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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

Credit2

|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.

Credit5

|No.4|RetroAppliances

Generallyspeaking,vintageandvintage-inspiredappliancessuchasBigChill®andSMEG®haveasmallerfootprintthanmodern-daybehemoths.Theyalsoadddecorativepanache—andawelcomepopofcolor!—inasmallspace.

color!—inasmallspace.

Credit6

|No.5|Built-InBeds

Tuckingbedsintoalcovesandotherwiseunusedwallrecessesinstantlyincreasestheavailablefloorspaceinaroom.(Andtalkaboutasweetspottosnooze!)Todoubledownonefficiency,considerincorporatingbunkbedswhereceilingheightallows.

Credit7

|No.6|ConvertedClosets

Howdoyouaddanewroomtoatinyhousewithoutafull-blownrenovation?Reimagineacloset!Whetheryoucarveoutahomeoffice,acraftroom,abar,orevenaguestroomwithafoldawaybed,youcanampupahouse’slivingspacewithsmartfurnishingsandasplashofcolor.(Thelatterwillhelpdifferentiatetheareafromitssurroundings.)

Credit8

|No.7|FoldingChairs

Handsomewoodfoldingchairsareattractiveenoughtogarneraspotaroundaformaldiningtable.Buttheirrealbeautyliesintheirstorability.Thecollapsibleperchescanbeclearedatamoment’snotice,lettingasmallhouse’seatingareaquicklytransitiontoanotheruse.

Credit9

|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.

Credit10

|No.10|CoffeeTableTrunks

Don’tsquanderpreciousfloorspacewithacoffeetablethatfailstoearnitskeep.Insteaduseanoldtrunkforthislivingroomessential.You’llinfusethespacewithstoriedstyleandalsohandilyconcealthrowblankets,computerchargers,kids’toys,andmore.

Credit11

|No.11|OpenShelving

Inkitchens,bathrooms,andjustaboutanywhereelse,youcantakethestrainoffacrampedroombyswappingbulkycabinetswithairyopenshelves.Thestreamlinedstoragetransformsutilitarianpiecesintoworksofartandalsoalleviatestheawkwardanglesthatcanarisefromsqueezed-incabinetdoors.

Credit12

|No.12|ElevatedDraperies

Theeasiestwaytomakearoomfeeltalleristoplacethecurtainrodreallyclosetotheceiling—roughlytwoinchesfromthecrownmolding.Whileyou’reatit,extendtherodfourinchesoneithersideofthewindowsoitappearswiderandletsinmorelight.

|No.13|RollingFurniture

Smallspacesneedtobequick-changeartists,whichiswhyeverythingisbetteronwheels.Fromcoffeetablesandbarcartstobedsanddiningtables,caster-adornedfurnitureletsyouchangeuparoom’sfunctionalitywithease.

Credit13

|No.14|ReclaimedStorage

Repurposedcrates,bins,andboxesaddheapsofcharmtoanyhomebutareespeciallywell-placedinatinyone,wheretheycandodoubledutyasdécorandasameansofstashingsupplies.

Credit14

|No.15|SkirtedPieces

Whatdoconsoletables,bathroomsinks,andkitchencabinetshaveincommon?Theyalllookbettersportingaskirt.Fabric-coveredpiecesintroducesomefeminineflairtoaspaceandsubinvisualinterestinplaceoftoo-big-for-a-tiny-homearchitecturalelements.They’realsoeasiertoaccessinatightspace.

Credit15

|No.16|Barely-thereShades

Whenindoubt,getitinwhite.Whilecolorcanworkwondersinatinyhome,aneutralpaletteisafoolproofplanforcreatingamoreopenfeel.Coatwalls,ceilings,andevenfloorsincreamywhitepaint,andthenlayerinwarmtoneswithtouchesofwoodandbrass.

Credit16

|No.17|AcrylicAccents

Thiscrystal-clear,plastic-likematerialwillstreamlineasmallroombyeliminatingvisualclutter.Anddon’tstopatbarstools:Acryliccoffeetables,consoles,trays,anddrawerpullshavethesameeffect.

Credit17

|No.18|Settees

Yes,afull-sizesofacanworkinaspace-challengedhouse,butsomeroomscallforsomethinglessintrusive.Entersettees,whichcancomfortablyseattwopeopleandhaveasmallfootprinttoboot.

Credit18

|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.

Credit20

Credit21

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.

Credit40

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