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Modern Mini Home

Bringing Spaciousness to a Modestly Sized Backyard

WORDS ABBY L. JOHNSON PHOTOS MOLLY CULVER

By embracing minimalism to make the most of a compact space, a simple bachelorsized home feels larger than the sum of its few parts.

When Steven Kruse initially bought his corner lot in Windsor Park as a single bachelor, the plan was to renovate, then rent out the main home and build and occupy a small guest home on site. While he did build the ADU (aka Auxiliary Dwelling Unit) and is currently in the process of renovating the main house, his plans have changed quite a bit. Now, Steven plans to rent out the finished ADU and live with partner Anne Suttles in the larger abode.

To bring his vision to life, Steven turned to Frank Farkash, Architect of Record, and Jessica Smith, Senior Designer, of local design build firm Moontower. Steven’s experience as a contractor and builder and Moon- tower’s dedication to personalizing the design for clients' exact specifications made for a seamless partnership.

The one bedroom, one and a half bath unit rings in at just under a thousand square feet. It is cordoned off from the main house and the bustling street with a large stucco wall, a white expanse that casts a shadow of serenity over the cozy home. Simple lines and minimal use of doors make for a seamlessly flowing space. Skylights fill the home with ample natural light, creating spaciousness even in tight quarters. Anne notes “The light is the most important part. I find that it really enhances the quality life.”

Simplicity is the major theme that marks the interior. Steven explains, “I didn't want too many different contrasting designs, colors, finishes. I'm not a designer by any means, but I know what I like.” His personal aesthetic shines through in the muted color palette and consistent finishes throughout the space. A polished concrete floor throughout, simple tiles used in both the kitchen and primary bathroom, and modest paint colors make this home the perfect blank canvas for its future occupant's personality to shine through.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the modest home is the large glass wall looking out over a private courtyard. Shielded from view, residents can gaze out into their serene little world from the cozy confines of home.

Steven notes that working with Moontower was a streamlined, simple, and well-thought-out process. Anne points out, “You can't hide a lot of flaws in a build like this. When something's stripped back to [basic elements], you’ve got to do it right.” With that in mind, both Steven and the Moontower team brought a discerning eye to every step of the process, resulting in a home that is much greater than its miniature size.