalleristoplacethecurtainrodreallyclosetotheceiling—roughlytwoinchesfromthecrownmolding.Whileyou’reatit,extendtherodfourinchesoneithersideofthewindowsoitappearswiderandletsinmorelight.
|No.13|RollingFurniture
Smallspacesneedtobequick-changeartists,whichiswhyeverythingisbetteronwheels.Fromcoffeetablesandbarcartstobedsanddiningtables,caster-adornedfurnitureletsyouchangeuparoom’sfunctionalitywithease.
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|No.14|ReclaimedStorage
Repurposedcrates,bins,andboxesaddheapsofcharmtoanyhomebutareespeciallywell-placedinatinyone,wheretheycandodoubledutyasdécorandasameansofstashingsupplies.
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|No.15|SkirtedPieces
Whatdoconsoletables,bathroomsinks,andkitchencabinetshaveincommon?Theyalllookbettersportingaskirt.Fabric-coveredpiecesintroducesomefeminineflairtoaspaceandsubinvisualinterestinplaceoftoo-big-for-a-tiny-homearchitecturalelements.They’realsoeasiertoaccessinatightspace.
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|No.16|Barely-thereShades
Whenindoubt,getitinwhite.Whilecolorcanworkwondersinatinyhome,aneutralpaletteisafoolproofplanforcreatingamoreopenfeel.Coatwalls,ceilings,andevenfloorsincreamywhitepaint,andthenlayerinwarmtoneswithtouchesofwoodandbrass.
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|No.17|AcrylicAccents
Thiscrystal-clear,plastic-likematerialwillstreamlineasmallroombyeliminatingvisualclutter.Anddon’tstopatbarstools:Acryliccoffeetables,consoles,trays,anddrawerpullshavethesameeffect.
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|No.18|Settees
Yes,afull-sizesofacanworkinaspace-challengedhouse,butsomeroomscallforsomethinglessintrusive.Entersettees,whichcancomfortablyseattwopeopleandhaveasmallfootprinttoboot.
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|No.19|Under-the-EavesSpaces
Aset-in-the-raftersroomishands-downthehardestworkingareainatinyhome.Acommonplaceforasleepingloft,theyalsomakecozyofficesandplayrooms.Ifyourhome’sfloorplandoesn’tallowforasetofstairs,tryaccessingbyladder.
Credit19
|No.20|UnexpectedHeadboards
Prettyastheymaybe,burlyheadboardscanzapsquare-footage—fast.Foraslimmerprofilebutjustasmuchstyle,anchorabedwithahangingquiltortapestry.Othersavvyoptions:wallpaperpanels,trompel’oeildesigns,flags,andmaps.
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TheMinimalistEscape
1,456squarefeet
PENDLETON,
INDIANA
Credit22Thisnew-constructionfarmhousesitsonsevenacresand
comprises728squarefeetoflivingspaceandagarageofthesamesize.(Thehomeownersaddedthelattertotheirhouseplansoitwouldmeetthecounty’sminimumsizerequirementof1,400squarefeet.)Insidethehome,there’sanearly-all-
whitepaletteandanairy,less-is-moreaesthetic.
Inanefforttoutilizeeverynookandcranny,thehomeownersturnedan
unusedareaunderthestaircaseintoadoghousealcove.Thesameingenuitywasappliedtocraftaslimbookcasetotheright.Thecolorfulcollectionsofcookbooksandpaperbacksbringabrightpoptotheneutralsurroundings.
Minimalkitchenstoragecallsforcreativity.Inthiscase,everydaykitchenitemsarestoredinthelivingroom;achippyoldbookcasetransformsdishesandenamelcookwareintoawould-beartinstallation.Giventhehome’ssizeandopenfloorplan,thelivingroomplacementisamerearm’sreachfromthekitchen.
arm’sreachfromthekitchen.
Thewoodstoveaddscharacterand,thankstothehouse’ssize,alsoprovidesplentyofwarmthduringfrigidMidwestwinters.Itsitsatopporcelaintilesthatmimicthelookofhardwoodfloorsbutaremoreheat-resistantthanthesurroundingplankedfloors.Thetiles’dark“stain”alsolendsavisualanchor.
Credit23Simplicityreignsinthekitchen,wheremodernpiecesliketheflat-frontedcabinetry,asleekrange,andplug-inpendantlightsmixwithmorerusticitems,includingtheraw-woodopenshelvingandhomemadebarstools.Thestarisanantiquepinetable.Outfittedwithcasters,thisportableislandcanberepositionedasneeded.
Credit24Aslidingbarndoorbringscharacterwhileeatinguplessfloorspacethanatraditionaldoor.Thisonewascraftedfromacast-offsectionofbeadboardpaneling.Beyondthedoor,ablackclaw-foottubmakesastatementinthehouse’sonlybathroom.
Credit25Prefabricatedvanitieswon’talwayssqueezeintoacompactbathroom.Enterthisdo-it-yourselfmodelthatfeaturesmetalpipelegstoppedwithanolddoor.Low-costmirrorsandsimpleEdison-bulblightfixturescompletetheroom.
Credit26Thefarmhouse’sclean,crisppaletteextendstothebedroom—fromhardmaterialslikethewhitewallsandpinerailingstosofterelementssuchastheblue-and-whitesubtlystripedbedding,texturedpillows,andsimpleduvetcover.
Whenroominsideislimited,looktotheoutdoors.Here,acast-ironsinkbecomesamakeshiftmudroomwherethehomeownerscankickoffboots,hanghats,andtendtocontainergardensbrimmingwithherbsandvegetables.
Credit27
Credit28Givebig-boxfurnitureatry.Onthehuntforatinyhousesofa?CheckoutretailerssuchasTarget®andIKEA®forofferingsthatarehighinstylebutsmallinsize.ThisneutralslipcoveredsofacamefromIkeaandperfectlynestlesuptothenarrowcoffeetable.
Incorporatewoodtones.Aneutralspacestillneedswarmth.Thehomeownersachievedthateffectwithawealthofwoodenfinishes,includingtherawpinerailings,oaksidechair,andmahoganyfrontdoor.Therough-hewnaccentsalsoconnecttothesprawlingacreageoutside.
Skipwindowtreatments.Withnoneighborsinsight,privacybecomesamoot
point.Goingbareonthewindowsmaximizesnaturallightandkeepsaroomfrom
feelingweigheddownbythevisualheftofvoluminouscurtains.
Sunny-SideUp
1,375squarefeet
SARASOTA,
FLORIDA
Credit29ThehomeownerofthisFloridacottagerefusedtoequatelittlewithmeek.Foralivelyexterior,thehouseiscladinbrightwhitesidingandvibrantbluetrim.Thecombomakesfora
cheerfulpopagainsttheboskylot.
Architecturalflourishesgiveatinycottagebigcharacter.Here,louveredshuttersandathrift-storeledge,bothpaintedtomatchthehome’scheerybluetrim,transformthethirteen-inch-widewindowintoanexteriorfocal
point.
Credit30Thecottage’sbreakfastnookischock-fullofhardworkingpieces.Thebacklessbenchoffersequalseatingtoahostofchairsandcanbetuckedunderthetablewhennotinuse.(Anditdoesn’tblocktheviewofthehandsomebutler’spantry.)Similarly,therough-hewnfarmtableutilizeseverylastinch—thepulloutdrawerhousescutlery,andslotscarvedintotheendareasweetspottostashwoodenspoons.
Credit31Onewaytomaximizeefficiencyinacrampedkitchenistoassigneachareaaspecifictask.Thehomeownertransformedthisotherwiseunusedcornerintoacoffeestation,withtwonarrowshelvesholdingmugsandcanisters.Below,apink-toppedmarblebuffetconcealsacoffeepotandmicrowave.
Thelow-pitchedceilingsmadeastandard-heightshowerimpossiblebutcouldstillaccommodatearestoredcast-irontub.Aboveit,ayardofcheeseclothisstrewnfromShakerpegstolendprivacywithoutblockingthewindow’snaturallight.
Credit32Thehomeownerincorporatedguestquartersbypositioningatwinbeddirectlyagainstawallinthestudy.Thegreenchalkboardprovidesaspace-saving,statement-makingheadboard.
Credit33Themasterbedroom’svariouspostsandbeamspresentfurniture-arrangingchallenges.Theunconventionalplacementoftheblueantiquesleeperinfrontofnotonewindowbuttwoproducesacozynook.Italsofreesupwallsforotherstoragepieces.
Credit34Sometimesabigsofaisjustright.That’sthecasewiththisnine-foot-longantiqueone.Theoversizeitemvisuallyanchorstheroomandprovidesampleseatinginonefellswoop.Coveredindurable,affordablepaintdropcloths,theneutralpieceartfullyblendswithitssurroundings,makingitfeelwellsuited,notoverpowering.
Onewaytocreateadditionalspace:Takeittotherafters.Vaultedceilingsincreasetheroom’sheightbyfourfeet.Thatuptickhelpsthehomeofficefeelairyinspiteofitsmodestfootprint.Downbelow,theantiquerugbringswarmtonestothewhiteroom.
Credit35
Credit36Startwithaneutralbackdrop.Creamywhitewallsandwhitewashedplywoodfloorsallowthekitchentofeelmoreexpansive.
