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Houzz Tour: A Family of 4 Unwinds in 540 Square Feet
An extraordinarily scaled-down home and garden for a couple and their 2 kids fosters sustainability and togetherness
Interior designer Jessica Helgerson and her family had every intention of spending only a few nights in their new summer home. But the weekend turned into a few weeks, and up until this day, the Helgersons can't bring themselves to leave. "We came over on the weekend of my birthday and never left," says Helgerson.
It's easy to see why. The small home, situated north of Portland on picturesque Sauvie Island, is part of a wildlife and agricultural preserve. "We fell in love with the area after our first hike, but it took a while before we found our home. We saw so much potential in this house despite finding it in a completely run-down state. Its size is definitely out of the ordinary for this area, but since we have to scale things down, we've all become more disciplined when it comes to what we consume and bring into the house," says Helgerson.
Who lives here: Jessica Helgerson; her husband, architect Yianni Doulis; and their 2 kids
Location: Sauvie Island, Oregon
Size: 540 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 sleeping loft
That's interesting: The home is in its fifth use. Previously it was a single-family home in Vanport Village, a shipyard worker's abode, a goose-checking station and an auto mechanic's run-down rental.
It's easy to see why. The small home, situated north of Portland on picturesque Sauvie Island, is part of a wildlife and agricultural preserve. "We fell in love with the area after our first hike, but it took a while before we found our home. We saw so much potential in this house despite finding it in a completely run-down state. Its size is definitely out of the ordinary for this area, but since we have to scale things down, we've all become more disciplined when it comes to what we consume and bring into the house," says Helgerson.
Who lives here: Jessica Helgerson; her husband, architect Yianni Doulis; and their 2 kids
Location: Sauvie Island, Oregon
Size: 540 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 sleeping loft
That's interesting: The home is in its fifth use. Previously it was a single-family home in Vanport Village, a shipyard worker's abode, a goose-checking station and an auto mechanic's run-down rental.
| A green roof planted with moss and ferns from the surrounding Columbia River replaced a deteriorating roof and insulates the home efficiently. "Every room in the house works hard, and that's really the point. We remodeled everything and gutted it and turned the interiors into a highly efficient space," says Helgerson. |
| Local white oak floors and a locally salvaged walnut dining table warm up the bright white cabinetry and wall cladding. Helgerson found the vintage range on Craigslist, and a wood-burning stove heats the small house. "The stove sometimes works a little too well in the great room. We usually crack open a window in the winter, because it can get pretty hot," she says. Table: custom, Yianni Doulis; chairs: vintage, Paul McCobb; cladding paint: white opulence, Benjamin Moore; pendants: bought in France |
| The great room "takes quite a beating," Helgerson says. It houses the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. She and her husband designed the built-in sofas with drawers; they double as twin beds for guests and toy storage. A walnut ladder leads the eye upward to Helgerson and her husband's lofty nest. Sofa, bookshelves, walnut ladder: custom, Jessica Helgerson Design |
The sleeping loft requires the couple to think carefully before bringing anything into the space.
"Our general thinking is that if it's not beautiful and useful, then we probably don't need it," she says.
"Our general thinking is that if it's not beautiful and useful, then we probably don't need it," she says.
| Two bunk beds with built-in storage, a pullout closet and a full guest bed (not shown) make up the kids' minimalist room. |
Helgerson salvaged the soaking tub from a friend's demolition site; her husband built the tub's wood feet.
The designer admits that although sharing one bathroom with three other people proves difficult at times, the rewards far outweigh the inconveniences.
Water plants: Digs
The designer admits that although sharing one bathroom with three other people proves difficult at times, the rewards far outweigh the inconveniences.
Water plants: Digs
"It's not a perfect way to live," says Helgerson. "The toilet gets runny from working hard, and we know that the clock is ticking when it comes to our kids' sharing a bedroom. But despite all of this, we get along pretty well for living in such a small space."
The house sees its fair share of family and friends coming through its front door. Just a few weeks ago, Helgerson (along with her daughter and husband) hosted a birthday party for her son, Max.
Knowing that storage was an issue, Max emailed his friends and asked for no gifts at the party. "We got him a lovely bow and arrow, which is what he had wanted, so he wasn't deprived. One friend cheated and brought him a little box of Mexican jumping beans," says Helgerson.
Knowing that storage was an issue, Max emailed his friends and asked for no gifts at the party. "We got him a lovely bow and arrow, which is what he had wanted, so he wasn't deprived. One friend cheated and brought him a little box of Mexican jumping beans," says Helgerson.
