I explore this idea more fully in my latest Design Dispatches letter Small, Not Tiny, where I reflect on what “just right” looks like in real homes- and why the missing middle matters.

👉 Read the full letter on Substack → That’s where I share ongoing reflections on home, garden, and thoughtful design rooted in real life and lived experience.

With contentment & possibility,

For years, the conversation around home size has been framed as a choice between two extremes: bigger houses with unused rooms, or tiny homes that promise freedom through radical reduction.

But for many people, neither option truly fits the way life unfolds.

A right-sized home isn’t about square footage alone. It’s about proportion, livability, and how well a space supports daily routines, changing needs, and long-term comfort.

Designing smaller - without going to extremes - often means focusing on flow, flexibility, and rooms that work harder without feeling overworked.

With contentment & possibility,

​The American Dream has virtually always been:  more + bigger = better.

The fad and trend that's predominated the last many decades has been to stretch yourself to the limit in order to acquire the most impressive home possible.  This home would prove that you were successful, and obviously make you comfortable and happy.

Over many decades, that's turned into crazy-big homes which required large incomes to buy and maintain, along with massive consumption of resources to build and live in.

​Tiny is fine if that's what you really need or want, but it's pretty extreme and unsustainable by most standards. 

​A more manageable and still meaningful downsize might mean reclaiming older, smaller homes and shifting to a less consumerism mentality, while still participating in a mainstream community and lifestyle.
​

​​I know the day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be all about making lists of things to give or buy.  And spending all day in line to get the best deals.  

But here at The Whiskey Porch we do the exact opposite.  Enjoying each other with gratitude for what we have and adding artful décor to our little home.  And spending time outdoors which is often gorgeous in these parts!

Here's a little peek at how we do things, Nordic style, here at Juniper Hill Cottage...

​I've always been enamored with the Craftsman Bungalow - but didn't even realize it at first. 

I remember spending time in the Pasadena California area house hunting for a possible job move decades ago and just being hypnotically drawn to the older bungalows that abound there.  I didn't know then, but it was a truly American architectural style that was also common all over San Francisco where I'd lived most of my life. 

​Looking back, the feature that always caught my eye first and drew me in, was the front porch.

So I thought I'd write a piece to explore the idea.
​
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(now on Letters from The Whiskey Porch)

If you love thoughtful design, authentic craftsmanship, and homes that live beautifully in small footprints — you’ll enjoy this one.

I’ve shared a new Design Dispatch featuring my favorite books and publications for anyone who’s drawn to bungalow style, timeless architecture, and soulful living.

These are the design titles that have truly earned their place on my shelves here in our 1924 Craftsman cottage in Prescott, Arizona.

Whether you’re dreaming up your next renovation or simply seeking inspiration for a simpler, smaller home with soul — this curated reading list is a wonderful place to start.
​
👉🏼 Read the full story and join the conversation on Substack:
Bookshelf: Design Classics for the Small Home & Bungalow Life →

I’m launching a new series over on my Substack called Porches & Cottages of Prescott — and it’s exactly what it sounds like.

This will be fun!  

Today is "Sustainable House Day" - actually, the beginning of a month-long celebration that takes place in Australia every year now since 2017.  https://sustainablehouseday.com/ 

Many things go into defining whether a home is "sustainable" or not, and it depends on who you ask.  

Of course, most of us would assume that efficient energy use, low environmental impact during the build as well as use of greener materials, products and technology would always apply.    

​The result of much of that is to also end up being budget friendly for the inhabitants of the home over time (although I'm not certain that the up-front investment in these higher end materials and technology is less of a budget drain currently than standard materials, and that's part of the hesitancy.)

Here in the U.S. (and around the world) we are still in the throws of the Tiny-House-Craze.  One of several reasons so many find it an intriguing concept is that it's assumed to be a vastly more sustainable option than your typical American home.  

​I would tend to agree with this idea theoretically, for some individuals.  

However, I would argue that when viewed from the collective perspective of making a real and ongoing impact in our larger communities, tiny homes are NOT a sustainable option.  And that there should be a wider, more vocal dialogue about small-not-tiny homes as the path to meaningful sustainability for both the environment and the larger community.

Let me explain.

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At The Whiskey Porch, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional spaces that connect your home to the land around it.

One design philosophy that’s especially "buzzy" right now is called Organic Modernism—a style that blends modern simplicity with natural materials and seamless indoor-outdoor living.

More than just a trend, this approach can expand your usable living space and enhance your lifestyle—while also increasing the value of your home.

In fact, recent Zillow research shows that homes with outdoor kitchens and nature-inspired features can sell for up to 3.1% more.

We just published a deep dive on this topic over on our Substack "Letters from The Whiskey Porch":
👉 Read the full article on Substack

In it, we cover:

• What Organic Modernism really means
• How to bring this style into your home
• Why it matters for homeowners in Arizona and beyond
• ​How we blend Nordic lifestyle principles into our own version of this design style—light-filled, natural, and deeply connected to place

With Peace & Contentment,

The Problem
The home you bought seemed perfect for your situation a few years ago.  Or, it was bigger than you honestly needed so you just moved in and quickly went on with life.

Then things changed, ever so slightly over time or in some bigger ways.  Maybe Covid made everything seem harder - you were home more, or even working from home, and spending much more time together.  Or you found yourself offering space to your adult daughter who is going back to school, and you never planned on that but here it is.  And it's just not working anymore.

Regardless, with interest rates at a recent high, it means that refinancing or taking out a home equity loan may not be in the cards any longer.

What to Do?
Clearly, you have do something!  And I get that the most logical next step might seem obvious:  you need more space!!  It's too cramped.  It's creating stress and chaos.  You can't find things.  You don't have enough private space.  

So, you make the decision to add on 500 square feet to create an office and another bedroom.

But I've got a reality check for you...  there's a lot more to solving this challenge than just adding more space.