DTLA design transforms a former garage into a multifunctional pool house, using Resource Furniture's Oslo Sofa wall bed and Giro console to create a space for relaxation, entertaining, and overnight guests.

A former two-car garage might seem an unlikely setting for a sophisticated poolside retreat. But for Los Angeles-based DTLA design, the compact footprint presented an opportunity to rethink how a single space could serve the many dimensions of everyday life.

The homeowners wanted more than a traditional guest house. They envisioned an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) they could enjoy throughout the day, whether practicing yoga, relaxing by the pool, entertaining friends, or welcoming family for an overnight stay. With room for a kitchen, bathroom, living area, and sleeping accommodations, the challenge was incorporating these different functions without sacrificing comfort or design.

For Eric Lehwald, Founder and Principal Designer of DTLA design, the solution began with thoughtful space planning and a clear understanding of how the homeowners wanted to live.

"Luxury is having the freedom to use your space however you want," he explains. That philosophy became the foundation for a project designed to offer multiple experiences within one carefully considered interior.

Designing Around the Possibilities

Eric first discovered Resource Furniture at the WestEdge Design Fair in Santa Monica, California, where he was drawn to the furniture's modern design before discovering its transforming capabilities. Impressed by the engineering and quality, he went on to incorporate an expanding console table into his next project, allowing a client to host large family gatherings without permanently dedicating space to an oversized dining table.

When planning the ADU, Eric recognized an opportunity to bring that same flexibility to a much smaller footprint.

Rather than treating furniture as a finishing detail, Eric incorporated Resource Furniture's Oslo Sofa wall bed into his initial floor plans, establishing how the room could function as both a comfortable living space and a private bedroom.

"We actually designed everything around the furniture," he explains.

Working with Resource Furniture's Los Angeles team, Eric explored configurations for the wall bed, surrounding shelving, and integrated storage. The collaboration helped establish the dimensions needed to accommodate a queen-size bed, generous seating, and cabinetry tailored to the homeowners' needs.

The furniture specifications then informed the architectural plans. Walls were designed to accommodate the systems precisely, while the kitchen layout was carefully considered to preserve clearance when the bed was open. Resource Furniture's team also supported the project throughout construction, coordinating measurements, framing requirements, and electrical placement for the integrated lighting.

That level of planning allowed the furniture to become part of the architecture, rather than something the room needed to accommodate afterward.

A Room That Changes Throughout the Day

At the center of the completed ADU is the Oslo Sofa wall bed, which brings two essential functions together within a single system.

During the day, the integrated sofa creates a comfortable living area overlooking the pool. When guests arrive, the queen-size bed opens as the sofa seat extends forward and the backrest folds away. An integrated display shelf pivots while remaining horizontal, allowing decorative objects to stay in place throughout the transformation.

Surrounding cabinetry combines open display shelves with enclosed storage, including space for hanging clothes, while concealed compartments beneath the sofa accommodate pillows and bedding. Integrated reading lights and a headboard customized in a coordinating finish add comfort and character to the sleeping area.

Across the room, the Giro transforming console introduces another dimension of flexibility. In its compact form, Giro preserves valuable floor space while providing a place for decorative objects and everyday essentials. When extended, it becomes a generous table for dining, working, or gathering with friends.

For these homeowners, those possibilities extend well beyond entertaining. Eric explains that the table is used for board games, meals, work, and even music, with the family occasionally setting up a keyboard on its surface.

Together, the Oslo and Giro allow the ADU to serve different purposes without permanently dedicating space to any single activity. An open area for morning yoga becomes a poolside lounge in the afternoon, a place to gather around the table, and eventually what Eric describes as an "intimate boutique hotel guest retreat."

As Eric explains, "The architecture stays the same, but the experience changes."

A Cohesive Interior, Down to the Details

With the functional requirements resolved, Eric focused on creating an interior that felt warm, sophisticated, and connected to its poolside setting.

The homeowners' preference for blues and greens inspired a distinctive color palette, with Resource Furniture's customizable finishes playing an important role in the design direction.

The Oslo system combines warm Noce Melamine panels with Dover Lacquer cabinetry and Indio Lacquer accents. The blue-green Indio finish also appears within the Giro console, creating a visual connection between the two pieces. Eric carried that color into the bathroom through handmade glazed terracotta tile in a complementary turquoise tone.

The sofa's Carezza upholstery, Anatra headboard, and coordinating throw pillows introduce additional texture, while the surrounding kitchen and bathroom cabinetry were selected to complement the furniture's wood finishes.

The result is a cohesive interior where the architectural elements and furniture feel closely connected. Even the smallest details, from concealed storage to the picture ledge that disguises the wall bed, contribute to the overall composition.

For Eric, those unexpected moments are an important part of the experience. He describes his approach to design as considering the "choreography of the space," thinking not only about how a room looks, but how people move through it, interact with it, and discover its features.

In this ADU, the transformations themselves become part of that experience. What initially appears to be a beautifully composed wall of cabinetry with a comfortable sofa reveals a complete bedroom, while a compact console becomes a gathering place for family and friends.

The finished pool house reflects DTLA design's belief that thoughtful interiors should respond to the people who use them. By integrating Resource Furniture's multifunctional systems from the earliest planning stages, Eric created a retreat that feels spacious, cohesive, and comfortable in every configuration.

What was once a modest garage now offers the homeowners an entirely new way to enjoy their property, with a space that adapts naturally to whatever the day brings.

Interior Design: DTLA design

DTLA design is a Los Angeles-based studio specializing in luxury residential and commercial design. Led by Founder & Principal Designer Eric Lehwald, the studio takes an integrated approach to design, combining creative vision, thoughtful space planning, refined materials, and custom detailing to create sophisticated, highly personalized environments.

From luxury residences and comprehensive renovations to commercial interiors, bespoke guesthouses, and ADUs, DTLA design creates distinctive spaces that reflect each client’s vision while balancing beauty, functionality, and the way people live and work.

Photography: Busken Studio