Small homes are often creative solutions born of limited sites or modest budgets – but sometimes people just prefer living in cozy modern others might consider cramped quarters, even with nature around and room to breath.

There is also no reason a country home cannot be modern. White walls, clean lines and small openings make this design by Andrew Berman both a suitable fit the broader ‘neighborhood’ (New York City) but also a relaxing rural homestead a bit outside of the urban environment (Long Island).

Narrowing and widening spaces mimic the nooks and corners of a more traditional cottage space, but also frame views out to the landscape and create openings for copious amounts of natural light to flood in from slot-shaped windows and skylights. A dark exterior is also a nod to brown wooden country homes, though the form and materiality suggest anything but convention.