For the last three years, Bryan and Jen Danger have rented out their five-bedroom home in Portland, Oregon. They enjoyed traveling and touring the world. For a period of time, the couple lived in British Columbia, and they traveled through Mexico and South America.
When they finally returned home from their adventure, they felt the after effects of living on-the-go. Mainly, the couple realized they could live simply and didn’t need a three bedroom home to feel happy. Bryan and Jen couldn’t fill up their huge home at all.
That’s when the Dangers thought of a brilliantly creative idea. They chose to rent out their five-bedroom home as before, but they would transform their 480-square-foot detached garage into a home to live in. The renters would pay the mortgage, allowing them to live mortgage-free.
Bryan tells Houzz.com, “When we got back, we realized we wanted to be here a significant portion of the year but we couldn’t afford our mortgage, so we talked through the options. The garage became an ‘aha’ moment.”
After having a “Eureka!” moment, the couple went to work. The Dangers did most of the work themselves. They talked with the city and got their ADU (accessory dwelling unit) approved, but they couldn’t do all the work themselves. The Dangers “hired out things we had to, like electrical and plumbing, and the things we know we hate, like drywall.”
The end result speaks for itself. It’s stunning!
The Dangers have completely modernized their garage into a contemporary living space. Although small, the new home maximizes every square foot.
The couple built everything by hand. Bryan taught himself to weld, and they joined a community workshop to do most of their work at.
Their kitchen features sleek wood finishing made from salvaged Douglas fir wood. Their appliances are stainless steel. The countertops are concrete. The storage areas are also made of salvaged wood, and they line the entire wall of the studio.
Because of the limited space, the couple got creative. The kitchen island seats two for family meals, but when guests are over, it can transform into a dinner table for six.
The couple even added a wine rack for those nights when they do wine tastings with friends and family.
The living space and sleeping loft is separated by a wall that features a built-in TV and gas fireplace. Beneath the sleeping loft lies a utility closet with a washer and dryer. In order to maximize space, the Dangers placed storage units alongside the staircase.
“One of my favorite places is the shower,” says Jen. “It feels like you’re outdoors, which I love.” The large open space which has the Zen-like look and feel of a spa is made of concrete.”
Because they built the home in a garage, the door can open, creating a open-air sanctuary. They installed glass accordion doors to span the width of the front.
Bryan says, “Most of our living space becomes kind of our front yard as we open the doors and hang out inside as well as outside, talking to neighbors and people who are biking and walking by.”
The couple say the best part of the home is the freedom it provides them. “The space is what allows us to do everything else,” Bryan says. “We don’t have to take high-paying jobs that we don’t like, because someone else is paying the mortgage. It’s made a resounding impact on our lives.”
In fact, their creation has become so popular in the neighborhood that the couple have started their own design firm called Zenbox Design. Now, they’re designing these lovely ADUs for others in Portland!
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