Stayontrack.Largelightfixturesoveranislandbringawowfactor.Theyalsobringsomeseriousheft.Tracklighting,seamlesslyrunalongthekitchen’sexposedbeams,illuminatestheroomandtakesupverylittlespace.Apetitependantoverthesink—anarchitecturalsalvagefind—recoupssomeofthesculpturalpanache.
Pullupabarstool.Eveninakitchenlikethisone,whichdoesn’thaveabarwithanoverhangforstools,barstoolsareagame-changer.Letthemserveasacounter-sideseatandaplacetorestgroceries,totebags,andmore.
OutoftheBlue
1,325squarefeet
SPRUCEGROVE,
ALBERTA,CANADA
Credit37Thehomeownersswappedsquarefootageforwide-open
spaceswhentheyrelocatedfromasprawlingcityhometoaquaintwhitefarmhousesituatedontwentyacresinAlberta,
Canada.
Noplayroom?Noproblem!Inlieuofafull-blownrecroom,apint-sizeantiquedeskservesasacraftandreadingarea.Astoragecompartmentbelowthedesktopmakesitanefficientaccentpiece.Meanwhile,the
room’sblue-washedpanelingisacolorfulcontrasttothewarmwoodtonesofthedeskandoversizedresser.
Credit38The1940sfarmhousecamewithnoclosetsatall.Thehomeownersaddedhis-and-hersclosetstotwocornersofthemasterbedroomandthenoutfittedthespacebetweenwithabuilt-intabletopsurface.(Thisworksasadesk,aswellasavanity.)Addingtothestorageisapairofdressersoneithersideofthebed,whichserveasnightstandsandalsoconcealoff-seasonclothing.
Credit39Thehomeowneroptedforatablethatbestsuitsafamilyoffour(asopposedtoalargeronetoaccommodateoccasionalguests.)Asinglechairinbrightblueintroducesapopofcolorandvisuallyconnectstotheadjoiningblue-and-whitelivingroom.Similarly,extendingsubwaytilefromthekitchentothediningareamakesthetwotightspacesfeellikeonelargerroom.
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Credit41Sayitwithanaccent.Tohelptightquartersfeelmorecohesive,useoneaccentthroughoutthehome.Here,crispwhitepaintonthewallsandceilingsandlightpinefloorsestablishaneutralbase,whilebluedraperiescomplementthelargestretchofskyoutsidethewindows.
Turnthefrontdoorintoartwork.Whenwallsarelimited,asplashofcoloronan
exteriororinteriordoorcanbeasavvysubstitute.Thehome’sdusty-bluefrontdoorbringsacolorful,sculpturalelementtotheroom,muchasapieceofartwould.
Pickfurniturewithflexibility.Lookclosely:Fourofthelivingroom’sfiveseatingoptionsareeasytopickupandshiftaround.PortablepiecesliketheserockersandX-benchesletasmalllivingroomquicklytransitionintoapartyspace,playarea,andmore.
NeutralTerritory
1,200squarefeet
RHINEBECK,
NEWYORK
Credit42Thehomeownerpaintedthepreviouslyredbarngray,
inspiredbythesurroundingtreebark.Insideanequallyneutralapproach—soft-graywallsandScandinavianantiques
—createsaserene,pastoralescape.
Kitchenscanoverpoweratiny,openfloorplan.Keepingthatdominanceatbayisaless-is-moreaestheticwithafewessentials(astainless-steelsink,standaloneelectricstove)andanexpansivemarble-toppedantiquetable.Thelatterisoutfittedwithaspaciouslowershelftosubstituteforrun-of-the-millkitchencabinets.Providingadditionalstorageisasingleopenshelf,wherethehomeownerdisplaysacollectionofSwedishpottery.
Credit43Awallof5×5–footwindowsbringsunobstructedviewsoftheCatskillMountains.Enhancingthenaturallightarewallsandfloorspaintedabarely-thereshadeofgrayandplentyofwhitefurniturelikethepairofsofasandgold-trimmedarmchair.
Credit44Thewallofwindowscontinuestothediningarea.Tocomplementthejaw-droppingview,there’sanunassumingmixofweather-wornantiques.Theirrough-hewnlookechoesthetexturesjustoutside.
Credit45Tuckingfunctionalspotsintootherwiseunusednooksandcranniesisamustwithtiny-houseliving.Here,anAmericanarmchair,Englishsewingtable,andSwedishmirror—allantiques—makeapicturesqueplacetochecke-mailorcurlupwithabook.
Theopenloftdidn’tallowforaproperguestroom;however,agreenGustavian-eradaybedisadedicatedspotforcompanytoslumber.Exaggeratingthecozinessaregreenvelvetbolsterpillows.
Credit46Themasterbedroomskipsaheadboardinfavorofthebarn’shandsomepaneling.ThebedisoutfittedwithsimpleSwedishlinensand,totheright,featuresahandylamp-cum-nightstand.Justbeyondthebed,antiquemirrorsbringwarmthandasculpturalelementtotheroom.
Credit47Inlieuofacloset,thehomeownercreatedadressingnookwithan
oversizeoldmirror,astool,hatboxesforstorage,andanantiquecoatrack.
Credit48
Credit49Optforaclaw-foottub.Aswithmanyantiques,oldclaw-foottubstendtobesmallerthanmodern-dayofferings.Thiscast-ironexampleperfectlytucksintothebathroom.Iftheuntouchedlookisn’tyourstyle,theycanbereglazedforanominalfee(usuallyaround$100).
Pullupaseat.No,youmaynotsitforlongstretchesinabathroom,butaperchlikethisonemakesaprettyplaceforkickingoffshoes,settingdowntoiletries,orstashingsparetowels.
Lookforopenvanities.Theleggyvanitystylelendsanairyfeeltoanotherwisecrampedbathroom.Ifyouneedmorestorage,stashafewtexturedbasketsbelow.
MaineAttraction
1,200squarefeet
SOUTHWESTHARBOR,
MAINE
Credit50Whenahomeislocatedonahundred-square-mileisland
accessibleviaasinglebridge,afull-blownrenovationisoutofthequestion.Instead,thehomeownersworkedwithintheoriginalfootprintofthisclapboardcottage,usingsmart
furnishingstocarveoutalittlesliceofNewEnglandparadise.
Largerollarmscaneatupfloorspace,whichiswhythissleektuxedo-stylesofaisperfectforatinyspace.Tufteddetailingkeepsthe
streamlinedpiecefromfeelingtoomoderninthecountryhome.Thecombinationofrattanandupholsterylendsacollectedlook.
Credit51Ononesideofthelivingroom,thehomeownershaveanofficebywayofanoldworkbenchoutfittedwithcasters.(Easytomoveinapinch!)Therough-hewndeskhasspaciousdrawersoneitherend,perfectforstashinglaptopchargersandcords.Itsrusticstylealsocomplementsthereclaimedbarn-woodhearth.
Withthekitchen’snarrowlayout,therewasn’troomforabreakfasttableandaprepisland.Instead,analternateplanwasdrawnupintheformofanantiquedraftingtable.Whenit’snotusedasaspotforrollingdoughorchoppingvegetables,it’saninvitinggatheringspot,thankstoatrioofcowhide-coveredstools.
Credit52Inaspace-starvedkitchen,it’stemptingtogotheall-whiteroute.Butaneclecticmixofmaterialshasafarwarmerfeel.ThislayeredareafeaturesSouthCarolinabarnwood(thecabinetsandopenshelves),galvanizedmetal(thecountertops),soapstone(thesink),andevenunlacqueredbrass(thehardware).
Credit53Inatextbookexampleofwork-with-what-you’ve-got,thehomeownersconvertedastorageunitalreadyonthepropertyintotheultimatehe-and-sheshed.Nowattachedtothemainhouse,itaccommodatesaqueen-sizebedflankedbycustomfloatingbedsidetables.Diminutivelampsandahomemadesingle-bulbpendantprovideamplelightwithoutbulk,andacustomlumbarpillow,madefromanIndiantextileremnant,helpstheroomfeelabitwider.
Yes,theguestroomistight(ameretenfeetwide),butwhatitlacksinsquarefootageitmakesupforinviews,overlookingascenicbackyardfilledwithbirchandsprucetrees.Thetinytable,whichmaybetheworld’ssmallestnightstand,isjustbigenoughtoaccommodateabudvase,mobilephone,orcupofcoffee.
Credit54
Credit55Goallinwithadarkhue.Onceastoragecloset,thediningnookhasacustomshadeofcharcoalonboththewallsandceiling.Theenvelopinglookcreatesintimacy,nottomentionatouchofdrama.
Bringonthebuilt-ins.Aspace-maximizingwindowseatallowsthetabletobeplacedclosetothewall.Forevenmorefunctionality,addaflip-toplidtotheseatswithpianohinges,carvingoutsomeunassumingstorageformiscellaneoushouseholditems.
LookforLucite®.Aroundthetable,LuciteDanish-stylechairsprovideampleseatingwithouteatingupthevisuals.Thepeekaboomaterialalsomakesforgreatbarstools,coffeetables,andstoragebins.
Rolloutacowhiderug.Atraditionalarearugmighthaveoverwhelmedthediningalcove,butacowhideruginasimilarshadetotheflooringbringssubtletextureandplentyoffloorprotection.(Cowhidesaredesignerfavoritesthankstotheireasy-to-clean,can-take-a-beatingsurface.)
