“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.”
-Walter Winchell
Happy Monday!
Did you have a good weekend? It was hot, hot, hot here in Alabama- but nothin’ a little A/C couldn’t help! 🙂
I thought I’d share a barn tour here today, and I know some of you can’t/don’t want to watch videos, but I gotta tell ya, pictures are tough at this stage in the game because you can see through each room and it sort of just looks like a 2×4 jungle in photos. 😉 That said, it shouldn’t be too much longer before my in-laws have some wood up on their walls, and I look forward to sharing some photos as soon as their at that stage.
Click the play button below if you’d like to take the video tour in the meantime:
I’m serious about that fridge, y’all. If you have a better idea, lay it on me! Here are a couple of pics of what it might look like if we do place it on the far left:
(Source)
This next one is our kitchen:
We haven’t had any trouble with our french door fridge opening there. (It’s got the freezer drawer on the bottom)
Here’s another photo that shows how a wall oven and microwave would look positioned to the right of a fridge:
(Source)
You may have noticed I didn’t mention a stovetop. Well, that’s because Katie stopped using her current stovetop when she purchased two of these NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop a while back:
Have y’all seen them before? I’ll admit, I was pretty skeptical at first, but when she showed me how they worked (and told me she hadn’t used her stovetop in weeks at that point)- I realized it really was a pretty awesome gadget! It’s much safer than a traditional stovetop eye too. Watch:
That part where she puts her hand on the surface of it always freaks me out! 😛
Anywho…that’s where we’re at with the Bungalow Barn, and what we’re thinking as far as where everything will be laid out. If you have any other ideas you want to share, we’re all ears!
Sally Light
Hi Layla,
I just wanted to tell you I am LOVING your blog and especially your YouTube Channel! I recently came across your videos as we have just bought our first home in the UK (I am an Aussie) and it is an absolute mess. We are renovating the whole house and adding a large extension and i’m getting lots of ideas from you – although it seems we live in extremely different climates! Please keep the videos coming, I am loving them!
Sally xx
Alyssa
First: I LOVE this bungalow barn! I can’t wait to see how you finish the space – I know it’s going to be beautiful and light and bright. Second: in regards to the fridge…we have a fridge that butts up against a wall and it’s kind of a pain. Keep in mind that our fridge is also a side by side fridge freezer so that makes it more difficult, but we can’t get a pizza box or anything slightly oversized into the refrigerator, we also can’t pull our drawers out all of the way since the door doesn’t open fully. I would recommend if you do it that you get a french door fridge so at least one of the doors opens fully, and then a freezer drawer on the bottom. I am sure it’s going to function perfectly for your in-laws and I am so glad to be able to follow along on this journey.
Bridey
I’m going to agree. We can’t get our door open wide enough to get large items in and out. It’s a real pain. And the ice drawer is permanently wedged in. It wouldn’t be a problem if the hinge side was on the side of the fridge away from the wall, but then I feel it would be awkward to have it open away from the work area. I wish ours was in a different place.
Krusti
So cute. Can’t wait to see what it ends up looking like when you’ve finished! I love following your family story! Where did you get your dress? It’s perfect!!!
Layla
Thank you! 😀 And the dress came from @ShopFancyFree on Instagram! 🙂
Baileywife @IrishmanAcres
I love the new addition of the breakfast room for them! And also the loft for the grandkids… How much fun is that??? Thanks for the video, it’s always great hearing your sweet voice!! ~Kim
Susan Feldtman
I just have to say I agree with Alyssa…my parents had a side-by-side fridge/freezer that butted up against the wall on the left as you’re suggesting. It was a nuisance when trying to open the freezer door because it stopped at a right angle. Just getting the ice tray out was next to impossible. Please reconsider your options.
Your website is fun and inviting and full of great posts. Love you Instagram posts!
Layla
That’s why I asked y’all your advice, Susan! 😀 Would you say a french door fridge is the way to go if we keep it in this spot? We’ve got a french door fridge in our house and it’s up against the (left) wall of our kitchen too, so maybe I just answered my own question- LOL. 😀
denise
I think it is good to have the fridge off to the side. They are big items and can hog up space. One thing to remember is to buy a fridge that the doors open within the overall size of the fridge box. Some LG fridges have the oversized hinges and the door needs to open up outside the box. If the fridge is up next to the wall, the doors will not open fully, and you will not be able to use the drawers properly.
Devlin
Hi there! Can’t wait to see more! In our last kitchen, we had to put the fridge next to a wall, but I was able to squeeze in a 9″ pull-out pantry between the wall and fridge as a buffer (it was just wide enough for all my baking supplies). It worked well and we had no problems opening the fridge (it was a French door). Good luck!
