In Fairfield, Connecticut, Swann and her husband live in their main house with their three children, while her retired parents, Patti and Gary Christie, now reside in a custom 725-square-foot cottage just a few steps away in the backyard. The cottage exterior borrows heavily from the main house: matching roofline, copper gutters, and siding create a sense of unity. Instead of a typical closet, Caitlin again chose built-in cabinetry to maximize storage and keep the room feeling open. And over the months, the cottage has become home.For Caitlin, the emotional payoff of the project is enormous. The backyard cottage is more than a clever housing solution; it’s a thoughtfully designed space that keeps three generations connected, while still honouring each household’s independence.