LoggedIn
1,200squarefeet
VASHONISLAND,
WASHINGTON
Credit56Despiteanextensiveinteriorupdate,thefootprintofthishistoriclogcabin—thearea’slongestcontinuallyinhabited
structure—hasremainedunchangedfor135years.
Tocontrastwiththerawwoodpanelingintherestofthecabin,thediningroomwallswerecoatedwithasoftwhitewash.Thebrightened-uptreatmenthelpsthespace—oneofthetiniestinthehouse—feelmuchlargerthanitactuallyis.ItalsoletstheredsandbluesintheAmerican
flagcreateapatrioticpop.
Credit57Thehandsomebedroomeffortlesslymixesold(amapofVashonIslandfromthe1920s)withthenew(asuppleleatherchairfromretailerJ.Peterman).Withstorageatapremium,oversizebaskets,anothernewpurchase,wereplacedatthefootofthebedforaneye-pleasingspottostashbedlinens.
Credit58Howdoyoucomplementarestoredcabin’srawwood?Outfititwithsimple,understatedpiecesthatfeelinkeepingwiththehistoricstructure.Inthelivingroom,forexample,fourEnglishengravingsoffarmanimalshangaboveagreenmohairsofa.Treestumpsturnedintoacoffeetablebringanoutdoorsyelementamongtheantiques.
Credit59AFrencharmoireinthekitchenconcealsretro-fittedpineshelvesthathouseanimpressivecollectionofwhitedinnerware,enamelcutlery,andantiquelinens.
Credit60
Credit61Takeitoutside.Whatthecabinlackedinsquarefootageismadeupinacreage.
Takingadvantageofthelatter,thehomeownerimplementedanalfrescodiningspotforspring,summer,andautumnentertaining.
Lookforweather-resistantmaterials.Outdoorfurniturecanturnshabbyfast,whichiswhyseekingoutpropermaterialsisaworthyinvestment.Here,adiningtablemadefromDouglasfir(atypeofwoodthattendstoresistdecay,evenwhenleftunfinished)anchorstheeatingarea.
Growanoutdoortapestry.ScalingBostonivychartsanunpredictablecoursealongthesideofanadjoiningoutbuilding.Whetheryouhaveaho-humsurfaceorarelimitedonplacestoplopplanters,averticalgardenaddsanorganicworkof
art.
FindersKeepers
1,200squarefeet
MCKINNEY,
TEXAS
Credit62This1930sTexasbungalowisajustoffthehistorictownsquareinMcKinney,Texas—asouthernhubforantiqueshopsandfleamarkets.Followingsuit,thetinyinteriorisdecoratedwithasmartassortmentofchippy,vintagefinds.
Thenarrowlivingroomcalledforstrategicfurnitureplacement.CushyEnglishroll-armchairswerepushedupnexttothefireplaceandpairedwithswing-armsconcesandatrestle-stylecoffeetable.Andtakenote:
Lurkingamongsttheshiplapabovethefireplacearedoorstoatelevisioncabinet.
Credit63Inthediningroom,apinefarmhousetablefunctionsasbothaworkspaceandmealspace,thankstoaduoofslipcoveredarmchairs.(Foldingchairsarebroughtoutwhenguestsstopby.)Acrystalchandelierandsetofnauticalprintshelpbalancetheroom’smorerough-hewnelements.
Credit64Atraditionalheadboardwasskippedinfavorofatwinbedtuckedunderawindow.Thebedding’ssweetpink,red,andwhitecolorschememakesaperfectfoiltotherusticshiplappaneling.
Credit65Apropermastersuitewascreatedbytransformingafive-foot-widelandingintoamasterbathroom—albeitasmallone.Sincearegularvanitywouldn’tfit,a1930swashstandwaspowder-coatedwhiteandfittedwithasimplebowlsink.Thrift-storefindssuchasawireshelfandenameltowelbarbringformandfunctiontotheroom.
Credit66Addapopofblack.Thedarkhuewillinstantlygroundaroom,nomatterthesize.Inthishandsomekitchen,ebony-paintedcountertopsareapleasingmidlinefocalpoint.
Pourcharacterintothesink.Thisstrikingsinkelevatesthefarmhousestylewithanintricatebrassdetailingwrappedaroundthefront.
Makeyourdishwasherdisappear.Selectingadishwasherthesamecolorandprofileasyourkitchencabinetswillresultinalesschoppy,chaoticlook.Ifacabinet-frontedapplianceisn’tinthebudget,considerreplicatingthelookshownhere.Thewhitedishwasherisnearlyinvisibleamongsttheflatsailclothpanelsliningthecabinetfronts.
Keeplighting,well...light.Pendantlightsfeaturingcloth-coveredcordsandmilk-glassshadesnotonlyhailfromtheerawhenthehomewasconstructed;theyalsomasterfullyblendwiththewhitewalls.
OpenSeason
1,200squarefeet
AUSTIN,
TEXAS
Credit67Thehistoricdogtrot-stylehomewelcomeswithaclassic
exteriorcolorcomboofblackandwhite,plusapicturesquetreeswing.Inside,there’saput-it-on-displayaestheticthat
bringsheapsofpersonality.
Thehomeownersputtheirkitchenwallstoworkwithopenshelvesandhooksthatmakethemostoftheroom’spitchedceiling.Theyalsoditchedthelowercabinetsformoreefficientfreestandingcomponents,including
astainless-steelrollingislandandamango-woodconsoletoppedwithmarble.
Credit68Abankofmoss-greenbuilt-inslinesonesideofthekitchen,whereanextensivecollectionofwhiteservice-warepopsagainsttheverdantshade.Withnocabinetdoorsinsight,theunconventionaldesigncreatesaveritableartinstallation.
Whatwouldhavebeenamerepassagewaybecomesafull-fledgeddiningroomwiththeintroductionofanarrow1840stailortable,Windsorchairs,andforgedironchandeliers.High-glosswhitepaint,blacktrim,andcurtainpanelsflankingthedoorwayfurthertheeffect.
Credit69Thelivingroomliveslarge,thankstonothingmorethanpaint.There,high-glossblackwallsbouncelightfromapairofshutter-flankedwindows.Theboldshadealsothrowspalemid-centurytreasures(aFlorenceKnollsofaandArneJacobseneggchair)intosharprelief.
Noroomforafull-sizebedinaguestroom?Ensurethatatwinmattressiscozywithasnugdaybed.TheFrenchblueoneshownherehastallsidesthatallowforanextra-plushmattressandplentyofpillows.Complementingtheantiquesleeperisadarlingdogportraitwithitsreal-lifesubjectloungingbelow.
Credit70Alittleporchstilldeservesabigdoseofstyle.Outback,Frenchcaféchairssitalongsidea1920swashtubthat’splantedwithherbs;totheright,anespalieredmagnoliatreefunctionsasalivingprivacyscreen.
Credit71
Credit72Instillcalmwithrichcolors.Whitemaybethefirstthoughtforatinybedroom,
butitdoesn’thavetobetheonlysolution.Calmcolors,likethemasterbedroom’staupeandmutedteal,adddepththat’sateasewiththeoldpaneling.
Tryahanginglight.Nospace-suckingtablelamphere!AninvertedbelljarispairedwithanEdisonbulbandhungfromtheceilingforaninventivereadinglight.Itlendsutilitarianpanachetotherusticbedroom,andalsoalleviatestheneedforabulkynightstand.Insteadthere’sadiminutivechairstackedwithbooks.
Hangablack-and-whitegallerywall.Thebrownsandsepiatonesofoldfamilyphotospairwellwiththepaintselections.Hungfromtheceilingtonearlythefloor,theoversizearrangementgivesanillusionofheighttotheroom.
RanchReform
1,145squarefeet
VENTURACOUNTY,
CALIFORNIA
Credit73
Thispost-and-beamranch-stylehousegivesnewmeaningtotheterm“greatroom,”withahardworkingopenfloorplanthatcombineslivingroom,den,diningroom,office,and
kitchenintoasinglespace.
Tohelpdifferentiatethisloungingzonefromtheneighboringkitchenandden,thehomeownersplacedamid-centuryleathersofaonavintageshagrug.Thefloor-to-ceilingstoragenookfurtherdividestheroomandkeepsbooks,blankets,andfirewoodattheready.
Credit74Inthe“greatroom’s”secondgatheringarea,it’sallaboutscale.Forexample,heftywingbackswouldoverpowertheroomandbreakupthevisualflow,butthethirty-inch-tallbarrelchairsarejustright.
Credit75Inthissunnynook,abanquettemaximizesseatingandstorage.(The“built-ins”aresimplykitchencabinets,leftoverfromthehome’skitchen
“built-ins”aresimplykitchencabinets,leftoverfromthehome’skitchenrenovation,turnedontheirsides.)Theinky-bluepillowsechothepopsofindigothroughoutthehome,andtherattanpendantprovidestexture.
Theworkspacesqueezedinbetweenthefrontdoorandrefrigeratorprovesyoucanmakeanyspotafunctionalone.Thestainlesssteelwasn’tparticularlyinspiring,sothehomeownerdressedupthefridgewithabarn-woodveneer.Tohelpthedeskblendin,itwaspaintedthesameshadeofwhiteasthewalls.
