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“The exterior paths and balconies were designed on-site,” Chrismar says. “We wanted a direct connection to the landscape.”

Best Practice Architecture transformed a former garage in the Oak Park neighborhood of Dallas into a light-filled casita filled with art by local makers and vintage finds.

Best Practice added a new roof but kept the existing siding. A fresh coat of paint helps the casita pop, and a new window opening next to the entrance frames a new kitchenette inside.

"It looks like an ordinary home, but there are decisions here that are out of the ordinary,

The green backsplash tiles are vintage, reclaimed from another project.

Built with trees felled on-site, a 650-foot-long elevated pathway connects the cabin to the nearest road.

A small door opens and connects the rooftop deck area and the landscape to the upper-level bedroom.

Suttles and Ballard were conscious to choose healthy materials at every stage of the building process, seeking out products with no VOCs or off-gassing.

"The cork literally warms up everything,

The utility sink and moveable countertop were purchased second-hand. Throughout the interiors, the framing was left exposed. Fire-resistant mineral wool insulation was applied to the exterior, then clad with Alaskan Yellow Cedar boards finished in a shou sugi ban treatment.

Dal Tile “Keystones” in Arctic White and Emerald cover the guest bathroom.

Around the corner behind the stairs, they tucked a bar nook and pantry, which is where the refrigerator is located. The wallpaper is by MakeLike, the concrete tile is Zia Tile in Midnight, the counter is Ikea butcher block that’s stained ebony, and the pulls are by Lo&co.

Two sizable storage drawers pull out from beneath the built-in daybed in the living area.

“We sleep together in the same bed, and it’s quite cute and cosy,” Parinita says.

In this temperate, oceanside climate, the house relies on natural ventilation, with numerous operable windows.