In the comments on Acremead yesterday from the book "small country houses of to-day", Little Augury remarked that the house wasn't really very small. I hadn't thought of it but she is absolutely right! I suppose it was small in the 'Newport Cottage' sense of the word. Today I wanted to share a truly small house. 
Built by the architect Cecil Hignett in 1907 for himself and his family, this house was early in his career and created his reputation. Shortly thereafter struck out on his own and had a successful career from what I could gather.
I was able to find that the house still exists and is a grade II British listed building but was unable to find any more recent photographs. The front porch and the rear 'garden room' have been filled in and incorporated into the center hall but the thatched roof and leaded glass windows remain.
This house was an early example of indoor / outdoor living now so prevelant, where the hall could be opened up to the garden with a wall of doors. But this was 1907!
The living room was actually a 'great room' of sorts as it served as a living and dining room. Hignett incorporated the cozy inglenook seen below, which was very much of the arts and crafts style.
I think we can all agree this country house is actually on the small size and a cozy little cottage at that!
I was able to find that the house still exists and is a grade II British listed building but was unable to find any more recent photographs. The front porch and the rear 'garden room' have been filled in and incorporated into the center hall but the thatched roof and leaded glass windows remain.
This house was an early example of indoor / outdoor living now so prevelant, where the hall could be opened up to the garden with a wall of doors. But this was 1907!
The living room was actually a 'great room' of sorts as it served as a living and dining room. Hignett incorporated the cozy inglenook seen below, which was very much of the arts and crafts style.
I think we can all agree this country house is actually on the small size and a cozy little cottage at that!
Cozy and full of English country charm! I adore it. Would love to have a cottage like this somewhere in rural VA.
ReplyDeleteLoi, I think Maryland would be better!
ReplyDeleteThe GARDEN !!!!
ReplyDeleteHave done several ca. 1960 brick ranch front yards the same.
Of course this house was designed with a garden. Part of the architecture.
Garden & Be Well, Tara
A friend of mine is longing to build a house, but it is just her and her daughter and she has had to move because of her daughter's special needs, so she is in a place where she does not want to establish roots.
ReplyDeleteShe is renting a small townhouse for the year, and finds that living in smaller quarters has created challenges, but has also created new opportunities for improving her relationship with her daughter.
It would be interesting to see how this architect lived in the house with his family, how he entertained (especially designing the indoor-outdoor connection that was not as common in that day and age).
- Holly
What an utterly charming cottage, Stefan! How wonderful to think it still exists. I could walk away with the Welsh dresser!
ReplyDelete