Credit76
Credit77Decoratestructuralelements.Thekitchen’svaultedceilingswouldn’tbepossiblewithoutsturdy(butunattractive)steelbeams.Foraprettierfinish,they’rewrappedinanautical-inspiredjuterope.Thehoney-huedtoneisrepeatedintheroom’slightfixtures,island,andbaskets.
Makeyourislandworkovertime.Tiny-houselivingcanleadtoirreverentstorage.Ifyou’reabletoincorporatealargeisland,don’tlimitittokitchensupplies.Thisoldworkbench,forexample,housesdrygoods,officesupplies,andevenassortedwrappingpapers.
Hang“copy-cat”lightfixtures.Designerslovetodisplaycontrastinglightfixturesoveranislandandkitchensink.Butinasmallcookspace,ascaled-down
versionoftheislandpendantscreatesamoreeye-pleasingandcohesivelook.
Addtexturewithpennytiles.Largetilesarewellandgood;however,theycanquicklyoverwhelmasize-starvedkitchen(orbath,forthatmatter).Meanwhile,pennytilespairedwithamatchinggroutbringanubbyaestheticsansdistraction.
HillsideHideaway
1,100squarefeet
BUCKSCOUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
Credit78Richcolorrulesatthishillsidehideaway.Inside,navybluecoversthewalls,creatingacocoon-likefeel;outside,aduskygray-greenpaintjobcoatseverysurfaceandblendsintothe
surroundingscenery.
Inthelivingroom,aroundrattancoffeetable,circularsidetable,andsphericalfloorlampmaximizespaceandsoftentheroom’smanyhardedges(ceilingbeams,paneledwalls,stonefireplace).
Credit79Usingsaturatedcolorscanmakeatinyspacefeelintentionallyjewelrybox–like.Whiletherearedark-bluewallsthroughoutthehome,thateffectisbestondisplayinthemasterbedroom.Here,theenvelopingshadeismatchedwithlayeredwoolrugsunderfoot.Theyprovidemuch-neededinsulationduringfrigidPennsylvaniawinters.
Reinforcingtheblue’ssoothingvibeisthedarkwoodhutch.(Thepaneledbacksplashispaintedtogivetheillusionofabuilt-incabinet.)Rummage-salewhitedinnerwareandatrioofblueMasonjarslenddepthtothepiece.
Credit80
Credit81Banishboundaries.Takinginspirationfromoutsidemakesforaseamlessindoors–outdoorstransitionandreinforcesasenseofroominess.Twoofthediningchairs,forexample,aremadefromrawwood.Alushflowerarrangementandfern-sprigcenterpieceachieveasimilareffect.
Camouflagemillwork.Someoldwoodworkisstriking,butthatofDIYvarietynotsomuch.Toconcealahodgepodgeoffinishesandstyles,gowithasingleall-encompassingcolor.Adarkshade,liketheblueshownhere,isparticularlyhelpfulatmaskingpastsins.
Incorporateabarely-therepiece.Bringheighttoaroomwithoutvisualheftwithitemssuchasthiswire-and-glassplantstand.Theinconspicuousfindoffers
storageandsubtleinterestwhilelettingthediningtableremaincenterstage.
Castafilteredlight.Ahistoriccabinbegsforabitofcandlelight,buttheold-worldlightsourceisrarelypractical.Youcanachieveasimilarambience,andskipthefirehazard,withachandeliersportingfabricshades.Thepetitecanopiesfilterthelightforanequallyflatteringglow.
CountryStrong
1,000squarefeet
ACADIA,
OKLAHOMA
Credit82Thehomeowner,withthehelpofafewfamilymembers,builtthispint-sizefarmhousefromthegroundup.An800-square-footfrontporchwithscenicviewsrivalsthe1,000-square-foot
home.
Thesmallbutopenlivingroomfeaturesshiplappaneling,wide-plankpinefloors,andatrioofhandsomebuilt-inbookshelves,plusdownsizedfurniture.Hidingamongtheclassiccountryfinishesareafewingenious
buildingmaterials,includingstairrailingscraftedfromcattlepanelsandahearthwithman-maderockscastfromstonesfromtheSierraMountains.
Credit83Thekitchen,thehome’slargestroom,hascustomcabinetrytoppedwithblackquartzcountertopsandcomplementarysubwaytilewithblackgrout.Thekitchenislandservesasadiningspotforafamilyoffour(whenthey’renoteatingontheporch)andisalsothehomeforabuilt-inmicrowaveanddishwasher.AboveareIKEApendants,disassembledandrewiredwithgaspiping.
Credit84Theloftedmasterbedroomprovidesasurprisingamountofstorage.Drawersbeneaththebedandwindowseatholdthebulkofthehomeowners’clothing.There’salsoworkspacethankstoapetiteantiquedeskpairedwithanoldfactorytasklight.Meanwhile,homemadefloatingshelvescreateabedsideperch.Thewindowswereleftbaretomaximizetheairyfeel.Theoneexception:avintageAmericanflagthatsubstitutesforaproperheadboard.
Credit85Thewell-featheredbathfeaturesadetailedgoldmirrorfoundatanestatesale.Itpopsoffthedramaticroyal-bluepainttomakeastatement.
Credit86
Credit87Sneakinshallowshelves.Narrowshelving,especiallyinakids’room,canhouseawealthoftreasures.Here,four-inch-deepledgesplacedattheheadandfootofthebuilt-inbunkbedsstoreartworkandtoys,transformingthemintodisplay-worthyartifacts.
Lookforindustrialmaterials.Inatinyhome,youcancountoneverylastinchgettingdailywearandtear.Theblackfittedpipeusedtocraftthebunk-bedladdernotonlybringssomeutilitarianedgebutisalsoheartyenoughtowithstandyearsofuse.
Finishwitharayofsunshine.Inaroomwithlimitednaturallight,yellowaccents,likethesevibrantcoverlets,canbeacheerysubstitutefortherealthing.
Theypackanespeciallypowerfulpunchinthetinybunkroom.
Cool,Calm,Collected
1,000squarefeet
SHARON,
CONNECTICUT
Credit88Whenthehomeowner,alifelongcollector,relocatedfromasprawlingNewYorkfarmhousetoaquaintConnecticut
cottage,shewasforcedtocarefullyeditandlayerherarrayoffurnitureandartsoitwouldfitintoamere1,000squarefeet.
Aweatheredbluetrunk,whichthehomeownerhasownedformorethanthirty-fiveyears,providesconvenientandmuch-neededstoragejustinsidethedoorway.Otherstorage-lendingantiquesseenhereincludethe
zincumbrellastand,fadedapplebasket,andebonycoatrack.
Credit89Thediningroomisamixofcleanlinesandvintagepieces.Tomakeroomfortheantiquehutch,asimpledrop-leaftablewasusedinplaceofalarger,moreformalpiece.It’ssurroundedbyWindsorchairsandastriped,flat-weaverug.Beyond,acirca1880sladderdisplaysantiquetextilesthatwouldhaveotherwisebeenhiddeninadrawer.
Credit90Thehutch’svibrantmustardhue(originaltothepiece)introducesaboldaccentcolorthatreappearsthroughoutthemostlyneutralhome.
Thebedroomfollowsasimpleformula:Startwithneutralsolids,thenlayerinselectitemswithrichcolorsandintricatepatterns.ThelattercomeintheformofanIndianKanthaquilt,whichwasmadefromsariremnants,atthefootofthebedandamoodyoilpaintingabove.
Credit91Buildingonthecottage’scollectedlookareanassortmentofblacktolewaretraysdisplayedinastunningarrangementinthelivingroom.Encirclingthelargestonewithothertraysofvaryingscalescreatesa
cohesivelookamongthemismatchedpatterns.Below,aweatheredbenchfunctionsasabookshelfthatcanbeclearedoffforseatinginapinch.
Credit92
Credit93Muteyourpalette.Amonochromaticcolorschemeletsakitchenfeellargerthanitactuallyis.Heretheceiling,walls,andcabinetryareallcoatedinapalegray-greenhue.Forsubtledimension,thecabinetsarepainted50percentdarkerthanthewalls.
Springforbuilt-inappliances.Theymaycarryaheftierpricetag,butbuilt-inslikethiscabinet-fronteddishwashercanbeworththeinvestmentinatightkitchen.Thediscreetlookhelpstheroomappearunified.
Embraceopencabinetry.Wanttomaximizespaceandaddcottagestyle?
Removethedoorsfromuppercabinets.Thedesigntrickbringsano-fussvibeandincreasesaroom’scharacterbyshowingofftreasuredcollections.More
importantly,thisstylealleviatestheaggravationthatcancomewithopeningcabinetdoorsinacrampedcookspace.
Rolloutarunner.Along,narrowruginstantlydrawstheeyeinandgeneratestheillusionofelongatingthearea.Here,therichcolorsofanineteenth-centuryTurkishrunnerlendasophisticatedanchor.
InBloom
970squarefeet
REDLANDS,
CALIFORNIA
Credit94Builtin1890,thisquaintCaliforniacottagewasoriginallythegardener’sresidenceonalargeestate.Today,flower-filledlandscapingremains,thankstotheoriginaloccupant’sgreen
thumb.
