The apartment’s connection to the house poses multiple possibilities: as a rental space for extra income, a first-floor master, or a separate dwelling for family in a multigenerational household.
“When the cost of land can be shared, it brings the cost of living down,” says Union Studio architect Christina Carlson. “It’s a very adaptable way of developing, and it’s also solving some of the affordability issues.”
Separate but Together
An arresting blue paint turns a wall in the ADU’s living area into a focal point that livens up the whole space. The furniture was chosen for its practical and compact design. “It’s usable and comfortable, but minimal in scale,” says Enright. “There are no big, oversize arms, and pieces are up on legs so it feels airier and more open.”
Paint: Harwood Putty (walls, vaulted ceiling), Prussian Blue (nickel gap wall), by Benjamin Moore; Skylights: VELUX; Light Fixture: Progress Lighting; Rug, pillows, throw: Annie Selke;
A sleeping nook, rather than a full bedroom, saves a few feet; the triple-pane casement windows are installed high enough to allow for multiple furniture arrangements.
Paint: Harwood Putty (walls), Washington Blue (headboard), by Benjamin Moore; Windows: Sierra Pacific; Bed: Custom built for New England Staging by Vetere Custom Woodworks; Light Fixtures: Progress Lighting; Comforter Set, Quilt Set, Faux Fur Pillow, Throw, by Lush Décor; Rug: Annie Selke
A bright orange high-top and stools add a perky contrast to the ADU’s predominantly blue and white palette.
Paint: Harwood Putty (walls), Washington Blue (headboard), by Benjamin Moore; Windows: Sierra Pacific; Bed: Custom built for New England Staging by Vetere Custom Woodworks; Light Fixtures: Progress Lighting; Comforter Set, Quilt Set, Faux Fur Pillow, Throw, by Lush Décor; Rug: Annie Selke
Curtains close off the sleeping nook when privacy is desired.
Paint: Harwood Putty (walls), Prussian Blue (nickel gap wall), by Benjamin Moore; Privacy panels: Lush Decor
Black & White Bathroom
The matte black fixtures in the ADU bathroom echo the aesthetic in the main house and coordinate with the black and white porcelain tile on the walls and floor.
Paint: Harwood Putty by Benjamin Moore; Vanity: Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry; Hardware: Häfele; Edging profile, shower shelves, drain, and floor warming: Schluter-Systems; Light fixtures: Progress Lighting; Floor tile, shower floor, and shower wall tile: AKDO; Grout: Laticrete; Countertop: Global Marble & Granite; Fixtures, toilet, and fittings: Kohler
As smart-looking as it is practical, a perforated shelf coordinates with other black accents in the ADU bath.
Edging profile, shower shelves: Schluter-Systems; Grout: Laticrete
A Functional & Stylish Kitchen
A countertop between the ADU’s galley kitchen and its living area can serve as a dining counter for a meal-on-the-go. The apartment floor is character-grade white oak, with a darker finish than the select oak in the main house.
Paint: Bruton White (kitchen walls); Harwood Putty (living area walls), Prussian Blue (nickel gap wall) by Benjamin Moore; Cabinetry: Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry; Floors: Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods
The kitchen’s galley layout creates an effective workspace that doubles as a passageway to the main house. Beyond the kitchen, a sliding barn door conceals a coat closet, and is set off from the wall far enough to hang art behind it but close enough to slip between the wall and a high-top table that provides dining space for two.
The apartment can be entered through a front door beyond the refrigerator, through a slider off of the living area, or from the main house through the kitchen.
Paint: Bruton White by Benjamin Moore; Cabinetry: Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry; Refrigerator, dishwasher, range by Cafe Appliances; Sink, faucet, cutting board by Elkay; Light fixture: Progress Lighting; Backsplash tile: AKDO; Grout: Laticrete; Countertop: Global Marble & Granite
Smart Fixtures & Appliances
The ADU kitchen features a 30-inch induction and convection range with a warming drawer in matte-white enamel. The kitchen is partially open to the living area as seen on the left; a doorway to the main house can be glimpsed at right.
Paint: Bruton White by Benjamin Moore; Cabinetry: Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry; Range, microwave by Cafe Appliances; Countertop: Global Marble & Granite
A pull-out faucet and stainless undermount sink with an integrated cutting board speeds food prep in the ADU’s galley kitchen.
Sink, faucet, cutting board by Elkay; Cabinetry: Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry; Countertop: Global Marble & Granite; Outlet: iDevices
The ADU appliances have a retro edge and a sleek finish.
Refrigerator, dishwasher, by Cafe Appliances; Cabinetry: Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry; Sink, faucet, cutting board by Elkay