“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
-Leo Tolstoy
Plans, and projects, and if you live in central Alabama- RAIN!
Not a great combo when it comes to building a barn in your backyard. :-/ (Click here if you missed the news about my in-laws moving in with us: Bungalow Barn) So even though the barn was supposed to be completely finished by now, I’m sad to report that the pier-and-beam foundation guys still haven’t started, and I’m told that the rain (that fell months ago) is still to blame for the back-up. *sigh*
Gosh do the trees look pretty because of it though. Everywhere I look: green, green, green!
That was the view out my bedroom window yesterday morning. Seems like just last week those tree branches were naked! (Just noticed that yellow house is giving me a wink!) 😉
I’m hoping there’s plenty more sunshine where that came from and that the builders are caught up with their other foundation work soon. I long for Kevin’s parents to be able to get settled- both physically and mentally.
And speaking of weather, I was under it this weekend. Monster sore throat, runny nose, fever, the whole deal. I’m 98% back to normal now, but it did knock me down long enough to finish For the Love and to start (an advance copy of) Jay and Katherine Wolf’s book: Hope Heals. Y’all, it is so well written and powerful…and SO hard to put down! I finished three-quarters of it in 2 days (a first for me), and I’m looking forward to sharing a full blog post about it soon. It’s an incredible story story of their relentless love for God and each other. If you like books, you will LOVE it.
I also watched a fantastic episode of Fixer Upper and it got my mind racing with ideas for the inside of Jim & Katie’s *hopefully* soon-to-be-built barn.
Did you see the Beanstalk Bungalow episode? The homeowners were Ben and Staci Childers and it turned out SO cute! Here are some ‘after’ photos if you missed it:
The kitchen photos gave me an idea of something I could show Kevin’s mom, Katie. But before I show you that, here’s a look at their future den/kitchen furniture placement:
Jim & Katie prefer to sit in their recliners when watching TV, and the loveseat they have also pulls out, so that will act as their guest bed. Jim also needs to be able to pull his scooter right up next to his chair, so the floor space on the right will be used for that. (PS- That’s their front door and the door into our sunroom to the right of the scooter.)
The area we’re most looking forward to seeing in person (vs. on paper), once the bones are built, is the kitchen. I think that will give Katie a better idea of how much room she’ll have for appliances and a table. Right now, we’re envisioning a round table and banquette seating in that empty corner at the end of the kitchen cabinets. Kind of like this:
…and this:
Kevin’s dad also needs to be able to pull his scooter up to the table, so they could just skip the extra armchair that’s included in the photo above.
I found that photo (and the two below) in an old issue of Country Living. Look at how creative that homeowner got with her fridge!
Isn’t that precious!? 😀
Here’s another space-saving idea she incorporated next to the banquette area:
What an smart use of 5 inches of spare space!!
I wanted to show my in-laws how everything might sit space-wise in their den/kitchen, so I added boxes on top of one of Joanna’s photos from the Beanstalk Bungalow episode:
There may be an extra foot or two between the front of the recliners and the front of the TV unit, but I *think* that’s pretty close to how everything will sit in relation to each other.
And because it’s obviously not to-scale, I also don’t know exactly how wide that kitchen wall on the right is, but I imagine that’s pretty close to the same width as my in-laws kitchen area will be, and if it is, it looks like they may not be able to have as many base cabinets as the Fixer Upper couple does if they want to incorporate the round table. We’ll see.
Like I said, I’m excited for the bones to be built so that we can really get in there and show Katie and Jim what their options are in person. Here’s hoping the builders will be breaking ground here soon!
I loved the Beanstalk Bungalow!! It reminded me of the sweet homes in Old Cloverdale, which is what we are looking for! I’m excited to see this backyard barn come together, I know it’s gonna be amazing!! Glad to hear you’re feeling better!!
So exciting! I’m glad you’re feeling better. Your barn plans look so perfect. It will be lovely to have everyone settled.
where will their bedroom be?
