Happy Friday!
Well, the Bungalow Barn is coming right along now:
I took that picture from our (second floor) bedroom as the sun was setting tonight. The ceiling height is 10 feet over the walk-in-closet, bedroom and bathroom, and it’ll be vaulted over the den/kitchen (the room nearest to me in that photo). There will be some dormer windows on each side of the roof over the den/kitchen too, so it’ll be nice and bright.
All this progress has me thinking about doing something special on the far end of it. What do you think about a barn quilt? I found some really pretty ones on the internet yesterday:
Brad Basham Aerial Photography
‘Fall Star’ by Scott Hagan
Here’s a smaller scale version of the same Fall Star:
(Source)
(Source)
I think this last one will really appeal to Kevin’s Dad:
Texas bluebonnets have a very special place in Mr. Palmer’s heart because he was born and raised just outside Dallas. (Kevin was born and lived there til he was four, too!) I would probably change the color of the background and the color of the stem & leaves, but oh my goodness, would it be fun to surprise him with that the day they move in! The barn sits on Bungalow Court, so I’ve been calling it the “Bungalow Barn”, but maybe it should be the “Bluebonnet Barn” instead? We’ll see what they think! 😀
Never met a Texan who didn’t have enormous love for bluebonnets and really all things Texas! Great housewarming gift.
I think they are all lovely! We have a small stretch of country road very close to us that is known for it’s barn quilts…I can’t wait to see how your’s turns out!
I love the barn quilt idea! My husband gifted a sign to my mom for Christmas with her favorite square. She is an avid quilter and loved it. He used a real sign board – which ended up being very heavy to hang!
That idea is a definite keeper! I just drove the round trip Chicago/Rochester/Minne route and had fun spotting barn quilts along the way. it makes me smile picturing your son’s childhood in that pretty place!
I love the idea of a barn quilt. Being, a Texan, I like the bluebonnet idea although not so crazy about the shape. Too triangular for me, but I totally support the idea of a quilt. The barn is going to be so adorable!!
Hmmm…maybe I could change the shape a little bit? I hadn’t even thought about that- but now you’ve got my wheels spinnin’! 😀
I too (am a Texan &) love he bluebonnet idea, but agree that this doesn’t remind me of a bluebonnet. Too triangle-y.
Yeah, I’m leaning toward changing it up or going with a different pattern. Fun stuff to think about! 🙂
Here are 4 more examples of quilt squares with bluebonnets in case they’re helpful, although I love the idea of Kevin’s dad designing the pattern!
How about a large scale freehand drawing of blue bonnets?
Hmmmm…Kevin’s dad is an artist…. 😉
Really beautiful! I am so excited to see this project come to life. Layla, I’m curious what your neighbors think about the addition of this structure. Have you had any resistance in that department? Wishing you the best on this special project!
Thank you, Ellen! No resistance. Our neighbors are just as sweet as can be and our house was originally designed with this addition in the plans, so many of them knew it was coming eventually. 🙂
How cool is this idea! No matter what you all choose, it is going to look so good! Could you change it out at Thanksgiving/Christmas with a holiday theme?
I LOVE the Bluebonnet square, and actually think I could do that (If I ever decided to quilt!). Living in Texas for most of the last 43 years, I do love the bluebonnets. Although not born here, I married a Texan and raised 3 more of them!
Love, love this idea and can’t wait to see the end result!!
Hey Layla! Loving the barn progress! You might want to check out “Neighbors” magazine this month…. It has a great article about barn quilts! I live right beside the yellow hammer quilt, and people drive by and take pictures all the time! alfafarmers.org
Would love to see the floor plan of the new space and how it connects to your house! Also the finishes you’re picking for it (flooring, kitchen, etc).
I think that’s a great idea!
My In-laws live in Sac County in Iowa. There was a 4-H project done quite a few years back that documented all the barn quilts in Sac County and they created a website that they have kept pretty updated.
I was just looking through and found the one my husband and I made for his parents when they used their house for a B&B for a while. They had four cats at the time, so we ran with that idea.
http://barnquilts.com/516-south-3rd-street-sac-city.html
You’ll notice one cat doesn’t have as long a tail. His name was Rocky. He was my husband’s cat growing up (passed a couple years ago) and they found him as a kitten with only a stub for a tail. 🙂
Also, did a quick search and here’s a great shape for a bluebonnet block. Has a little more interest to it.
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/texas-bluebonnet-quilt-block/164975
Love the idea of a barn quilt! When we drive to my daughters’ house, there is one along the way, and I smile every time I see it!
I do think the bluebonnet one needs some tweaking, though not much. If it’s too detailed, it will lose the “quilt” look. I’m sure you will come up with perfection – as always! 😉
What a great idea! So pretty. I personally like the star shapes better, but understand the sentimental connection to the bluebonnet flower.
Very exciting!
I do too, MK. We’ll see what my in-laws think! 🙂
Love love love the idea of a barn quilt. What fun you can have with it!!!
What about a double wedding ring. It was always my grandmothers favorite.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/111534528248703621/
Or you could turn it so it is not square too!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/42291683973621263/
Layla, the barn quilt will be a perfect touch! Have you checked out The Steel Quilt Company? http://salesnlw.wix.com/thesqco Nathan Winkler is an Alabama artist who makes metal barn quilts from reclaimed barn tin. He does beautiful work!
As a quilter I love the idea of a barn quilt block. So special!!
Cute idea, but I think I would let the neighbors get use to the barn before I put the quilt sign up. One step at a time. Love the addition.
Oh, our neighbors are super laid back too, Suzi. And the quilt will be way high up, so they might forget to even look up to see it- LOL! 😀
Maybe you (with Sweet P’s help, I hope!) could plant some bluebonnets this fall so they will bloom next spring when everyone is home together.
Did you ever hear of “The Star Barn” in PA? If you Google it you will see countless images. I wonder if you could recreate something like that only as fixture on the addition.
I love the idea of a barn quilt! My friend Julia is the gal behind Red Rainboots Handmade and I was SOOOO excited to see you link to her site! She is amazing and I love all her work!
Also, Layla, I have received so many compliments on the t-shirt I bought from you (she looks for adventure..). It is one of my faves and reminds me to pray for you. We brought our little boy home in 2014 and are starting a China adoption this month! Praying for you and Sweet P!
I’ve never seen barn quilts! What a cute idea! I love the fall star pattern, myself. And I agree…that doesn’t remind me of a Texas bluebonnet! I love the simplicity of the fall star in black or with the flag design! Either way, I know you’ll have it looking so cute!!!!!
There ALL so lovely! I was thinking the “one step at a time ” because that’s how it’s been until sweet pea comes home, AND for the bungalow barn (love that:) to be happening!
With all that said that one for kev’s dad is pretty special too☺️
Happy weekend,
Lisa
How cute would that be?!
I love the barn quilts and have so many pictures of ones I’ve found while wandering the blue ridge mountains! I think one would finish the addition perfectly!
One of these with a “L” would be Sooo good.
http://www.oliveandgrain.com/gallery/
I mean a “P” hehe
Yes! Paint a barn quilt! I don’t have a barn, but I painted one for the side of our home in the NC mountains. I just love it!
…Or Bluebonnet Bungalow 🙂
I may be alone here, but I actually prefer the barn without the quilt addition. 🙁 It’s distracting from the beauty of the structure. I prefer simple and classic and am use to barns being unadorned in New England. You have great taste though Layla and I trust that whatever you choose will be beautiful!