Our barn apartment has walls. Which makes it one step closer to being an actual place we can live.
I have been waiting to post an update until I could make it out to the barn to get some photos but the weather has been working against me. The property has a gravel driveway, but it’s a pretty large hill and has been SOLID ICE. With the additional snow last weekend, my plans were thwarted.
But, my brother and husband came to the rescue with some cell phone pictures. They understand that three or four adoring fans want to see progress.
Our future home. Can you believe it?
In case you are wondering, the NewlyWoodwards do recommend renovating with a case of Coors Original. (It’s the only way we get my brother’s help every weekend.)
The door on the left will be Henry’s tiny little bedroom. It’s about the size of a bathroom, but will fit his bed and dresser. The right side is the bathroom.
I love how bright it’s looking and these pictures solidified why the walls need to be light. (I chose to go with Behr Dolphin Fin – the same color as my dining room table. It’s a very light grey – almost white.)
On the two far walls with doors, Ryan’s going to install barn wood planks for a rustic feel. I think it will break everything up nicely.
Ryan and Kyle also worked on finishing the skylight. It lets in a good deal of light to the space during the day and the additional light fixture there really provides more light than I expected at night. It’s a wonderful feature that was the brainchild of my husband.
Here’s a peek at the living room/bedroom space. The drawers and cabinets were put between the studs in the unused space, which is awesome. It will give us a lot more storage and it looks great, to boot.
Ryan did not want to spend the time making the area above the drawers open for shelves but I’m so happy he did. It will be nice to have a place for books, decor or media items. Really though, where am I going to put all my stuff? 😉
You can see that the kitchen cabinets/oven will start right next to the built-ins (as indicated by the outlet for the stove). I can’t decide whether I want to paint all the unfinished cabinetry the same color or if I want to break it up? Â The plan was to use a darker grey for the cabinetry. But maybe I just do that in the kitchen and go white in the living area?
Thoughts?
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Swathi Jain says
This is the first time I am visiting your blog. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here!
Talitha says
This is A-mazing,,,,,I agree with previous comments. Living room cabinetry different from kitchen cabinet colors. Definition of the space will make it more airy:) Cannot wait for spring to see end result:)
Rebecca says
May I ask where you got the cabinets at and what you think of them? We’re considering buying some stock cabinets for our kitchen or laundry room, and I’m really concerned about the quality. Thanks.
emily says
When I was a teenager, my parents moved us into a barn while they built a house on country acreage, and with three daughters – two in their dramatic teenage years – I can safely say we not only survived but have all those memories to boot, not to mention the insane sense of gratitude we felt moving into a huge normal sized house! Even the epic blowup arguments became funny memories. Our best wishes to you all!
Kim Woodward says
I love to hear that you made such wonderful memories! I hope that Henry remembers parts of living in the barn fondly, too.
Emily @ go haus go says
Living small at its finest! Looking great!
Erin says
This is so exciting and awe-inspiring and crazy all at the same time. I can’t imagine living in such a small space, but there are days that I wish for it! Can you just imagine how great it is going to be to clean?? Sigh.
Those built-ins are genius…and give an entirely new meaning to the term “built-in.”
Kim Woodward says
The idea of vacuuming in like three minutes makes me so happy.
Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says
Oh my gosh WALLS!!! It is starting to look like real life in there. I really like the idea of living in a small space. It forces simplified living. You are going to rock this!
John @ Our Home from Scratch says
Very cool!
Emily L. says
I love watching the progress :]
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
You guys are so good!
I think I would paint it all the same color.
Rachel says
Eeek! You guys are getting so close to being done! I cannot wait to see the finished project!
Harpa says
Thanks for the update. I’m one of the grateful fans waiting for the barn update, looks great and the lighting is excellent!
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
Wow, that is awesome!! It was so worth it to finish out the space above those cabinets. That was a well done plan, lady!
Donna says
It is looking SO good! I am a great fan of skylights. We put one I n a very dark corner room and it not only helped in the room, it lit up the whole hallway. What a wonderful difference to that side of the house!! Love seeing the progress. Big hugs to the fellows and the job they’ve done!
Jaime Costiglio says
Kim it’s coming together for real now! I’d paint those built in cabs the same as the wall color (in satin though). I think if you paint them a different color they will pop out of the wall like building blocks when I think you want them to blend in more. Can’t wait to see the kitchen go in.
