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The Guest Cottage – What Do We Do With The Sliding Train Rack Door??
Today is a great example of why I love this blog so much – you have really good ideas, from experiences and locations I just don’t have. Today’s example is all about how to deal with the vintage sliding door on the guest cottage – a feature that we love in theory, but wouldn’t be a great way to get in and out on a daily basis (it’s super heavy and not sealed up at all). When I casually mentioned not knowing how to deal with it, back in a post in August, some of you had the clear answer that I hadn’t thought about:
From T: “When I was in Britain, there were a lot of barn conversions where you couldn’t change the exterior of the building because they wanted to keep the historic features, so what a lot of people did was put a pass-through window behind the barn door. That sealed up the space, but if you slid the barn door open, you could access the new door that was within a wall of windows”.
Then DJ responded, “Yes, yes! I love this! The barn door would basically serve as a huge, hulking, aging (unnecessary but awesome) shutter, kinda!”
Then another reader, Hilary, sent through photos of her mom’s place in New England, with what they did there – THANK YOU!
It makes so much sense to me now (took me a second to get it). I should design a window/door situation that is inside/behind the big sliding door so that the sliding door is just a huge shutter. It can stay closed when we aren’t going in and out frequently, then can be left open should we go in and out more frequently. Got it!
But trying to find inspiration was hard. I didn’t really know what to Google or search for on Pinterest.
So then the questions start rolling in…
- Wood framing or black metal? Do I want to lean traditional so edge it up with something that looks more contemporary and design forward? Could this hyper-modern look be super rad? I mean, sure, but that means other elements would maybe need to feel that way, too. I do think that I want to do some contemporary light fixtures that could combine this historic vibe with some elements that are more unexpected (think Paris apartments that have super ornate molding with 1960s metal lighting – the juxtaposition is so exciting). This is likely the more expensive route, but any custom door/window situation will be expensive…
- If I lean into a traditional wood-framed window/door, do I customize the panes/lites to merge the diamond pattern AND the square grid like I did on our house in the sunroom? Or just keep it simpler with squares?
- Is it two side panels and a single door? French doors?
- If we are customizing the door, then should we frame the opening a bit smaller so that the kitchen can be a couple of feet bigger?
Here’s a photo of the interior showing how big the opening is:
By making this opening smaller, we’d need to get more interior paneling or come up with a different solution for that. But that kitchen is tiny, shoved in that corner, so having another even 18″ would be huge.
Anyway, I know that there is a company in town, Versatile (co-owned by the owners of ARCIFORM), that makes custom doors/windows and can execute any design. It will be a pretty penny, so I need to make sure that the design is right and worth it. I could also look into something readymade (French doors with side lights) and then just frame it in, but that sounds less fun to me (but would save dough). There are definitely going to be some design elements that I’m ok splurging on, and I know that a beautiful custom door/window situation could be one of them. But I want to do more research to make sure that’s the right choice for this project. Also, Sierra Pacific, who did all our first-floor windows, including our gorgeous sunroom diamond-shaped windows (above), could absolutely do it (well, I think…), so that could be an option as well. I’m looking into vintage, of course, but I don’t feel confident that it would be easy to find nearby (and function well).
Meanwhile, here is a glimpse into where my head is at. All these are vintage doors/windows (or custom, I suppose). I put the pink one on there to show the configuration that could work – two side panels and a large door with lights above them. The rest just show a version of the diamond pattern that our main house has. Designing the windows in the sunroom was extremely fun (and a super long process on my end), so part of me knows that the pattern works well – we could do two panels and a large Dutch door in the middle. Although now that I think about it, when you are inside, you’d need to be able to open the door where the barn door handle is in order to get out, which would be far to the right…Or do you just leave the huge slider open while you are inside and only slide it shut when no one is in the house? Lots of fun problem-solving, but if you guys have any insight or suggestions, I’d love to hear. And thanks again for your input – it’s seriously so appreciated. One of my favorite expressions is “we don’t know what we don’t know,” which keeps me endlessly curious. So while many designers might admit to not knowing stuff, I actually love knowing that I don’t know something – it’s a real fuel for getting to do research and then learning, which is honestly such a gift and keeps me so delighted in this industry.
Catch Up With The Guest Cottage!!
- The First Tour Inside Our 1850s Carriage House – Let The Restoration Begin!!!!!
