When a car-loving couple envisioned their ideal “car condo,” they wanted more than just a place to store their prized vehicles. They needed a versatile spot that could accommodate their hobbies, provide ample storage, and function as a comfortable retreat where they could spend quality time together. Encore Garage delivered a transformation that exceeded their expectations, creating a haven for work and relaxation.

Michella Vaughan and Zoltan Komodi, Encore Garage of Southwest Florida, designed a car condo with features for the entire family. The project won an honorable mention in the Garage Over 600 Square Feet category in the 2023 Top Shelf Design Awards. Winners were announced on April 13 at a reception during the 2023 Closets Conference & Expo, held in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The clients, passionate about motorsports and various hobbies, needed a space that seamlessly integrated a workshop, storage for tools and equipment, a kitchenette, a home office, and a crafting area, all within the parameters of their car condo. The design had to be functional, aesthetically pleasing, and maximize the available space.

Encore Garage’s team devised a clever layout that addressed all the clients’ needs. The main level was dedicated to the garage workshop, featuring a substantial workbench bathed in bright LED task lighting.

Ample storage solutions, including open shelving and closed cabinets, were incorporated to keep tools and equipment organized and easily accessible. A custom-made mobile tool cart provided additional flexibility within the expansive 2,500-square-foot main floor, primarily used to house the client’s motorsport projects and impressive car collection.

Recognizing the couple’s desire to spend significant time in their condo, a cozy kitchenette was tucked neatly beneath the stairs. This space has ample storage for food and drinks, with LED lighting and sufficient counter space for preparing light meals and snacks, allowing the couple to enjoy their retreat without having to leave for food.

Moving to the loft, the design focus shifted to accommodate the wife’s passion for sewing and crafting. A dedicated area was created, featuring a two-sided island with extra-deep storage drawers and a spacious maple countertop, perfect for managing multiple projects. A unique feature of this space is a Bluetooth-activated, motorized power drop that descends from the rafters to provide power to the sewing machine and supplemental task lighting.

The loft also houses a generously sized “his and hers” home office with ample storage, allowing both clients to have a dedicated workspace. Finally, a casual family media area was incorporated, providing a comfortable space for movie-watching and gaming.

Materials and aesthetics

To achieve a cohesive and stylish look, Encore Garage used high-quality materials and finishes throughout the condo. All cabinetry was crafted from durable laminate, with the workshop and storage area showcasing a sleek Silver Frost color accented by Mysterious highlights. The kitchenette, in contrast, features a warm, Mysterious finish, while the upstairs loft is bathed in a bright and airy White Chocolate.

HandiWALL gray slatwall provides a functional and attractive backdrop for tools and equipment in the workshop. Countertops throughout the space were chosen for both durability and aesthetics. Solid maple butcher block, fabricated in-house, is in the workshop, kitchenette, and loft island, while the home office desks feature Endurance Counters from JB Cutting in a Fog Slate finish. Embedded LED lights and lenses from the Looxs collection at Hafele America provide ample illumination throughout the condo.

The main garage floor received a high-performance coating, featuring a full broadcast flake system with a 100 percent solids epoxy basecoat and a durable polyaspartic topcoat. Tidal Wave flakes from Torginol add visual interest and texture, while a full wrap of matching cement baseboard, produced in-house, completes the polished look.

Technology and efficiency

Encore Garage used BlueSky 3D software which facilitated the design, quoting, and installation processes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency from concept to completion.

By integrating diverse functional zones within a limited footprint, Encore Garage delivered a “home away from home” where the clients can indulge in their passions, work comfortably, and relax together in style.

Resources
Laminates
JB Cutting, jbcutting.com

Slatwall
HandiSOLUTIONS, handisolutions.com

Solid Maple Butcher Block
Encore Garage, encoregarageswfl.com

Endurance Counters in Fog Slate
JB Cutting, jbcutting.com

LED Lighting
Hafele America, hafele.com

Polyaspartic topcoat 
Encore Garage, encoregarageswfl.com

Tidal Wave flakes
Torginol, torginol.com