North Florida CottagePlan SL-150

A good Southern house gives porches their fair share of the living space, and this cottage is no exception. It has three porches-one for privacy off the master bedroom, one at the front, and the other off the breakfast area. All three remain cool and inviting through warm seasons. Our example is based loosely on the Mary Perry house, built around 1880 near the Seville Square historic district in Pensacola, Florida. Lacy latticework, scroll-saw porch brackets, and decorative cast-iron ventilators based on early patterns combine to re-create the old-fashioned character of the original.

The one-level plan features 3 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths within approximately 2,100 square feet of heated space. Despite its cottage character, it contains many features found in much larger homes. Ten-foot ceilings coupled with long, breeze-catching windows add a sense of elegance and comfort.