Paul Caddell’s beachside cottage sits alongside giant mansions and vacation homes in The Hamptons; however, his clever use of his small space makes the little cottage stand out amongst the rest.
Originally built in 1814, Paul’s New York cottage was renovated to a home fit for the pages of a magazine. As you may have noticed, the front door is purposefully off-center to allow for more space in the living room. Paul also raised the roofline when he added two upstairs bathrooms. The best part, however, is the fact that Paul can walk his dog Beulah down to the beach in less than 15 minutes.
Paul purposely picked furniture and decor that would make his living room look bigger.
“I use whites like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for walls, add neutral upholstery and bed coverings, then bring in subtle color with pillows,” he told Country Living. He also uses a settee for a sofa and a slim vintage trunk for a coffee table.
The kitchen, although on the smaller side, has oodles of farmhouse charm.
To make more room for countertop space, Paul chose a smaller version of the popular apron sink. The kitchen blends rustic elements like butcher block countertops with modern amenities like the stainless steel appliances.
A single handrail staircase leads to the home’s second floor.
Leaving one side of the stairway open provides an airiness to the space. Like most smaller homes, Paul chose furnishings that serve multiple purposes. “A hutch I found at an estate sale not only offers room for glassware and dishes but also has a surface that folds out and is perfect for serving food,” he said.
The home features three bedrooms; each one, carefully thought out with Paul’s guests’ comfort in mind.
“I like giving guests a place to use a laptop or apply makeup,” Paul said regarding the small table at the foot of the bed. Instead of a standard trunk or bench, he decided to go for a piece of furniture that he thought his guests would actually use.
Even though Paul’s cottage isn’t as lavish as his neighbor’s homes, he thinks that smaller homes are more comfortable and pleasant. “Quite frankly, I think smaller settings can be more comfortable than spread-out or cavernous rooms. Close quarters foster the best conversations!”
What would you prefer? A mansion or a small cottage like Paul’s in The Hamptons?
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