Right here, Maryjane! 🙂
Our Family of 5!
Glad you are feeling better. Hey, it is a good time to catch up on reading or for others DVR programs and movies. Where will the bath and bedrooms be located in the barn. I can’t wait to start seeing the progress!
Spring came so quickly! And I love it!
Also love the quote from Tolstoy!
I love all of the design ideas. It will be so adorable when it is done. The only comment that I would make, if storage space is a problem in the kitchen, you might want to do cabinets instead of the open shelving. The open shelving is beautiful, but I feel they do not allow enough room for everything. But, then again, they may be planning on having just the bare necessities in the kitchen. Anyway, excited for you all! Don’t forget a cookie jar for Grandma to have cookies for Steevenson!!
Hey, how exciting for all of you! You could call Magnolia Market in Waco, or contact Joannes via her blog or the Magnolia Real Estate office. She MIGHT give you info on the finishes they used. Probably won’t but it’s worth a try!
P.S. PLEASE read Anything by Jennie Allen.
Thanks for the heads up about Anything by Jennie Allen!
And I’m one step ahead of you on the Fixer Upper finishes- LOL! Another commenter asked about the backsplash, and a quick Google search led me straight to the source!
Walker Zanger Tiles
SO pretty!
The kitchen Kevin’s parents are building probably won’t be used as a kitchen forever though, so I think we’ll keep their backsplash a little more easily removable. It’ll be fun to get creative as everything starts coming together! 😀
What’s not to love about white and blue?? So cheery, so positive and encouraging. The ONLY thing I don’t like about Joanna’s design is the blue print wallpaper. Just doesn’t ring a bell with me, personally. BUT – all the rest – oh, yeah!
Oh, those are actually cement tiles, Linda! Like these: Cement Tiles on Pinterest and these: Walker Zanger.
The ones from Walker Zanger are the ones Joanna used on their backsplash! 🙂
Oooops! My mistake. BUT I feel, for my taste, the pattern is too large. I know you used something along those lines, but your pattern was smaller and I liked that! This, to me, is too overpowering. When I redid my kitchen several years ago, I used tumbled marble in whites/tans and greens in a checkerboard pattern. It’s my favorite part of the kitchen, but I understand that not everyone would like it.
I loved that episode, too, and can’t wait to see how your barn turns out – how exciting! I think that small banquette with a round table is just so sweet and charming 🙂 Here’s to some nice weather to get started soon! (I’m right there, too – waiting for nice dry weather to get our yard done after our new build last fall)
Oh how exciting! So sorry to hear the weather is delaying any progress, I’m hoping for many sunny days for you soon! Loved seeing the ideas you have for the interior. Don’t you love “Fixer Upper”? Ive read that some people referred to their style as Farmhouse Chic, love it! Can’t wait to see your project as it progresses!
I’m so excited for you all! We’re building a guest house for my parents a few feet away from our house and we’re delayed because of rain here in the Ozarks too. I just have to trust that God’s timing is perfect, but it’s still hard to wait. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you guys do so I hope you get started before we do!
I could move right into that Beanstalk bungalow! That house is awesome and I’m in love with cement tiles. We put them behind our wood stove and I’d love to add some to our kitchen floor too!
Hi Layla. I’ve just revisited your Vlog about the barn plans. I was wondering, have you investigated the idea of a wet room. You have a good space for the bathroom and wet rooms are amazing. So much more convenient for anyone with mobility issues.
Hi Jenny!
I’m not exactly sure what a wet room is, but if it’s a big ol’ walk-in-shower “room” with sprayers and shower heads and benches, etc- that’s what they’re building! 😀
That all looks so lovely!!! I can’t wait to see more, hopefully soon they will be breaking ground 🙂
That fixer up bunglow is STUNNING, I really need to remember to watch more fixer upper.
Lauren | Lovely Decor
xx