PURPOSE BUILT LA COTTAGE

[soosie]

This is my first visit to this website and this forum. I love this magazine and wait impatiently for it to arrive on newsstands. It's always interesting and informative.

What got me to posting though is the LA Cottage they built in the current issue. The structure and the landscaping are fabulous. The upstairs doesn't look bad. But what the heck is with that living room and the awful dining room and kitchen? I was so surprised to see the mishmash of stuff in both rooms. I love cottage design and actually live in a tiny cottage. But that interior design was something else.

Am I the only one who feels this way?:confused:

[Lisa S]

Yeah... I didn't love, love it. I admired the inglenook-ish area in the bedroom. I didn't stare intently at the pages and try to figure out how I could fit the ideas into my home.

[Lynzee]

I was definitely more impressed with the exteriors than the interiors--though, like Lisa, I did like the inglenook-ish idea in the bedroom.

[CohenCottage]

I did like the zig-zag runner in the kitchen (which is surprising b/c I usually don't like stripey things), and I liked the master bedroom. What is going on with the single sconce above a mirror/sink thing? Does anyone else think this looks odd?

[windswept]

This "cottage" was a joke....almost 3600 square feet?! And to tout it as "green"....there is NOTHING green about 3600 SF new construction :eek: (Unless its multi-family housing, I suppose).

I'm really getting fed up with CL. How about an "idea home" about how to live comfortably & stylishly in a small space? Everyone else seems to be going that direction. Smaller cars, smaller homes, smaller footprint. Apparently CL didn't get the memo about the current housing/financial crisis affecting a large portion of our population :mad:

[CohenCottage]

I agree! If it was LEED certified, completely solar, and had a major rainwater collection system then I think you could call it green. Maybe they just meant the designer used that bright green accent color a lot?! :lol:

I got online to check out some of the products I liked. The bedding was $295 per piece (as in more than $500 for a top and bottom sheet) and the duvet covers were over $600 bucks. Really?? It gave me lots of ideas for stuff I can't afford!

[Chyna]

I know they really tried to make it look like it has been in the neighborhood for decades but it still looked new to me. Now if they didn't try to pass it off as decades old I would be impressed. It is a pretty house, oh and I would have liked the carport better than the garage thing. There is just something about the garage not being attached to a house that I really like and carports are a good thing too.

Guess I wasn't blown over by it much either since I don't really remember that issue except the carport deal and thinking if they want a house to look old htey should get the old rusty chains out and start whacking away at the house and put character on it. devious

[Carma]

I agree. The reason I love CL is because of the SMALL cottage homes with warmth, character and imagination.

[Chyna]

Try to remember that when this house was built, imagined and photographed the financial/mortgage thing hadn't even been a blip on our screens yet. Rex you can correct me on this but willing to bet it was done months ago say beginning of the year. Upcoming issues probably wil be featuring more money conscious homes. And alot more how to use what you got laying around and how to get that look for pennies.

[administrator]

Chyna,

You're right. The home was planned in late fall of 2007 and building started in February of 2008. The photos of the completed home were taken in August, because of the time needed to edit the film and copy, check all the facts, and print the magazine. That said, we're all ears because planning for our next home will begin soon.

[Chyna]

I think your next Idea home should be like ZuZu's. Granted it is pretty small for most of us but it is something alot of people could something from. But all the new/old ideas you could put into one little house would be wonderful. Living off the grid or nearly off the grid. and pick a harder location. A climate that is nearly perfect doesn't count. devious Lets make it interesting and pick a colder climate. Like Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Utah or Idaho. Now that I'd like to see. :)

[Lisa S]

Chyna and Rex ~ I totally agree with Chyna's idea of building a small house off the grid. Fill it with antiques, a few modern pieces and arts and crafts from the depression era. Then run another article with the instructions for making those old timey arts and crafts...

[Chyna]

Excellent idea! :)

[zuzus_garden]

Rex - how about starting with an authentic, historic cottage home plan (http://store.doverpublications.com/0486265064.html), and build it using today's green technology and products?

Zu

[Memmey]

YES!!!!!

[Chyna]

I second that motion!!!! But I double dare you to do it up North some place in the wild wild west. :();)

[zuzus_garden]

Perhaps CL is feeling a little verklempt, and we are just talking amongst ourselves. :confused:

[Chyna]

Could be, or they are on their way to your house as we speak to make notes. :lol:

[administrator]

I'm listening, I promise! I don't have much pull in the Idea Home arena, but I know how to forward messages to my colleagues and advocate for great reader ideas. The historic plans link is great. I've had the idea of taking old home plans, such as old Sears bungalows or some of the plans by Andrew Jackson Downing (http://www.fredericklawolmsted.com/ajdowning.htm), and have them updated to modern codes. Business Partners?? Seriously, I'll see if some of our other editors might like to chime in.

If you're not familiar with A.J. Downing, he promoted the idea of living in beautiful cottage communities close to the land, living smaller, and smarter. Some of his cottage plans are just as beautiful today as they were over 150 years ago.

[zuzus_garden]

Yes, to quote the write-up on The Architecture of Country Houses Throughout the early Victorian period American domestic architecture was dominated by the ideas and designs of Andrew Jackson Downing who emphasized function, convenience, and concord with the environment.

Things have come full circle. A cottage home that embraces "function, convenience, and concord with the environment" is what we are most interested in.

I know CL can do this, because my husband and I designed our home with paper, pencil, my father's architect's rule, and the 2003 International Residential Code. The codes in my county are strict, and there have been many inspections along the way - but if a couple with no previous design or building experience can do it, CL can certainly do it with a professional staff.

Thank you for hearing and sharing our thoughts with the CL staff, Rex. These are the things we are most interested in, and these are the things that will keep us looking forward to the next issue of CL.

Zuzu

[Chyna]

At this point I'd be happy if they showed up at my door and did my kitchen over. :lol: