This post may contain affiliate links & sponsored content.
Get ready to tour one of the most precious small homes I’ve ever seen. I’m taking notes for our own small home — the way that Lynne and JR use vintage pieces in such practical and stylish ways to create a completely unique cottage is truly inspirational!
About 5 years ago they chose to sell their big home and buy their dream property on Lake Ontario so they could be mortgage-free. As such, they had to buy small (850 square feet) and they had to purchase a fixer-upper. They tore this little cottage down to the studs and have been working on making it home ever since.
Be sure to read our Q&A with Lynne, and also watch her video tour of her home where she gives great tips on living small even when you love decorating and collecting!
Don’t miss other interesting tiny homes like this one – join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter for more!
Downsizing to Their Mortgage-Free Small Home
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
They have the white picket fence!
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
Their kitchen island.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
The very-cozy bedroom.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
An old cabinet makes a lovely China cabinet.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
A stunning hallway set-up.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
I love that nothing in her home is “standard.”
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
That vintage photo is great.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
Headboard and side-table.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
This is the guest bedroom.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
The bathroom has his & hers sinks.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
Their cozy spot to sit.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
Beautiful ceiling paneling in the living room.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
Here is their storefront.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
The happy couple! 24 years of marriage. Love it.
Images via @ellenjgoods/Instagram
VIDEO: Decorating A Small Cottage… real advice for small space living!
Interview w/ Lynne
How many people (and animals) are living in your home?
Two of us, and a Boston Terrier named Chance
How long have you lived in your cottage?
We have lived here 5 years, working on it all the while. When we first bought our cottage, we started tearing it apart from rafters to floor joists. So, we had a custom shed moved onto the property so we could live in it from May- October while we renovated the cottage.
What inspired you to purchase a little space?
As part of a plan to eliminate debt and live mortgage free, we decided to pursue our dream of living on Lake Ontario. JR’s family spent summers on the lake while he was growing up. But we could only afford a fixer upper and to do the work ourselves with the help of friends.
How many square feet is your home?
About 850 sq. Ft
Tell us a bit about your business. Do you do anything else for work?
We have a Vintage and Antique Home decor shop in our home town. We redo furniture, sell decor and gift items, and create one of a kind furniture . Lynne also offers both online and in person workshops. Our shop, called ellen j goods, is located in an 1846 building that was once owned by JRs family . They were in the hardware business for three generations, and JR finally sold the business in the 1980’s. Just 3 years ago, we had the opportunity to purchase the building so it’s back in the be family!
What do you do to keep a minimalist space?
We select pieces that must function as well as fit our decor style. We sold almost everything when we moved from our big house, and only brought what would be useful to us, could be used for storage, and would fit without being cluttered. If we find something we love, something else has to go!
What are the benefits of living with less?
Life is simpler. We are very busy in our business, so it’s good to come home to minimum maintenance. We have learned not to hold on to things unless they are something that we share a love for… it’s been a life lesson for us to know that we can live with much less, because it’s only stuff!
Did you live in a larger home before you moved into this one? If so, how is it different? Do you miss anything about the larger space?
Yes, we lived in a man arts and crafts bungalow. It had amazing bedroom-sized closets and a beautiful front porch. I miss those features. JR misses being able to have separation of sound… being able to live in the same house and I don’t have to hear his baseball game and he doesn’t have to hear my podcasts 😂 but we’ve adjusted and compromised… and we use headphones!
Describe your decorating style and philosophy.
We love a cottage style in a neutral palette. We decorate with vintage, used, and antiques in an eclectic style. We keep our collections to a minimum, and rotate our special pieces from room to room. I may use a favorite green Eastlake mirror in the bedroom, but then move it to the entryway in the fall. I may take it down completely and store it away to use a favorite collection of vintage sailboat paintings in the summer.
What makes your home special?
It’s cozy, it’s comfortable, it’s loved. It really reflects who we are and what we enjoy.
What is your favorite part of your home?
The bedroom. We used an antique carriage house door as a wall between the bedroom and closet. I bought the door years before we bought our cottage because it was so beautiful and had layers of rustic white paint.I knew someday I would use it. When we designed the layout for the cottage, that door was a perfect fit for that wall!
What helpful advice would you give to others interested in downsizing?
