Melaine from My Sweet Savannah is hosting a giveaway for a Rendezvous Vintage candle. The candle comes from the charming shop, “Haley’s Cottage” in Kirkland, WA. Visit My Sweet Savannah to enter!
Reading her post conjured up sweet memories for me. We used to live right next door to the quaint little city of Kirkland. I used to love walking around downtown and visiting all the cozy shops. I would often take a picnic lunch with my kiddies at the lake beach , and afterward we would feed the ducks. It also evoked images of gray skies, puddles, and ponchos… but I digress.
One of my favorite memories from that time was admiring a cottage community I used to pass by. It wasn’t really on my way anywhere.
But somehow I managed to find it, and from then on I purposely took a detour anytime I was in the general area.
And every time I passed by, I would let out a big sigh.
I even got out of my car and talked with the developer. You see, my parents needed a push to move to the other side of the United States. I just knew these cottages were the way to get them there.
Or rather, that was the excuse I devised to see the little dollhouses for myself. Surely we could cram our (then) 7 person family into one of these miniscule darlings.
Yes, I tried to convince myself!
My parents didn’t fall for them the way I did. They like their space. And their privacy.
Well… those are two things your money won’t be buying in one of these communities.
But Mom! You could wheel home your groceries in a Red Flyer wagon!
This Kirkland community and others like it were developed by “The Cottage Company”. The houses themselves were designed by Ross Chapin Architects. Yes, I’ve poured over their site as well, and it’s worth visiting!
I just love an architect and developer with a vision, and these guys have it in spades.
I love the thought and detail they put into every aspect.
I love that they are developing these little communities to promote a sense of family, which sadly, a lot of people lack today.
I love that they call them “pocket neighborhoods” and that they encourage the owners to name their cottages and display the names on their flowerboxes.
See?
Big sigh.
All images courtesy The Cottage Company and Ross Chapin Architects.
In Love .
ReplyDeleteThese cottages are special Rie. I always like a house that is named. I have been trying to name our yellow house for a while but have not yet. ♦olive
ReplyDeleteI think I saw either that community or one like it in a magazine years ago. I just love the concept, and those homes are beyond cute. I named my cottage after I was here for about a year. I live at the end of a street called Wood Ave, so I call it Wood's End Cottage. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to live there.
ReplyDeleteVery charming!! Thanks for this treat!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jane
I love the attention to detail and the sense of
ReplyDeletecommunity. So special!
My parents home, next door, is called Maple Crest Farm. I thought about naming our home Notmuchuva Farm. teehee. No, really, I still would love to come up with the perfect name for our home...ever since watching Anne of Green Gables, I think! :)
Blessings!
I remember seeing an article on these cottage somewhere...and thought they were so charming. I would love to live in one of these....now! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful community! Love the architecture.
ReplyDeletei lived in Kirkland for 2 years before I got married! i LOVED LOVED LOVED living there! I lived within walking distance to the water and I have the best memories there of my life! Now that I have a family, we moved to North Bend but now are headed to Boise Idaho to live near my family.. i love the community you live in! so needed these days!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great community. But then I have one as most of my friends live within walking distance from me. My church and our school is just across the field. I love it. Some of my friends will walk to my house tomorrow to spend time in my parklike (woods and stream) backyard. It's great.
ReplyDeleteLove the cottages, thanks for sharing I've never seen this before!
ReplyDeleteRondell
Absolutely lovely. The term pocket community is so wonderful. And bringing groceries home in a wagon!!!!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Laura
Adorable. Haven't been to Kirkland since I was young. I grew up in Enumclaw. Thanks for sharing such charming little cottages.
ReplyDeleteThese communities are wonderful. My sister in-law and her hubby lived in one in Shoreline. They are exactly what they look like, and more! Great idea, great communities!
ReplyDeleteI really don't get why you would like to live there... the houses are very cute, but there is absolutely NO privacy what so ever. I would just hate that, and I would probably never even use the porch or the garden because I'd just want to be alone.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I think I share your parents view.
I absolutely adore these little cottages! I love that they want you to name them I think that's such a great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
~Ashli
www.maillardvillemanor.com
We have similar cottages communities in North and South Carolina and they are lovely. Cottage living at its best! It offers the hospitality/family feel that most communities are lacking.
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence says it all....BIG SIGH! How wonderful is that..
ReplyDeleteWho needs space?
ReplyDeleteWho needs privacy?
I'd trade them both
in for a sweet cottage
like these! I think
they are especially
wonderful for encouraging
community among the
generations, which is
really fantastic! My
folks live in Washington
State and it's my goal
to get there, someday.
You've just fanned that
desire, here...! Luckily
I'm visiting in August
and can get my dose of
that lovely state. Great
post, Rie! xx Suzanne
My first visit, What adorable cottages. I love that feel and look. I get lonely up here in Maine. Thanks for showing me how the other half lives,, lol yvonne
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet community and thank you for sharing about the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI lived in the Kirkland area for 6 years and never saw this area... although it probably was created after I had moved. I agree, Kirkland is a great little place with wonderful memories of watching fireworks on the fourth, slow drives along the lake on a summer eveing and even my 21st birtday at Anthony's (of course we're talking a "few years" ago now).
ReplyDeleteRie, my Dad's childhood home is 2 blocks from there! Whenever we are in Kirkland {we live in Ellensburg, WA} I visit those little cottages with the kids. I was there just a couple of months ago, and my kids finally groaned that maybe driving three times around the neighborhood was a little excessive. There is just so much to see and SO many great ideas. It is definitely a lovely place:). Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Julia
Julia- I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only crazy mama that does stuff like that! :)
ReplyDeleteWe are on the other side of the country...but boy oh boy do those sweet homes make me want to move there...just for a minute! I love the concept...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your wonderful thoughts about our communities! Since 1998 we have been creating 'pocket neighborhoods' throughout western Washington that offer a new single family housing choice...that responds to the needs of small households with community, sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. Come see our newest community, Chico Beach Cottages, under construction soon on a stunning waterfront property with great views of Mt. Rainier from every home. Thanks for comments! Linda Pruitt Principal/Owner The Cottage Company
ReplyDeleteHow funny ... my aunt just bought a cottage in that kirkland community and it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely home with a love surroundings.
ReplyDeletehouses for sale