- DIYing The OG “Homestead” – The Carriage House Exterior “Before” Tour
- Our Guest Cottage Inspection Report – WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER???
- What Are We Really Doing With Our Guest Cottage? Is There A Budget? And Other Burning Questions Answered
- How Big Is The Guest Cottage? All The Dimensions And Floor Plans For Us To Geek Out Over
- How Much Will It Cost To Remove Asbestos And Lead Paint From Our Guest Cottage (+ What I’m Willing To Do Myself To Save Money)
- Our Guest Cottage Update: How Much Will The Foundation Repair Cost???
- Guest Cottage Update – How Do You Design A House If You Don’t Know How You’ll Use It????
- We Demo’d The Guest Cottage Ourselves – Here’s How It Went
*Pretty Photos by Kailtin Green
Please consider some awesome stained glass with a local artist.
We just bought the coolest vintage doors with broken panes to replace then with stained glass. we are working with someone to teach us/shoot how they do it 🙂 But i’m pretty dang obsessed with stained glass (remember the fig house big doors?) so very excited about that.
I love this idea! Here is my hot take on door style: the house is simple, almost Primitive style. The doors / sidelites should pick up that vibe. I don’t think this building wants ornate windows or a lot of Victorian-style ornament, diamond panes, etc — those work for the big house because that is its style, but not for this building. I think the pinterest image you have here with the dark green building (the one with blue sky behind it) is a great example of the simplicity this building needs. But that’s just my take — can’t wait to see where you land!
Yes Sienna Miller’s house in the UK comes to mind.. She had Crittall windows put into her 16th century country home. I think simpler windows in a Crittal style would work best. The cottage is so quirky with so many nooks and angles I think simpler windows will help ground the space.
My home has many windows and kooky doors and the lack of wall space is an issue. You could have a big wall of glass/ window / door but also a kitchen cabinet running across part of it
Sienna’s home tour at House and Garden UK is illuminating. Her cottage has little nooks and odd spots and she used them all with charm. The vibe is on point.
I LOVE Siennas home. I hadn’t heard of crittal style so thank you – i’ll look that up!
Ok I’m the worst, always commenting multiple times! But as you start this process, two points to consider: -We had french doors as our primary entrance in our old apartment and it was annoying, tbh. Most now have the kind of lock where you have to lift the handle up to set the lock before the bolt will turn, and it’s not intuitive/jams easily if it’s used all the time. Just something to keep in mind especially if this may be used by visitors a lot of the time. -I spent 18 months down endless rabbitholes researching Crittall and Crittall-style windows (Hope’s, Dynamic Fenestration, local options, antique, etc. for the big project we’re just finishing up, which included two levels of very large windows including a giant tall one (9-10′ tall). I thought I could make the addition that houses our kitchen and downstairs family room look like a greenhouse that was added on later, instead of a crazytown 1980s fantasy. After all that time and research, I very belatedly remembered that steel windows and doors were developed for masonry buildings, and would look pretty anachronistic in our (combo shingle/clapboard) house. I ended up doing a mix of picture and… Read more »
I did not know that steel windows and doors were developed for masonry buildings, but now knowing that, a lot of things fall into place. Thanks!!
Yes, I’m a historic preservation specialist and was coming here to say the same thing. I think it’s a great solution for keeping the barn door while being practical. But the diamond patterned windows aren’t in keeping with the house’s age and style.
I can’t get over the comment below about beautiful stained glass. It would be such a fun surprise behind the rolling door. What orientation is this big opening?
Did you land on a clear function and vision for the cottage? Or is it the many functions? Maybe flexibility is the key here.
I keep thinking about universal accessibility because of aging. And then Carbon? Energy? Daylight? Privacy? Honoring the history? Referencing the time or original function. Such a fun design problem!
haha. yes it is! i’m really into stained glass but I think I have a place for it inside that might make more sense. no clear function but so much excitement. I think the function will change over time actually as business changes, kids grow, we age, etc.
Do you need a door? Cause I would just put in a large picture window (minimal, with the stunning garden as your canvas, or diamond patterned) and leave the sliding door permanently open.
we’ve thought about that. But I think so. we thought about turning the prop room door/room into an extended entry/mudroom, but i don’t know – it just feels weird to not enter this way. But def something we considered.
