{"id":16329,"date":"2025-09-13T13:00:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T13:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=16329"},"modified":"2025-09-13T13:15:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T13:15:07","slug":"inside-louis-penfield-house-usonian-design-by-frank-lloyd-wright","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/inside-louis-penfield-house-usonian-design-by-frank-lloyd-wright\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Louis Penfield House Usonian Design by Frank Lloyd Wright"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how Frank Lloyd Wright&#8217;s Usonian homes provide practical strategies for a cohesive and comfortable home that reflects your lifestyle and tastes. Usonian homes have a deep connection to nature, functional efficiency, and an inviting aesthetic. Although they were designed nearly 100 years ago, you may be able to use these concepts to shape your own space.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Usonian Houses: Everything You Need to Know About Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s Affordable Homes<\/strong><br \/>\nConceived after the Great Depression, these designs focused on simpler, more humble materials and were meant to be accessible to the middle class<\/p>\n<p>Built-in shelving. Wood-paneling. A connection with nature. These are just a few of the still extremely desirable qualities of Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s Usonian houses. Designed and built in America between the 1930s and 1950s, these homes represent the architect\u2019s vision for a more affordable form of organic architecture. Compared to Wright\u2019s most well-known structures\u2014like the sculptural spiraled interior Guggenheim building, for instance\u2014the Usonian homes are remarkably simple at first glance. Still, they demonstrate a profound sensitivity to their sites and a dedication to everyday beauty.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.com\/story\/usonian-houses-everything-you-need-to-know-about-frank-lloyd-wrights-affordable-homes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Architectural Digest\u00a0<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16299\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16299\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16299\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-entry-b.jpg?resize=500%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-entry-b.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-entry-b.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16299\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Entry<br \/>Glass doors<br \/>Floor-to-ceiling glass windows<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Step in through these glass front doors. Glass walls go all the way to the ceiling of the second floor.<\/p>\n<p>The Louis Penfield House is an early example of Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s Usonian design. It incorporates many of the features that characterize the style. Usonian house are smaller than his earlier designs, from around 1,200 to over 2,000 square feet. His earlier Prairie style houses started at around 2,000 square feet to over 5,000 square feet with separate servant accommodations. Usonian homes were for a middle class family without someone else cooking or cleaning for them.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The idea behind Usonia was about more than just designing smaller houses. It was about planning, nature, and simple design on a human scale.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.historycolorado.org\/usonian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Usonian: History Colorado<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16298\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16298\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16298 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-entry-a.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-entry-a.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-entry-a.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16298\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Entry and Stairs<br \/>Glass doors<br \/>Floor-to-ceiling glass windows<br \/>Furnishings with geometric designs are by Frank Lloyd Wright.<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The house was designed for Louis Penfield. He was tall, 6-feet, 8-inches tall, and the house was built to accommodate his height. Downstairs doorways are 8 feet high and upstairs doorways are 7-feet 4-inches high.<\/p>\n<p>The house was built using wood panels and concrete blocks with large floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The exterior wood was stained red and the concrete was stained yellow.\u00a0The interior reflects the same use of colors with redwood tiles and red stained wood paneling. The cement floor (with steam radiant heat) has a red cast and red flecks.<\/p>\n<p>Although most Usonian homes are one level, the Louis Penfield House is two-story, 1800 square feet.<\/p>\n<h2>Downstairs<\/h2>\n<p>Downstairs is 780-square feet with an open floor plan living, dining and kitchen areas. A powder room and closet are accessible from the entry and the kitchen workspace area. There is a fireplace, underfloor heating and convection heaters under the windows.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16320\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16320\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16320\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-dining-entry.jpg?resize=500%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-dining-entry.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-dining-entry.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16320\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Dining Area and Entry with Stairs<br \/>The furniture was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Behind the table here is a fireplace. The Usonian house has an open floor plan around a central hearth.<\/p>\n<p>Wood, stone, glass and other natural materials are left unpainted to help blend indoor and outdoor.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16308\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16308\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16308\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-living_room-southwest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16308\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Living and Dining Areas<br \/>Built-in and movable furniture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright<br \/>Floor-to-ceiling glass windows<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The open floor plan is divided into zones, rather than traditional rooms with doors that close. That seems pretty normal now, but it was a radical idea 100 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>Floor to ceiling windows, glass doors, high clerestory windows and skylights bring in natural light and make the room feel bigger.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>As Wright did with the Prairie style of his earlier fame, he also incorporated the smaller Usonian house with the site. Wright integrated the house with the landscape and nature in an attempt to get away from box-like structures. Walls extended beyond the interior to the outside, intermingling the two. Large windows brought the outside in. Natural materials blended the house with the site and warm colors on the interior further contributed to the feeling of bringing the outdoors inside.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.historycolorado.org\/usonian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Usonian: History Colorado<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16319\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16319\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16319\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-dining.jpg?resize=500%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-dining.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-dining.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16319\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Dining Area<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Louis Penfield House has built-in seating in the living\/dining room.\u00a0 Specifically designed furniture and a lot of built-ins and shelving are typical of Usonian design.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16305\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16305\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16305 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-living_room.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-living_room.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-living_room.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16305\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Living Area<br \/>Frank Lloyd Wright designed geometric built-in furnishings<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There is storage inside these seats.