“In-laws, outlaws, and granny flats”, by Michael Litchfield

Litchfield, Michael W. In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats: Your Guide to Turning One House into Two Homes. Newtown, CT: Taunton, 2011. Print.

I live in a part of Toronto with lots of fairly old, large homes that have been turned into apartments or rooming houses.  Upon learning that one old house in the neighbourhood I’m particularly fond of might be getting the treatment soon, I set out to find more about the process.

Taunton never fails to impress me with the quality of their content, writing, and pictures.  The 30 projects pictured cover a wide range, from garage, attic, and basement conversions to separate backyard cottages.  He talks about building permits and what you’ll run into from a political as well as construction perspective.  The exterior, with separate gardens and walls to keep privacy sorted out, isn’t forgotten.  He even discusses the psychological issues of sharing your space with strangers, friends, or family members.  It gave me a lot to think about, and I’m sure I’ll refer to this book again.  Highly recommended.