A 1940s “Funky Garage Full of Cobwebs” Turned into a Cute 365-Square-Foot ADU
Adrienne Breaux
·11-min read
"We renovated the garage into an ADU/cottage because we wanted to create a rental for our neighborhood and for income while also having fun designing and building a new space, which is something we enjoy and have done on a smaller scale before," begins interior decorator, stylist, and organizerEmily Anderson. "I also love the versatility of this space as a place an aging parent or grown child could one day live if needed as well." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
Emily and her husband, Paul Davis, purchased this property with a main house (they live in) and a run-down detached garage they've renovated. "We started this project by envisioning a layout with my retired architect dad. Then builder/renaissance man Nial [Nutter] drew out the plans to submit to the city," Emily explains. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"Nial completed the huge majority of the build-out, from framing to finish carpentry and woodworking details, while we hired out subcontractors to do plumbing, electrical, insulation, and drywall," Emily continues. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"Technically we were our own general contractors and we did manage the whole project, but were very lucky that Nial has a lot of experience as a general contractor and generously guided us along the way." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"We wanted to complete the whole project including all furnishings and everything for $150,000, but ended up going over that budget by a bit," Emily admits. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"Although that is a substantial budget, this project really entailed building a whole (small) house almost from the ground up, so it was actually a tight budget and we had to be creative with sourcing used materials and decor." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"The only aspect that wasn't from the ground up was the exterior framing and roof. Everything else was created. From dreaming up the concept to completion, this project took us just shy of two years to complete." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
Emily says that the "overall feel of the space when you’re in it" is her favorite and most proud element. "[I]t feels so good and is hard to convey via photos. It is light and airy, but also cozy and private." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"It is simple and clean, but also warm and charming. It just feels like a different world and an escape. Friends have noted that upon entry it feels like they’ve stepped into a converted old barn in France," she continues. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"We were very intentional with everything in this space so each piece of decor or building element has a story, a reason, a sentiment, or a memory. Almost everything was gifted or carefully sought out or handcrafted. That is why it feels so special." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
The entire project really began when the couple hired a concrete company to "break up the old concrete slab and pour a new one, as the original slab was too cracked to salvage. My husband and I stained the concrete a rusty leathery brown color, as it most closely gave the feeling of the terracotta color we wanted but couldn't find a match for," Emily writes. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
Emily explains that the whole renovation was a family affair full of DIY projects. "We jumped in and worked with Nial or other folks on many stages of construction," Emily writes. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"We don’t have strong carpentry skills but did grunt labor when we had time to. We managed the project and did all of the sourcing and scheduling and permitting. Getting the permits approved was a huge undertaking and I am so proud of my husband for pushing through that. Our city does not make it easy," Emily continues. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"A fond memory is during the last push, trying to get everything done, our then 4-year-old doing a truly good job filling nail holes with wood filler. It turns out tiny fingers are good for that and he enjoyed being part of the project." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
Emily and Paul "did a lot of the wood finishing ourselves and highly recommend the product we used: Rubio Monocoat is a lovely, 0% VOC, plant based, good-smelling, oil wood finish." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
Emily explains that she and Paul "stained the concrete floor ourselves and did an okay job for first-timers." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
When asked about the oldest thing in the home, Emily explains that the "marble shelf in the bathroom was given to me by my parents about 10 years ago and I’ve brought it along with me through several moves. They had it in storage for over 30 years before that." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
"They found it used and never found a use for it. I guess it's from the 1920s or so," Emily continues. "There’s also a carved wood architectural detail I put above the fridge that I got in a thrift store in Tucson that I guess could be from the late 19th century, probably from a church." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
In 2021, when Emily Anderson and her husband, Paul Davis, purchased this property in the University Park neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, there was a main house that checked all their boxes, but there was also something they saw great potential in. There was a “funky garage full of cobwebs and oil-stained concrete floors,” Emily begins. “It felt and looked just like what it was — a garage from the 1940s, complete with peg board hooks and old rusty tools.”
