Next Up

Backyard Barn Conversion With Cozy Cottage Style in Cambridge, MA

From: SWZ Architects

This once-woeful storage space shared a lot with its owner’s full-time, circa-1846 home. When she got ready to downsize, it was high time to rehab and convert it to a retirement dream house. The clever renovation and restoration preserved original details like timber posts and knee braces, antique floorboards and interior beadboard siding, then added industrial steel cables, modern conveniences and laid-back style.

Retirement House

Photo: Raj Das, Express Remodeling Group. From: SWZ Architects

Scroll For More Photos

1 / 6

Backyard Barn Conversion

This backyard barn in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was transformed into a retirement dream house.

Cottage Kitchen With Wooden Island and Shiplapped Walls

Photo: Raj Das, Express Remodeling Group. From: SWZ Architects

2 / 6

Cottage Kitchen With Wooden Island and Shiplapped Walls

This cottage-style kitchen features white, shiplapped walls, floating shelves and, for contrast, a wooden island.

Cottage Living Room With Exposed Beams

Photo: Raj Das, Express Remodeling Group. From: SWZ Architects

3 / 6

Cottage Living Room With Exposed Beams

This beautiful cottage-style living room features large windows, offering the space tons of natural light. The white walls are warmed up by the accent rugs and exposed beams in the ceiling.

Staircase With Skylight and Tongue and Groove Accent Wall

Photo: Raj Das, Express Remodeling Group. From: SWZ Architects

4 / 6

Staircase With Skylight and Tongue and Groove Accent Wall

This staircase features a skylight above and a natural wood accent wall made of tongue and groove paneling.

Cottage Bedroom Featuring A Vintage Rug and Large Windows

Photo: Raj Das, Express Remodeling Group. From: SWZ Architects

5 / 6

Cottage Bedroom Features a Vintage Rug and Large Windows

This cottage-style bedroom features both a skylight and French doors that open the space to the lush outdoors. A colorful vintage rug brings warm tones to the bright white room. It is joined in this effort by an antique wood-and-iron sewing table and a dark wood dresser, the latter perfectly nestled between a pair of built-in cabinets.

Cottage White Bathroom With Gold Accents and Tulips

Photo: Raj Das, Express Remodeling Group. From: SWZ Architects

6 / 6

Small White Bathroom With Gold Accents and Tulips

This small bathroom tongue and groove walls with gold hardware.