Judy
Hi Layla, your plans look good. I also love your dress…adorable! I didn’t think there was anything wrong with putting the fridge near the wall until I read the other comments, esp. if it is a french door fridge..can see the possible problem now. Can the fridge work into the built in wall so that the doors will be free to open without issue? Anyway, can’t wait to see how this progresses. Love your style always!
Layla
Hi Judy! I just added another photo that shows were our french door fridge is positioned in our kitchen. We haven’t had any trouble opening the doors, and the freezer is a pull-out drawer on the bottom, so that has worked nicely too. We can’t skooch the fridge over to one of the side walls because it would block the walkway and stick out in front of Katie’s base cabinets, which would be awkward- ya know what I mean? Fun to talk through this stuff with you! It’s such an interesting process…and totally new to me! 😀
Kari
I second everyone’s comments about the fridge doors opening into the wall. I have a French door refrigerator over a freezer drawer style like in one of the photos above. The freezer is great, but the refrigerator doors must open beyond 90 degrees in order for the inside drawers to pull out. Many in that body style have two half width drawers for fruits and one full width drawer for meats and cheeses. The fridge doors have to open quite wide for the drawers to pull out. Also if the doors have handles that protrude quite a bit, the handle will bang the wall.
Would it be possible scoot the fridge away from the wall about 8 or 10 inches, and between the wall and the fridge add a narrow “pantry” that could serve as spice/oil storage or a broom closet? That would give the left door enough room to open. Not sure I made myself clear there. 🙂
Kari
Oh, look! Devlin had the same idea and explained it better than I did. 🙂
Layla
Yes! That is *exactly* what I’m going to do now, Kari! Thank you SO much for suggesting that!
PS- I just added a photo of our kitchen to the post. We’ve got a french door fridge up against a wall in our kitchen, and haven’t had any trouble opening doors or drawers, but it would be nice to have a little more room there.
Kari
Well, you’re welcome!
It seems like the clearance needed for fridge doors varies greatly from model to model. Good to know when you go shopping for appliances!
The barn is looking so fabulous! I know Kevin’s parents will be so happy there!
Jen
I’d also suggest a counter depth fridge. They make such a difference in small spaces (they don’t jut out past the countertop like regular fridges do). That small amount of space pushed back really opens things up and the lost fridge interior space is negligible.
Layla
Yeah, I agree. A counter-depth fridge would be GREAT, but it’s just not in the budget. :-/
chris
Samsung has a counter depth that you can grab on sale sometimes for around 1000$. I just bought a Kitchen Aid counter depth for 1599.00 In my space, it is so worth it for the clean lines.
DeboraJ
Looks great, very exciting. I think the open staircase is a fabulous use of space, good one Kevin. Question… Why would you put the bathroom at the far end of the barn so you have to walk through the bedroom to use it? Not a problem or his parents but if the grandkids spend the night or you had someone else there it seems like it could be a little awkward. Love the posts, thanks for sharing.
Layla
Oh, this is a master bedroom suite they’re adding on to our house. It was drawn into the original plans by the original builder of the house…we just added a den/kitchenette and made it look like a barn. 😉 There are 3 bathrooms in our side of the house (one of which is in our sunroom), so finding a potty won’t be a problem for the occasional overnight guest. 😀
Also, there is an alley at the end of the barn, so we wanted the “least used” room to go there.
Susan Stout
Our fridge is blocked by a wall so it cannot open all the way. To clean the draws or the very bottom under the drawers I have to drag it to the middle of the kitchen so the door can open wide enough! It a big bother for a little fridge, I imagine a double sided fridge would be very difficult! In 1959 when our house was built the refrigerator wasn’t as big? Please give this consideration because there will be spills! Loved the walk around video!
Stahli
Susan, this is what I have to do also! When we remodeled the kitchen I thought that we had left enough room that it wouldn’t be an issue. How wrong I was!
CathyA101
Here’s my thought: I think that having a counter space – even just over 12″ – would be better next to the refrigerator, than the wall ovens. It’s just nice to have the counter space to put items on – those which are coming or going out of the refrigerator. Just my opinion.
Layla
Ooooh! Great idea, Cathy! I’ll try skooching the wall oven down to the far right side and see what that looks like!
Jan
CathyA101 had the same idea as I had. I’m about the same age as you are designing for. It is imperative to have a counter next to the frig and also next to the microwave,. We don’t have the strength and dexterity we used to have. Also putting away groceries – I set the frig stuff on the counter next to the frig and only ooen the door once to put away. So much easier.
Good luck!