Thediningroom’sabundantnaturallightismaximizedwithmirrors.Areflectivetrio—twogilded,onebronze—ampsupthesunshineandletstheareafeellarger.Reinforcingtheopenfeelareglassaccentslikethe
vasesonthewritingdeskandtheclochesatopthechinahutch.Thedark-stainedfloors—originaltothehome!—anchortheairylook.
Credit95Thewalk-inpantryprovesthatnothingshouldgoundecoratedinatinyhome.Beadboardpanelingandeye-pleasingopenshelvingtaketheutilitarianspacefrompracticaltodownrightpretty.Glasscanistersandwickerbinskeep(almost)everythinginplainsight.
Credit96
Chandeliers,oilpaintings,floor-lengthdraperies,andanantiquerug—inakitchen?Yes!Dressingassuresthatthe100-square-footroomfeelsinkeepingwiththerestofthehouse.
Credit97Ratherthaneditdownalargecollectionofartwork,thehomeownermaderoomforeverycherishedpiecebycreatingagallerywallthatstretchesfromthecrownmoldingtothebaseboards.Totheleftofthedisplay,afreshmixofblue-and-whitebeddingkeepstheroomfromfeelingoff-balance.
Credit98Avibrantnavypainthelpsthe8×10–footofficefeelcozy,notclaustrophobic.Enhancingthehomeyfeelaremaps,flags,andahodgepodgeofnaturepaintings.Meanwhile,acushywhiteslipcoversofaprovidesavisualbreakamongthedarkwallsandaccents.
Doorwayscanthrowawrenchincrampedspaces.Togivethistinyensuitebathsomebreathingroom,thehomeownersreplacedtheexistinghingeddoorwitharedtoilecurtainpanel.Thetextileimprovestrafficflowandalsoaddsvisualinteresttotheneutralbathroom.
Credit99
Credit100Addwidthwithstripes.Agraphicblack-and-whitepatternaddspunchtothenarrowporch.Whilesubtlercolorcomboswillalsodothetrick,you’llmaximizeelongationwithahigh-contrastduolikethisone.Additionalblackaccessories(planters,theironsettee)complementthefloormotif.
Embracethestructure.Ratherthanattemptingtocamouflageamiscellanyofarchitecturalelements,letthemhappilycoexist!Herewindowsashes,beadboardpaneling,andshingledsidingareleftuntouchedandincreasetheporch’slayeredcharm.
Bringtheindoorsout.Livingroom–worthyelements,likeabluedresser,velveteenseatcushion,andcollageofhangingchina,bringunexpectedlychicdetailsoutdoors.Pairthemwithafewoutdooressentials,liketherattanplantstandandgalvanizedplanters,tohelpthemlookathomeonaporch.
ShipshapeStunner
880squarefeet
NANTUCKET,
MASSACHUSETTS
Credit101Aho-humboathousewastransformedintoaminibeach
retreatthankstopracticalupgradesandabountyofnautical
décor.Theshipshapestylekeepsthesix-feet-above-the-waterabodefeelinganythingbutstilted.
Whilethe200-square-footdeckisfarfromroomy,therollingtwo-tieredbarcartmaximizesspace—andmobility.Shouldaseaborneshowercomethrough,thecarteasilyslidesrightbackinside.
Credit102Colorfulsailing-racepennants,mostofthemfromCapeCod,drawtheeyeupwardtoshowcasethefourteen-foot-tallceilings.Thehomeownerleftthewood-paneledceilingunpaintedtofurtherexaggeratetheheight.
Credit103Thetinywindowfeelslargerthankstothepaintingsflankingitoneitherside.Theirseascapemotifsechothevistasoutthewindow,creatingamorepanoramicviewthanthesinglewindowpaneallows.
Credit104Blurtheinteriorswiththescenery.Shadesofblue(cottonduckupholstery)andtan(blinds,ceiling,table)mirrortheseaandsandoutsidetheboathouse.Inamorelandlockedlocale,looktogreens,browns,andgraystoachieveasimilareffect.
Bridgethegap.Matchstickblindstietogetherthewoodfloorsandceilingsandpopagainstthewhitetongue-and-groovewalls.Ifacolorfulpaintjobismoreyourthing,tryalightfixtureandruginthesamehueasthewalls.
Findfoldablefurniture.Yes,itcanbechic!Whitedirectorchairsanda
collapsiblediningtablelooktinyintheeatingnookbutcanrestflatagainstawalltomakeroomforgearstorageintheoff-season.
Gobigonpersonality.Inalimitedspace,useeverychancetobringincharacter.Here,Nantucket-approvedaccentslikeanantiquesurfboardandoldshiplightsaddheapsofvisualinterest.Seealso:theportholeonthebluefrontdoor
(page106).
CharmSchool
858squarefeet
HOBART,
NEWYORK
Credit105Thisconverted1840sschoolhousegetsanA+incharm,
thankstoadozenpaintcolors,justasmanypatternedfabricsandwallpapers,andampleantiquesbehinditssunnyyellow
frontdoor.
Keentomakeastatement,thehomeownersblanketedthetightentrywaywithaplethoraofpastels.Achinoiserie-inspiredwallpaperandpinkmillworkhelpitfeelasthoughthehouse’sgardenscontinueindoors.A
collectionofframedEnglishbotanicalsreinforcesthegarden-inspiredaesthetic.
Credit106Ashabbydropceilingwasremovedtogivethekitchenamoreopenfeel.Withthenewlyexposedrafterspaintedadreamyshadeofblue,theroomnowhastheeffectofstretchingtothesky.Below,whimsicaldetailssuchaswallpaperfeaturingmilkjugsandteacupsarejuxtaposedwithsleekerelementslikeblackcabinetsandaconcreteisland.
Credit107
Credit108Withalimitednumberofwallstopaint,thecolor-lovinghomeownersturnedtheirattentiontotheceilinginthelivingroom,specificallythebeams,whichtheycoatedinavibrantshadeofteal.Matchingtheintensityarebrightyellowcurtainsandpink-drenchedupholstery.Thefurniture’scleanlines,particularlythetuxedosofa,keepthelarge-scalefabricsfromoverpoweringthenarrowroom.
Credit109Thetealtrimandyellowdraperiescontinueintothediningspace,whichisanchoredbyawalnutdiningtableandanAsian-influencedsecretary.Thelatteriswherethehomeownersstashtheirtablelinensandbarware.
Inthelow-pitchedbedroom,everyinchgetsinontheactthankstobuilt-inbookshelves.Theyellowshelvingisthesameasthecheeryfrontdoorandcoordinateswithanaccentcolorfoundontheroom’sfloralwallpaper.Finally,ahandsomeoakbedcontraststheroom’sfrillfactor.
Asfirmbelieversthatthereisnosuchthingasapass-throughspaceinatinycottage,thehomeownersplantedfloralwallpaperupthestairwell.Ahigh-glosscreampaintonthestairtreadsandtrimhelpstoreflectthenaturallight,whileframedartworkproppedonaledgeinfusesacollectedair.
Credit110
Credit111Skirttheissue.Askirtedsinkbringsasoftnesstoabathroom’smanyhardedgesandsurfaces.Italsoprovidesanartfulmeansofstashingless-than-eye-pleasingbathroomessentials:Hidingbeneaththisverdantandwonderfullyintricatefloralfabricareunsightlystaples,suchastoiletpaper.
Rethinkthevanitymirror.Inthiscrampedbath,theonlyspotforthesinkwasrightbelowthewindow.Ratherthanblockthenaturallightsource,mirrorswereplacedoneithersideofthevanity.Theduo—onehandheld,oneonaretractablearm—worksjustaswellasasingleonewould.
Createaverticalgarden.Whileit’snotarealverticalgarden,floor-to-ceilinggreencaninfusecalm.Here,atwo-tonedmillwork-and-trelliswallpaperhelpsthe
bathtakeonapastoralpanache.
One-KitWonder
800squarefeet
NAPA,
CALIFORNIA
Credit112This22×24–footkitbarnsitsontwoacresintheheartofCaliforniawinecountry.Thepost-and-beamstructurewasconstructedfromhundredsofspruceplanksthatgivethe
rusticescapejusttherightvintage.
Circlesaboundinthedesignateddiningareawhereamirror,hats,andcurvychairscontrastthebarn’smanysquared-offedges.Butthemostingeniousoftheroundaboutideasisthediningtable,whichsitsonlarge
redcasters,allowingthehomeownertorollthetableoutdoorswhentheweatherisnice.(Spaciousslidingbarndoorsmaketheseacinch!)
Credit113Inlieuofafull-fledgedkitchen,thebarnhasawell-stockedislandandthishandsomebucketsinkthat’strimmedinblueandpairedwithexposedcopperpiping.Above,atwo-by-fourwasplacedbetweensupportbeamsforarough-hewndishledge.
Inthekitchenette,salvagedwoodandgalvanizedsheetmetalfroman1880sbarnareusedonanislandthatfunctionsasabarononesideandapantryontheother.Above,pendantlightscraftedfromchickenwirerampuptherusticityandprovidehelpfultasklighting.
Credit114Thesecondfloorishometoaloungingareawherethestarisadistressed-leathersofa.Aplushplus-signrugandhandmadecoffeetablecraftedfromdiscardedshippingcratesaddtothesit-and-stay-a-whilelook.
Inthebathroom,reclaimedlumberisasturdybasefortheconcretesink.Totheleft,atroughsourcedfromafeed-supplystoreispairedwithaduck-clothshowercurtainforabarn-worthyspottobathe.
