The barn is red, the barn is red!
We went from this…
To this …
IT’S MAGIC.
As hard-core DIYers, we didn’t relax much on Labor Day. Instead we dug in our heels, dropped off Henry at grandma and grandpa’s house, and painted that dang barn. You may remember I mentioned that painting was majorly on our agenda for the month. This was one of those painting (technically staining) projects that we needed to knock out.
With the help of an airless sprayer, we had the barn stained in no time. Ryan did all the high parts on a ladder and I did much of the bottom. The only tricky parts were those peaks, which Ryan got to on a ladder and by leaning out of the upstairs windows. We are all about safety here at NewlyWoodwards.
We decided to go with solid stain on the barn, after taking the advice of an expert in the paint area of our local Home Depot. He explained that with a mix of old and new wood, stain would wear better and last longer. We could avoid much of the painstaking prep work (we still cleaned everything really well the day before).
With paint, even great paint, you risk the paint peeling and fading more. No, thank you.
This is the stain we ended up with – Behr Solid Color Weatherproofing All-In-One Wood Stain and Sealer. In barn red. This is the first time (I think) that Ryan has chosen a paint color. So, it’s a big stinking deal. He really wanted a red barn, and after all his painstaking work to bring this old barn back to life, I felt like it was a reasonable request.
The finish on this stain is truly beautiful, you guys. I mean, I kept petting it. It’s a stain, so it’s super flat. But it’s opaque with awesome coverage like good paint. And sort of silky to the touch. But it really shows the beauty of the wood like stain. We only needed one full coat with the sprayer and we barely had any dripping. Plus – it lasts 25 years on siding? Winning.
We are spoiled rotten because Behr actually sent us this stain for free. We were lucky enough to be asked to be one of their Behr DIY experts. Um, yes? I’m a self-proclaimed Behr junkie, so this was the perfect opportunity for us. (I’m such a psycho that I actually share the Behr ColorSmart app with random people in the aisles at Home Depot. I”m sure there is some sort of medication for this type of crazy.)
More on this later, but this is just my full disclosure that the stain was provided to us for free. (I know! I’m still pinching myself.)
Now it’s time to check out the barn from all angles. It has a lovely backside.
And the front ain’t so bad, either.
This was one of those projects that really made a huge impact. Next up, taping off and painting all those windows (ugh, grown, growl) and installing doors.
What do you think of our big red barn?
Disclosure: We were provided with stain from Behr that was used to complete this project. But all opinions, as always, are our own.
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Marty Walden says
I’m sharing and pinning and all that jazz!
claire says
i had to look to see if i commented already on this (i’m so behind!) – but when i read this i was so impressed! (even showed tony). i love the red so much and it looks perfect. it will be a nice little “home” to move into!
Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says
Your barn looks fantastic!!! I love the red that Ryan picked out…but that sure is a big bucket of paint -what a big project…
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
Thank goodness for a sprayer! =)
Julia @ Cuckoo4Design says
Oh wow, what a gorgeous barn and color. I’m a huge Behr fan myself. Have painted with their colors for years and was never disappointed.
Nick says
Wow. That turned out great! Reminds me of that Sarah’s House where she redid a barn… You’ve probably heard that a million times now 🙂
Kim Woodward says
Psssssshhhhh ::spitting out my water:: Yeah, we totally get compared to Sarah’s House all the time.
(Only we never do.)
(P.S. This comment makes you my new favorite person. Like. Ever.)
Vanessa says
That barn is so pretty. Love the color of red, not too bright but not too brown. Can’t wait to see how the windows turn out!
Amber @ Wills Casa says
Well color me barn red impressed 😉 Seriously what an awesome job of knocking out a huge project. Also the barn looks incredible. I’m glad you went with a traditional red barn. Can’t wait to see the living space come together now!
Lisa @ My Superbia says
It looks gorgeous, and I am so glad to read that you’re keeping the roof just the way it is. Rustic perfection!
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
Fist bump!
Emily @ imperfect says
I mean, is there really any other option besides a red barn? It’s so quintessentially Midwestern, and so very perfect. I can’t wait to see the windows and doors!!!
Amanda says
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this! Beautiful!
Megan says
Love it! This makes me want a barn, unfortunately, I live in a condo.
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
Do you have a parking spot? I say just build a barn there? 😉
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
Oh it’s perfect, perfect, perfect! It’s hard to get a good red, and you got a PERFECT red.
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
Very smart going with stain! I love the look, it is perfect.
Rachel says
I love the red! It’s the perfect shade 🙂 Ryan did a great job!
daisy says
Gorgeous! Nicely done, y’all!
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
Yay! It looks awesome!
Katja @ Shift Ctrl Art says
It looks really great. I was following along on Instagram. Love the color 🙂
Kim says
Kim.
I love everything, absolutely everything, about your blog (I’ve been reading it since day one). You and Ryan are really a talented couple! Thanks for sharing, I LOVE the red barn 🙂
Kim
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
Thank you so much! You are so sweet!
Katie says
Great color selection! So cool! Way to go! I know that was a lot of work.
Kristi says
Way to knock it off the to do list and out of the park. And great blogging score! Free stain? Winning!
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
Awesome! I love the photo of Ryan leaning against the barn; that’s a framer. 😉
Katrina says
The barn looks fantastic and the red is so pretty! I would have never guessed it was a stain and not paint!!
Amy says
A barn just isn’t a barn unless it is red. That’s what I always say. 😉 Looks great, friend!
Emily says
Ohhhh, so pretty!! I love the red, and the finish is really lovely. I especially love the little peak on the top. Nice work you two!!!
Kristen says
Ooh, I love it!
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
If I built the barn I would hope I would get to pick the color too! But he made a good choice. I like him posing all proud in that one photo. Great job guys!
Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz says
OOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! What a sunna! You guys did good! Love that color. Seriously, take a family photo in front of that beauty!
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
I’m hoping it’ll be ready for Christmas card photos this year. =)
Ashley says
love love….
Ainhoa says
Such a gorgeous stain, it really makes all the difference! And it’s the perfect compromise between stain and paint, right?
cassie says
oh it’s perfection!
Jo says
It looks amazing!
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
ooh! so pretty! I love it with the metal roof color 🙂
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
Thanks, Gretchen! I’m digging it, too! We would like to do a metal roof on our house someday, and I’m debating colors for that already. =)
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I love it! The red color is gorgeous! Can’t wait to see more barn progress!
Rach @ Mrs-Adventure says
I love it, its the perfect start to your new home! I can’t wait to see how you guys finish it out. XO.
Brittany says
Love it! The stain worked so nicely for your barn.
K says
Looking good! I have to ask, what’s the plan for the roof? Does that metal get paint as well?
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
No paint! We kind of like the patina. =)