\u00a0 Seating was an integral part of the Louis Penfield House&#8217;s architecture with built-in storage. Built-in seating, shelves, storage, and other furniture is supposed to eliminate clutter and maximize space.<\/p>\n<p>Storage within seating is a fundamental feature of Frank Lloyd Wright&#8217;s Usonian designs. Traditional houses at the time were a lot bigger. To save money, Usonian homes did not have a basement or attic, instead integrated storage was built in where it could be.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16306\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16306\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16306\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-living_room-a.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16306\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Living Area<br \/>Shelves, storage and furniture is designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Local wood and stone are used indoors and out.\u00a0Lots of windows bring in natural light.<\/p>\n<p>Floor to ceiling windows and a planter that appears to pass through the glass blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors. Frank Lloyd Wright&#8217;s Usonian designs often incorporate these indoor-outdoor planters as built-in architectural features.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16307\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16307\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16307\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-living_room-planter.jpg?resize=500%2C375&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16307\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House<br \/>Interior planter extends seamlessly to the exterior planter.<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>These planters are part of the design, strategically placed to blur the line between interior and exterior spaces. Both sides, indoors and outdoors have a drainage system built into the foundation of the house.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16303\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16303\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16303 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen-b.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen-b.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen-b.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16303\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Kitchen<br \/>The kitchen is called the workspace<br \/>Looking through the kitchen to the dining\/living area<br \/>One wall of storage, counter space and appliances<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The kitchen is called the Workspace on the house plans. In earlier homes, the kitchen was a separate room at the back of the house. Usonian homes integrate the kitchen into the main living space. Normal now, but not 100 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>The kitchen cabinets and counter run past the fireplace, the &#8220;central hearth,&#8221; to the dining and living area of the home.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16302\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16302\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16302 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16302\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Kitchen<br \/>The kitchen counter was built from a storm-felled tree on the property<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Usonian kitchens are functional and minimalist with built-in surfaces and storage.We take built-in cabinets and counters for granted, but they were not typical when this house was built.<\/p>\n<p>The counter was made from a tree from the land the house is built on.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16304\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16304\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16304\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen-windows.jpg?resize=500%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen-windows.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-kitchen-windows.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16304\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Kitchen<br \/>Windows over the kitchen cabinets open for ventilation<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Like the rest of the home, the kitchen has abundant light and ventilation from the high windows. Built-in appliances and storage with doors keep clutter to a minimum.<\/p>\n<h2>Upstairs<\/h2>\n<p>Wright&#8217;s typical Usonian designs were single-story L-shaped homes dividing private and public zones. The open floor plan living and dining areas are in the public side of the L with large glass walls and doors, usually facing the back garden or view. Small bedrooms are in the private side of the L.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>These houses were arranged in zones, typically with three areas: living space, small bedrooms, and a kitchen-dining area. Built-in components and furniture allowed homeowners to appreciate the simpler, integrated space Wright intended.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.historycolorado.org\/usonian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Usonian: History Colorado<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16310\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16310\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16310 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-stairs.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-stairs.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-stairs.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16310\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Entry and Stairs<br \/>Narrow stairs<br \/>Floor-to-ceiling glass windows<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Louis Penfield House has the private areas upstairs instead.<\/p>\n<p>The stairs are in the entry. They are narrow, really narrow, only 23&#8243; wide. There is no handrail.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16311\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16311\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16311 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-stairs-b.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-stairs-b.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Penfield-stairs-b.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16311\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Stairs<br \/>The stairs are narrow with deep steps.<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Perhaps to make up for how narrow they are, each step is deeper than usual. Maybe tall Louis Penfield also had long feet?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16314\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16314\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16314\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-c.jpg?resize=500%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-c.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-c.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16314\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Master Bedroom<br \/>Built in furniture was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Upstairs is 458 square feet, positioned over the kitchen. There are three bedrooms.<\/p>\n<p>To save money, Usonian bedrooms are small. It\u2019s also supposed to encourage the family to spend more time together.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16312\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16312\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16312 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-a.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-a.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-a.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16312\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Bedroom<br \/>Bedroom 1 (on the plan)<br \/>Built in furniture was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Usonian bedrooms emphasize simplicity. Like the rest of the house, they integrate nature with wood and concrete materials. They have functional built-in elements and integrated storage.<\/p>\n<p>The Louis Penfield house has three bedrooms.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16313\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16313\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16313 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-b.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-b.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-b.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16313\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Bedroom<br \/>Bedroom 1 (on the plan)<br \/>Built in furniture was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Like the rest of the house, the bedrooms have large windows, but not floor to ceiling, more privacy.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16326\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16326\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16326 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-2.jpg?resize=500%2C650&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-2.