Garage Ideas

Designed By: Sarah Buehlman Marc and Mandy Maister were clients and fans of Cantoni before they purchased this harbor home on Balboa Island. The South African natives originally met designer Sarah Buehlman and Cantoni’s Founder and CEO Michael Wilkov at a storewide sale, and quickly established a relationship as they bought furnishings for their primary residence in Newport Beach. So, when the couple decided to invest in this gorgeous second home, in one of the ritziest enclaves in North America, they sought Sarah’s help in transforming the outdated 1960’s residence into a modern marvel. “It’s now the ultimate beach house,” says Sarah, “and finished in Cantoni from top to bottom—including new custom cabinetry installed throughout.” But let’s back up. This project began when Mandy contacted Sarah in the midst of the remodel process (in December 2010), asking if she could come take a look and help with the overall design. “The plans were being drawn up with an architect, and they opted not to move anything major. Instead, they updated everything—as in the small carpeted staircase that became a gorgeous glass and metal sculpture,” Sarah explains. She took photographs and measurements, and then set to work creating the scaled renderings. “Marc and Mandy were drawn to the One and Only Collection. It features a high-gloss brown and white color scheme which served as inspiration for the project,” says Sarah. Primary pieces in the expansive living area include the Mondrian leather sectional, the Involution sculpture, and a pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew swivel chairs. The Maisters needed a place to house all their electronics but didn’t want a typical entertainment center. The One and Only buffet was actually modified by our skilled shop technicians, in our distribution center, so it could accommodate all the couple’s media equipment. “These artisans are another one of our hidden strengths—in addition to the design tools, inventory and extensive resources we have to get a job done,” adds Sarah. Marc and Mandy also fell in love with the exotic Makassar ebony wood in the Ritz Collection, which Sarah combined in the master bedroom with the Ravenna double chaise to provide an extra place to sit and enjoy the beautiful harbor views. Beyond new furnishings, the Maisters also decided to completely redo their kitchen. And though Marc and Mandy did not have a chance to actually see our kitchen displays, having worked with Sarah over the years, they had immense trust in our commitment to craftsmanship and quality. In fact, they opted for new cabinetry in four bathrooms as well as the laundry room based on our 3D renderings and lacquer samples alone—without ever opening a drawer. “Their trust in my expertise and Cantoni’s reputation were a major deciding factor,” says Sarah. This plush second home, complete with a private boat dock right out back, counts as one of Sarah’s proudest accomplishments. “These long-time clients are great. They love Cantoni and appreciate high quality Italian furnishings in particular. The home is so gorgeous that once you are inside and open the Nano doors, you simply don’t want to leave.” The job took almost two years to complete, but everyone seems quite happy with the results, proving that large or small—and in cases necessitating a quick turnaround or execution of a long-term vision—Cantoni has the resources to come through for all clients.

Bamboo Melamine with Brown Faux leather faces
Garage workshop - mid-sized modern attached garage workshop idea in Los Angeles

Example of a large classic attached two-car garage design in Boston

Brad Scott Photography
Example of a large mountain style attached three-car garage design in Other

“I boxed it to the ceiling, added base trim to the bottom, and added a gorgeous lighting detail, all to complement the beautiful glossy cabinets. The cabinets needed to be as deep as possible so I used 24-inch-deep sizing on the tall cabinets as well as on the stacked cabinets above. But I only wanted a 16-inch-deep cabinet above the workbench, and I had 24-inch-deep stacked cabinet above that. Instead of a set-back, this became an opportunity: I added an amazing lighting detail using 4 puck lights to highlight this unique feature. It was something you’d wouldn’t typically do in a garage. They loved it because there is nothing typical about this remodel. I also used a specialty pantry cabinet with roll-outs, added tons of drawers in the workbench, and built-out every inch of space on the two walls. The third wall I left open allowing access for the driver to get out of the car. There, we made use of the space by adding Omni track around the multiple utility obstacles on the wall. The result? The client now has an extremely functional and extraordinarily beautiful garage.” Photography by Karine Weiller

Inspiration for a large modern detached two-car garage remodel in Louisville

Extended garage
Mid-sized mountain style attached four-car garage photo in Kansas City

This expansive garage cabinet system was custom designed for the homeowners specific needs. Including an extra large cabinet to hide trash cans, and a custom designed cabinet to house a retractable hose reel.