You can live without so much… minimize clothing, kitchen stuff. You don’t need 8 pairs of black dress shoes… one pair of classic black heels will do. You don’t need 6 cake pans. One will do. Also, know that if you really think about it, you may only utilize a very small percentage of your big home most of the time! We plan our family gatherings for times of year when we can all enjoy the outside. The rest of the time, we plan them at another family members’ big house! Another thing we love is that we have a tiny guest room, a single bed loft and a guest cottage so we can accommodate overnight guests and grandkids!
Anything I didn’t ask about that we should know?
We have never looked back. We are still working on our little cottage, and have had just a few setbacks because of forces of nature, but we look at it as a labor of love. Our little summer cottage community is special, but we also look forward to fall and winter when we enjoy more solitude.
Learn more:
Related stories:
- How They Turned Their Shed Into A Tiny Farmhouse Cottage
- Mimi’s Shabby Chic Cottage in Rhode Island
- 153 Year old Methodist Retreat Cottage With Prairie Wagon Bed
You can share this using the e-mail and social media re-share buttons below. Thanks!
If you enjoyed this you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more!
You can also join our Small House Newsletter!
Also, try our Tiny Houses For Sale Newsletter! Thank you!
More Like This: Tiny Houses | Cottage | Couple Tiny House Living | Video Tours
See The Latest: Go Back Home to See Our Latest Tiny Houses
This post may contain affiliate links & sponsored content.
Natalie C. McKee
Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)
- Two Bed Two Bath 10×40 Tiny House - June 16, 2024
- Southern Heights Small House Village - June 16, 2024
- Little Italy Tiny House Community: Corcoran, CA - June 16, 2024
This is the very best tiny house I have ever seen, it is a real home, not an ugly gray cold hard shell of a home. I love everything about this home, they are so talented and know just what feels comfortable and welcoming in their ideas.
My exact sentiments. Just gorgeous!
Agreed! Love it <3
This is a lovely small(ish) house but, having lived in an earthquake zone for the last couple of decades, the idea of a chandelier over the bed just makes me cringe.
Yes, Ms. Deane. (I am a Mr. Deen. Perhaps we are related from centuries ago before our family name spellings diverged.) I agree completely with U. A chandelier over one’s bed in an earthquake zone? Oh my…. I grew up in an earthquake zone (the New Madrid Fault area in east Arkansas/south east Missouri), though I’m pretty much away from it now. However, instead of earthquakes people in my part of the country have to deal with tornadoes. I suppose a good thing of having a crystal chandelier over one’s bed is that the jingling/clanging glass ornaments will give sleepers an early notice that something unhappy is upon them. These comments are respectfully submitted. Stephan of Arkansas
That’s certainly something I hadn’t thought of. At least the chandelier would be better than the shelf full of ceramic pots right over the head of the bed that I saw in another Tiny House post. By the way, it’s my husband you might be distantly related to, not me. My original surname is something long and unspellable that I was happy to leave behind.
Sharon I also had a long and unspellable surname I was happy to leave behind!
Well, my attention was to the storage loft above the bed full of luggage bags… Seems far more likely to be an issue than the chandelier, which unless it was badly installed should actually be pretty hard to knock down…
It’s pretty good. Except for the tacky distressed pieces. Yuk, yuk, yuk…
I agree. Great layout and use of space. General decor is lovely, but too many distressed items 🙂 With that being said, to each their own… I would love to live in a smaller place once the kids are on their own – 1 of 3 out so far.
So much charm! Though Shabby Chic is not at its peak of popularity, there are plenty of people who still love it or they would at least love to have a couple of major pieces in their decor. My favorite? That tall pillar! I love that thing! And the light wood against the white white is fresh and cozy at the same time. Not everyone likes those looks but if everyone liked the same thing, what a boring world this would be!
What a lovely home you’ve created!!!! I love your use of a neutral pallet and your layout. And I love the fact you’re right on Lake Ontario. My parents and their families are from the Niagara Region and I have excellent memories growing up there. Love your painting place as well and your handmade items.
I ascribe ‘visual Valium’ to very few houses. ( Design that immediately relaxes the body and mind) This is one of those houses. Just beautiful and calming.
Its .FABULOUS! I’d even move to Ontario for that, from B.C. The decor is amazing. It looks like home