"My favorite specific element is the big beam with copper patchwork behind the stove," Emily describes. "It is a great example of creative use of materials and problem solving. Basically the wall behind the stove was supposed to extend to the end of the stove, but there was an issue during framing and that wall was framed out shorter than in the plans. I didn’t catch this (learning moment!) until the cabinets were in place and I installed the stove and found that it jutted out beyond the wall behind it. Our builder came to the rescue with this solution of a faux beam that extends the wall, creating a back for the stove. So it was an unplanned 'mistake' but ended up totally grounding the space and adding so much charm. The wood he used to create the beam was salvaged and had some not cute gouges in it which he covered by nailing copper plates over them. It is a perfectly handcrafted wabi sabi solution that I love so much and it adds so much beauty, grounding, and handcrafted charm. I cannot imagine the space without this element that was totally unplanned." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
But they saw the potential to turn the old garage, which is located behind the main house across the backyard and has its own driveway and parking, into an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit). “We were drawn to the blank slate of the garage and its potential as a rental cottage. It had good bones but was just an empty square box, really. The original wood beams added just enough rustic charm to kickstart our vision of what it could feel like,” Emily continues. “The main house was built in 1942 and we think the garage was likely built then or shortly after as well.”
"We named the ADU 'The Starship' because there are three skylights and limited windows on the walls so the light really comes from above and the space feels a bit like a ship due to its small size! The choice to limit windows in walls was due to the close proximity to a fence/neighbors on two sides and the driveway and our backyard on the other two sides. Basically the view out was not great/required more privacy, but we wanted plenty of light so went all in on skylights," Emily explains. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
Emily is an interior decorator, stylist, and organizer, and Paul is a chef. Emily and Paul share the main house with their kiddo, Oscar, and a puppy named Gerry. They love thrifting and “curating beautiful objects with soul.” And when it came to turning the old garage into a cute cottage, they worked with their friend, carpenter, craftsman, and woodworking artist Nial Nutter as builder. “He brought in so much charm through his craftsmanship and so many ideas that created exactly the feeling we wanted. He is truly an artist and brilliant creative thinker/designer!”
"There was a lot of time that my husband, Paul, spent securing permits and dealing with the city building department. During these waiting periods I spent a lot of time doing research, sourcing supplies and special elements, and doing general project planning. A lot of that time was spent planning and waiting on city permits," Emily writes. "Once we broke ground, the construction project took a year. Again, it could have been done faster, but we spent time waiting for city approvals and also my husband and I were both working and parenting a 4-year-old so our project management was slower going." Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
“The home very much reflects our beliefs in using what’s already here before buying new — using reclaimed, repurposed, and salvaged materials, creating less waste and adding more of that patina that we love. Some of the materials used had been passed down and saved for decades and were waiting for a home,” Emily describes of the garage-turned-cottage, which is currently rented out long-term and fully furnished.
"The challenges on this project ranged from small space/layout to budget constraints to the location of the garage to considering renter-friendly solutions. We didn’t have a specific timeline; we just got it done as we could. We did run out of funds at the end, so the last month or so was a bit of a push to get the rental income coming in! The biggest challenge was just the learning curve of managing a project of this scope. We have renovated other spaces and even done a major commercial renovation of the restaurant we used to own, but this was the most involved construction project we have done yet and it was challenging to manage while also both working and raising a small child. There were stressful times for sure, but we are really happy with how it turned out and that we took on this project. I would absolutely do another similar project if I had the funds again," Emily writes. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
“I originally wanted to create a space that evoked some of the homes I grew up around in Mendocino County, California — a handcrafted, patinaed, warm, cozy feeling that’s grounded and homey yet quirky and artistic,” Emily describes. “I call this look and feeling ‘Potter Style.’ We brought in our favorite natural materials like linen, wood, ceramic, and stone to bring in Potter Style. I also love Mexico and the colors, art, and design elements I’ve seen there so that inspiration came in as well a bit. There’s a lovely collection of rustic Mexican pottery in the kitchen that I love. We also wanted to use as much salvaged, thrifted, and secondhand items in the building and decor as possible, so many vintage and found items rounded out the eclectic, warm look and feel.“
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"The only elements of the original structure that remain are the exterior framing, roof, and support beams. The exterior framing and siding were heavily modified during this process as well due to structural engineering requirements," Emily explains. Credit: Jillian LancasterCredit: Jillian Lancaster
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