Step Inside a Charming Country Cottage In Southwest Idaho

Text by Katie Ellis

Several years ago, Becca Lopez and her husband, Mike, downsized and moved into a more modest 1976 home, which was nearly half the size of the one they had been living in. “We knew that it would be a challenge—moving into such a small home,” Becca says. “But we’ve done our best to create a cozy, country home for our family.”

Layering has been a key design element in achieving the relaxed country style found throughout the Lopez home. “I really love the lived-in and curated look. To me, it says, ‘Come in and get cozy,’” Becca shares. “That’s what I want for our family and our guests!”

The house was already fully renovated when the family moved in, so the biggest project they’ve taken on to date has been painting the kitchen cabinets a crisp, creamy white. “We’ve talked about some other changes that we’d like to make, but our budget isn’t really in agreement with us right now—and that’s OK,” Becca says. “I’m a firm believer in not having to spend a lot of money to have a beautiful home. That’s why I shop thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets.”

The bright, neutral kitchen design allows Becca’s various collections to shine. “I am a sucker for old, vintage kitchen items. I have a lot, and in order to achieve a cohesive look and not just a look of random clutter, I’ve really had to become a layering master,” she says. “I like to hang things on hooks whenever I can and incorporate shelves wherever I can.” A few years ago, she had the smart idea to add a shelf across the kitchen window that would provide additional storage and a place to display more found treasures. “Of course, when I have these kinds of ideas, my husband is right there to help me bring my vision to life,” Becca says. “He built me a shelf with brackets that I could use to hang a curtain rod through for a café curtain look.”

The home’s tiny footprint means storage can often be an issue. Over the years, Becca has found creative solutions via upcycled pieces like the hutch in her kitchen that she made from a 30-year-old desk that her neighbor was getting rid of at just the perfect time. “We painted [the hutch] and brought it in, and it’s truly one of my favorite pieces in my home,” she says. “It’s full of drawers and shelves for more of my vintage items, and it fits perfectly into [our] little space. I love the idea of repurposing pieces and making them fit the needs of my home.”

Becca is no stranger to giving fresh, new life to older pieces of furniture. Look no further than her green cabinet, just off the dining room. “My inspiration behind this [piece] was to give it an old antique pie safe feel,” she says. So, the couple painted it, adding wooden shelving in place of the existing glass shelves and wire mesh hardware cloth in place of the glass that was in the doors. “I love it, and I loved this color of green so much that I decided to paint the living room table the same color,” Becca says. “I love the way it just pops in this room!”

The comfortable living room boasts a newly added board-and-batten wall with peg hooks that not only adds character and charm to the space but a practical element as well. Becca shares that the project was completed by her husband as an early Christmas gift and will provide the perfect place for the family’s stockings. “It’s a much cozier space now for relaxing and having family movie nights,” she adds.

Like many homeowners, Becca is quick to admit that the primary bedroom has always been an afterthought. “I’ve always put more time and effort into the rest of the house and just had the thought that, ‘No one really goes in our room anyway, so why does it matter?’” she says. “So, as I work on this room more and more, I’m realizing how much it really does matter. I’ve started small and added in things that we love.” Things like heirloom pieces from Mike’s father who was in the military, special items from their children, and a handful of fun vintage items they’ve found together help to create a more meaningful, personal space. “I really wanted to add a little more color to this room to give it more of a flea market vibe, and using a few old bottles and tins has helped me achieve that look,” Becca says.

While the Lopez home may be short on square footage, it certainly lives large, and each room is filled with joy. “I love our home—it’s small, and it’s so imperfect, but it’s the home of my dreams because my favorite people on earth are in it,” Becca says.

For more information, visit @i.callit.cozy on Instagram.