The characteristics common to small cottage house plans include structures that are one, or one and a half stories tall with a relatively steep roofline and perhaps decorative gables and dormers.  Small cottage house plans usually include an open front porch along the front of the home supported with pillars or posts. Wood siding and stucco are common exteriors. Windows and doors are often composed of smaller panes of glass. A much simpler version is the "Katrina Cottage" (right) brought about by the recent hurricane ... an excellent cost-conscious one-bedroom choice.Inside, small cottage house plans feature first floors with small and sometimes irregular sized rooms, adding to the charm of the structure. Upstairs, the steep roofline and one and one-half story design result in sloping walls and ceilings in the upper rooms. This makes for some charming nooks and crannies, quaint closet and storage areas, and other unique elements many homeowners find appealing. Cottage style home decorating typically includes lots of light bright colors and rooms. For instance, whites are often predominant and many homes feature whitewashed wood furnishings or shabby chic painted wood décor, couches and chairs slip covered in crisp whites, and woodworking in the home that is often painted white, as well. The overall effect of these small cottage house plans is a fresh and clean feel that is light and comfortable, with lots of light coming into the rooms from windows throughout the home. Blues, light or seafoam greens, yellow, and rose are popular colors interspersed with the whites, and these colors really pop against a predominantly white or pale colored background palette. For instance, you might see a collection of colorful pillows in blues and yellow on a white sofa or chair. Perhaps you would find an old wooden table adorned with a white tablecloth with rustic looking painted wood chairs around the table-one each in blue, green, yellow, and peach or rose-or all in the same color. A cottage home style isn't necessarily all about the cottage house plans specifically. There are many things you can do to create a cottage house look in your home regardless of the style of your structure. To create a cottage look in your existing home plan, consider the following: • Cover interior walls with white bead board or wainscoting with a chair rail above it. Using pale wall colors, paint the walls. You may also wish to paint the woodwork or trim, if desired. Remove window coverings entirely or use soft fabric window coverings in pale solid colors or perhaps sheers. Add snap-in or custom made dividers to make your windows look like they are constructed of multiple small panes of glass.  • Use painted open shelving or cabinets with glass fronts in the doors for dishes and books. Paint furnishings and distress the paint to give them an old look. Add hooks on the wall in the entryway for coats and hats or put a coat tree in the entryway.• Include an eclectic mix of furnishings and accessories. Baskets, antiques, shelves, patchwork quilts, and nautical décor are all attractive aspects of the cottage style. Linens are also important to the cottage look, so incorporate layers of bedding, dust ruffles, pillows, cushions, and upholstered chairs or furnishings. Use coordinating colors and multiple patterns instead of matching everything. For instance, you can include stripes, gingham checks, plaids, solid colors, and floral prints all in the same room in these popular muted colors. • Add framed floral prints or botanical prints. Display fresh flowers in plain pitchers or pots. Repurpose old wood pieces as new furnishings (turn an old painted door into a coffee table, for example). Add crystal chandeliers, painted wall sconces, and rustic twig decorations. Bring in wicker furnishings, curving lines, and soft feminine details. • In the bathroom, cover walls with white bead board. Add a pedestal sink and a claw foot bathtub. Build open shelves for towels and accessories or put towels into wire or wicker baskets. Ahhhhhh ... a little cottage for two. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it. |
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