This growing family in Queen Anne wanted to transform their one-car garage into a backyard cottage/DADU. The intention was to have family and friends stay over regularly, along with a separate space for them to retreat to while they both work from home. Eventually, this space may turn into an additional source of income, but for now, they are enjoying it as a home-away-from-home. Originally used as a woodshop, Schulte Design Build moved their machinery into a pre-built structure and started from the ground up to transform this garage into a backyard oasis. Because it’s a DADU, this involved back-and-forth with the city to ensure it was permitted for the Queen Anne area.
After discussing the parameters, the first thing Schulte created during the design phase was a 3D plan that included a parking space in the alley and a gated door that invites you into the unit. After the plans were approved by Schulte's clients, they replaced the garage door with a giant sun-filled window, added built-in cabinetry across the walls for storage, and used high-quality, cool-toned materials throughout the kitchen and bathroom to match their aesthetic. To create a feeling of openness, Schulte added a mirrored backsplash to the kitchen. Other hidden features include hiding the tankless water heater within cabinetry (located behind the door) to give it a seamless and inviting look.