Layla
Yep! I agree and I’ve made that change to the plans, Jan. Thanks for weighing in! 😀
B
Hi Layla!
Love, love everything Lettered Cottage!
What is the name of the gray wall color in your kitchen? Thank you.
Karlene
So exciting so see the barn framed! You have put a lot of functional spaces in there and it all seems roomy! I love the attic sleeping idea, what grandchild won’t think that’s the neatest space!
When we remodeled outr kitchen I knew it was first and last so wanted it right? I taped the appliances and counters and island on the floor and pretended to open every door and drawer to check for clearances. Discovered the dishwasher door would hit the island, under sink cabinet door once knob on would hit the wall ( we had them add a spacer to that end of counter.) and I walked through prepping breakfast just to see how easy to get things from fridge, to prep area and clean up. Once done only change we found was to add under cabinet lighting under a built in piece that we retained from original kitchen!
Erin
Layla, this is coming along so nicely and I can’t wait to see it when it’s all done. I am so in love with “Big Chill” refrigerators, I want one in aqua. Have you guys thought about putting in a few skylights in the loft area? I wish we had the space to add on for my parents. I am sure it is going to be awesome when you are done.
Catherine
I love seeing it all come together! Looking forward to seeing the progress.
Lisa
Love, love, love the barn! Have you considered the placement of the toilet? I feel like you can see it from most of the space, and unless the bathroom door is closed all the time, well, do you want to see that?
Layla
Oh, that room is already laid out, Lisa…and we’re not picky about where the potty goes- LOL! 😀
Terry
There may be some fridges where you can have the handle on the left and it would open the other way. Also, maybe a counter depth fridge ( more costly and slightly less storage) would fit better.
Layla
Aren’t those counter-depth fridges great! 😀 Too expensive for our in-laws budget, but man they’re sharp!
Janet Squire
Layla, what kind of counter top do you have in your kitchen? I’m looking to re-do mine and the options are overwhelming.
And as far as the frig door…it really doesn’t matter, however opening to the side would be a tad bit more convenient for the busy cook. If your in-laws don’t cook that much, I wouldn’t bother. Personally, I LOVE the retro frig in the first pic – adorable!
Thanks!
Dianne
I can’t wait to see it finished! It will look great! I have a question about the walk-in closet. Does it share the same space with the stairs or does it just appear that way on the video?
For the fridge, I would have the same suggestion as a few others with a small broom closet/pantry. I had a fridge against the wall for 19 years and it had to be approx 4″ from the wall so I could open the door! When we remodelled, we added a broom closet that I had!
I can see this is an exciting time for you!
Marianne in Mo.
First, loved the quote at the top of the post.
Thanks so much for the tour, wasps and all! 😉 Looks like we are almost at the same stage in our build. We met with the kitchen planners friday, and I wish I had read this before, but can make changes. We are going with a french door fridge for the same reason – against a wall. Our last one was a side by side, and I had the same problems as Susan Stout has. Now I wonder about that bottom drawer in the upper part of the fridge.
And, our plumber has adjusted the placement of our plumbing for the laundry, so we now have to wonder if it wlii work. Talking to the builder later today about things. Our issue is that we have built this same house before, but our builder suggests changes, and we ( I think) are still living in the former house in our heads. Know what I mean? I keep reminding hubs that it doesn’t have to be EXACTLY like the old!
So nice to have someone else going thru this process at the same time! Funny how we seem to find out things as the process evolves, so we can drive the contractors a bit nuts! 😉
Karen
I always love a good remodel or new build so it was really fun to walk through the video with you. We just ended a 10 month long reno on our own home and I know EXACTLY what you mean about making last minute adjustments. You are very fortunate, as were we, to have a builder that will work with you on those changes. :o) Love the addition of the loft and agree with everyone else about the refrigerator doors opening up. One thing I was wondering about, and I’m sure you’ve got it all figured out, but it pertains to what you referred to as “barn doors”. Now I know you know what a barn door is I just didn’t understand how they were going to work where you mentioned (Bedroom and Bath). It appears that in the bedroom the door when you open the door it would slide in front of the closet door. And in the bathroom, I don’t have a full grasp of the layout but will it be opening in front of a cabinet or something? We have a We have a double barn door with seeded glass in our bedroom going to our sun porch and I LOVE it!! We also have seeded glass pocket doors in our laundry room and bedroom, love those too. Can’t wait to see the end results of your barn addition. It’s going to be fabulous!
Layla
Hi, Karen!
