The Timber Frame Two-Step: Let’s Talk Space Conversion

In my first post “The Education of Beam Babe” I promised to tell you what has gone right with our carriage house barn and what could have gone better. I’m pleased to report that far more was done and has gone right than has gone wrong. Of the two things that have gone wrong, the first one my husband and I could not have foreseen nor done much about. The Ka-zillion dollar arteisan well that produced a “gusher” when first drilled, went bone dry 4 weeks into our living here! After months and repeat visits by the well company where re-fraction was done, my husband and I ultimately had a dug well installed. We now have more water than we know how to use. We feel like water royalty!

The other thing was definitely our doing but in our defense, at the time we planned and built the carriage house we did not think this structure was going to be our primary home. It was originally to have been the guest house. That being said, by the time we’d finished building we were totally in love and decided to make the carriage house our home. This place had everything – except enough multi-tasking space. We needed a bit more storage space, a place for guests to sleep, a “man cave” for my husband and an office for me.

Behind “Door #1”, located on the far left, are the man cave and bath. Behind the middle door are now the guest bedroom/Beambabe’s office and luandry facilities. The third bay remains garage space for my husband’s car and our utility room.

This is where I need to commend my husband as he had the foresight to do three very important things regarding the garage bays when we were planning this carriage house. 1) Radiant heat was put in all the floors; 2) a full bathroom was installed in one of the bays and 3) the ceilings were built at 10 feet high. All three of these things turned out to be crucial elements in converting some of the garage to living space.

The entrance to our newly converted space looking from our front hallway.

Welcome to “The Man Cave”. I used only three paint colors throughout. All trim is done in Benjamin Moore’s Huntington Beige, all walls are Benjamin Moore’s Mayflower Red, and all floors are Sherwin Williams Concrete Stain in Dark Walnut.

Here’s the real kicker: in about an hour’s time the entire space can be changed back to working garage bays with very little effort. The garage doors and all the mechanical systems for them remain intact, as does the cement flooring. Actually, one bay is still a car garage, as this was my husband’s only request when he cut me loose to remodel the space. He wanted to be able to drive in to his house during the cold winter months.

Please let me know what you think of our conversion, or if I might be of any help with a possible conversion you are considering. You know where to find me!

More shots of the Man Cave. I have to say, my husband made out pretty well in this deal!

The bath located just off the TV room (a.k.a. the man cave). I used Benjamin Moore’s Elephant Tusk on the walls as there are no windows in this room.

Doorway from the TV room to the guest room/office.

The guest room bed. Notice the garage door and all it’s mechanics still in place. I like to think it makes the space look a bit like an urban loft.

A view of the middle bay from the laundry room door.

My office area. Note my constant companion and sometimes model, Deacon, resting his head on the edge of the bed.

No caption is necessary here; this picture is self-explanatory!

I have to tell you, this is a very warm and cheery space in which to work.

the insulated pocket door that leads to the third bay and my husband’s car!

Yes, we had the garage doors tested for heat loss. We are pleased to report, they passed with flying colors!