I’m actually not. Staying warm, that is. Which is why this week’s barn progress is so important.
Insulation. Lots and lots of insulation.
Ryan and Kyle got almost all of the insulation up on the walls and ceiling in the barn this week. It’s helped the work environment already. It’s a bit hard to do much work when you have to wear a parka. The insulation is already helping tremendously.
Since Ryan’s not quite finished running the plumbing, the kitchen and bathroom will be the last areas to be insulated. Here’s our huge, spacious kitchen. ๐ This little span of wall will need to include cabinetry and storage as well as a fridge, stove, sink and microwave. Geesh.
With the ceiling insulation installed, the apartment’s started to feel a little smaller. But the space is mostly open and we’ll brighten it up with light colors.
You can see in this picture of the guys that the ceilings aren’t very high. It makes the windows and lighting even more important.
Here you can see the ceiling insulation from downstairs in the eaves. Ryan’s planning to add a small door to access this space. I plan to cram it full of storage of things that I don’t want to get rid of. (Ryan doesn’t know that. Don’t tell him.)
Here’s the downstairs of the barn. It’s becoming a bit of a catch-all for building supplies. But that’s renovation. The insulation is really helping the temperature down here.
A utility room
The furnace, water heater, electrical box, and washer and dryer will live on the first floor of barn in this small utility room. Ryan got all the walls up this week, insulated, added drywall to the inside, and started mudding and taping.
I love that the space has a window. Every single inch in this room is accounted for and Ryan’s been really careful about where lines are running. The washer and dryer will be stacked straight ahead of the doorway. We’ll reuse the original exterior barn door for this room.
You can also see the furnace sitting to the left. Ryan actually bought the furnace/AC from a guy on Craiglist who was investing in a bigger system. For this space, the small one is perfect. And it saved us a bundle.
Not related, but do you see all that trash on the right side of the barn? Poor Ryan’s been bringing it all home in stages to stuff in our can. No trash service at the barn.
Beacon of light
When we decided to rebuild this barn, the first thing Ryan wanted was a cupola. So, he built one and put it on the top of the barn. When we decided to add an apartment upstairs, Ryan thought it would be neat to make the cupola into a skylight. It’ll add a bit of light as well as some height. Then, we wired a light up there. I sort of love it. (It still needs to be finished and framed.
It even looks awesome from the outside. A real beacon of light. The boys
Thank goodness for Ryan and Kyle’s hard work. It’s coming right along. And Henry loves to go out and visit.
Who needs play toys when you can use a real drill? Right? This is totally safe.
So that’s an update. Also, it’s still as cold as can be out there.
Cold, but pretty. And my boys seem to like it anyway.
And that’s an update on the barn.
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daisy says
It’s looking amazing already. How fabulous that Ryan and Kyle can do the work themselves. You know it’ll be done right! ;0)
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
ooh, it’s really coming along. Love the cupola and the photo of it all lit up ๐
Rachel says
You guys are making some amazing progress! Kudos to Ryan for being able to pull this off AND work full-time alongside being a daddy and hubby. And it’s so sweet that you and Henry go and visit – I’m sure he loves all the action! I can’t wait to see the end result!
Kim Woodward says
Ryan has been working so hard. I’m truly lucky to have such a hard-working and talented husband.
Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says
You guys are such rockstars! The whole “barn transformation into an apartment” is one of the coolest stories out there in blog land. I love reading about it.
Kim Woodward says
You are so sweet. I’m not sure about rockstars, but we are … unique.
Katja @ Shift Ctrl Art says
I love how this is coming together. Yes, everything looks smaller during insulation, but just you wait till the drywall is up. The walls will move back again ๐
It looks amazing!!!
Kim Woodward says
I know! I’m totally excited for the drywall. It really starts to feel well then.
Amanda says
It’s looking great! My parents remodeled their farm house a few years back and did it in stages. I remember we were visiting one day (they were lucky enough not to live there during the renovation) and they were putting up insulation that day. It was amazing how quickly that house warmed up. Glad you don’t have to wear a parka to go over now!
Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says
Wow! It’s coming along! Love the shot of Henry with the tools too ๐ xo Kristin
Alli says
It looks great! You’ll be moved in next week ๐
Way to go!
Kim Woodward says
You must know something I don’t know.
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
Nothing makes insulation shots look super sexy like a cold front! I love the cupola too. Super cute and functional with the added light!
Amber @ Wills Casa says
Brrr looks so cold! Glad the insulation is up and keeping things well insulated. ๐ You are making quick work of this barn to apartment business especially for the winter!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Love the barn updates! That apartment space is going to be adorable! ๐
Donna says
The light in the cupola is such a lovely detail!! It is beautiful with the snow ๐
Jessica @ Run Your Mutt Off says
As usual, LOVE IT! The cupola was a very nice “extra” touch.
It is amazing how much smaller it feels when the insulation goes up, but I know you’ll gain some of that open feeling back with drywall, paint and finishes. Keep up the great work, Ryan!
Anu says
Wow! It’s coming along so quickly. I love the cupola. It’s such a great detail.
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
I can’t imagine working in this cold (and y’all have it worse than us). Way to go guys!
It’s looking great (and I think the Dolphin Fin paint will brighten it up nicely). ๐
Kim Woodward says
The weather has been miserable this winter. But, work still has to get done. If only we had a barn elf who could do it all.
anne @ wit wisdom and food says
I love the cupola! It is all coming together so quickly at least these post make it seem that way. Don’t know if Ryan would agree after working in that cold.
Meg@sparrowhaunt.com says
Light in the cupola, that’s brilliant! Good thing it’s been too cold for us to do electrical this winter, now I can add that to our spring to-do list (although ours is louvered and won’t have that beautiful lantern effect yours does)…
Susan A says
I love the barn updates! It’s going to be an awesome space.
Stay warm!
claire says
you guys are so cool. i can’t believe normal people can do amazing stuff like this! (that’s a compliment, even though it sounds weird!)
i love the light at the top!! i hadn’t noticed it before, but the light really makes it a focal point. i cannot wait to see how this turns out and how it’s like when you all live there – such an adventure, right?!
Kim Woodward says
I think normal is an overstatement. ๐
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
ahhh next up drywall! that is getting done quick!
Cindy @theflippingcouple says
THANK GOD FOR INSULATION. I love seeing the barn become a home. Gosh dang it I’m so excited for you guys!!
Jaime Costiglio says
Kim so much progress! Spring is looking great fingers crossed! Love that cupola.
Emily @ imperfect says
Well done, boys! And the cupola is awesome – love the details you guys put into your work. Oh, insulation. How I love you! Our garage at our old house was insulated – totally took that for granted until we moved to a house with an uninsulated garage. Guess what’s next on B’s project list?
Kim Woodward says
Lucky B! It’s such a necessary project!
cassie says
you should just let henry help build the walls, etc- character building at its finest.
we need insulation in our basement- want to come do ours?
Kim Woodward says
You know, I think we’re busy. No time for insulation for others. ๐
As for Henry, we’re trying to train him right.
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Yay for insulation. I wish our house would be insulated better. It’s horrible.
christina says
i love seeing these pics! i was thinking you were living in there while renovating…phew! that is what we did and i was really worried about you. it is not fun! love the shot of your little boy and the drill:)
Kim Woodward says
Nope – there’s not even any water there yet. So, we’re lucky that we don’t have to live there for the time being!