• Home
  • About
  • Living Simply
  • Life & Living
  • Travel
    • Our Trips
  • Movies
  • Home & Garden
    • House Tours
  • Entertaining & Holidays
  • In the Kitchen
    • Recipes
  • Archives
  • Contact
ouremptynest

living simply ♥ simply living well

winner

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
04 Jul 2022

House Tours

Cozy Little Guest House

The guest house is surrounded by lush gardens and tall trees. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

When your nest is empty, the family home may feel a bit too large for two people. A smaller place like this guest house could be the answer. Created specifically for the comfort of visiting family and friends, it sits a stone’s throw away from the main residence, surrounded by lush gardens and tall trees. The setting is peaceful and quiet. The house, custom designed by Eric Shephard Architects, is just 600 square feet. But it’s big enough for two and makes such effective use of space, it’s perfect inspiration for anyone thinking about downsizing.

View of the guest house from the main residence. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

Sitting on the covered porch of the main residence, you have a clear view of the guest house. Architect Eric Shephard describes the main residence as a “classic farmhouse with Tudor roots.” He custom designed the guest house to mirror that style.

A pergola frames the front porch, offering a comfortable, shaded sitting area. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

A pergola frames the front porch, offering a comfortable, shaded sitting area.

Another view of the guest house with privacy fence and vine-covered arbor. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

Another view of the guest house with privacy fence and vine-covered arbor.

French doors open to a small, but impressive living space. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

French doors open to a small, but impressive living space.

Soaring ceilings and plenty of windows give the house a sense of spaciousness. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

Soaring vaulted ceilings and plenty of windows give the house a sense of spaciousness.

The kitchen features tall cabinets and standard-sized appliances, a rare luxury in small houses. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

The kitchen features tall cabinets and standard-sized appliances, a rare luxury in small houses.

A table for two looks out at the gardens and main residence. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

A table for two looks out at the gardens and main residence.

Built-in bookcases and cabinets provide extra storage. The kitchen island is free-standing. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

Built-in bookcases and cabinets provide extra storage. The kitchen island is free-standing.

Pale flooring, so effective in a small space, extends throughout the living area and into the bedroom. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

Pale flooring, so effective in a small space, extends throughout the living area and into the bedroom.

The bedroom, in soothing colors of tan and blue, is a relaxing retreat. The chandelier—pure elegance. (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

The bedroom, in soothing colors of tan and blue, is a relaxing retreat. The chandelier—pure elegance.

Natural wood for the vanity and mirror work well with the flooring—I wonder, could it be vinyl? (Photo: Eric Shephard Architects)

Natural wood for the vanity and mirror work well with the flooring—I wonder, could it be vinyl?

All in all, a darling little house . . . and entirely livable.

Source: Eric Shephard Architects.

Similar posts you might like

Cottage Charm at the Beach
This beachfront cottage is utterly oozing with charm.
Tiny Gardener's Cottage
Twenty-five years ago, Janet Korff took a wrong turn down a wooded drive an...
Maine Island Home
There is a quaint stone house on a secluded, private island just off the co...
« The Simplicity of Tea
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie »

More to explore and enjoy . . .

  • Downsizing for $4.3 Million
  • Everyone Loves a Parade
  • Tiny Gardener's Cottage
  • Sarah's Country Home
  • From Little to Luxurious Loft
  • Maine Island Home
  • Going Green
  • Living Like a Star
  • Cabin in the Woods
  • Cozy Little Guest House
  • Old Garage Upcycled
  • Stunning West Seattle Redo
  • Lovely Down Under
  • Sisse's Fab Farmhouse
  • Cottage Charm at the Beach

Comments

  1. Tom McDonald says

    Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 8:05 AM

    We are retiring and really like the 600 square foot guest house for our small lake lot. Can we buy a set of plans that includes the HVAC design?

    Reply
    • Patricia says

      Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 9:18 AM

      I wish I could help you, but you would need to contact the architect about house plans.

  2. Melissa says

    Friday, May 18, 2018 at 2:14 PM

    I fell in love with Shephard Architects “classic farmhouse with Tudor roots.” I would love to build this house, but I don’t know where to find the house plan. Can you help me?

