Owner-specific modifications:
Added extra porch columns
Eliminated chimney by switching to a gas fireplace
Removed the twin windows flanking the fireplace in the living room
Altered kitchen layout
Without a basement foundation, they used the space under the stairs to create a nook with a desk
Screened in rear porch; moved rear porch stairs to side
Among the benefits of home ownership is the independence to freely determine how the home will be used. For one Tennessee couple, downsizing to Plan DD-1141 became an opportunity for them both to serve and to depend upon their family to meet the changing needs of all.
John and Mary Lou Phelan knew that as "mature people" with an empty nest, it would be important for them to create a home in which they could spend their later years comfortably. They wanted to move near their son's family during this time—but not only to meet their own needs. They also wanted to build a home that their son's family could later use as a guest house.
Though the Phelans required little space for themselves, their consideration for their children prompted them to choose Plan DD-1141, because the home plan was flexible enough that they could finish the upper floor later, if needed. This way, the Phelans could save money up front yet still have the option for expanding down the road. Other cost-saving changes to the home plan included switching to a gas fireplace and eliminating the chimney; removing the twin windows flanking the fireplace in the living room; and altering the kitchen layout slightly to open it up and accommodate a more "conventional stove." Also, without a basement foundation, the cozy area beneath the stairs became a nook for a desk and efficient mail center—a smart change that suits their daily needs.
After less than a year of construction, their 819-square-foot home was complete, having cost around $70,000. The result is an extremely affordable second home, where the couple typically spends two and a half days a week.
Dubbed "Iris Cottage," Mary Lou says that the delightful new home "is a fit for our rural setting," and one that inspires much admiration. "Everyone who sees it loves it," she says. "We often hear, 'This is exactly what (I, my parents, my aunt . . .) needs.'"
For John, the best feature of this home is its back porch, which they opted to screen in and which overlooks the Duck River. Mary Lou appreciates the "two dressing areas and sinks" in the master bath—a convenient feature that adds a luxurious touch to their simple residence.
There's no doubt that this gem of a home will make a great heirloom for several generations to come.
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