This modern waterfront home was built for today’s contemporary lifestyle with the comfort of a family cottage. Walloon Lake Residence is a stunning three-story waterfront home with beautiful proportions and extreme attention to detail to give both timelessness and character. Horizontal wood siding wraps the perimeter and is broken up by floor-to-ceiling windows and moments of natural stone veneer. The exterior features graceful stone pillars and a glass door entrance that lead into a large living room, dining room, home bar, and kitchen perfect for entertaining. With walls of large windows throughout, the design makes the most of the lakefront views. A large screened porch and expansive platform patio provide space for lounging and grilling. Inside, the wooden slat decorative ceiling in the living room draws your eye upwards. The linear fireplace surround and hearth are the focal point on the main level. The home bar serves as a gathering place between the living room and kitchen. A large island with seating for five anchors the open concept kitchen and dining room. The strikingly modern range hood and custom slab kitchen cabinets elevate the design. The floating staircase in the foyer acts as an accent element. A spacious master suite is situated on the upper level. Featuring large windows, a tray ceiling, double vanity, and a walk-in closet. The large walkout basement hosts another wet bar for entertaining with modern island pendant lighting. Walloon Lake is located within the Little Traverse Bay Watershed and empties into Lake Michigan. It is considered an outstanding ecological, aesthetic, and recreational resource. The lake itself is unique in its shape, with three “arms” and two “shores” as well as a “foot” where the downtown village exists. Walloon Lake is a thriving northern Michigan small town with tons of character and energy, from snowmobiling and ice fishing in the winter to morel hunting and hiking in the spring, boating and golfing in the summer, and wine tasting and color touring in the fall.

Mid-sized transitional detached one-car garage photo in Chicago

Mountain Graphics Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless attached two-car garage remodel in Other

We turned this detached 2-car garage into a beautiful modern ADU packed with amazing features. This ADU has a kitchenette, full bathroom, and bedroom with closet space. The ADU has a brown vinyl wood floor, recessed lighting, ductless A/C, top-grade insulation, GFCI outlets, and more. The bathroom has a fixed vanity with one faucet and the shower is covered with large white marble tiles with pebble accents. The bedroom is an additional 150 sq. that was added to the detached garage.

These Infinity Classics are all aluminum carriage style garage doors by Northwest Door. They feature custom arches to match door openings, tinted windows, v-groove aluminum panels rails and a Dark Walnut wood grain powder coat finish.

Carriage House style garage doors
Garage - large traditional attached three-car garage idea in Atlanta

Clopay Canyon Ridge Collection stained faux wood carriage house garage doors. Insulated steel with composite cladding and overlays. Becky Cypress with Clear Cypress.

Large elegant attached four-car porte cochere photo in Charlotte

Provincetown Garage- Situated in a densely built small town with restrictive zoning, this garage addition added two parking spaces where there was once only three. The apparent one car garage is designed to contain a lift structure that can accommodate a second car above grade. In the busy summer season, an additional car can be parked in front of the garage door adding the fifth space. At the upper deck, the garage volume helps to shield occupants from the public eye while at the same time focuses attention on the panoramic view of Provincetown Harbor.

Inspiration for a large craftsman attached three-car garage remodel in Orange County

Perfectly settled in the shade of three majestic oak trees, this timeless homestead evokes a deep sense of belonging to the land. The Wilson Architects farmhouse design riffs on the agrarian history of the region while employing contemporary green technologies and methods. Honoring centuries-old artisan traditions and the rich local talent carrying those traditions today, the home is adorned with intricate handmade details including custom site-harvested millwork, forged iron hardware, and inventive stone masonry. Welcome family and guests comfortably in the detached garage apartment. Enjoy long range views of these ancient mountains with ample space, inside and out.