Thinking Outside The Box

Author:

Interior designer Tracy Gilmore of Gilmore Design Studio and landscape architect Megumi Aihara of Spiegel Aihara Workshop transform a rundown garage into an inviting space for pool days, dinner parties and movie nights

Thinking Outside The Box

A concrete deck visually extends the inside to the outside, merging the two spaces into a cohesive whole. Folding barn doors enhance the indoor outdoor feeling.  The table and chairs are from Terrain Shop 
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

While Gilmore worked on the interiors, landscape architect Megumi Aihara attended to the exterior. After much thought of how, Aihara designed the pool to go diagonally through the backyard.  An “endless” pool, it has three jets for exercising, enabling the client to prepare for the triathalons he often participates in.
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

Gilmore photographed an old treehouse that had to be demolished to make way for the new pool, blowing up the picture and papering it on a movable wall that not only preserves the memory for posterity but can divide up the space, further enhancing its multi-functionality
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

Gilmore custom-designed movable furniture built from exterior plywood that can move around the space. Storage benches with slow close lids hold towels and pool accessories and can be used as coffee tables or, topped with custom cushions, seating. A matte polyurethane finish enhances the wood’s natural grain and keeps them pristine.  
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

80” televisions were installed inside and out.  
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

A large 30” light fixture, found at Restoration Hardware, is a playful addition. 
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

A tongue and groove ceiling was added.  Sealing the wood on the beams and on the ceiling in contrasting finishes adds visual interest. The beams were reinforced so that they can support TRX bands for the workout's rigorous exercises.
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

Gilmore cut an octagonal window to bring light into the space.
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

With the help of contractors Chad Johnston & Ivan Hernandez of DMS Services, Gilmore set to work.  Affectionately known as “the box”, a term appropriated from the CrossFit training the client is fond of, the first order of business was to add insulation and drywall the raw structure. Whitewashing the walls adds freshness.  
Photographer: William Short Photography

Thinking Outside The Box

When Tracy Gilmore of Gilmore design first saw the property’s garage it was dirty, dark and full of spiders. “It was horrible,” she says, shuddering at the memory. The client, a TRX aficionado, was eager to turn it into a space that not only supported his workout, but that could also morph into the setting for an elegant dinner party, the rehearsal space for the debate team he coaches at the local private high school or a screening room for movie nights.
Photographer: William Short Photography