Heidi Caillier is well-versed in working on sizable projects which can take years to complete.

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By contrast, this diminutive 1,000 sq. ft. guest house in the Bellevue area of Seattle—for existing clients with a much larger primary residence designed just a few years prior—presented a sharp burst of almost instant gratification. “This design was so instinctive and easy for my brain,” says the Expert, laughing. The vision was clear for Heidi—especially when it came to vintage accents: “I knew exactly what fabrics I should use, what furniture shapes I needed to look for… It was really fun.”

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The designer embraced the cozy treetop vibe (the ‘carriage house’, as it is called, is perched above a garage a stone’s throw from the owners’ main home) by wrapping the entire space in reclaimed white oak. “It’s a big aesthetic decision,” she explains. “I don't think many clients would go for that. But this had to be an all-or-nothing vision… Imagine this space with just drywall—it would look so different.”

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That the space is intended for occasional use presented an opportunity to prioritize more aesthetically-pleasing pieces. “Not everything has to be as function-driven for everyday living,” she reasons. Cue BDDW’s handsome Abel sofa—with its bumped-out upholstery, bronze ball feet, and Robert Kime stripe—and the bamboo accent chair, an Expert Vintage gem by Robert Wengler boasting its original cushion.

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Though compact, the living area is loaded with vignettes that unmistakably bear Heidi’s signature: off-center artwork, an intricate mirror, and a textural ceramic lamp base, all dwarfed by a large Noguchi paper shade. “The imperfection is what's so interesting,” says the designer. “I really like asymmetry. My team and I use the word ‘wonky’ a lot internally.

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Heidi is also a pro at blending different eras of furniture. Her advice? Mix it up. “When you start decorating in all traditional or English-country style, it starts to feel a little bit thematic,” she reasons. “A classic oil painting in an ornate frame over a mid-century teak nightstand feels interesting to me—it’s the tension I like.” Said bedroom nightstands were a steal and now provide a dash of crispness against the Morris & Co. wallpaper and natural rush bed. Her favorite find in the space is a geometric Swedish rug rich in soft green tones.

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The carriage house also moonlights as a gym, but by adding antique mirror panels to the internal doors, no one would ever guess that a reformer machine lurks next door. The setting is fit for entertaining as well: the tilt top of the vintner-style dining table makes it easy to fold up and nudge out of the way.

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The real success of this annex lies in the fact that the owners regularly find themselves retreating to it. “The husband emailed me to say that he goes there to hang out because he likes it so much,” reveals Heidi. After all, good guest house design begins and ends when homeowners find themselves enjoying the space as much as friends and family.