Kim Woodward says
That’s a good idea! Thanks for the insight. I’m definitely leaning that direction after getting so much feedback.
Anu says
Yay for walls and built-ins! The drawers will be great for storage.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Anu. I think you are right. We’ll need all the drawers we can get.
Katja @ Shift Ctrl Art says
I am one of the big fans who loves a good barn update. Will the tv go between the new shelves? The shelves are awesome. I don’t see an outlet for it… Just mentioning it because of our own little recent tv/pulling wire through a finished space adventure.
I think if you do put a tv there, then the cabinet would look fantastic in a darker gray to compete with the dark square that is the tv.
I love everything I am seeing so far 🙂 Great update!
Kim Woodward says
I *think* Ryan put an outlet in the cabinet below. But you are giving me a good reminder to check with Ryan. We were planning to run all the cords straight down into the cabinet with the xbox, wii. etc.
Good point on the big black box. It is going to go above there.
What do you think about painting it all the light grey? I’m sort of starting to dig that idea as a way to make it all blend in with the wall and stand separately from the kitchen.
Katja @ Shift Ctrl Art says
Even if there is an outlet in the cabinet, that will be for the cable box/antenna. Maybe he is planning on just drilling a hole in the wall and feed down the two cables into the cabinet from the top. Otherwise there needs to be two outlet where the TV goes: one for power and one for signal. He probably already thought about that. I should just mind my own business 😀
I like the idea of painting it all one color. and letting the kitchen pop.
I was wondering about the Dolphin fin. I used Valspar’s Dolfin fin on my garage walls, but you will use Behr’s Dolphin fin. Is that a different color wonder? It’s not super light, but it is light.
daisy says
It’s really coming along. How exciting! Henry will love his lil’ nook. Just right for a curious little boy.
Thanks to your photographers!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks! He already loves going out to the barn so I think it will blow his mind that we will be living there! 😉
Darnetha @ ChippaSunshine says
It’s coming together nicely! Love the built-ins and it is a great use of other wise unusable space. Those little niches above the built-ins are going to be so useful.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks! I agree! I think it will be nice to have the space.
Stephanie @ Sandpaper and Glue says
it’s definitely coming along great!! The built in area is going to look really nice with shelving 🙂
Katherine Kelly says
Your adoring fans (read: me) love the updates! And the fun skylight. Way to go, Ryan! That is awesome. I love seeing the updates (in whatever form pictures you have!).
Kim Woodward says
The skylight is much cooler than I even anticipated. It’s nice to have that extra light.
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
It’s coming along so well! I like the idea of mixing up the colors as well for spacial definition.
Kim Woodward says
I’m inclined to agree. I think I need a little division of space.
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
looking good. my favorite part is the built ins. Love them. I think we need to add that to our basement finish, i just think its a must seeing yours!
Kim Woodward says
Thank you! I agree, the built-ins are going to be the best.
Ceci Bean says
it looks so much smaller with walls! but also more like a living space, so props to your husband for that!
Kim Woodward says
I agree that it looks a lot smaller – it’s crazy to think that we’ll be living there.
Jessica @ Run Your Mutt Off says
I like the idea of the painting the built-in cabinets white. I think it’ll make it feel more media-center-furniture-like instead of kitchen-cupboards-as-built-in-storage-like. Loving the updates! Any goals for move-in date?
Kim Woodward says
Good point. I don’t know that I want white, but maybe a lighter color than the cabinetry int he kitchen?
victoria says
Very cool! I love the cabinets between the studs. It’s giving me some ideas for adding some storage in our home.
I tried to go back in the archives and figure this out: but what is the back story on you guys moving into the barn? Are you living there before building more on the property?
Kim Woodward says
We are planning to build a home eventually. This allows us to sell our house for equity, live on site and get ready to build. It’ll also be a great guest space or studio when we do build.
You can check out all the barn raising posts on this tab – https://newlywoodwards.com/our-houses/our-barn-raising
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
It’s coming along nicely! I like the idea of mixing up the paint colors.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Kelly. That’s what I’m leaning toward, too.
