Smaller But Smarter Cottage With Style
Smaller But Smarter Cottage Style
Designer P. Allen Smith loves a challenge. So when he built a guesthouse at his Moss Mountain Farm just outside Little Rock, he gave himself some limits: 1,650 square feet completed in 150 days for just $150,000. But that's not all. It would also feature the most up-to-date green construction principles, and its design would be inspired by vernacular precedent—the 19th-century Southern farmhouse. "This home is the anti-McMansion," says Allen. So how did he fare? Well, the house came in just $14,000 (or about 9%) over budget, but it checked all the other boxes, including Allen's mandate for comfortable and charming decor. Here, he shares 33 secrets for packing big style into a small space without breaking the bank.
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4. Rainwater Collection
To reduce dependency on local water sources, Allen installed a rainwater-harvesting system. Gutters and rain chains direct water into underground pipes that connect to a cistern. The water is used for the lawn and garden.
5. Outdoor Living Areas
The front porch and back deck add an extra 650 square feet of living space. "They make the cottage feel larger by creating an illusion of expansiveness," says Allen.
6. Entry Hall
Forgoing hallways created space for this room. "Entries set the tone for and give a sense of prelude to a house," says Allen.
- Love It? Get It!
- Mirror: Architectural Salvage-Inspired Round Oak; paulmichaelcompany.com
- Rug: For a similar look, try the Stockholm; wayfair.com
7. Painted Furniture
It's an easy and affordable way to transform any room.
8. Ready-Made Trim
Custom millwork on the interiors was not in the budget, so Allen used standard trim and made his own moldings from scrap lumber.
13. Antique Mantel
The distressed finish on this 19th-century relic lends historic character to the new wood-burning fireplace (from Monessen; monessenhearth.com).
17. Cased Opening
The extra-wide, doorless opening that connects the kitchen to the living and dining rooms makes the entire space feel larger without adding a single square foot.
10. Black and White Paint
For an airy feel, Allen used black paint (Benjamin Moore Black Bean Soup) for the floors and a creamy white (Benjamin Moore Snow White) for the walls, ceilings, and trim throughout the living spaces.
15. Oval Mirrors
This pair bounces more light around the bright white room and draws the eye up, underscoring the lofty ceiling height.
24. Open Shelves
The incomplete set of cabinet doors worked to Allen's advantage. Leaving a few off gives the effect of shelves, which helps open up the small space.
26. Salvaged Pendants
A few coats of white paint took these salvage-store metal fixtures from dull and dated to sleek and modern. "Painting vintage items is a win-win: It's an inexpensive way to update old stuff and keep it out of landfills," says Allen.
27. Consistent Finishes
Nickel hardware (from Lumber 1 Home Center; lumberonehomecenter.com) and stainless steel appliances (by LG; lg.com) prevent the small kitchen from looking busy.
28. Bare Windows
Skipping curtains where privacy wasn't a concern saved room in the budget for more essential items.
31. Cozy Color
Allen played up the room's snug factor with soothing taupe paint (Benjamin Moore Quicksand). He clad the ceiling with the same corrugated metal as the kitchen but painted it flat white (Benjamin Moore Snow White) to tone down the shine.
30. No Hallways
Forgoing a corridor between the living area and primary bedroom allowed Allen to make both rooms a little larger.
32. Lower-Grade Lumber & 33. Local Materials
He used No. 2-grade pine boards for the walls' horizontal planking, which cost him less than drywall. "It typically has more knots, but once they're sealed and painted, you'll never know the difference," says Allen.
Soybeans and pine are both readily available in Arkansas, so Allen used soybean insulation and pine timber to cut back on material-transport costs and support local industries.
Budget-Savvy Solutions
Live large for less with Allen's ideas for turning trash into treasure.
Painted Pieces
The dated chandelier and chairs were freshened up with bold red paint in varying shades.
Budget-Savvy Solution: Scrap-Wood Wainscot
Allen made this Mount Vernon-inspired wainscot with leftover 2-by-8 boards cut into beveled blocks.
Budget-Savvy Solution: Converted Console
Allen cut an old farm table down to a narrower width to fit the space better.
- Love It? Get It!
- Lamps: Exclusive Bottle Lamp; paulmichaelcompany.com
- Squash painting: by P. Allen Smith; pallensmith.com
Budget-Savvy Solution: Colorful Slipcovers
A bold pattern revives club chairs that belonged to Allen's grandparents.
Budget-Savvy Solution: Personal Collections
In the guest room, Allen hung 19th-century transferware plates he picked up at flea markets.
- Love It? Get It!
- Wall paint: Spring Iris (1402); benjaminmoore.com
- Pillows: Ginkgo Leaves; paulmichaelcompany.com
- Mirror: Antiqued Wood Diamond; paulmichaelcompany.com
Budget-Savvy Solution: Overhead Shelves
Made from leftover lumber, they provide extra storage in the mudroom, taking advantage of typically wasted space.
Budget-Savvy Solution: Repurposed Paneling
In the living room, simple Shaker-style cabinet doors from a lumber salvage yard mimic the look of a custom paneled wainscot for much less.
Budget-Savvy Solution: Chicken Wire Cabinets
Allen lined some of the kitchen-cabinet door frames with this inexpensive, airy material that adds farmhouse character.
Budget-Savvy Solution: Architectural Salvage
The reclaimed traditional 19th-century front door adds old-house charm to the brand-new facade.
Small cottages do not charm on looks alone. Sure their petite proportions make them very photogenic, but cottage style homes also pack a powerfully efficient punch inside and outside. The smaller the square footage the cheaper the construction costs, furniture budgets, and power bills. There is a universal appeal to living in a small cottage that hits home to both empty nesters and first time homebuyers. Take a cue from P. Allen Smith's personal challenge: to build a 1500 square foot cottage for under $150,000 using lasting materials and maxing out every inch. Smith found that living in less square footage actually makes his life larger. Why not embrace living in a manageable cottage style where you will look forward to tending your garden and decorating your home instead of fighting feelings of being overwhelmed by a larger home. Check out some of these small cottages and you just may be looking to downsize soon.