photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
Artist Michelle de la Vega decided to generate extra income by renting out her house while moving into the standalone garage out back. But first, she had to transform the dumpy building into habitable space. Acting as her own designer and general contractor, Ms. de la Vega had the roof raised 4 feet to provide enough headroom for a sleeping loft. A small unfitted kitchen is placed along one wall and an addition to one side houses a spacious bathroom. The finished home has 250 ft2 (23.2 m2) of comfortable living space.
photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
The interior design is distinctly industrial. As an artist and metalworker, Ms. de la Vega created many of the fixtures, such as lights and towel hooks, herself. Other furnishings, including the loft ladder, storage lockers and firewood bins, were salvaged and refurbished.
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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- photo by Ira Lippke for the New York Times
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The original garage
photo by Michelle de la Vega
Photographs by Ira Lippke for the New York Times except where noted. Read more at the New York Times.
Text copyright 2012 SmallHouseBliss. All Rights Reserved.
August 2, 2012 at 3:37 pm
This living space is good enough for a single person, and I wouldn’t mind living in a transformed garage!
August 3, 2012 at 11:21 am
Yes, it would be fine for a single person. Thanks for reading!
February 6, 2013 at 4:03 am
Every one complains about space constraints in their homes, no one considers the space which is readily available to be converted into a utility space or a separate room or a storage room, such space is almost ignored or it is piled up with the unwanted scrap. The space in the loft or garage can be converted into a living room, this idea is superb!! I hope after reading your post, people can choose for this.
February 6, 2013 at 12:04 pm
So true Miesha! It just takes a little bit of creativity so see the possibilities. If your company has done any interesting small house builds or renovations you’d like to share with our readers, please contact us…… http://smallhousebliss.com/about/
- Mili