Small Spaces
Wynne built the bathroom 72 inches wide to allow for a walker or wheelchair. He has since added a teak fold-down seat in the shower and backing for installation of a grab bar, if one becomes necessary.Toilet: Kohler; plumbing fixtures: Moen; vanity: Ikea; tile: Sunrock porcelain, Travertino by Atlas Concorde; drain: Infinity
Pine shiplap ceiling, walls and flooring give the bedroom a modern cabin-like feel. Sliding glass doors lead to the back deck and provide nature views. “The rear of the home faces true west and the sunset is viewed across a long marsh and wetland that features wading birds, marsh flowers and lots of animals,” Wynne says.Lighting: WAC; Fan: Haiku, by Big Ass Fans; browse large ceiling fans
Wynne sized the doors to accommodate a wheelchair. Pocket doors in the kitchen and bathroom are each 2 feet 10 inches wide. The front door is 3 feet wide, with a transom window that serves several purposes, says Wynne. “The transom window is designed to let in north light and also to create the columnar visual effect at the entry that allows you to see the contiguous connection of the wall and ceiling cladding from inside and out.”
The kitchen layout was intended to accommodate the possibility of mobility impairment. Wynne omitted upper cabinets and used Ikea cabinet bases with only full-extension drawers and no cabinets to make access easier.Wavy tile from Porcelanosa accents one wall, with windows providing a view from the front of the home toward Wynne’s barn. The peninsula features locally made concrete countertops and an integrated sink.Range: KitchenAid; faucet: Moen; porcelain-enameled pendant lights: Barn Light Electric
Wood paneling inside the home is the same Southern yellow pine that was used for the framing. Wynne had an energy-efficient central cooling and heating system custom-made and said the energy bill averages only $25 a month, even in summer. “We designed a smart, double-wall exposed metal duct to distribute the air efficiently while simultaneously adding to the interior decor.”
The Southern yellow pine for the framing material is lumber from the construction site of a nearby housing development and was treated with boric acid for termite control.Engineered wood was used for the roof framing and didn’t require a crane to install. “It minimizes impacts by utilizing trees that are younger and using them more efficiently than solid-sawn lumber,” says Wynne. Some of the siding is corrugated metal, installed vertically to match Wynne’s nearby barn.
The house was cantilevered above its foundation to protect the native Sabal palms that surround it, giving it the appearance of floating in the trees. Wynne says only one tree had to be removed and he planted three in its place. Built efficiently with mostly local and recycled materials, he says it resulted in less than one dumpster of waste for the entire project.
If you just don’t have the space. Consider converting a closet to a desk niche to give yourself an extra 24 to 28 inches of space. You can still use the upper portion as shelf storage, stashing items in attractive baskets, and you can even keep the doors or a curtain rod in place to allow you to close off the “office” when not in use.See more key measurements for a home office
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