The Garage’s Potential Goes Beyond Parking and Storage
“Garage: Reinventing the Place We Park,” by Kira Obolensky (Taunton Press, Newtown, Conn.), $32, 199 pages.
When I first saw “Garage” by Kira Obolensky, I wondered how anyone could possibly write a book just about garages. But after delving into this beautiful book, filled with lavish color photos of ordinary and unusual garages, I quickly realized the untapped potential of home garages.
A few years ago I installed cabinets and a workbench along two walls of my two-car garage. The third wall has bookshelves for the overflow of my real estate library. There’s even a TV.
I thought my garage was unique. But reading this book, I discovered far more creative uses that dozens of homeowners have found for their garages.
The book opens with a photo of a basketball half-court in a large home garage. Then it evolves into a compilation of photos of various garage uses. One whimsical photo shows a garage stacked to the rafters with firewood.
Some of the garages are beautifully finished, with tile floors and Sheetrock walls. Others are humble, such as the one where Walt Disney began his cartoon animation studio.
But most of the book is devoted to garage design. One of the issues raised, but never answered, is whether it is better to have an attached or detached garage. Pros and cons of each are explained.
There are also discussions of how to position the garage and whether its doors should face the street.
Massive garages, such as basketball star Shaquille O’Neal’s 5,000-square-foot Florida garage, including a movie theater and room for 10 cars, are mentioned.
In addition to storing cars and junk, there are many other practical uses shown, such as for hobbies, home offices and studios.
As the book develops, the emphasis shifts to design ideas. Carriage houses, new and renovated, are shown, along with solutions to their special challenges. Two-story and high-ceiling garages receive special attention because they offer different design opportunities.
Garage construction approval problems, such as city zoning variances, are emphasized.
Adding living quarters above the garage creates additional problems and necessary solutions.
Garage conversions are not overlooked. The book includes several examples of buildings, such as old barns and fire stations, that have been turned into garages and living quarters.
With the emphasis on unusual, creative conversions, the photos and explanations show what can be accomplished with minimal resources.
This book broadens the perspective of the readers--whether they have a small residential property or a massive estate--so they can think differently about garages and their potential uses. It shows what can be done to transform ordinary, mundane garages into creative, attractive and useful space.
