17th Century Europe was a period rife with change, from feudal powers to the birthing stages of parliament. It also brought with it a decline in houses constructed of wood, giving way to stone and brick-built abodes. Benjamin Calvetti has replicated this style with stunning class, and his English Cottage is jam-packed with lovely details. The continuity in stone work, from the bordering fence line to the walls of the cottage, speak more of the local quarry than they do of a random handful of LEGO bricks.

The soft earthen-toned landscape, made of dark tan and sand green elements, has a calm feel to it. It’s almost as if it beckons one to rest after a hard days work. The odd patch of olive green and burnt orange subtly breaks up the serenity of this bit of land. I’m always excited by well-placed minifig hands in a LEGO creation. Their use here as pegs on a clothesline is an elegant solution. Looking closer, I do wonder who that inconspicuous Hot Dog Man is.

Around the back of the cottage, we find an enclosed kitchen and cellar doors. It’s such a snug little addition to this quaint building, though a useful preparation space I’m sure.

To fully appreciate the build, cutaways have been built into its structure. Instead of taking the standard route of a rectangular hinged or pull-out section, Benjamin has based the rock work around it. This creates a sense of organic observation, where the viewer is taking apart the layers. With the roof sections exposed, we also shed light on the interior and get a great view of the rafters built with SNOT (Studs Not on Top) building techniques.

Humble adornments are placed in comfortable fashion. The bookshelf and bed are well-assembled, but it’s that solitary chair that really brings a smile to my face. The wands on sprue act as the backrest, fitting perfectly alongside the tilted 1×1 tile legs.

We have featured Benjamin’s work before. If you’re interested in medieval construction, you must check his Finwër Castle.