Welcome to Cottage Dreaming, A Blog for Cottage Lovers...

Currently, with economic concerns impacting how we live and where we live, cottages will, I predict, have a comeback. They are usually smaller and more compact, but pack a lot of comfortable living space. A canvas wall hanging in the Spring 2012 "The Lakeside Collection" says it well: "Love grows well in Little Houses." This was true throughout the history of the United States, until the past 50 years, and it is true currently.

No offense, anyone, but a family of five in a three story, 10 room home has to work harder to keep in touch and to interact. That same family, in a five room, one story cottage or other small house, is closer, both in proximity, as well, I would suggest, as in emotional closeness. For this reason, as well as for economic necessity, small, cozy homes will be the prominent choice for middle income families in the future, as well as for empty-nesters and individuals who prefer a small home to an apartment or condo.

I love cottages of all kinds. My favorite cottage is one made of stone with a steeply pitched roof. I prefer a cottage that is close to water, whether it is a lake, bayou, coastal area or river. However, a cottage located close to the center of a commercial neighborhood is also appealing to me.

If you love cottages or other smaller homes, please join us in all things cottage, here at Cottage Dreamer. Thousands of small homes are out there ready to be custom-fit to your needs. They abound in small towns as well as in cities throughout the U.S.

To become a part of the regular happenings here at Cottage Dreamer, add your e-mail, to receive new posts. Welcome!

Pleasant day-dreams! Phebe


Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cottages that Grew and Grew......

A friend is fond of saying that a young couple builds a small three room cottage for the two of them, then the wife wants a back porch.  Once the back porch is built, later it will need to be screened.

Soon the couple has a child;  the cottage needs to be bigger, so the couple encloses the back porch so the baby has a room.

Gradually, the cottage grows from  3 rooms, to four rooms, etc.

Here are some photos of cottages that have apparently grown, as a family's needs increase. 

Below, a gorgeous newly renovated cottage in Marble Falls, Texas....and how it grew and grew.....  Note, the chimney on the side of the front view can be seen again in the second photo, near the front side. 


The next cottage that grew is located in the lakeside community of Highland Haven, Texas.  The cottage is on the lake and actually looks like two cottages joined together.  They are painted different colors to highlight the differences.




And third, a Fredricksburg, Texas cottage that is an eye-stopper! 


Do you wonder if it was once two log cottages, on separate lots?  How much I'd love to know the history of these three cottages.  I may have to make a return visit and ask.  If so, I will give you an update. 


and finally, although this probably doesn't qualify as a cottage, it is made of stone, and is a very old home, in Stonewall, Texas.  I'd guess it has been added on to...and I love it!


What a wonderful old country estate near the LBJ birthplace! 

I'll be back soon with Blog # 4.  Until then, Pleasant Day Dreams!  Phebe