    Reply
    • Patricia says

      Friday, May 18, 2018 at 2:17 PM

      If you’re interested in the “classic farmhouse with Tudor roots,” you should contact Shepard Architects. They would have more information than I do about the house.

      Eric Shepard Architects
      320 Sycamore Valley Road West
      Danville CA 94526
      (925) 803-1000
      http://www.shephardarch.com/contact/

Leave a Reply to Tom McDonald Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Patricia and TomHi there! Tom and I are two empty nesters who decided to downsize and simplify our lives—lose the clutter and drama, travel a little, laugh a lot, sit back, and enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer. Read more

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The cook

From Our Kitchen

Corn and Fritos Salad
Chicken Parmezip
Sunny Sprouts
Cheesy Broccoli Dip
Crock-Pot Sour Cream and Bacon Chicken
Easy Cheesy Chicken Rotini
Easy French Onion Soup
Tart Shell Antipasto

view all recipes ...

Afternoon Tea—a good reason to get together. https://t.co/XlhQAxeRrS pic.twitter.com/fJLa88sVa6

— Our Empty Nest (@ouremptynest) January 4, 2017
Home

House Tours

  • Cottage Charm at the Beach
  • Cabin in the Woods
  • Cozy Little Guest House
  • Tiny Gardener's Cottage
  • From Little to Luxurious Loft
  • Sarah's Country Home
  • Everyone Loves a Parade
  • Maine Island Home
  • Sisse's Fab Farmhouse
  • Stunning West Seattle Redo
  • Old Garage Upcycled
  • Lovely Down Under
  • Living Like a Star
  • Going Green
  • Downsizing for $4.3 Million

view all house tours ...

Daisy in field

Simplify Simplify Simplify

For some time now I’ve been walking around with three words at the top of my To Do List—simplify simplify simplify. I know it’s just one ... continue reading ...

Trips and travels

Our Trips & Travels

Hand-carved, Great Northern steam engine by Ernest Warther.

When in Dover, Don’t Miss This

Sometimes the most amazing treasures can be found right in your own backyard.

THE HORSES OF WYOMING by Tom Schmidt, watercolor, 2012.
Sunrise in Walnut Creek
Oaxaca buildings
Hand-carved, Great Northern steam engine by Ernest Warther.

view all trips ...

AWARD 2015 WINNERFlipkey

Latest on Instagram


Patio with a view. #ourhouse #ourpond #ourview #su
Patio with a view. #ourhouse #ourpond #ourview #summertime

My lunch today was a quick-and-easy combo of icebe
My lunch today was a quick-and-easy combo of iceberg lettuce, eggs, ham, turkey, shredded lettuce, and walnuts. So simple and simply delicious. #lunch #whatsforlunch #eatinghealthy

A fat bouquet from my husband. Just because. #love
A fat bouquet from my husband. Just because. #love #howdoilovethee

Once upon a time, I did embroidery. #needlework #w
Once upon a time, I did embroidery. #needlework #wallart

Room with a view.
Room with a view.

Mid-morning snack. #bananas #blueberries #cherryto
Mid-morning snack. #bananas #blueberries #cherrytomatoes

The Enloe bookcase I ordered last November finally
The Enloe bookcase I ordered last November finally came, and I've loaded it with some of my favorite books, photos, and other items--all with special meaning and memories. Holders for my collection of Victoria magazines, which are too beautiful to toss, are on order. No more books for me. This bookcase is full. #books #bookcase #bookworm

Still blooming after ten years. #flowerpower #flow
Still blooming after ten years. #flowerpower #flowers #indoorplants

Our room with a view. #fountain #backyard #pond
Our room with a view. #fountain #backyard #pond



Follow on Instagram


Fine Art for Your Home

OUR EMPTY NEST

Favorite Recipes
Our Trips and Travels
Recommended Reading
Favorite Films

NEED A WEB DESIGNER?

Hire Patricia Petro
Portfolio
Praise for Patricia
New Project Questionnaire

QUICK LINKS

Newsletter
Free Downloads
Terms of Use
Original Art by Tom Schmidt

CONTACT

Patricia and Tom
Findlay, OH USA
patpetro@msn.com

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
»
«

Our Empty Nest EST.2002 • Copyright © 2022 Patricia Petro • All rights reserved • Terms of Use • Design by Sweet Solutions • Powered by WordPress and Genesis • LOGIN