One of the magical things about Portland, Oregon, is the variety of its neighborhoods—and this unique property by Voegele & Co. highlights that perfectly. “Our barn conversion additional dwelling unit (ADU) is located in SE Portland, OR in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood,” says Kari Ann Voegele. “Our favorite thing about this neighborhood is Powell Butte Nature Park. It’s over 600 acres of mature forest. Conveniently, it’s a one mile walk from our front door to one of the trailheads. We’re also on the Pleasant Valley and Happy Valley border, so we’re just a few minutes away from Christmas tree farms and widespread agriculture. It’s like being in the country while having the amenities of big city life. Last but not least, the property has incredible old growth Cedar and Doug Fir trees that have this serene, grounding energy.”
The property, originally an egg farm, includes two barns and a farmhouse. “We converted one of the barns, a 790-square-foot 1940s haybarn-turned chicken coop into an additional dwelling unit,” she tells us, speaking of a project completed with her husband Aaron Voegele. “Aaron and I are both total nerds about historical homes and when we walked through the property before purchase, we knew the haybarn would be the perfect landing spot for family and friends.”
The couple set out to create a guest house with a full-sized kitchen, bathroom, and laundry, along with a spacious loft bedroom. “The overall goals were ‘let’s stay on budget,’” she laughs, “but we also wanted to make it special and true to its farm history.”
Landing on an aesthetic was easy. “Cottage core with some serious nods toward barn architecture,” she notes. “The cottage core style felt so true to the original history of the property.” To refine the vision, she researched dozens of barn conversions around the world. “My favorite projects were those that held more closely to the original barn aesthetic,” she reflects. “From exposed beams to large format stone floors arranged in an irregular pattern, it was a priority for me to honor the original character of the barn while evolving it into a functional, comfortable space for today.” Even the mostly thrifted antique furniture helps the space feel like a country farmhouse from top to bottom.
The barn spans two floors. The main level includes a living room with an open staircase, an entry closet with a stacked washer and dryer, a full-sized kitchen, and a full bathroom. “I love the open staircase in the living room area,” Kari says. “Aaron hand-selected and hand-milled all of the hickory wood for the staircase. It is a gorgeous focal point whether you’re sitting in the living room enjoying a movie or walking into the entry after a long day. Hickory is such a warm, character-rich wood. I’m so happy with that design selection and very proud of Aaron’s craftsmanship.”
In the kitchen, butter-yellow cabinetry and hand-painted Delft tiles above the range elevate the design. “I knew I wanted Delft tiles, but I also had a pretty strict budget, so I had Aaron paint the beadboard backsplash to match the cabinetry,” she shares. “We then installed a very special Delft tile mat behind the range. I think the overall balance between the beadboard, cabinetry, and Delft tiles works well.”
The bathroom features a converted antique washstand, which Aaron outfitted with a vessel sink and wooden backsplash. An antique mahogany mirror, found while thrifting, adds extra flair.
Upstairs, the loft serves as the primary bedroom, complete with exposed beams, a standalone bathtub, and custom cabinetry designed to accommodate two wardrobes and a window bench. “My favorite feature has to be the standalone tub,” Kari says. “In the early construction phase, it felt like an audacious move, but at the end of the day I wanted to lean into the feeling of romance. I’m very happy that we threw caution to the wind and put the bathtub in the bedroom. I like to say it’s European!”
Kari admits that, personally, finding the time to complete the project while raising two small children and working full-time jobs was one of the biggest challenges. “It was a chip-away process for sure,” she reflects. “We had both hoped to be done with this project one year sooner than we did. And of course, the budget was a challenge. With any project, Aaron and I work from an itemized budget estimate but towards the end there, we had to get creative to get it done without compromising on the finished space.”
Today, the couple is expanding that collaborative approach into a business of its own. “Voegele & Co is a new venture which is still in the works,” she tells us. “It will be a partnership between Voegele Studios and Voegele Construction. After years of working predominantly separately, collaborating on one or two projects a year, we decided to not only relocate our family to Montana this spring but to take that opportunity to begin a joint business venture offering design build services. We want to focus on high-end custom remodels, hopefully meeting some clients who love thoughtful design and beautiful craftsmanship as much as we do.”
