Viewed from atop the oceanfront dune the house separates into th…
Viewed from atop the oceanfront dune the house separates into three connected pavilions.
A Shaker-like stairway exemplifies the building’s fusion of mi…
A Shaker-like stairway exemplifies the building’s fusion of minimalist traditionalism and classical modernism.
Peter Vanderwarker
A view through from the living through the dining area to the wi…
A view through from the living through the dining area to the window-lined sunroom.
Tony Soluri
The renovation was shaped by principles of simplicity, ease, dur…
The renovation was shaped by principles of simplicity, ease, durability, and environmental responsiveness.
Tony Soluri
Rather than adding layers of finish materials, the basic core ma…
Rather than adding layers of finish materials, the basic core materials of the house’s construction define its character.
Tony Soluri
The visual interest of the structure comes from revealing rather…
The visual interest of the structure comes from revealing rather than concealing the building's construction.
Matthew Millman
The opportunity to research, design and test ideas was the impet…
The opportunity to research, design and test ideas was the impetus for this project. The integration of the practical and beautiful was central to the design. It was an undertaking rooted in the culture and spirit of my practice and our home.
-David Baker, architect/homeowner
Matthew Millman
Industrial stairs link the combined living area with master suit…
Industrial stairs link the combined living area with master suite above and the roof deck.
Matthew Millman
Baker commissioned artist Andrew Schultz to do a mural for a mul…
Baker commissioned artist Andrew Schultz to do a mural for a multifamily project, but it had to be friendly for the condo association. "So I hired him to do what he wanted and this is an end of the world thing but still really wonderful," Baker says. "Just letting go–don't try to control things too much and you get more creative solutions from people."
Matthew Millman
The house's picturesque entry elevation is little changed since …
The house's picturesque entry elevation is little changed since the Victorian era.
Matthew Millman
The family room opens onto the rear deck and treetop views.
The kitchen's wood-paneled walls and ceiling lend a casual atmos…
The kitchen's wood-paneled walls and ceiling lend a casual atmosphere.
John Neas
SIDING
Smooth-finish, fiber-cement HardiePlank lap siding from …
SIDING
Smooth-finish, fiber-cement HardiePlank lap siding from James Hardie delivers a durable cladding that achieves up to R-0.51 per inch and is engineered to specific climate conditions. The siding is available with proprietary factory finishes that resist prolonged freezing climate conditions, moisture contact, and UV exposure to deliver up to 30% more fade resistance and last up to twice as long as field-applied finishes, says the maker. 888.542.7343. www.jameshardie.com.
WEATHER BARRIER
The EnviroDri system from Tremco Barrier Solutions delivers a permeable brush- or spray-applied asphalt-based membrane over the exterior OSB sheathing for a joint- and fastener-free weather barrier. The membrane mitigates air and liquid moisture transfer through the walls to maintain a tight thermal envelope but vents moisture vapor to guard against latent damage behind the exterior finishes. A perm rating of 12 is comparable to most housewraps. It fully cures in less than one hour. 800.876.5624. www.tremcobarriersolutions.com.
John Neas
WINDOWS
CertainTeed 9555 vinyl double-hung windows from MI Wind…
WINDOWS
CertainTeed 9555 vinyl double-hung windows from MI Windows and Doors feature 7/8-inch insulated glass with low-E to boost thermal resistance values; optional argon gas fill is also available. The units are Energy Star labeled with a minimum 0.60 U-value and 0.27 SHGC for southern climate zones. 888.417.1162. www.miwd.com.
FLOORING
The Navarrre collection from U.S. Floors offers engineered oak planks from FSC-certified timber sources with a proprietary Natural-E oil finish. The Toulouse line features a rustic look with 71/2-inch-wide planks and can be glued, nailed, or floated at, below, or above grade. The series also complies with CARB Phase 1 formaldehyde emissions requirements. 800.404.2675. www.usfloorsllc.com.
APPLIANCES
KitchenAid appliances include an Energy Starlabeled dishwasher and bottom-mount refrigerator. The full-size dishwasher (model KUDC20FVSS) is rated to use 4.0 gallons per cycle (Energy Star baseline is 5.8) and 313 kWh per year; the 18.5-cubic-foot Architect II series refrigerator (model KBRS19) is verified to be 20% more energy efficient than the minimum federal standard. 800.422.1230. www.kitchenaid.com.
John Neas
PAINT
Sherwin-Williams Harmony no-VOC acrylic latex interior pa…
PAINT
Sherwin-Williams Harmony no-VOC acrylic latex interior paint delivers high-hide coverage with low odor and no off-gassing to promote healthier indoor air, says the manufacturer, while an antimicrobial additive inhibits mildew growth. The Greenguard-certified paint is available in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss, and it covers up to 400 square feet per gallon. 800.474.3794. www.sherwin-williams.com.
FIREPLACE
The Sovereign series wood-burning fireplace from Majestic offers an optional forced-air fan for supplemental room heat and gas knockouts to enable a sealed combustion appliance, if desired. It is available in 36- and 42-inch opening widths in both radiant and heat-circulating models. The interior features all refractory brick to provide a realistic masonry look and a black steel mesh firescreen molded in for durability. 800.867.0454. www.majesticproducts.com.
Yerko Pallominy
Yerko Pallominy
Yerko Pallominy
Paul Crosby
Three bedroom cottage exterior
Paul Crosby
In the bedrooms, the forested site is visible through windows fr…
In the bedrooms, the forested site is visible through windows from Marvin Windows and Doors. The simple furnishings include beds from Design Within Reach and dressers from Arbet Design.
Eric Roth
Cobblestone Cottages
by Barefoot Cottage Co.
Plymouth, Mass.
Eric Roth
Cobblestone Cottages
by Barefoot Cottage Co.
Plymouth, Mass.
Eric Roth
Cobblestone Cottages
by Barefoot Cottage Co.
Plymouth, Mass.
Peter Vanderwarker
Nonquitt Cottage South Dartmouth, Mass.
Peter Vanderwarker
Nonquitt Cottage South Dartmouth, Mass.
Peter Vanderwarker
Nonquitt Cottage South Dartmouth, Mass.
Sam Oberter Photography
New Moon Cottage
Harvey Cedars, N.J.
Sam Oberter Photography
New Moon Cottage
Harvey Cedars, N.J.
Sam Oberter Photography
New Moon Cottage
Harvey Cedars, N.J.
Cottages are traditionally homes of simplicity and comfort,
but recently, the style has upgraded in a big way.
The typically small,
old-fashioned residences have gone from being overlooked and under-designed to being reinvented as sleek, modern homes for the 21st Century. Many designers are now taking the
simplest cottage layout and transforming it into a vacation home or even mini mansion.
Many of today’s
cottages are fully equipped with extravagant and eco-friendly kitchens,
bathrooms, and bedrooms, and other design elements that breathe new life into an old idea. Here, BUILDER has compiled some of the best cottage designs from across the country that are
both stylish and comfortable, formal and functional, featuring chic decor and simple, refined spaces.
Cha’Mia is an Editorial Intern for Hanley Wood’s residential
construction group. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media from
Clark Atlanta University.
