Inside the house of a poet

This tiny house in Andalusia is a bolt hole and retreat for a poet who lives in England. I'm kicking myself that I didn't ask her to do a write up, but I didn't, so it's left to me to fumble for words and tell you about this property.

Designed eight years ago for strictly one person, it has everything you need for a long quiet weekend. Compact and bijou would describe this house, one living room, one dining room/kitchen, a very nice landing, which leading off is one bathroom and yes, one bedroom. Outside space is a small roof terrace.

It's all very well designed and feels very calm and peaceful. There's good use of natual stone, terracotta and wood all harmonising with the colours of the walls.

This is one of my favourite houses, I hope you like it.

A quart into a pint pot

Ever since I read my first Sue Grafton novel and discovered the heroine Kinsey Milhone, I've been intrigued by miniature living spaces. These living spaces are cleverly designed and fully functional, like a dolls house for adults.

My own definition of a miniature living space is a house that is small, so less maintenance and cleaning, but it must feel big and spacious. All very difficult to achieve and rarely seen.

The house I have chosen for this topic is a perfect example of miniature living space. It's in southern Spain where planning laws allow you to build a cortijo (small building), if you have sufficient land to grow crops (as decided by the local council!). The size of the cortijo is restricted, and is usually big enough to store tools, prepare food and have a snooze. It's the size of a big shed and only usually has one storey - to begin with anyway.

The Spanish couple who built this cortijo used the size restrictions as a challenge and created a living space that looks wonderful and has everything two people could ever want.

As you know, I photograph a lot of houses, in all shapes and sizes. This house is definitely one of my all time favouites, it's a little gem.




When this house came up for sale, ironicly I had just committed to a building project. But looking back at these pictures, I dearly wish this house could have been mine!