Credit115
Thenubbytextureofthelinenbedechoesthevibeofthebarnwalls.Toppedwithcolorfulbedding,includingavintagePendletonblanket,it’sanidealspotforgueststohitthehay.Thedappergreentrunkatthefootofthebedhandilystoresextrabedlinens.
Credit116
Credit117Supersizebrackets.Bracketedopenshelvingisinthedomainoftinykitchens.Butthesturdysupportscanalsolendahandwithlargerbuilt-ins,likethisspaciousdeskcraftedfromleftoverplywood.Thebutted-against-the-walldesignallowsthepieceoffurnituretositdirectlybeneaththewindow.Below,thehomeownerscarvedoutalow-lyingshelf.
CatchsomeZZZs.Z-bracing,thatis.Theclassicbarn-doordesignaddscountrystyle.Itwillalsokeepexteriorwoodendoorsfromwarpingasthetemperaturesriseanddrop.
Cooldownwithconcrete.It’snotuncommonforatinyhometogowithoutairconditioning.Inthisno-ACbarn,pouredconcretebringssomechillfactortotheflooring.Thenaturallycoolmaterialalsostandsuptomuddybootsanddogpawsandotherfrequentbarnvisitors.
CitySavvy
735squarefeet
NEWYORK,
NEWYORK
Credit118ThistinyNewYorkCitydwellingbringscountryflairtothebigcitywithrough-hewncollectiblessetagainstneutralwallsandamplemirrors.Inthediningroom,thehomeowner’s
“displayit,don’tstoreit”philosophyisshowcasedwithlinenslininganoldorchardladder.
Acohesivecolorschememakesforacurated,notcluttered,display.
Credit119Anunexpectedassortmentofhumblefinds,includingironstoneplattersandgardentools,bringssculpturalinteresttothenarrowhallway.
Noabove-the-sinkview?Noproblem!Thisarchedantiquemirrormaximizesthelightthatpoursinnearby.It’soneoffourteenmirrors(yes,fourteen!)thatcreatesilluminatingtricksoftheeyethroughouttheapartment.
Credit120Roomswithmultiplepurposesareessentialinsmall-spaceliving.Inthislivingroom,thehomeownerusedtwotwinbedstocreateaspace-savingdaybedlargeenoughtoaccommodatetheoccasionalovernightguest.Anassortmentofdecorativepillowsaddsacozyfeelingwhenloungingathome.
Credit121Withdrawersscarce,wareslikeclothespinsanddogtreatsareondisplayineye-pleasingglasscanisters.Thein-plain-sightthemecontinuesabovewithstaplesscatteredontheminimalistopenshelves.
Credit122
Credit123Takeastandagainsttraditionalbedsidetables.Youwon’tfindho-humnightstandshere.Instead,mismatched“tables”consistofaghostchairandanoldballotbox,thelatterofwhichhousesseasonaldécor.Addingtounexpectedstorageisanoldantiquetoolboxatthefootofthebed.
Mixbucolicwithurbane.Atatteredtobaccobasketandsleekghostchairareaboutasoppositeasyoucangetwithdécor.Butpairingjuxtaposingitemssuchasthesebringsinstantinterest.Thisparticularcombobringsdepthtothecrampedbedroom.
Rounduptherightrug.Biggerisn’talwaysbetter.That’sespeciallyevidentwiththisbarely-two-foot(diameter)circularrugthatrestsbesidethebed.Afterthehomeownerexhaustivelysearchedforalargerrectangularversion,shehonedinontheroundjutefloorcovering.It’sjusttherightsizetogreetfeetfirstthinginthemorning.
LoftyAspirations
700squarefeet
MINNEAPOLIS,
MINNESOTA
Credit124ThisdowntownMinneapolisloftispartofarehabbedcirca-1880sfactory.Itfeaturestallceilingsandoak-plankedfloors.Toplayupitshistoricarchitectureandurbanlocale,the
homeownermixedfarmhouse-worthypieces,suchasarollingislandtoppedwithpacking-crateslats,withindustrial
elementslikethemetalbarstools.
Theloft’sunusual,angledrecess(itconcealsanairvent)wasnomatch
forthecleverhomeowner,wholineditwithspruceshelvingtoholdatreasuredbookcollection.Belowisanenclosedportionoftheair-conditioningunit,whichservesasasidetable.Theantiquedollchairrestingontopfeelsrightathomeinthetinyspace.
Credit125Simpleutilitarianstyleisthenameofthegameinthekitchen,whereopenshelvesdisplayhandmadepotteryandSwedishcleaningbrushes.Anunassumingover-mountsinkandeasy-to-cleanlaminatecountertopsreinforcetheminimalistaesthetic.
reinforcetheminimalistaesthetic.
Proofthatlesscantrulybemore—adiningareaiscarvedoutbythefrontdoorwiththehelpoffourfoldingbistrochairsandahand-me-downtable.Atexturedlinentableclothlendsabitofsophistication.
Credit126Ingenuityaboundsinthebathroom.Avintagechestfulloftowelsrestsbeneathanantiquetablethatprovidesageneroussurfaceareaformakeupandothernecessities.(There’sevenroomforapottedplant!)Equallyhardworkingaretheold-schoolmedicinecabinetandwoodenledgeabovethesink.
Clover-printedshamsandaduvetcoverarethefocalpointinthebedroom,whereanantiquecanopybedbringsanarchitecturalelementtotheplain-Janeinteriors.
Credit127
Credit128Doubleupondaybeds.Fittedwithtwinmattresses,aduoofdaybeds(deeperthanaloveseatbutnotaslongasafullsofa)bringsaFrench-salonvibetothelivingroom.Theseatingcanalsoeasilytransitiontoaguestroom.
Layerrugs.Andthenlayersomemore.Awide-openfloorplanisanefficientsetupforatinyhome.Butitcanmakerugplacementtricky—andexpensive!Foranalternativetoasinglesprawlingfloorcovering,tryoverlappingflat-weaveindoor/outdoorrugs.Therearenofewerthanteninthisinvitinglivingroom.
Leavewindowsbare.Theloft’sskinny-dippingwindowsmeanzeroobstructiontothenaturallight.Addingtotheaunaturelappeal,theoriginalwindowsasheswereleftunpaintedtogeneratesomerustictextureagainsttheglossywhitewalls.
ForestStation
665squarefeet
DAYTON,
WYOMING
Credit129Thistinycabin,nestledintheWyomingmountains,wasbuiltandfurnishedonashoestringbudget.Itsshrewdhomeownerprovedamasterattiny-housetricksandfrugalfinds.Inthelivingroom,thewhitebookcaseslooklikecustombuilt-ins
butarefromabig-boxretailer.Thewhitesofaisupholsteredwithpaintdropcloths,andthestrikingredclubchaircame
fromathriftstore.
Thekids’loftedbedroomfeatureshomemadeplatformbedswithpulloutdrawersbelow.Thecleveresttrick?Thehomeownerfashionedthreesetsofsheetstoperfectlyfitthecustombedsoutofasingleon-sale,king-sizeset.
Credit130Withcountryelements—beadboardpaneling,ladderbackchairs—thediningnooklookslikeitbelongsinasprawlingoldfarmhouse.Butthecharmingneweatingareaonlytakesupanominalportionoftheopen-floorplanhomethankstoaspace-savingwindowseatandnarrowantiquetable.
Inthemasterbedroom,slimwardrobeswithinsetledgestaketheplaceofbesidetables.Abovethebed,anovalmirror—anotherthrift-storefind!—actsastheroom’ssecondwindow,openingupthe8×13–footspace.
Credit131
Credit132Fakeitoncountertops.These“soapstone”countersareactuallyplywood,coatedinchalkboardpaintandsealedwithpastewax.Ifyoupreferthelookofmarble,youcanpulloffasimilarDIYwithsubtlyswirledpaint.
Jointhedraft.Nospace-hogginghoodhere!InsteadaJenn-Air®downdraftrangefreesupwallsandstillkeepsaircirculating—animportanttaskinacrampedkitchen.
Dosomeeavesdropping.Whatmakesthiskitchensostriking?It’sarguablythe
sunshine-filledwindowtuckedinbelowtheeaves.Littlecookspacesareoftenstarvedfornaturallight;sneakingwindowsintounexpectedspotssuchtheraftersorevenceilingcandowonderstoopenthemup.
PartyOn
600squarefeet
WILMINGTON,
DELAWARE
Credit133
This30×30–footbarnwasdesignedwithentertaininginmind.Equippedwithanefficiencykitchen,sleepingloft,andevenastage,it’sprimedforpartiesthatlastwell-into-the
night.(Orevenallweekendlong.)Heftyhemlockbeamsandfieryredbarndoorsaddtothefestivefeel.
Thetinybarnoffersplentyofroomforthehomeownertopursueapassionforpainting.Whilenotfunctional,theantiquewhitestoveprovidesaperfectspotforstashingartsupplies.What’smore,itaddsahomeyfeel.
Credit134Thehomeowner’sdécormotto:Barnoutside;campinside.Thelatterisinfulleffectinthelivingarea,wherearedsofaissurroundedbyplentyofplaidandpaint-by-numbers.Takingadvantageoftheshelf-likebeamsformedbythetimberframe,thehomeowneraddstothelodgefeelwithdisplaysofyellowwareandvintageboardgames.