Loving this idea and all the possibilities!
I’m definitely in favour of a bit of modernity, just to balance it all out but also because simple modern lines seem more suited to it somehow. It’s a simple structure and anything too much would overwhelm its existing design elements. Love the idea below of the crittal doors – not ultra modern but just a bit less upmarket suburban farmhousey, which I think would be nice. Mainly I think keep it simple and clean to be true to the character of the building which is unpretentious. The decorative windows seem a bit matchey-match with the house and don’t feel true to the honesty and kind of spirit of the original structure.
PS But love the idea of the stained glass.
I love this comment. Yah, its an unpretentious little building for sure. I need to watch my excitement so I don’t overdesign it … 🙂
Interesting — this comment makes me realize that I’ve been envisioning what is mostly a very large, plain wall of glass, with a fully-glass door embedded in it on one side. Very minimal, with very little detail or fuss, in order to contrast with the age of the building, and also to connect with the plainness of the building.
Also, replying to myself: that way when you’re inside and the wooden door is rolled shut, your full view is of the rolling barn door itself. You’re not seeing all kinds of wood mullions and half-doors and diamond window panes — and looking through the window bits to see even more bits of barn door on the other side.
Could you push the door to one side (rather than centered) to extend the kitchen cabinet counter space with the windows above? I do love the idea of interesting stained glass…
yes! the opening doesn’t need to be as big as the door so yah i’m considering cheating it (and its honestly kinda hard to slide all the way open so i don’t think we’d open it all the way anyway.
Yes! I’d put the fridge there with a built-in cabinet box to the ceiling (so you don’t have to worry about continuing the paneling) or just extend counters with full-height windows above all the way to the new normal sized door (definitely a dutch door) in the far right!
I don’t think you need to make the door/sidelights symmetrical. Put the actual door on the left (looking at the outside of the building) – that way from the inside you would be able to open the sliding barn door. Then you could actually extend the kitchen counters into the barn opening and put a pass through window on top. It would allow you to use the counters as serving space to the outside too.
ooh thats a great idea! I hadn’t thought of the window above it – good idea!
There is so much potential for that barn door situation!!
Personally, if the door will be used somewhat regularly (or more frequently), then keeping the windows/actual door setup simple, clean, and modern would be a good balance between style and function, especially on the financial side of things.
The pink inspiration photo is perfect, in my opinion. It can be styled similarly as your butler’s pantry for consistency. Plus the overall window framing (combined side and top panes) can be sized the same as the grand window at the side of the kitchen, creating a mirrored/symmetrical kitchen corner.
Whatever you decide, I’m excited to see the results! 🙂
– Longtime fan of Emily Henderson and her design brain
Ah thank you 🙂 Really appreciate your comment this AM. And yah I think its easy to get so excited about doing something custom/intricate, but i could save that energy/budget for stuff inside … 🙂
Loving these thought process posts! One thing I notice about your barn door versus the example pictures is that your barn door is quite a bit wider than the examples. All of the other ones are “regular door” sized (ish) whereas yours looks to be twice as wide. So, if you installed a door next to a window, the barn door would have to be slid WAY over to the right (looking from the outside) to get light in through the window. Right? And would that hide the barn door behind the covered walkway? I think it makes the most sense to do either a full-glass or dutch-style single door and take the rest of the wall space for the kitchen. (Or maybe a little entryway landing area?) That way, the barn door would only be partially slid over and therefore more of a highlight when you approach the building from the outside, and you can get a bit more useful space inside. Agreed with the commenters that it seems like it’s calling for a more simple/non-fancy door! Though, with the original hodge-podge nature of the building, incorporating a cute vintage or stained glass option could also be very fun… Read more »
Make the kitchen bigger and steal the wood from behind the cabinets where no one will ever see it. You can easily replace the wood behind the cabinets with something else.
I love the idea of a Crittal style door. I think the barn door is way too big for the structure. It was probably needed back when it was in use but couldn’t it be half or 3/4 the size now? The concrete step looks like a good width for a new door or maybe a tad wider. And does the barn door need to close once a new door is installed? I think it would look better to be left off to the right side either permanently or only to close from the outside when the building isn’t in use. I have also been thinking about exterior colors for this cute little thing. Maybe a reverse of the main house? Blue with white trim and a black Crittal door with square panes? It would also look cute white with blue Crittal doors. Such a fun design to ponder! Can’t wait to see it happen.
