This two bedroom cottage with craftsman details is based on our Big L design. The owner is a water colorist who works from home quite often and she has named the little cottage "Still Waters" as it will be her place for calm and creativity.

One of the bedrooms is being left open to the living room so it can be used as an art studio for her work. The home has big french doors that open to a raised deck with plenty of room for entertaining. There is a level entry from the driveway so that the owners and their friends can enjoy east access to the deck for a long time to come.

This project is in one of San Jose's older neighborhoods known as Willow Glen. There are a number of large yards in older neighborhoods like this. The lot is approximately a half acre and is located on a cul-de-sac. Because of the location, the lot has a huge lower backyard that has never really been used and it made for a great opportunity to create a small backyard retreat that overlooks a little valley filled with their private gardens.

Panorama of Mary's Cottage - Looking at House from Deck

Panorama of Mary's Cottage - Looking at Deck from House

Trellis Over Entrance to Cottage

Looking at Entry

Closeup of Trellis

Looking at Double Doors

Trellis constructed, still needs painting

Looking up at cottage from the yard

Back of cottage

Closeup of roof overhang

Closeup of roof overhang

Partially complete interior

Closeup of door casing

One of the windows looking into deck

Double doors looking into deck

Looking up at home with environmental protection

Siding going up

Knee brace and corner detail

Wood Framing

Bathtub installation

Pipes

A couple of workers

Deck and walls under construction

Deck framing

Floor Plans

Rendering of Mary's Still Waters Retreat

Rendering of Mary's Still Waters Retreat

Floor Plan of Mary's Still Waters Retreat

Design Inspiration

Modern Home office by General Assembly

Tilt down kitchen for Escobedo's place.

Craftsman interior details

Another idea for Mary's place and not an actual picture of her place. We'll see if she ends up choosing this type of wood finish.

This is just an idea for Mary's place - it was incorporated in the design. Let's see if the finished home still has these ideas in it.

Craftsman Interior Details

Separate spaces with storage and posts like these

This is just an idea for Mary's place - it was incorporated in the design. Let's see if the finished home still has these ideas in it.

Interior Craftsman Details

Great way to separate two spaces but keep an open feel

This is just an idea for Mary's place - it was incorporated in the design. Let's see if the finished home still has these ideas in it.