I’ll have to shoot another video that talks about those doors, but basically, when the bedroom door is open (which it will be most of the time), the sliding door there will cover the closet door. Same thing in the bathroom. When the bathroom door is open, it will cover the washer and dryer. 🙂
Donna Doble-Brown
I could’t help but think as I watched this lovely space take shape, that this is such a wonderful distraction while you await Sweet P’s homecoming!
I can’t wait to see what you two do with this space and how it will be filled with so much LOVE!
chris
Nice! I can understand Mom about the induction plate. I went from having a 6 burner Wolf gas range, to a 4 “burner” induction cooktop from Bosch. Let me tell you, I loved gas and was a gas snob. I though nothing cooks better than gas. Ask me now? No way would I ever want another gas range!! The induction cooks so much nicer, cleaner and the “heat” is controlled instantly with one finger. There is no mess, no cooked on foods on the stove top, no scrubing or hard cleaning at all. The kitchen looks sleek and always sparkling. The air quality while cooking is so much better since gas does give of harmfull gas molucules while cooking, polluting indoor air. I’m hobby cook and cook a lot, but I think my food tastes better because of the absolute instant control in heat, much faster than even gas. Plus I can boil a pot of water in about 90 seconds, or keep food warm without it drying out. My only concern is when I sell my house with the induction cooktop, many a potental buyer may not know how much better it is than gas. There are still many gas snobs out there that do not understand induction and think it is the same as an electric stovetop.
Carla
Layla — if your inlaws are planning on having a smaller size fridge I recommend the LG LBN10551SW bottom freezer. I have it and it’s great.
Carla
And it is counter depth for $720.00
Debbie Delosreyes
I like the idea of not having to bend down to the oven for older folks. I have a frig. next to the wall and don’t have any problems. Love your dress and can’t wait to see what you do to this barn bungalow. So exciting.
Kirstin
There shouldn’t be any issues with the fridge on the left next to the wall, AS long as it has clearance next to it. When my husband and I were house hunting, we went into a remodeled kitchen that didn’t leave enough room, butted right up against the wall and you couldn’t open the door all the way! In the house we bought our fridge sat right next to the wall, which we have since taken out to put a larger fridge, but prior we had no issues! The house is coming along, it’s so cute!!!
Shauna
We have a standard refrigerator (freezer on top) that is about 1/2″ away from the wall and it opens fine. It will depend on the brand, I suppose. Can’t wait for progress pics!
Judith
I wouldn’t place the ovens and refrigerator side by side. One is trying to keep things cool while the other is giving off heat. I would not place the refrigerator beside a wall. I know it will look great whatever you decide!!
Layla
I was concerned about placing the oven next to the fridge at first too, Judith, but after extensive research, it turns out it’s totally fine to position them side by side. That said, we came up with (yet another!) plan, and the oven/microwave tower will now be on the far right end of the kitchenette! 😀
Sharon Doss
What lucky in-laws you have! You and Kevin are so sweet to look after his parents like you do. Although the portable cook burners that mama Palmer has is great, I think I would consider adding a small stove. She or you might wish you had added that feature later on. I also agree a little counter should go next to the fridge. I, too would be very cautious about butting the fridge next to the wall. The barn is gonna be so amazing!
Mary
My fridge buts up to a wall & it prevents me from opening the door all the way. If I could redesign my kitchen I would find a new place for it.
It’s a single door with a bottom freezer. I made sure the door swings up against the wall so it’s easy to remove items & place them on the counter.
Maryjane from Manitoba
Oh man, I wish I could watch the video.
pretty dress Layla. It would be so neat to hear what your voice sounds like or see your mannerisms.
MaKaela
I totally get the wasp thing! That is me too! The bungalow is coming along great! Love the updates!
Leslie
Hey Layla, Love the idea of family living with family in their older years! Great ideas for them in this home to make it special just for them. I do have a question about Papa Palmer? Does he use a wheel chair and if so are the hallways, doors and other areas wide enough for him. I love the barn doors but will he be able to open them always? We do get weaker as we get older and lose muscle. Just a thought as you plan ahead for still later years! Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!
Layla
Hi Leslie!
Yep! The whole barn was designed with handicap accessibility in mind. Extra wide doorways and a taller toilet, etc. The barn door will be regular side doors that slide on a track, but to be honest, I don’t seem them pulling them shut very often based on how they live in their current home. 🙂
Monica
I love, love, love the idea of barn doors, but do think this might be a pain in the neck for them in the bedroom, because in fact, they will have to close it every time they want to get to the closet, right?