Katrina says
Your new home looks so good!! I can picture it all coming together in my head, I say yes for dark grey cabinets in the kitchen and yes for white in the living room — I think it will help define the space, but also flow nicely into each other.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks for the feedback, Katrina. I am feeling more and more like that will be the best way.
Denise Z says
I think I’d go with all white cabinets throughout–it will create a nice flow and keep a more open feel–your eye will travel around the space, instead of stopping where the color changes. (Found this blog that might give you some ideas: Assortment–5 people living in 665 sq feet! http://www.assortmentblog.com/assortment/2013/05/becoming-home-a-photo-tour-1.html ) Please thank the guys for the pictures!
Kim Woodward says
Assortment is totally one ofmy favorite eye-candy blogs. Thanks for the feedback. I’ve sort of made a deal with Ryan that I wouldn’t go white everywhere, but I know what you mean about making the space appear larger. Something to think about!
Denise Z says
Now I’m wondering about painting all the lower cabinets the grey color, with any upper cabinets and the bookshelves white. Glad I’m not having to make the decision! LOL! But you have great taste, and I know you’ll make a GOOD choice!
Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont says
It’s looking so good, Kim! Your guys are such hard workers!
We used Dolphin Fin in our bedroom and guest bath – it’s a great light gray, just like you said. I think I would do white cabinets in the living area to keep that wall from feeling too dark, but I love your idea for darker gray cabinets in the kitchen area. I see a lot of painting in your future – good luck!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks so much, Meredith! Glad to see your name pop up. I saw your bathroom in TOH and tweeted you about it. So exciting!
Glad to hear that you like Dolphin Fin. I have four gallons in my basement, ready to go.
Cheryl says
It’s coming together so well – the guys are doing great work!
In such a small space you want visual flow so I would paint the built-ins Dolphin Fin to match the wall. Because of the space between the built-in cabinets I think either gray to match the kitchen or white will look choppy. For that same reason the kitchen cabinet color should depend on your appliances – I’d aim for a block of similar color for the whole kitchen to define that space – white cabinets if white appliances or gray cabinets if stainless. Stained wood counters and shelves (in the kitchen and above the built-ins) will keep it from getting too boring.
Can’t wait to see what you do.
Kim Woodward says
Cheryl – really interesting take and you’ve got me thinking. Our appliances will be stainless/black and we already chose a darker grey for those cabinets. So, I’m with you there. I’m also sort of digging the idea of painting the cabinets the same as the wall. Originally, I thought we’d just trim between the cabinetry to make it all look built-in. But I am catching what you are throwing down. And I like the idea of painting it all in one swoop.
michelle@decorandthedog says
Looking good! I like the built ins!
Kim Woodward says
Me, too. Can’t wait to fill them with all my crap. I mean, special stuff.
jenny @ words on wendhurst says
I’m fascinated by this adventure you are taking on! I say same color on cabinetry. Everything will flow nicer. Also I’ve been thinking about your bed situation that you asked about a while ago. I say invest in a high quality mattress pad and do a nice sofa bed. I think I would prefer having a sofa everyday, and the pad should make it much more comfortable 🙂 just my two cents!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Jenny! I actually got a comment from a reader about using a daybed from IKEA with a true mattress as the sofa and we’re sort of leaning toward that idea. It’s a twin bed and pulls out to two twins = king bed. It seems like it would be a good compromise and the price is right.
Emily @ DavenportDIY says
Love how it’s looking!! Great work everyone. I vote for light on the cabinets and the same color all over, since it’s such a small space. 🙂
Kim Woodward says
Thanks for the feedback!
Cindy @theflippingcouple says
I love the added shelving above the built ins. GREAT call on that one! And the skylight will add so much, too. I love seeing this come together! Tell the guys thanks for the phone photos. Your adoring fans appreciate the updates.
Kim Woodward says
I love all my adoring fans. All three of you.
You can consider this your personal space once we build our house so you can visit all the time. K?
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
love all the built in storage! So is the TV going to hang in the space between the opened up triangle places (umm…probably there’s a better word for them than “opened up triangle places”)
Kim Woodward says
Yep – it’ll be in the middle space between the bookcases. (Teeny tiny little bookcases)
cassie says
i love how it’s looking and love how everything fits into the wall!
Kim Woodward says
It feels very cozy to me, too.