An original 1960s cottage over garage was a poor match for the main house, a 1890s era Victorian residence.

Poorly detailed and looking shabby next to the painted lady main house, our brief was to update the cottage while making it a better companion to the main residence. In addition, we were to make the garage work both as a place to park cars and as a play space for the children and as a workshop for the husband. We were also to provide storage space for the gardening-keen wife.

What we did:

• We re-clad the cottage, using painted horizontal redwood siding all the way to the upper floor window sill line.
• We used painted cedar shingles above this line giving better proportions than the old shingled gable end did.
• We changed the stair to provide a usable cottage porch while allow for ample garden storage under the cottage porch.
• We added detailing to the building including carved rafter tails, an awning over the garage door, and a shingle flair over the garden storage door.
• We lifted the ceiling in the cottage living area to give greater light and air and open the volume into a loft.
• We added wainscoting and ceiling paneling inside the cottage and with the owner taking the interior design lead, re-worked all of the interior finishes.

The new cottage is updated and comfortable while stepping back in time to work with the Victorian main house.