"The Tiny House Movement"

In a 2011 edition of House Beautiful they focused on Living Large in Small Spaces. In a note from Newell Turner, Editor in Chief for the magazine, he says,"most of us are intrigued by small spaces, even though we have a tendency to think bigger is better…home is really what you make of it...The charm, the beauty of small [spaces] is in the creative and stylish ways we decorate them and make them work."

The article I want to showcase is "The Tiny House Movement" by Shax Riegler; he pulls together a charming portfolio of small homes and space designs from the past.

English Banqueting Houses
During the late 16th century the banquet became a popular form of entertainment among the nobility in England. "Imagine the delight of guests climbing a spiraling staircase…to find themselves in a tiny, whimsically decorated bower filled with extravagant displays of sweets, fruits and spiced wine."-Riegler

The South Pavilion
"I have here but one room, which like the cobbler's, serves me for parlor and for kitchen and hall. I may add, for bed chamber and study, too." - Thomas Jefferson

There were many more small spaces of the past that Riegler mentions:

The Walden Cottage
"I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society…"
-Henry David Thoreu

Cape Code Dune Shacks
They have long been summer retreats for writers, artists and others seeking seclusion

French Pleasure Pavilions
These were built as retreats to escape the stifling atmosphere of court life at Versailles, these petits chateaux of the 18th century were where French aristocrats would escape to play cards, pursue love affairs, and "air out their wigs".

Garden Sheds Reimagined
Grown-ups longing for their own playhouses have started transforming garden sheds into hideaways, offices, craft rooms, dining spaces, guesthouses and reading retreats.

For more information and pictures you can find us at http://www.thedesignhouseinteriordesign.com/