Also agree with the poster who suggested putting a broom closet or other thin cabinet next to the fridge – will make things easier and will help now and in the long term whenever the fridge needs to be replaced because you and any future owners will not be limited to a specific type of fridge. I had a fridge against the wall like this once and could never get the drawers out to clean them or behind them without pulling the fridge out of the space to get the door fully opened…
Jennifer Aquiningoc
Hi, can you tell me the dimensions of their bedroom, bathroom and closet? We’re in the process of adding on to our house for my father in-law.
Sherri
I love, love, love the barn addition!!!! I want to live in it…which would be weird, right!?!?! I can’t wait to see the progress, especially the decorating!!!!
jennibell
Your posts on this barn addition (and a link you added) earlier got me to research generational living. . .because of your posts, and your adventure here, we are considering this approach with our in-laws too. Don’t know if it will eventually work out or not, but you have our wheels turning. . .
This is going to be a super, efficient space, I can tell. Can’t wait to see your touch on the finished product!
Janet Sorenson
Hi Layla,
I have a side by side by the wall at this time and have had a single door upper fridge and a bottom freezer by the wall. I have never appreciated this space because I can’t open the doors wide. I did move the door to the opposite once and that helped a little but I was still in a hole. Maybe a suggestion would be to have a narrow tall pull out pantry. Not really wide but it would give them space to store some can goods, and grains etc.. Just a thout.
Janet
Jenny B.
I’m so excited for you guys! It’s very fun to see the progress. 🙂 We’re planning to build a house in a few years, and I want to get an induction cooktop for the kitchen. My husband loves to cook, but he rarely uses our stove. He prefers his griddle and electric skillet. When he does use the stove, it’s always with a cast iron skillet, and I’ve read that they are OK for induction. I think he could totally get by with a couple of those induction hot plates!
I’m also curious to see what you do with the fridge. Our fridge butts up against the wall, and we can’t open the wall-side drawers all the way (or remove them for cleaning). I’ve thought about getting a french door fridge, but I don’t think those full width deli drawers would be able to open. The pull out freezer drawer would certainly be an improvement over our current top freezer, though. I’m going to try to avoid placing the fridge against a wall at our new house.
Thanks for giving us a tour! I love watching your videos. 🙂
Jo
I am sure you’ve thought of this stuff but I’m just going to point out a few things in case you haven’t. First of all, if Papa is on a scooter, I just don’t see how he’s going to have room to maneuver. Probably everything will come together, but as you were showing us things, like the little hall to the bedroom area, if it’s at the foot of the stairs, it just didn’t look wide enough. The whole bathroom didn’t look big enough for a scooter. Unless he’s not on it all the time? Kitchen – with the fridge, my fridge was cabinets on one side and a wall on the other. We had a side by side. The freezer was so small you couldn’t put a pizza in there or anything else that was tall. I also couldn’t open the fridge door all the way so in order to clean it if I wanted to take all the shelves and drawers out, I had to take the window sill off, pull it out and turn it. Major pain in the patoot! I got rid of that one and got one where the freezer is a drawer on the bottom and the fridge door (only one door) opens to the left so I can open it all the way. Something to think about. I love that you are showing the step by step process. Looking forward to the next one. I also love the loft area. Great use of space.
Mary Anne Russo
Love your blog! It’s great of you to have the parents living connected to you. More people should do this.
I think the bedroom seems like there is too much going on in there. Desks area should not be in the sleeping space . It really should be a place of rest , it seems to busy, sorry. We did this with my parents room and it really was not a good idea.
Jenny
Layla, it looks wonderful! The staircase sounds charming (garlands at Christmas!) and a brilliant use of the attic, the barn doors are an incredibly smart use of space, and I think the light in there is going to be lovely. We have a Whirlpool fridge that has one fridge door on top and a freezer drawer on the bottom, and it has been up against a wall in two houses and works great. The only thing we had to think about was leveling it so that the door wanted to swing closed, not open, to save us some wear and tear on the wall and door handle. I loved the ideas above of adding a thin cabinet between the fridge and wall, and the idea of having a counter top next to the fridge. I can’t wait to see how you make those 2x4s a home.
Carrie
Loving the updates on the bungalow barn! Is the window in the bathroom shower still in the works? It would be nice with more light.
Just a thought since space is a priority: library under stairs. Or does MrPalmer have more books than that? Love the loft idea!!
Shirley
Layla just a phenomenal job! It is going to be absolutely spectacular when you’re done. The only thing that I could add about a refrigerator is make sure it is counter depth. That’s the only thing. My fridge sticks out over 8 inches from my counter and I hate it. It takes up so much space visually I truly screwed up by not getting a counter depth fridge It just looks like it doesn’t fit That’s it. Counter depth baby !
Rebecca
Oh Layla! You’re just way too cute! : )