This Minimal and Modern Home Used to Be a Garage (and There’s a Backyard Barn Studio, Too)

Name: Ashley James of Ruell + Ray, my partner Tonya, and our three dogs
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Type of home: Apartment with barn studio
Size: 785 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My fiancée Tonya and I, along with our three dogs, live in a family home that use to be a garage. We converted it to a small efficient 785-square-foot home about two years ago.

Out back we have a beautiful, century-old black barn where we host dinner parties, work, or just sit for evening wine. We are so lucky to have this wonderful open wide space and to be close to family.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Modern, eclectic, curated.

What is your favorite room and why? The living room is where we spend most of our time—for coffee, even for happy hour. The large floor-to-ceiling windows allow for a fantastic view of our surrounding five acres.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? Workstead wall lamp. I’m OBSESSED!

Any advice for creating a home you love? It takes years to build a collection of things you love and admire. I would rather have nothing in my house until I found the right piece.

This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.