Before & After Photos: Garage to Guest House

When Anna and Luke Evans bought their Birmingham cottage six years ago, the detached garage/guest house sealed the deal. There was one obvious problem: The future home office was falling down.

What they did:

• Moved the gables to the sides for a more pleasing front view
• Chose shingle siding and a wood-shingled roof to complement the main house
• Splurged on large custom front doors that open wide to connect the indoors and outdoors
• Upgraded the landscaping to create an inviting studio entry

• Designed a large worktable with an antique oak top to accommodate daily reviews of architectural drawings, as well as sewing projects, gift wrapping, even birthday parties
• Installed framed corkboard along one full wall for pinning up current projects and inspirations

Get the Look

• Twist Swivel Stool (438000), adjustable height from 24½", $110; worldmarket.com
• Oversized Equator Pendant Lamp, 34¼" D x 10" H, $199, cb2.com
• Worktable Paint, Savannah Green (2150-30), benjaminmoore.com

• Painted salvaged metal filing cabinets from an office supply store and used them as the bases of extra-long desks on either side of the room; wooden frames form the countertops and fit neatly around the cabinets
• Upgraded salvaged office chairs by reupholstering them in faux snakeskin

Get the Look

• Cabinet Paint, Valley View (214); benjaminmoore.com

• Painted wood floors in a cheerful yellow-and- white stripe. "It adds a punch of color, and the wood is more functional than sisal because I can easily wipe up spills," Anna says.
• Chose open shelving instead of cabinetry to provide storage without blocking the light and views of the low windows
• Stocked the shelves with baskets to store bar essentials for entertaining, kitchen amenities for overnight guests, and other items

• Established a yellow, white, and gray color palette based on the graphic duralee fabric she found for the window shades
• Splurged on a custom dressing table flanked by a pair of spacious closets, painted yellow to contrast with the walls so the built-in resembles a piece of furniture
• Glued wall-to-wall sisal directly to the concrete slab for a sophisticated yet affordable look

Get the Look

• Roman Shade fabric, Yellow abstract (20946-66) by duralee (duralee.com), available through DCOTA; 954/921-7575