Cottage Style Homes in Washington DC Metro Area
In many ways, the term cottage overlaps with other common Washington Metro architectural types, including bungalow and Craftsman-style homes. There can be some differences although it's often a matter of interpretation. The word itself is a derivation of the old Scottish term cotter – peasant farmers who lived in cottages, often working small plots of land. In this country, a cottage has come to mean anything from a seasonal vacation home to year-round dwellings in urban communities. When it comes to what's termed English cottage-style, a steep roof pitch is a common identifier. For more information about Cottage style homes in Washington DC metro area, give District Partners at Compass a call today at (202) 798-3600.
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The one thing cottages haven't historically equated with is the idea of luxury but all things change over time. A large custom cottage in Arlington listed well into the seven-figures recently and it's certainly not the only property of its type in the metropolitan area. How did we get here from there? Much in the same way that any home style evolves. Take a look at at some of the high-priced cottages on the market and the connections become apparent – it could be a small charming waterfront house that's climbed in value over the years or perhaps a larger new home with older design attributes such as gabled roofs, wide porches and combinations of stone and clapboard.
During the turn of the 20th century and up until World War II, Craftsman cottage kit-homes were popular in the Washington Metro area. The appeal of having materials and instruction delivered went hand-in-hand with a cost-effective philosophy. While catalog kit-homes covered a range of styles and prices, the cottage versions were usually simple affairs such as the Sears Natoma. This three-room structure lacked a bathroom and cost just $191 for the standard model and $266 for an upgrade with heavier wood. There were more expensive kit cottages of course. Still, it's somewhat odd to think of a home that cost less than many monthly cell phone plans.
Flash forward all these many years and the ubiquitous Washington Metro cottage continues to serve a multitude of purposes. From affordable fixer-uppers to fully restored and renovated homes in popular Del Ray, the style covers the gamut of prices. In fact, a recent search showed a local range from $119,900 to $2,249,000. The latter included six bedrooms, six baths and over 6,000 square feet of living space. That's a lot of cottage. It may not be the most common DC real estate property but the cottage has carved out an enduring niche.