IMO, this is the way (see photo). Size the interior opening down to what you want and get big french doors with glass. Keep the barn door open most of the time. (That additional light will be soooo lovely.)
100% agree with Crittall windows. The large window in the photo is already leaning in that direction. Plus, stylistically they are so versatile — working with modern, complementing traditional, and speaking to the time period of the barn (think NY factory windows, subway tile). Also agree that because this was a barn/outbuilding, it can have the simpler aesthetic. The farmhouse can be the star.
I really like the concept you and others have come up with. I would definitely make the kitchen 18″ larger for better function. Also would you be able to use the current wood sliding door for the “sliding shutters ? And either sand them or use the “Inside part of the wood sliding door for the shutters coated with an exterior clear finish for outside. Have you tried any of the architectural salvage places in Portland or Aurora, Or. for the interior glass doors ?
This will be so cool, and I think you’ll love having a wall of glass there! Nice to be able to close it up a bit if the house is empty for longer periods, as well. “I do think that I want to do some contemporary light fixtures that could combine this historic vibe with some elements that are more unexpected (think Paris apartments that have super ornate molding with 1960s metal lighting – the juxtaposition is so exciting).” YES! This is what I did with my kitchen remodel. Everything leaned traditional and the house is from 1892, but the kitchen is obviously all very new. I used classic mid-century lighting (glass Foscarini fixtures that reference Japanese lanterns; a Poulson AJ sconce, etc.) to just add a little unexpected edge. By making this opening smaller, we’d need to get more interior paneling or come up with a different solution for that. But that kitchen is tiny, shoved in that corner, so having another even 18″ would be huge. What if you just pulled it in the 18″ you want on the left side, and left the right side as-is? I don’t know what you have planned for the kitchen proper,… Read more »
I love Crittal windows and love the dark green barn you posted above. That’s my personal style preference. Emily did ask for suggestions re: the type of framing for the windows, but to answer that I would like to know what color the exterior of the cottage will be. Are you keeping it white to maintain the scheme with the main house? Or will it be a contrasting color? I first assumed it would stay white… but now I kind of like the idea of something bold to contrast with the rest of the property’s buildings. Like the dark green… or black even. So many possibilities! Also, I recommend checking out Inigo – it’s a British real estate co. that specializes in beautiful old homes that have been updated tastefully and it’s fun to see the creative solutions the designers/architects come up with to fit within the “grade II” parameters many homes in England have. Crittal plays a big part in a lot of the designs too (and our beloved deVOL). Cheers!
The idea for a door embedded in a wall of windows reminds me your reveal of the southwest WA bay house that the owners of ACRIFORM built. That wall of windows and that arched door are BOTH STUNNING. Please do that at your house, what a joy it would be to see!
Wow! I’m honored to have my comment quoted in your blog! 😁
I second and third all the comments on keeping it simple. Personally, I would keep the barn door closed if you’re not using the space. That way it’s also a signal for when it’s okay for people to go in. (Helpful once the kids are old enough to get in there on their own.)
All of the examples shared are symmetrical but I’m picturing a single door with a sidelight on one side, then you could reduce the opening quite a bit on the inside, and make the kitchen bigger. Also, I would assume the sliding barn door would be open when you’re using the building, and closed when not.
That wall of windows+door is the perfect solution. My vote is to stick with the squares and repeat what’s already happening with windows in the guest house. I don’t think echoing the diamond pattern is right for the guest cottage; she’s the original farmhouse, let her be herself – the country mouse. The Queen Mother, not the Queen.
i think you only close the exterior when no one is inside. To only for easy access but also to let light in. I think. Dutch door feels more farmhouse than French doors. While black metal contemporary is cool, it might also make the space feel more commercial. Like retail commercial… maybe ok? As for the glass style, most farms kept the out buildings less ornate. While they might share a color or design detail with the main house, they are always the side character, so to speak. Utilitarian chic, regardless of how modern the materials, would look more natural than fancy glass, imho. Farmhouse is the main title of any brief for this property, right? Maybe search barns converted to homes? Or fancy stables? Or just focus on pragmatic needs: light, air flow, pest and weather resistant and don’t overspend. Farm values in action…
I have always said that windows make the house. Go for it!