Frank Lloyd Wright's "Tiny" House

The Seth C. Peterson Cottage 
Mirror Lake Wisconsin

Close your eyes and imagine a tiny cottage perched on the side of a steep woodsy hillside with views of a shimmering lake below.

Mirror Lake

Now open them and find yourself in one of Frank Lloyd Wright's smallest, most intimate creations.

The Seth C. Peterson Cottage

In 1958 Seth Peterson (after numerous attempts) was able to convince Wright to design a small getaway cottage for himself and his future bride. 

Wright completed the commission, but passed away the following year in 1959, before the cottage was complete. 

 The Centerpiece of the Cottage is its Massive Fireplace

This makes the cottage one of Wright's last residences and the last commission in his home state of Wisconsin. Sadly, Peterson also died before his cottage was complete at the age of 24.

The cottage was subsequently purchased and eventually absorbed into Mirror Lake State Park. It fell into severe disrepair. In 1989 the Seth C. Peterson Cottage Conservancy began a complete restoration effort. The restoration was completed in 1992 and the 880 square foot cottage has been self-supporting ever since. It is available for tours, special events and for rent to overnight guests.

Construction is local limestone and pine. Floors are flagstone. Above the expansive windows are additional windows with a pine motif. 

Despite its small size, Wright's traditional "Compression and Relief" design principal (small intimate spaces opening to large spaces) is expressed perfectly.

 

The cottage design is organized around a core that features a large fireplace, compact kitchen and mechanical/utility room. The living room is surprisingly spacious with a built-in sofa (with hideaway bed). There is one bedroom that is afforded privacy by opening a hinged door to the linen closet. There is one modernized bathroom.

 Looking into the Bedroom

 Updated Bathroom

The rental rate for the one-of-a-kind cottage currently runs $300-$325 a night. A minimum 2-night stay is required. For information about renting the cottage click here.

Roadboy's Travels © 2018