The Glam Garage Getaway

It’s hard to believe this bright, airy retreat was once a collapsing, clutter-filled garage on the verge of being lost. What began as a dark, debris-covered catch-all—with a failing roof, no insulation, and little usable space—was thoughtfully reimagined into one large, open-concept guest suite designed to feel both expansive and inviting. By keeping the layout open as you arrive up the stairs—and only enclosing a single wall to tuck away the kitchen and bathroom—the space maintains a natural flow while still offering function and privacy where it matters most. In collaboration with the homeowners, every detail was intentionally layered, blending vintage furnishings with fresh finishes and honoring the warmth of the original pine floors. The result is a cozy, light-filled carriage house retreat that feels as effortless as it is beautiful.

The only way to truly capture the essence of any remodel or build-out is by asking the right questions from the very beginning. In every project, we start with one of the most important: What is the end goal?

We always begin with the end in mind. For this project, that meant transforming a cluttered, underused garage into a separate, fully livable space—a cozy, welcoming retreat for guests visiting the home. Once that vision is clear, every decision that follows is made to support it, ensuring the final result feels exactly as it was imagined.

The most challenging—and most important—part is what you don’t see. Before any finishes go in, we make sure the electrical and plumbing systems are fully updated. These are the critical components that protect the investment long-term. While they may not be visible once the project is complete, they impact everything—especially when it comes to safety and preventing issues like leaks or fire hazards down the road.

Once those foundational systems are addressed, the focus shifts to preserving the integrity and character of the original structure. In this project, that meant keeping and restoring the existing pine floors and the oversized, floor-to-ceiling windows. Rather than replacing them, we embraced them—allowing those original elements to lead the design and become the standout features of the space.

From the very beginning, we knew this space needed to function as a true, independent living area. One of the first priorities was adding a washer and dryer, which we thoughtfully incorporated just off the entry. By opening up space to the left of the landing and framing a dedicated laundry area, it created a natural drop zone—somewhere to step in, set down your bags, and transition into the space.

As you move up the stairs, the experience shifts completely. The goal was to keep the upstairs as open and expansive as possible, creating a true retreat. We designed a large, open-concept layout that includes a full kitchenette, a spacious bathroom, and a vaulted ceiling that follows the original lines of the structure. To maximize ceiling height, we removed the failing plaster and replaced it with spray foam insulation and drywall, allowing for both efficiency and volume.

To make the space fully comfortable year-round, we installed a mini-split system for heating and cooling. And finally, one of the most important decisions was to preserve and restore the original hardwood floors—bringing warmth and character back to life and grounding the entire design in the history of the space.