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bedroom-2.jpg?resize=385%2C500&amp;ssl=1 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16326\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Louis Penfield House Bedroom<br \/>Bedroom 2 (on the plan)<br \/>Built in furniture was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright<br \/>Photo by Stilfehler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Seeing how Frank Lloyd Wright designed his smaller, less expensive Usonian homes offers inspiration and practical ideas that can help you create a cohesive comfortable home that reflects your needs and personality. These designs offer practical tips that you can use to improve the functionality and aesthetics of your home.<\/p>\n<p>The more you learn about different styles, even styles that may not appeal to you, the more you define your own personal style. Every style can give you some inspiration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how Frank Lloyd Wright&#8217;s Usonian homes provide practical strategies for a cohesive and comfortable home that reflects your lifestyle and tastes. Usonian homes have a deep connection to nature, functional efficiency, and an inviting aesthetic. Although they were designed nearly 100 years ago, you&nbsp;<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/inside-louis-penfield-house-usonian-design-by-frank-lloyd-wright\/\">&hellip;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[21,26,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","category-other-small-houses","category-small-house-history"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured_image-Usonian_Design_Louis_Penfield_House-interior.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6490,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/inspiration-frank-lloyd-wrights-kentuck-knob\/","url_meta":{"origin":16329,"position":0},"title":"Inspiration: Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s Kentuck Knob","author":"Carla","date":"August 13, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Kentuck Knob, or the Hagan House is a National Historic Landmark. It was designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is at 723 Kentuck Road, Chalk Hill, Pennsylvania, about four miles south of Fallingwater, probably Wright's most famous house. My cousin just visited Kentuck Knob with her family and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Inspiration&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Inspiration","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/inspiration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Inspiration: Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s Kentuck Knob","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/featured-kentuck_knob.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/featured-kentuck_knob.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/featured-kentuck_knob.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/featured-kentuck_knob.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16327,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/frank-lloyd-wrights-usonian-design-louis-penfield-house-and-riverrock-house\/","url_meta":{"origin":16329,"position":1},"title":"Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s Usonian Design: Louis Penfield House and RiverRock House","author":"Carla","date":"September 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Louis Penfield House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is one of his Usonian homes. A second Usonian style house was designed for the same site. The RiverRock House was completed in 2025 from plans Wright created in 1959, not long before his death. Usonian is sort of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Inspiration&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Inspiration","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/inspiration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s Usonian Design: Louis Penfield House and RiverRock House Photo by Stilfehler","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured_image-Usonian_Design_Louis_Penfield_House-exterior.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured_image-Usonian_Design_Louis_Penfield_House-exterior.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured_image-Usonian_Design_Louis_Penfield_House-exterior.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/featured_image-Usonian_Design_Louis_Penfield_House-exterior.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9657,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/small-homes-are-just-the-right-size\/","url_meta":{"origin":16329,"position":2},"title":"Small Homes are Just the Right Size","author":"Carla","date":"July 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"I just picked up a 2017 issue of Mother Earth News at our neighborhood book exchange. It had a cover article Small Homes are Just the Right Size. These homeowners downsized their lives to inhabit hand-built spaces that are easier and cheaper to maintain. The article is by Lloyd Kahn.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Inspiration&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Inspiration","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/inspiration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mother Earth News December 2017","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14869,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/08\/1116-square-foot-pearlman-mountain-cabin\/","url_meta":{"origin":16329,"position":3},"title":"1,116 square foot Pearlman Mountain Cabin","author":"Carla","date":"August 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The 1,116 square foot Pearlman Mountain Cabin is in the Idyllwild art community of Mount San Jacinto, California. It was designed by a renowned architect, then built by family. The cabin was designed and built to be a weekend cottage for the family of a doctor in Santa Ana, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;House Plans&quot;","block_context":{"text":"House Plans","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/house-plans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/featured-Pearlman_Mountain_Cabin.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/featured-Pearlman_Mountain_Cabin.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/featured-Pearlman_Mountain_Cabin.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/featured-Pearlman_Mountain_Cabin.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13238,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/01\/plans-and-blueprints-for-round-houses-and-octagon-houses\/","url_meta":{"origin":16329,"position":4},"title":"Plans and Blueprints for Round Houses and Octagon Houses","author":"Carla","date":"January 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Some round houses are actually round, but most of them are made from panels, so they are actually octagon, nine sided nonagon (or enneagon), 10-sided decagon or any other polygon shape. There are some advantages to houses with more than four sides. They stand up to straight line wind better.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;House Plans&quot;","block_context":{"text":"House Plans","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/house-plans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-octagon_house.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-octagon_house.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-octagon_house.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-octagon_house.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7206,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/step-by-step-container-home-conversion-by-casa-cubed\/","url_meta":{"origin":16329,"position":5},"title":"Step-by-Step Container Home Conversion by Casa Cubed","author":"Carla","date":"February 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Casa Cubed builds container houses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They post photos on their Facebook page as they build. Building a Container Home Outside They start by cutting the openings for french doors and windows. The exterior walls are clad in cedar. Cedar is beautiful, natural and durable. They\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Container Homes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Container Homes","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/container-homes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Casa Cubed Shipping Container Homes","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/featured-casa_cubed-1.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/featured-casa_cubed-1.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/featured-casa_cubed-1.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/featured-casa_cubed-1.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16329"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16342,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16329\/revisions\/16342"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}