A daughter built her 2 moms a 600-square-foot cottage in her backyard so they could all be closer to each other

Matthew WilsonJun 18, 2020, 03:33 IST

Meredith Stannard and Elyse Zandonella in front of their cottage.Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Drew Zandonella-Stannard's mothers, Meredith Stannard and Elyse Zandonella, live in a custom-built cottage in her backyard in Seattle.
Zandonella-Stannard and her husband spent six months renovating their backyard so her moms could move in.
Their cottage is independent from their daughter's house, with its own bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, and laundry.
She is thankful to have her parents close so they can be part of her own 2-year-old daughter's life. "Living intergenerational is important," she told Insider.

For the past four years, Drew Zandonella-Stannard's two mothers have lived in a custom-made cottage in her backyard. Wanting to make sure her parents are cared for, Zandonella-Stannard and her husband spent months renovating their yard for the couple's home.

Zandonella-Stannard spoke with Insider about the project and what it means to her to have her parents so close.

Drew Zandonella-Stannard lives in Seattle with her husband, 2-year-old daughter Frida, and her two mothers.

Drew Zandonella-Stannard with her husband and daughter. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Today, her mothers live at the end of her backyard in a cottage, which took months to build.

Meredith Stannard and Elyse Zandonella in front of their cottage. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

When Zandonella-Stannard and her husband bought the home, they tore down the tool shed in their backyard.

The backyard. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

They designed the outside of the cottage to compliment Zandonella-Stannard's own home and hired tiny house contractors to build it.

The cottage under construction. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Building the cottage helped Zandonella-Stannard realize her own house's long history.

Her home in the 1930s. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

It took six months to build the 618-square-foot cottage.

The cottage. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Zandonella-Stannard's mothers worked closely with the construction team through the entire process to design their dream home.

The cottage. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Their cottage is completely independent from their daughter's house, with its own bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, and laundry.

The living room of the cottage. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

The cottage is two stories, dividing the common areas from the couple's private quarters.

Stairs of the cottage. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Ordering appliances and cabinets for the kitchen was an ordeal that Zandonella-Stannard remembers all too well.

The kitchen of the cottage. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Given the size of the cottage, Stannard and Zandonella had to get rid of some of their possessions.

Move-in day. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Zandonella-Stannard said her living situation requires having a unique relationship with her parents.

Meredith Stannard and Elyse Zandonella looking for plants for their home. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

But having her mothers close by has been great, especially when Zandonella-Stannard became a mother herself.

Meredith Stannard and Elyse Zandonella holding their granddaughter. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

Frida loves having "grandmas' house" only steps away.

Frida going to grandmas' house. Drew Zandonella-Stannard

11 abandoned underwater sites and the history behind them

Cookies on the Business Insider India website