Credit135Thebestseatinthehouse?ThewoodenbenchandmetalTolix®chairsgatheredaroundthelargeantiquetable.Beyond,there’sawould-bestagewherethehomeownerhostsimpromptuconcerts.
Evenwhennotteemingwithguests,thebarnispackedwith“characters”bywayofnumerousvintagecollectibles.Vibrantretrothermosesquenchthethirstforcoloramongthestructure’smanywoodtones.
Credit136ThequaintsleepingloftcontainsaninvitingtwinbedcompletewithwoolblanketsandaquirkypillowsportingTheodoreRoosevelt’slikeness.Besidethebed,thehomeownercarvedanightstandfromthestumpofadyingtreeremovedduringthebarn’sconstruction.
Credit137
Credit138Tuckandgo.Under-the-gablesspacesarethedomainoftinyhouses.Thisonemakesthemostofthecrampedloftwithlow-profilefurniture,includingacompactbed(there’snoheadboard!)andashallowtrunkandshortcrateinlieuofatraditionaldresserandnightstand.
Sneakinstorage.Theminimalistbedroomstealthilyhousesspaciouspulloutdrawersthatprovidemuchneededstoragewithoutcomprisingfloorspaceorheadroom.
Walktheline.Thestripesonavintagewoolcoverlettuckinboldpopsofcolor.Moreimportantly,theyhelpthenarrowloftspacefeelwiderthanitactuallyis.Aplaidthrowblanketandcheckedpillowcreateasimilarvisualeffect.
GardenVariety
600squarefeet
DOUGLAS,
GEORGIA
Credit139Thisismorethanagreenhouse.Outfittedwithinterior
nicetieslikesofasandarearugs,it’sagardenretreatwithajewel-boxfeel.Theabodefeatures139salvagedwindows,allsportingacoatoftealpaintthatachievestheunthinkable:Itbothblendsinwithandstandsitsownagainsttheverdant
surroundings.
What’sagardenhousewithoutalittlegardening?Pottedflowersin
mossycontainersaremixedwithasculpturaldisplayofgardeningtrinketsforanearthy,eye-pleasingvignette.
Credit140Decoratinganoutdoorstructurecallsformaterialsthatcantakeabeating.Here,gardeningtools-turned-artworklikethepitchfork,shovel,andshearsaremountedtoacast-offFrenchdoor.Belowit’sequippedwithamirrortofurtherreflectthelushview.
Aweatheredgreenbistrotableandchairsechothehouse’ssignaturehueandalsobegforsomeonetositandenjoyaspotoftea.Justbehindthetable,astunningcollectionofantiqueoillampsisnestledinwiregardenbasketsandwillampuptheambienceatsundown.
Credit141
Credit142Cageitin.Indoorsorout,anantiquebirdcageisanalluringwaytointroducearchitecturalinterestandplentyofstorage.Theoversizeoneshownhereisaprettyplacetoconcealgardeningessentials,suchaspottingsoilandgloves.
Raisea(transparent)roof.Yes,thisgardenhousewowswithnearly150windows,butitalsofeaturesclearcorrugatedplasticroofpanelsthatletlightstreaminfromabove.Thehardy,affordablematerialcanholditsownagainsttheinevitableelements.
Wowwithwicker.Real-deal,old-fashionedwickerhasaladylikeairaboutit.Butdon’tletthatfoolyou—itwasbuilttolast.Incorporatingwickerintoanalmost-alfrescospacelikethisoneisafoolproofwaytobringlivingroomelegance
outside.
Open-HousePolicy
500squarefeet
ELKINS,
NEWHAMPSHIRE
Credit143
Thisdark,dinkycabingotanairyoverhaulwhenthehomeownersremovedtheinteriorwallsforasingleopen
livingspace.Thepistachio-greenexteriorandshadyscreenedporchhinttothelaid-backaestheticinside.
Thecabinisequippedwithdozensofoutdoorpiecesthatcanstanduptomuddyfeetandwetbathingsuits.Forexample,thewickersectionalwasactuallydesignedforapatio.Samegoesforthestripedarearug.Alsoinabundance:cubbies.Whetherbuilt-inorrepurposedantiques,thecabinhasspotstostashitemslikebeachblanketsandsunscreenateveryturn.
Credit144Sincethekitchenispartofthemainlivingarea,itneedstolookgood.Handsomeselectionslikeaporcelainsinkatopauniqueaccordiontableandafridgedressedupwithmapsdothetrick.Quintessentiallake-cabinaccentslikeduckdecoysaddfurthercharmtothesmartgrayshelving.
Credit145Therenovationwipedoutthecrampedbedroomsinfavorofmorelivingspace.Butthehomeownersstillmanagedtotuckaquaintsleepingloftintotherafters.Restingontheflooraretwosinglefutonmattresseswearingvintagewoolandalpacathrowpillows.Oldhighwaymapstackedtothewallformmakeshiftheadboardsandgiveashout-outtothehomeowner’sstatepride.
Credit146Thecabin’sbathroomiscramped,butitsoutdoorshowerfeelswonderfullyspacious,thankstoashutteredwindowthatprovidesshorelineviews.Theexterior’spalegreenhuereinforcestheone-with-naturesensationofthespace.
Credit147
Credit148Useitorloseit.Realizingsit-downdinnersarevirtuallynonexistentattheirlakeescape,thehomeownersnixedaproperdiningarea.Initsplace,theywheeledinacrowd-pleasingbarcartwithplentyofroomforpouringcocktailsandstashingtablelinens.
Rollwithit.Everythingisbetteronwheelswhenitcomestotiny-homeliving.Caseinpoint:Oversizecastersletthebarcarttransitiontoalfrescoentertainingorbemovedoutofthewayaltogetherifmoreseatingisrequired.
Keepgearinplainsight.Ratherthantryingtocramitintooneofthehome’sfewclosets,thehomeownersletlakegearlikefishingnetsandcanoepaddlesstandinforartwork.Thesportinglookalsoworkswithtennisrackets,golfclubs,andmore.
WorkofArt
480squarefeet
HARPERSVILLE,
ALABAMA
Credit149Thisgardenretreatprovesalittlehousecanmakeabigentrancewithdoubledoorspaintedadaringshadeofteal.Hingedwindowsalongboththetopandbottomprovidelovelycrossbreezesdayandnight,makingthestructureis
invitinginsideasitisout.
Thesunnyartstudioinspiresplentyofcreativerepurposingideas,includinganantiquetable-turned-desk,musicstand-turned-arteasel,and
feedtrough-turned-storagebins.Equallyimaginative:stashingbooksamongtherafters.
Credit150Terra-cottapotsbecomeaveritableartinstallation,thankstocustomshelvessetagainstthereclaimedwindows.Toucheslikeadesklampfurtherinfusehomeystyle.
SheddingStyle
250squarefeet
DALLAS,
TEXAS
Credit151This100-year-oldshedwentfromrundownstoragetorefinedhome-away-from-homewiththehelpofagraphicblack-and-
whitecolorschemeonboththeexteriorandinterior.
The“livingroom”feelscozynotonlybecauseofitssize,butalsothankstothemanytexturedelementsincludingthrowblankets,ashellchandelier,andafiddleleaffigtree.
Credit152Anunderstatedpaletteofblackandwhitedoesn’toverwhelmthemodestkitchen,whereamini-fridgestandsinforastandard-sizeone.Thehomeownerconstructedaframearoundthepint-sizeappliancetogivethelittlecookspaceamorepolishedlook.
Credit153Forstealthstorageinthebathroom,thehomeownerusedVelcro®tosecureatickingstripeskirttothesink,whichwasuncoveredbelowthefloorboardsduringtheshedrenovation.Apairofcurvymirrorscreatestheillusionofmoreroom,andasimplearrangementofbookpagesaddsanartfultouch.
Credit154Athematicgroupingofart—here,mid-centuryfemaleportraits—keepsagallerywallfeelingcohesive,notchaotic.Theirtraditionalformsalsobalancemoreeccentricpieces,likethespiremirrorandface-adornedceramicvase.
Credit155
Credit156Beonewithnature.Havingnaturalelementsindoors—herbs,houseplants,even
abranchasa“rod”—helpstheinteriorfeellikeanextensionoftheyard.
Makewallsworkovertime.Tiny-houselivingcallsforusingasmuchverticalspaceaspossible,whetherit’sarafter-skimmingladderdisplayingblankets,liketheoneshownhere,oropenshelvingtokeepitemsatarm’sreach.
Whenindoubt,addstripes.Stripeswidenandelongate,whichiswhythehomeownerusedthemonablack-and-whiterug,whichhelpsestablishateeny“foyer”intheshed.
SouthernComfort
192squarefeet
NATCHEZ,
MISSISSIPPI
Credit157AworkingMississippifarmwelcomesastylishnewcomerbywayofababy-blue“she-shed.”Thebarn-inspiredstructurehasliving-roomdetailsthatmakeittheperfectspottowhile
awayanafternoon.
Summerafternoonsweremadefornapping.Withthatinmind,ametaldaybedoffersampleroomforcurlingupwithoutencroachingonfloorspace.Above,ahand-tuftedmattressinclassictickingstripeprovidesa
secondspotforshedvisitorstocatchsomeshuteye.Forwater-resistantflooring,aclick-and-lockvinyltilewasappliedoverthesubflooring.Finally,anoversizevintageAmericanflagsetsafestivetoneforthebackyardretreat.
