2003 Idea House: Live Oak Cottage

Casual Entrance

Beaded-board wainscot, painted white, adds texture and durability to the friends' entry. Black-and-white toile wallpaper on the upper walls depicts scenes of hunting dogs.

For Safekeeping

Wouldn't it be great to have your own climate-controlled storage unit at home? "We've found in our research that baby boomers in transition have accumulated many possessions--grandma's china, an inherited breakfront, things from their travels. But as they get to this point in their lives, they're more interested in order and simplicity than ever before," Mike says. The archive room gives the homeowners a lockable, well-organized storage area that's accessible from both outside and inside the house. With built-ins and shelving, you can customize this space to safeguard anything that's out of season or not in constant use, such as hunting or fishing equipment, a camera collection, or boxes of family photos.

Ready To Travel

If you enjoy traveling, but dread packing, then you'll love this idea for a to-go area near the closets in the master suite. In one space, you can organize just about everything needed for a trip. Even passports and maps have an assigned spot, and there's a hook for hanging a suit or dress bag. Mike says, "This area is all about simplifying. It's a convenient place to store your luggage. You can open your bag on the counter, fold your clothing, put it in the bag, and out the door you go." Before leaving, you can even wrap a hostess gift, because there's a spot designated for this activity as well.

For Guests

A complete suite of rooms--including two well-appointed bedrooms, spacious baths that connect, and a common area--gives visitors comfortable, private quarters. French doors in one bedroom open to the terrace at the front entrance. And children have their own room.

The guest common room, furnished with a game table, serves the sleeping quarters. With a large chalkboard mural and space for toys, it provides a playroom for visiting grandchildren. The entire sequence of spaces is appealingly decorated in shades of khaki and blue. Carved pencil-post beds and painted wooden furniture pieces make the rooms both informal and inviting.