Way, way up in the far northwest corner of the state of Oregon, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, is the tiny town of Astoria. Fur trading, fishing, and lumber industries once dominated the Columbia River waterfront where this new open floor plan home now commands incredible views.
This 2,640 square foot two-level house is perched on a tiny bit of land, squeezed between the river and a railroad track. The long, shallow form of the house is an efficient shape to build, and gives almost every room a view of the Columbia.
The main living area is wide open. A linear kitchen stretches across the length of the house, anchored by a master bedroom and office at one end and a bath and pantry at the other. What looks from the outside like a third floor is really the upper part of the expansive space in the middle of the house. Tongue-and-groove wood siding on some of the interior walls adds texture and character.
This living area has a cozy feeling, in spite of the tall ceiling. The green wall to the right separates the living spaces from the open master bedroom.
That green wall extends up and over the bedroom, dropping a “false ceiling” to give the room a normal scale, but still allowing the light to pour in from the high windows.
The two first-floor bedrooms don’t have the soaring ceilings, but with big windows and doors they have great views from a deck along the length of the house.
This open floor plan home, for sale at the time of this post, reminds us of why we love modest mansions, and how personal and interesting houses can be.
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