Let’s share the annual Howies Awards, run by Houseplans. The small house category had 12 finalists, and a traditional cottage designed by Peter Brachvogel received the winner’s ribbon. At 780 sq. ft, the Willow cottage comes with one bedroom, 1.5 baths and terrific porch. While any colors work, we like to imagine it with brown shingles.
“The Willow’s wrap around porch and walk-thru great room makes this house feel much larger than its modest size. This perfect starter house contains a fireplace, cozy dining nook, private bedroom in the trees and the potential to expand near the stairs.” (Peter Brachvogel, architect)
We think three other finalists are also worth closer examination. They vary in style, look well-designed, optimize interior space, and feel larger than their footprints. To see house details, you may click on each architect: Moser, Pearlson and Schwabe. And see the stylish exteriors here!
“A vaulted ceiling in the living room and sleeping loft define the open feeling of this plan, which is ideal for a starter house or vacation cabin.” It features two bedrooms and one bath, in 697 sq. ft. (Eric Moser, Katrina Cottages)
This single-level deck house received Fine Homebuilding Magazine’s Small Home of 2013 Award for “its shared spaces and connections to the outdoors that make it seem larger.” It has two bedrooms and one bath, in 800 sq. ft. (Nir Pearlson)
A SF Bay Area architect designed this modern cabin to feel much larger than its footprint “thanks to a wide deck, soaring ceilings, large windows, and strategically placed built-ins.” It has two bedrooms and one bath, in 840 sq. ft. (Cathy Schwabe)
Where are the groundplans?
For the four house plan overviews, please click on images (above) or direct links (below). You may also purchase complete floor plans from these links.
Brachvogel house – Moser house – Pearlson house – Schwabe house