A Look Inside a Modern Mountain Carriage House
Finding the perfect balance between practical utility and cozy living space is the ultimate goal of modern home design. A recent architectural set by Masterworks Drafting and Design LLC offers a brilliant blueprint for achieving just that.
Designed for a property located in Livingston, Montana, this two-story carriage house concept blends a functional ground-floor garage with an elegant, space-efficient apartment upstairs. Let’s dive into what makes this layout work so well.
The Exterior: Mountain-Modern Charm
The exterior balances traditional rustic framing with sleek, contemporary lines.
- Dual-Tone Textures: Dark sloped roofs contrast against smooth grey siding and warm wood accents.
- Outdoor Living: A massive covered carport extends to one side, while a second-story wooden deck wraps around the front facade to provide private outdoor space.
- Abundant Glazing: Strategically placed casement and awning windows guarantee the upper unit receives plenty of natural daylight.
Level 1: Pure Utility
The entire ground level is dedicated to functional storage and accessibility.
- The Garage: A generous 23′-0″ x 23′-0″ main garage space provides plenty of room for vehicles, tools, and mountain gear.
- The Carport: An adjacent 3′-6″ x 23′-0″ carport area adds sheltered outdoor storage or additional parking.
- Separate Entry: A private entry and stairwell zone keeps the living space upstairs completely isolated from vehicle fumes and noise.
Level 2: Smart, Airy Living
Upstairs, the layout transforms into a highly efficient 610-square-foot residential unit that feels remarkably open.
- The Great Room: The core of the home features an open-concept living area and kitchen. A pony wall defines sections without blocking sightlines or light.
- Compact Kitchen: The kitchen layout packs full-sized amenities—including a stove, hood, fridge, and an 18-inch broom closet—into a tight footprint.
- The Master Suite: A 11′-4″ x 15′-4″ bedroom sits privately down the hall, complete with its own dedicated closet space.
- Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Double hinged thermal doors swing wide open from the living area directly onto the large deck, instantly expanding the home’s entertaining area.
The Takeaway
This Livingston project proves you don’t need thousands of square feet to build something beautiful and functional. By stacking a complete, light-filled apartment over a spacious garage, this design offers an ideal solution for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), a guest house, or a primary mountain getaway.