Family builds custom backyard cottage in Connecticut, creating three-generation home

When the Christies retired, they faced a difficult decision about where to relocate after selling their New Jersey home. Their daughter, interior designer Caitlin Swann, discovered a Facebook advertisement for a prefabricated accessory dwelling unit and proposed building a small cottage in the backyard of her Fairfield residence. Local zoning allowed a second structure, so Swann, with architect Eileen Duffy and contractor Paul Delco Builders, began construction in May 2025.

The 725-square-foot unit features matching rooflines, copper gutters, Dutch doors, a brick fireplace, and a covered porch that echoes the main house. Inside, a mudroom, open-plan kitchen with high-end appliances, and a single bedroom on one level were crafted for aging-in-place flexibility. Completed by November 2025, the cottage lets Patti and Gary live independently while remaining just steps from their daughter and grandchildren, fostering daily multigenerational interaction.