Credit158Toequipforentertaining,there’sakitchenettewithamini-fridgeandanassortmentofwhitewashedwoodencratesstockedwithpantryandpartystaples.Above,thinsheetsofmetal(affixedtoplywoodusingsprayadhesive)provideasleekmagneticsurfacetotackuppicturesand
adhesive)provideasleekmagneticsurfacetotackuppicturesandpostcards.
Anentrynooktakesshapebythefrontdoor,whereacollectionofgrab-and-gosunhatsaddstexturetotheroom.Below,agalvanizedbinkeepseasy-to-misplaceitemscloseathand.Vintagefindslikelicenseplatesandbasketsreinforcethecasualvibe.
Credit159
Credit160Addarchitecturalextras.Tohelpthestructurefeelless“shed”andmore“retreat,”thestraight-from-mail-ordertoolshedwasoutfittedwithslatedshutters.Andbecausecountrythunderstormssoundbetteragainstametalroof,agalvanizedonewasadded.
Takeafirewoodrackupanotch.Layachunkypieceofplywoodacrossthetopofametalfirewoodrackand—ta-da!—youhaveanoutdoorbarreadyforin-the-fieldentertaining.
Matchthepainttothesurroundings.Theoriginallybrownshedgotacountryupgradewithblueandgreenpaintontheexterior,whichmimicrollingfieldsandexpansiveskies.
SmallWonder
192squarefeet
PORTLAND,
OREGON
Credit161Thismobilefarmhouseoffersupamplefunctionsandtop-of-
the-linefinishes,likehardwoodfloors,aged-bronzesconces,andahappyyellowfrontdoorthat’sonlytwenty-nineinches
wide.Thebestpart?Becauseitisbuiltonwheelsandclassifiedasatraveltrailer,theownerscantakethisstylish
showontheroadandparkitalmostanywhere.
Justinsidethefrontdoorisalivingareacompletewithapairofcomfychairs.Above,aloftedshelf,accessiblebyastowawayladder,providessixsquarefeetofstorageforbulkyitemslikesuitcasesandout-of-seasonclothes.
Credit162Inthetwo-foot-widenicheabovethetoilet,customfloatingshelvescorraltoiletriesandbeliethehome’sprefaborigins.
Anarrowsinkbasinmakeswayforashowerinsertthatfeaturesahigh-pressure,low-flowshowerhead—aspa-likeexperiencescaleddowntojustfoursquarefeet.
Talkaboutcozy:Thisfour-foot-highloft(that’satitspeak!)isjustwideenoughtofitaking-sizebed.Thesamewhitetongue-and-groovepanelingusedthroughoutthehome,plusfourawning-stylewindowsandaskylight,helpthesnugspacefeelroomier.
Credit163Noneedforthistraveltrailertohitupalaundromat.Awasher/driercombounitfitsinsidethetwo-foot-widecloset,whichhasanadditionalfourfeetofstoragesqueezedinabove.
Credit164
Credit165Spiceitup.Well-thought-outstorageisobligatoryinahousethistiny.Thistwo-
inch-deepshelfisperfectlysizedtokeepcookingspiceshandy.
Warmuptoanauticalidea.Littlemobilehomeshavealotincommonwithhouseboats.Here,amade-for-a-marine-vesselpropaneheaterkeepstheentirehometoastyduringthewintermonths.
Scaledownsubwaytile.Thesimpleglazeddesignisaclassicforareason.Tomakeitworkinateenykitchen,looktoapetitevariety,likethis1.5×3–inchversion.
HappyLittleCamper
100squarefeet
ST.GEORGE,
UTAH
Credit166
Fromthecustomexteriorpaintjobtothehardwoodflooring,this1973vintagecamper—affectionatelyknownas“TheNugget”—isapersonality-filledhomeawayfromhome.
Whereveritmakesapitstop,theitty-bittycampergreetscompanywithanInstagram®-readydoormat.Addingtothehomeyfeelisaretro-inspiredwoodendoor.Withfivenarrowglasspanesandahoney-huedtone,it’sfarmoreinvitingthantheoriginalaluminumone.
Credit167Thehomeownerpowder-coatedthestovetopwithaboldmelonpaint,turningthepracticalapplianceintoafunkyfocalpoint.Whitecabinets
turningthepracticalapplianceintoafunkyfocalpoint.Whitecabinetsandahigh-glosspenny-tilebacksplashletthecolorpop.
Believeitornot,thiswhimsicalcornercantransitionintosleepingquarters.Dayornight,theasymmetricbrasschandelierbringsawarm,sculpturalglow.
Credit168
Credit169Useneutralsforbalance.Inatrailerthissize,youseeeverythingthemomentyouwalkin.Toinfusecolorbutavoidadisorientingrainboweffect,trytoselectaccentcolors(amixofsherbethuesdoesthetrickhere),andsticktowhitesandgraysfortherest.
Cultivateroad-proofplants.Tomakesuregreenerystaysuprightintransit,thehomeownersbuiltashelfwithindividualholesforpottedplants.
Rollwithit.Evenatraveltrailerneedssomeprivacy.Forwindowtreatmentsthattakeupalmostzerospace,looktoaroll-upvariety,likethewhitelinenonessportedby“TheNugget.”Handsomeleatherstrapsholdtheminplacewhennotinuse.
RoomwithaView
100squarefeet
NASHVILLE,
TENNESSEE
Credit170Whatthistreehouselacksinrightangles(zero!)andsquare
footage,itmorethanmakesupforinnaturallightandeveningbreezes.That’sdue,inlargepart,toahodgepodgeofoldwindowsthatweretheguidinglightinthequirkydesign.
Mid-centurypiecesliketherattansofaandgroovyfloorlampbalancethetreehouse’srusticstyle.Thejuxtapositionensuresthattheescapefeelsdecidedlygrown-up.Bringingafreshpopofcolortotheroomisabrightbluetrunkthatfunctionsasacoffeetableandalsoconcealscleaningsupplies.
Credit171Theten-inch-widewoodslabsonantiquebracketsaddcharmandkeepoddsandendsatarm’sreach.Ofparticularnote,thecopperkettlerestingonahotplateprovidespiping-hotcupsofpost-naptea.
Credit172Adiminutiveoaksecretaryissoprettythatyoualmostdon’tnoticethefloor-to-ceilingtreeviewsjustbeyondit.Plantsandbranchespluckedfromtheneighboringgardenmaketheretreatfeelevenmoreatonewithnature.
Credit173Buildaroundthebed.Nosleepingbagsforthistreehouse.Instead,thehomeownersdesignedtheentiretreehousearoundthisantiqueironbed.Doingsoassuredthatthestructurecouldfunctionasaproperguesthouseinadditiontoabackyardhangout.
Branchoutwithtextiles.Aptlynamedbarkclothmakesanappearanceonthebedbywayoffloralpillows.Thenubbyfabric,socalledforitswoodgrain–likeappearance,waspopularinthe1950sand’60s.Todayit’sanaffordablewaytoincorporatetextureintoatinyhome.
Utilizeductwork.Space-zappingductworkgetsapassthistimeduetotheshallowbuilt-inshelf—aperfecttreehousenightstand.Itsboxyshapeismimickedbythefloralcanvashangingabove.
PHOTOCREDITS
Coverphotography©DavidHillegas:front;©VictoriaPearson:back
©MattAlbiani:101,102,103,104
©LucasAllen:5
©JeanAllsopp:17,19
©MaliAzima:20
©JamesBaigrie:16
©LincolnBarbour:10
©StaceyBrandford:37,38,39–40,40,41
©RogerDavies:95,96,97,98,98,99,99–100
©EricaGeorgeDines:139,140,141,141–142
©TaraDonne:12
©JohnGruen:88,89,90,91,92,92–93
©MandiGubler:166,167,168,169
©AudreyHall:112,113,114,114,115,116,117
©AlecHemer:67,68,69,70,71,71–72
©DavidHillegas:8,170–170,171,172,173
iStockphoto:©Creative_Improv:chapteropeners(watercolorswatch),©miniature:chapter
openers(states),©RobinOlimb:chapteropeners(Alberta)
©MaxKim-Bee:i,1,30,18,29,31,32,33,34,35,35–36,50,51,52,53,54,54–55,94,105,
106,107,107–108,109,109,110,110–111,143,144,145,146,147,147–148
©DavidA.Land:9,22,23,23–24,25,26,27,27–28
©RandyMayor:3
©HelenNorman:21,133,134,135,136,136–137,138
©VictoriaPearson:4,73,74,75,76,76–77,129,130,131,131–132
©IanPratt:161,162,162,163,164,165
©ArmandoRafael:78,79,80,80–81
©LisaRomerein:56,57,58,59,60,60–61,124,125,126,127,128
©AnnieSchlechter:42,43,44,45,46,47,48,48–49,82,83,84,85,86,86–87
©BuffStrickland:2,63,62,64,65,66
©CodyUlrich:151,152,153–154,154,155,155–156
©BjornWallander:15
CourtesyWestElm:6
©BrianWoodcock:7,11,13,14,118,119,120,120–121,122,122–123,149,150,157,158,
159,159–160