This “shed,” as the homeowner calls it, has evolved into more than just a place to park and store cars; it has become a gallery of personal style and entertainment. With the help of semi-retired designer Carole Hiatt, the space has become a reflection of the life the homeowner has built. As a lifelong car enthusiast, his passion began early, shaped by growing up in the 1960s, a time when a love for well-designed, powerful cars was almost a rite of passage.
This passion carries into the design of the space itself. The result is a seamless blend of showroom and lounge, where polished surfaces and a thoughtfully designed layout create a space that feels both refined and inviting. Entertaining plays a central role here, with a large screen anchoring the room and drawing guests in from the moment they arrive. At the heart of the space is an alluring music area, characterized by the homeowner as both “artwork and chrome contemporary.” It’s a detail that captures the overall tone, sleek, luminous and intentional, while still feeling warm enough to gather in. Every element has a purpose, yet nothing feels overworked.
Having originally designed their home interiors over 20 years ago and presently in the process of resdesigning it again, Hiatt began the project with the trust and freedom to discover the right direction for the space. “There wasn’t a clear direction at first,” she explains. “We actually started with the rug.” She customized this foundational piece specifically for the space, and it became the launching point for the entire design. This vibrant anchor in the seating area guided the palette and textures, bringing a sense of bold harmony to the room. From there, she built a scheme centered on what she calls “modern livability.” Clean lines and structured silhouettes define the furniture from KDR Designer Showrooms, while a mix of off-whites, rich navy tones and high-performance fabrics ensures the space is both functional and refined. “Everything needed to be comfortable and durable,” she says. “That’s what really brings livability into a space.”
What began as a last-resort solution for a climate-controlled car storage space has become something entirely unexpected: a destination. It’s a place where passions are on full display, where design serves both beauty and purpose and where every detail contributes to an experience that lingers long after guests leave.
