Rich and Karen, Author at The Modest Mansion

Tiny Cottage in Virginia is Big on Charm

By Rich and Karen November 30, 2018 Leave a Comment

Warm Springs Virginia is a very small mountain town, near the border with West Virginia. This tiny cottage (only 970 square feet!) caught our eye when we saw it come up for sale and we wanted to share it with you. KAREN : love how the gate "picture frames" the house in this photo! RICH: lots of wood - floors, walls, ceiling...everywhere you look KAREN: makes me … [Read more...]

Make a Master Plan for Your Home Design When You Can’t Do Everything Right Now

By Rich and Karen April 1, 2018 Leave a Comment

Sometimes it's not possible to do everything on your renovation wish list right away. Money's usually the immediate issue, but if you don't plan the whole project out now, you might waste it anyway, down the road. You don't want to have to significantly renovate "phase one" in order to build "phase two" a few years later. Avoid that by creating a master plan for your home … [Read more...]

Super Remodeling of a Classic California Contemporary, Mid-Century Modern Home

By Rich and Karen February 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

If you're used to thinking that all "modern" homes are sleek, and cool, and minimalist on the inside, then this remodeled Mid-Century Modern home might change your mind. The 1,755 square foot home was built in 1975 by the Streng Brothers in the California Contemporary style (Streng began building great modern homes in California in the 1950's). It was recently given a … [Read more...]

A Rustic Log Cabin that’s Practically Luxurious Inside

By Rich and Karen January 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

You heard that right. "Rustic" and "luxurious" aren't often used to describe the same house. Which is exactly what we like about this little place in Hot Springs, Virginia - it's a yee-haw corncob pipe rustic log cabin on the outside, and a very, very nice family retreat on the inside. … [Read more...]

This Michigan Lake Vacation Cottage Would Make A Great Everyday Home

By Rich and Karen January 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

When we stumbled upon this great lake cottage, we got halfway through the pictures before we realized it was a vacation home! But maybe that's what Hamilton Snowber Architects had in mind all along - this house would probably fit well into just about any older neighborhood in the country. … [Read more...]

Two Bicyclists Build a Contemporary Cedar Home in the Woods

By Rich and Karen January 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

Not everyone's a fan of contemporary home style, but like it or not, we had to share this one with you. It's a perfect house for the site, and for the owners (which is really what good design is all about, right?). We hope you'll find a few things in this house to inspire your Modest Mansion, too. … [Read more...]

The Outside of This Arts and Crafts Bungalow was Restored, and the Inside Is a Great Blend of Old and New!

By Rich and Karen January 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

When the Arts and Crafts movement began in England in the mid 19th century, the founders couldn't have guessed how much their ideas would influence home design in America a few decades later. Or just how much we love each Arts and Crafts Bungalow and Craftsman home the movement spawned. The owners of this Arts and Crafts Bungalow in Beaux Arts, a suburb of Bellevue, … [Read more...]

The Windows and Porches In This Empty-Nester Sustainable Farmhouse Take in Lots of Light and Views

By Rich and Karen January 1, 2017 Leave a Comment

The smart planning, simple details, and basic functionality of this Portland, Maine farmhouse add up to a home with a real sense of place. Whitten Architects created this sustainable farmhouse for an empty-nester couple (and their dog) to enjoy the calmly spectacular site. … [Read more...]

Remodeled Craftsman Bungalow In Nashville With A Completely Updated Interior

By Rich and Karen December 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

We're suckers for old Craftsman-style homes! Built in 1915 at the height of the Craftsman period, this remodeled craftsman bungalow listed for sale in Nashville, Tennessee grabbed our attention with it's entirely original exterior and completely updated interior. … [Read more...]

Exposed Wood Trusses, Painted Board Walls and Ceilings Make a Handsome Rustic Farmhouse

By Rich and Karen December 23, 2016 Leave a Comment

Rustic farmhouse and barn projects frequently end up in the pages of The Modest Mansion, because they appeal to us on some deeper, heartfelt, family level, and because they're often the very definition of "unpretentious". This barn and farmhouse "compound" in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania by Reed Axelrod Architects does both very well. According to the Architects, the … [Read more...]