The designer, who as a child split her time between France and the States, used her grandparents' smaller, scalable European farm model as inspiration for her own garden beds and greenhouse.
Today, the family is self-sufficient for food, except for "alcohol, caffeine and most carbohydrates," says Helgerson. They grow their own tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, onions, okra and "every type of berry that comes to mind."
Today, the family is self-sufficient for food, except for "alcohol, caffeine and most carbohydrates," says Helgerson. They grow their own tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, onions, okra and "every type of berry that comes to mind."
| Although the small footprint is an organic extension of Helgerson's design ethos, she still finds herself enjoying the process of shopping for a client and creating someone else's vision of a home. "I'm not about to preach to somebody else when it comes to how to live their lives," she says. "But I think most of my clients know that my colleagues and I are pretty thoughtful about what we do. We want each and every one of our remodels to be our last [for that home]." She admits that a part of her carries the romantic notion that her kids will someday inherit the land of their youth — but she wouldn't be surprised if both her daughter and son declare a preference for city living once they're a bit older. "They might just come home one day and say that they want to live in New York City," says Helgerson. See more creative small homes |
Ideabook updated on Sept. 20, 2012.
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Do they have a separate office, or out buildings? I can't imagine four lots of home work on even that large table!
It is amazing how much you can live without, and with such a small place, we have plenty of time to jump on the Harley and just go.
That things have to be beautiful AND usefull, otherwise you may not need them, is our precept too. You can live happily with much less than you think. Downsizing (from 2500 to 1450 sq.ft.) and getting rid of a lot of stuff is the most relieving experience my husband and I have ever made.
I could replicate it.
I love all the white and windows in this house as I feel the happiest houses are the ones with lots of sunny natural light!
http://www.houzz.com/pro/jessicahelgerson/jessica-helgerson-interior-design
Cathy- I always enjoy your pieces. Mansions are fun to look at, but I prefer the "real" people stories like this. Thanks!
There is even a Small House Society, which we joined five years ago, because homes smaller than 500 sq ft are so popular where we live in the Sierras and other parts of N CA, Oregon, Seattle area etc.
http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house/small-house-society/
Thanks
Great with this house! I love it.
PS: I hope you can add one room to accommodate the kids' need for separate bedrooms.
You have to see the small spaces the rest of the world lives in, and not just third world countries, Look at Europe. And most of the kids turn out very well, thank you.
WOW! very impressed.
First off the roof is a green roof which here in Northern CA, Portland and Seattle area are becoming more the norm. They are designed to filter rain water, into drains or cisterns, as well as add green insulation which lowers heating costs drastically. These roofs are valuable because when we get a lot of rain having a green roof as well as a green driveway allows for less pollution in area creeks in which storm drain water ends up.
And a smaller open area needs less heat so a wood burning stove would indeed keep the area warm even in winter. Having a ceiling fan keeps our small place evenly warm in winter.
As for where the parents sleep. If you are disabled, elderly, common sense would suggest you would use the loft for kids and the bedroom on the lower level as your bedroom. In many third world countries the entire family sleeps in one room. Here in the states we tend to be spoiled and think everyone needs their own bedroom.
The use of white was wise because in the Portland, Seattle, northern California where we get more rain, the white interior allows for a more bright interior on grey drizzle or rainy days
Love the roof.
While storage was an issue mentioned, I also think most children have way to many toys, many which do not get used or very often. There are better ways to treat a child on their birthday besides giving a toy.
I am a big believer in limiting toys. Even suggest starting or joining a toy lending library like we have where we live. Along with a tool lending library.
Especially the barn-wood like accents in the kitchen.
We are currently building a barn-home, and it is 720 sq ft in the lower floor, and has a great loft.
It is perfect for us, with ease to heat & cool, and stresses functionality.
There is more usable storage in this small home than in many bigger homes. The sofas have full storage under them. There is an enormous bank of storage closets in the hall, there is a ceiling to floor pull out storage to the right of the kids bunk beds, and the entire wall of bookshelves could easily be adjusted to include more drawers, cupboards.
Well they could always ues under the sofas that i also love for storege.I have put your beautiful home in my ideas book.
I love the wood effects on the walls and the contrust between the whit and wooden dining table and floors is amazing.
I want your place.
Love it.
Me too...just my brother. We lived rurally and were very good friends; we still are!
Someone else asked where the water heater and washing machine are. I'd like to know where clothes are kept in the adult bedroom.
Pamm JT: http://49740.us.com/wordpress/
Not one day of regret!