Crow’s Nest Cottage
Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Furniture, Fixtures, Art & Accessories
Crow’s Nest Cottage
Finishes, fixtures, and accessories for a tiny, adaptable guest house.
Some projects are large, others small… and some are tiny! This petite guest house on Capitol Hill is barely over 180 square feet, but it still tucks in a loft bedroom, a 3/4 bath, a bar, a washer/dryer, a closet for hanging clothes, and a flexible main space that converts from living room, to dining room, to (even) another bedroom.
With so much in a small footprint, the challenge was to keep it as efficient as possible, but still create a comforting and inviting space where guests would feel welcome. To maximize efficiency, it was crucial that nothing added was frivolous, and that furniture pieces were precisely-sized, multi-functional, and adaptable wherever possible.
Tiny Nest, Living Large
This former detached garage, now backyard cottage, features tall ceilings with exposed beams, skylights, and adaptable furniture to help it live larger than its tiny footprint. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Tiny Nest, Living Large
This former detached garage, now backyard cottage, features tall ceilings with exposed beams, skylights, and adaptable furniture to help it live larger than its tiny footprint. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Playful Details
A blackboard above a fold-down desk adds a whimsical, interactive feature that lends a fun, nostalgic feel to the space. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Playful Details
A blackboard above a fold-down desk adds a whimsical, interactive feature that lends a fun, nostalgic feel to the space. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Main Stay
The lower level functions as the day-to-day common space and is complete with large windows and a door that leads to the patio for optimal indoor-outdoor connections. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Main Stay
The lower level functions as the day-to-day common space and is complete with large windows and a door that leads to the patio for optimal indoor-outdoor connections. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
For example, the room needed a coffee table between the sofa and chair, functioning as the centerpoint for conversations when the space is in “living room” mode. But, where would it go when the room needed to convert to another bedroom with the Murphy bed lowered? There was nowhere to move it that wouldn’t be in the way.
So, we paired up with furniture maker Ben Cruzat to design a custom coffee table that doesn’t have to be relocated. Instead, it lowers to the floor where it can hide underneath the bed, out of the way, and completely hidden.
Adaptable Furniture
Though unassuming, the custom, handmade coffee table is designed to easily lower to the floor so it doesn't need to be moved when the Murphy bed is lowered.Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Adaptable Furniture
Though unassuming, the custom, handmade coffee table is designed to easily lower to the floor so it doesn't need to be moved when the Murphy bed is lowered.Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Hidden Extras
What serves as a small table and blackboard-wall by day cleverly drops down into a queen-sized bed by night, doubling the number of guests that can sleep in the cottage. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Hidden Extras
What serves as a small table and blackboard-wall by day cleverly drops down into a queen-sized bed by night, doubling the number of guests that can sleep in the cottage. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
For the look & feel of the interiors, the intent was to cultivate a modern and moody Pacific Northwest vibe. Dark walls, warm wood tones, rich leather, and natural textures fill the room, with small pops of bright blue in the accessories and decor that tie in the existing bright blue, tiled walls.
A quirky, deer table lamp inspired a “critters” theme, which then quickly evolved to center around the iconic crow. Just like the city, the more you look, the more you find these intelligent birds busy with their activities.
In this petite guest cottage, crows and their cousins populate the art on the walls and the accessories on the shelves, giving the guest house its name, the Crow’s Nest Cottage.
Quiet Corner
This small corner is elevated into a stylish reading nook filled with natural materials like leather and plants. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Quiet Corner
This small corner is elevated into a stylish reading nook filled with natural materials like leather and plants. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Small Space Amenities
A tiny kitchenette complete with a sink, fridge, and rolling bar cart provide all guests need for a cozy evening in. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Small Space Amenities
A tiny kitchenette complete with a sink, fridge, and rolling bar cart provide all guests need for a cozy evening in. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Efficient Bath
Though compact, thanks to a floating vanity, tankless wall-mounted toilet, frameless glass shower enclosure, and floor-to-ceiling backsplash, the cottage bathroom feels larger than its footprint. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Efficient Bath
Though compact, thanks to a floating vanity, tankless wall-mounted toilet, frameless glass shower enclosure, and floor-to-ceiling backsplash, the cottage bathroom feels larger than its footprint. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
The Right Size for the Space
In a small space, every inch counts — a custom, “right-sized” couch ensures everything fits just so. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
The Right Size for the Space
In a small space, every inch counts — a custom, “right-sized” couch ensures everything fits just so. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Bedtime Luxuries
A queen-size loft bed is complete with bedside lighting and a skylight for stargazing. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Bedtime Luxuries
A queen-size loft bed is complete with bedside lighting and a skylight for stargazing. Crow’s Nest Cottage | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Notes & Credits
Custom, collapsible coffee table built by Ben Cruzat.
Custom couch designed by Jeff Pelletier, AIA, CPHC, and built by Couch Seattle.
Photos by Andrew Giammarco.
Want to learn more?
You’re welcome to take a look at our available services and other portfolio projects.
Services
Our design services encompass architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, with teams specializing in projects across the spectrum, from single-family homes to multifamily and mixed-use buildings, and from boutique commercial spaces to civic spaces, like parks. We love designing the integrated fabric of structures, spaces, and places that create vibrant neighborhoods.
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