A Quiet Transformation: Studio City Garage to ADU Retreat
Studio City, CA
Garage Conversion & ADU Design
The project began with the conversion of the existing detached garage into a fully functional ADU. Structural upgrades and a carefully planned addition allowed the space to accommodate a kitchen, bathroom, living area, and improved circulation.
A prefabricated component of the addition was installed using a crane, allowing the structure to be placed efficiently while minimizing disruption to the surrounding property.
The new ADU blends naturally with the existing home and neighborhood while offering a private and comfortable living space.
The ADU was designed around a warm, organic material palette that adds depth and character to the compact footprint.
Key materials used throughout the project include:
• Custom walnut kitchen cabinetry
• Vertical terracotta-toned ceramic backsplash tile
• Natural stone countertops
• White oak flooring throughout the interior
• Brushed brass plumbing fixtures and hardware
• Soft plaster-finished walls for texture and warmth
These materials create a balance between modern simplicity and Mediterranean-inspired warmth.
Kitchen
The kitchen serves as the centerpiece of the ADU.
Custom walnut flat panel cabinetry provides warmth and clean lines, while the vertical clay-toned tile backsplash introduces texture and subtle color variation across the wall.
A natural stone countertop complements the cabinetry and adds a durable surface for daily use. Brushed brass fixtures and hardware bring warmth and continuity to the space.
Despite the ADU’s compact size, the kitchen offers full functionality with generous storage, integrated appliances, and an efficient layout that opens to the living area.
Living Area:
The living space was designed to feel comfortable and inviting while maintaining a sense of openness.
Neutral tones, sculptural furniture, and organic shapes soften the architecture and create a relaxed atmosphere. Skylights bring natural light into the ADU, enhancing the warmth of the wood cabinetry and flooring.
The result is a living area that feels bright, calm, and thoughtfully designed.
The Bathroom
The bathroom continues the project’s warm and textured material palette.
The shower walls feature soft pink-beige vertical ceramic tiles, creating a subtle yet distinctive design element. A built-in niche adds functionality while maintaining a clean visual line.
The vanity includes custom ribbed wood cabinetry topped with a quartz countertop and paired with brushed brass plumbing fixtures.
A glass shower enclosure keeps the space visually open and allows the tile work to remain the focal point.
Backyard Design
The backyard was redesigned to extend the living experience beyond the ADU.
A raised deck surrounds a compact plunge pool, creating a private outdoor retreat. The deck material introduces warmth and complements the interior wood finishes.
A custom plaster wall with arched architectural niches creates a Mediterranean-inspired backdrop for the outdoor lounge area, adding character and architectural depth to the space.
Surrounding greenery and carefully selected outdoor furniture complete the setting, making the backyard an inviting extension of the ADU.
What was once a simple detached garage has been transformed into a fully realized Studio City ADU.
Through thoughtful design, quality materials, and careful construction, the project demonstrates how a garage conversion can become a beautiful and functional living space.
At ENE Builders, projects like this highlight the potential of underutilized structures and show how design build solutions can unlock new possibilities within an existing property.
shop the look
Interiors design center
Contact us today for a consultation and let us show you how we can transform your vision into a space your clients will love.
ENE BUILDERS | LA + OC Remodeling
Family owned affordable design+build firm
Specializing in Spanish revival , Modern Mediterranean Organic Design
From A-Z: Architecture | Design | General Contractor | Showroom Details obsessed + Planning perfectionist
