The building was part of a Gilded Age estate, a 19th-century barn that remains a vestige of the past once used for garden support and as a shelter for horses. The design challenge was to retain the functional, unembellished character of the original structure in the process of creating three distinct spaces. These include a three-bedroom apartment, a play and party room for kids, and a garage for boats and landscaping equipment. Original beams and knotty-pine ceilings set a rustic tone. The ground floor is outfitted with modern radiant heat, while a repurposed kitchen services the accommodations.