What a natural pairing; the cottage and the timber frame. People sometimes believe post and beam homes have to be large. Not so! Think back to your childhood fairytale books. Images of cottages in stories such as Goldie Locks, Red Riding Hood and Cinderella abound, and each time, the cottage was portrayed in adorable fashion using the timber frame style. This was not by chance; the cottage was presented this way for several reasons, most notably because they were built from materials at hand – namely, large timbers. 
Fast forward to today. Nothing says “Nirvana” like a cottage. It’s small, fashionable, efficient, low maintenance and far more fiscally prudent in this day and age. The word “cottage” has become synonymous in our lexicon with the weekend retreat by the lake, in the mountains or at the ocean. Who doesn’t want one of those????? 
If you’re like me, an empty nester, or someone who’s downsizing for other reasons, the timber frame cottage is a “must” for consideration. The post & beam structure brings immediate presence and style to the genre while allowing the owner all types of options for both exterior and interior design. The same may NOT be said for the stick built cottage. A great deal of time and money often needs to be spent to achieve the “look” of a cottage. Why not go with the real thing from the start and put your money some place else, like back in your pocket? 
The following are a few examples of timber frame cottages, both real and soon to be built. I’ll bet you can picture yourself in one of these with very little trouble! 
Hey great blog! I love post and beam construction, and my father would like to design them when he is retired from his architecture job. I just had a question about one of the homes in the pictures above, is there any way I can contact the company/person that designed the sixth one from the top? I am interested in building my home pretty close to the design of this and would be willing to purchase the plans if necessary. Thanks and again good job on the blog.
Thanks! I believe you’re referring to the stone cottage with a Tudor influence. It was built in the early 1900s in an exclusive private community called Tuxedo Park, NY. My understanding is it was originally built as a family chapel and remains privately owned today. I do not know the name of the person who designed it, sorry.