USA Houzz: A Backyard Retreat in Little More Than 6 Square Metres
Innovative space-saving solutions make this tiny guest house in Seattle a winner
Homeowner Hal David conceived and constructed a tiny guesthouse and grotto as a space-efficient and creative solution for his under-utilised backyard. David wanted to reclaim his steeply sloped backyard, which was covered in fennel and weeds. He initially planned to clear and level the backyard to build a patio with a barbecue, but wanted to create a pleasant exterior space where he could plant a hazelnut tree. After a trip to Europe, he was inspired by the grottos he saw there, and realised he could double the space by landscaping and building on top of a grotto. David saw the space as perfect real estate to solve his need for a place for guests to stay. The guesthouse and grotto in the middle of the deep lot are now used by him, visiting friends and is available for rent.
Many of the materials for the grotto and guesthouse are sourced from thrift stores, second-hand warehouses and salvage from retail remodels. Construction of the guesthouse took about six months; the grotto took a year and a half.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Hal David
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Size: The guesthouse is compact and efficient just over 6-square-metre including a kitchenette, bed/couch, shower, bath, writing desk, loft sleeping bed and balcony.
Many of the materials for the grotto and guesthouse are sourced from thrift stores, second-hand warehouses and salvage from retail remodels. Construction of the guesthouse took about six months; the grotto took a year and a half.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Hal David
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Size: The guesthouse is compact and efficient just over 6-square-metre including a kitchenette, bed/couch, shower, bath, writing desk, loft sleeping bed and balcony.
The tiny guesthouse sits above the grotto. The 68 square feet of efficiently designed and utilised space feature a loft, views and a bed/couch combination with pulleys and moving parts. The entry to the guesthouse is dubbed “Clubhouse.”
Exterior wall sconces: Value Village and Goodwill
Exterior wall sconces: Value Village and Goodwill
Upon entering the guesthouse, one finds a lovely little writing desk fully equipped with typewriter and paper and a view of the front yard. The desk was custom-built by David with solid ancient fir from The RE Store, a used building materials nonprofit.
The bathroom is a toilet/shower combination. It is complete with exhaust fan and awning window with privacy glass. Sliding panel doors keep the water inside.
Red horizontal tile: Habitat for Humanity's ReStore resale outlet
Red horizontal tile: Habitat for Humanity's ReStore resale outlet
The most fascinating feature of the guesthouse is the fold down bed. It doesn’t come out just at bedtime; it stays out to also function as a couch. A shelf above the sliding panels holds the bedding and becomes a headboard in the down position. The built-in shelving for the kitchenette also serves as the landing for two little step ladders that take you up into the loft space. The wall bed is completely custom-fabricated by David: pillows, pulley systems and all.
Here is the wall bed displayed open and ready for resting.
Below the living room floor hatch is a bathtub, for those who like to soak. The bathtub came from Second Use in South Seattle; the custom hatch door was built from oak pallets that David found near the Port of Seattle.
Climbing up the ladders, one comes to a loft space, complete with bed and shelving for sheets, blankets and pillows. A small sliding window looks out on the landscaped balcony. The structural beam holding up the loft bed was salvaged from a business undergoing remodelling. The railing is fabricated from off-the-shelf plumbing parts.
The details in the guesthouse include: Destaco clamps for jig-making as curtain holders, a van mirror for a ‘Van’-ity mirror, a wall-mounted bath tap with spray and an appropriately sized tiny broom.
David enjoys the view from the guesthouse balcony. A push mower is supplied for lawn maintenance.
A green and grassy roof adds permeable area to the lot. The chimney to the grotto fireplace below creates a nice sculptural piece in the grassy court.
Below the guesthouse, the grotto is accessible along the side yard. The sound of running water greets you as you approach it. Water trickles along a rockery and disappears into a metal grate, and arched brick openings frame the entry to the sitting space. The grotto stones were recycled and reused from the original retaining walls on the site.
The grotto sitting space features a fireplace with concrete delineating walls, an arched brick ceiling and a stone back wall. The fireplace is an original Wendell Lovett fire hood. David made the metal base.
The grotto floor is inlaid with wood planks delineating the sitting area and giving the space some warmth.
Details in the grotto include a trickling fountain that recirculates water, custom-built crystal glass lighting fixtures that glow in the sunlight and a delightful little owl etched and coloured on the concrete by a former housemate.
The low-maintenance, durable and recycled rubber floor tiles were salvaged from the Portage Bay Goods location on Capitol Hill when it closed.