The Coach House Diaries (pt. 1)
Have you thought about a special home design dream?
When I bought my 1917 craftsman stucco bungalow, I immediately saw the whole house as a project for my imagination. Most of all, I was excited to tackle the garage. It looked like a raw “car hole”, about as beautiful as any other car storage space (thankfully no old golf clubs haunting the shelves, at least). Wood, cement, debris, dust, and an attic-space with bare wood beams. Nothing framed. We did find newspaper clippings dated back from the 1960s and even some from the original homeowners in the 1920s.
We learned that this house was built by German immigrants and bootleggers (we have a fake mirror leading to an old speakeasy or bootlegger room in the basement—bring it on, coppers). I love every inch of it.
But even what you love can be improved by your dreams.
Reframing the Coach House walls
Getting started on a big design project can be pretty intimidating.
Where do you even begin?
First, I removed heaps of debris so I can get started on an actual clean canvas of a space, lugging out old wood, concrete, and more. From there, I got to work reframing the walls. Rather than trying to make another old bootlegger car hole (cool as that is), my dream is to make a second home like an artist’s studio, where awesome design meets private comfort.
I’ve long envisioned a gorgeous 2nd floor bedroom above my own home Urban Lark office, literally able to walk from my actual house out to my dream design space.
That said it’s a long journey to getting there.
Starting with the walls, I had to find the right contractors and work closely with them to plan, outline, and design every detail from where the electrical outlets would be placed to where the plumbing would go. Laying out all the interiors (closets, bedroom, entryways, etc.) takes a lot of contractor coordination and commitment to the original design vision. Really, interior design is a process—a process of chasing the mental image in your head and orchestrating all the steps to reach that.
After we reframed the walls, we filled in the drywall. As a designer, this is a very exciting step. You are far from the finish but are truly committing to your design choices and seeing them come to life.
As soon as the walls fill over the beams, you have a real sense that this is happening.
Explore more Urban Lark here, and don’t forget to check out my vintage finds on the Etsy store where you can find the perfect vintage for fall, or take a look at my personalized design services!
