Just like every single renovation project we’ve tackled, the barn project is slower, more expensive and more difficult than expected. But it’s also coming along nicely, so I thought I’d share a little update.
The drywall on the main living spaces is done. Ryan did such a nice job and got it done pretty quickly, even with some business travel thrown into the mix. Here’s Henry’s little bitty room.
I will be painting very soon, I think. Then, the walls that don’t have wallboard will get a special barn board treatment. SO. EXCITED. ABOUT. THAT.
The thing about the wall board is that on one hand, the space looks smaller. But on the other hand, it looks more finished and brighter, which makes it look more spacious. The entry door will be on the left past the built-ins. We have space in the garage downstairs for a “mudroom” of sorts, which will free up that “entry space” for other storage or furniture.
The bathroom got a tub this week. Once the plumbing was in, Ryan could close those walls up, too.
I wasn’t there when he finished the wall board, but here’s the start. I am soliciting opinion for the window in the tub area. We’ll nee something for privacy, but also don’t want to block the coveted light. Any thoughts?
And the outside has me itching to get working. I need to touch up all the trim work and we need to finish the railings. I also have a few tricks up my sleeves for some fun outdoor projects.
I think that deck is going to be one of our favorite spots to hang this summer.
We got some bids for the well and that should be happening soon(ish). It’s almost double what we were expecting, so that was not ideal. But because of the property, it’s just the way it is. And it will be done so we won’t have to worry about it when we are building the house.
The septic is another story entirely. We can’t even get a price until we stake out the house on the property. The house plan that we haven’t decided on yet. So, we are meeting with some home designers to get a plan banged out. We have a pretty close idea of what we want, so maybe it won’t be that painful. (Famous last words.)
Our hope was to put up our house for sale in the spring. It’s looking like that may get pushed back to summer. But, we want it to be done right and I think it will be a lovely little place to live when the time comes.
Incredible, wonderful web site structure! The span of time have you ever been writing a blog pertaining to? you will be making blogging and site-building appearance simple. The whole appear of this web site is impressive, along with the material!
It looks great! What tub did you use in the space?
It’s a steel tub from Home Depot. It’s by Bootz and made in Evansville, Indiana. The style is the Maui. We actually have the same one in our current house and really like it.
Thanks! Looked them up on HD’s site, are they really only $200-300?!
This looks so awesome. Personally, I’d just live in barn and save the money for the house for something else. Either way, such a great looking space!
Terry – if I thought I could grow my family, I would do it. We’ll see how it is over the winter, but I think I’m going to love it here.
Neat! It actually looks like a place to live! I’m so so impressed!
I know. Just wait til you see photos this week. It looks like a real home. AHHHHHHHHHHH
So excited. You may have noticed.
Cafe curtains, perhaps? Or what about spraying on some type of frosted stencil design?
It’s coming along so well. Hope Ryan’s commute into work won’t be too bad. I’m living vicariously through you with that barn conversion. Someday…
Oh I’d give anything to have a barn…you are so lucky!! Great projects, can’t wait to see the bathroom 🙂
I love the idea of plantation shutters. Can you get some that are plastic, to avoid water issues with wood? We have film on our bathroom window (that faces the neighbor’s house). It was there when we moved in and we’ve left it. It works, but if we were out in the country I would want something that could be opened up to let the light shine in!
We saw a lot of bathrooms with a second shower curtain over a window in the shower. I wondered if it would make me feel claustrophobic in the shower, but it would probably work great.
Hope the house meetings go well this week!! I wish everything didn’t have to be 10x as hard/expensive every.dang.time. Hope you guys get some good news as you keep plowing forward!
Thanks, friend. I think I’d do “outdoor” plantation shutters to make sure they hold up to the moisture.
So much is done already. Love the deck too.
Kim it’s all so darn cute and cozy. How about the bottom up shade (Hunter Douglas has a great one) where you can open the shade both ways, from the top or the bottom and it compresses pretty flat so when not in use it won’t block the window. I’d definitely steer clear of frosted contact paper – that screams bathroom from the outside and you can still see flesh shapes through it (Nicole Curtis ring a bell?). Looks like you will have the most busy summer.
Oh my gosh, the Nicole Curtis episode was seriously on my mind when I was writing this post.
The truth is, we’re in a pretty private spot, so it probably won’t be a huge issue. But, it would be awkward to have nothing, and if we have guests or something…
I’ll have to look up into the shades.
love all these updates!!! 🙂 So excited 🙂 For the bathroom consider doing window contact paper that let light in while being private 🙂
Thanks! I’ll look into that!
I love these updates! It’s really coming along!
Love the update! I would say frosted contact paper – like others have. That way you can replace it if it gets gross. Or, do one of those fabric shower liners *that are waterproof & able to be washed* and put up a small curtain rod. You can pull it shut for showers but then open it while getting ready. 🙂
Ooo… the shower curtain idea is one I haven’t considered. That’s a contender.
Oh my goodness, I want to come have lemonade with you on that fabulous deck when you move in. What a fantastic space you are making. It’s so smart to extend the living space with that deck. I love all your updates. I am excited to see what the wall treatment will be on the ends. Fabulous, I’m sure 🙂
I’d love for you to come over for lemonade. I”m hoping the deck will get a railing soon, which will make it totally usable. Yay!
what if you “frosted” the window so that you would still get light but no one would see you nakeeee if they were in your yard while you were in there?
I don’t know if it’s the same for Iowa, but our contractor told us just last week that there are new regulations on septic so prices are skyrocketing this year and next for new systems….might want to check! good luck with the home design, we knew what we wanted too…then we had a reality check really quick 😉
Ugh. Could be. Our septic guy needs us to have a full plan before we can even get a price. He said the property is going to be tough to begin with. Yay. Not.
I live for these barn updates!
Love how the space is coming together! I would frost that bathroom window for privacy. You still get the light! 🙂
Seriously, I REALLY look forward to your barn/farm updates!! The barn is looking AWE.SOME. I just LOVE the whole idea of your living in the ‘apartment’ while building your dream home. I’m so excited for you and your family. It’s going to be a wonderful place for Henry to grow up, explore and thrive!! Keep your pictures & updates coming.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Thanks, Susan! Every time we’re out there with Henry, we get more excited. He just LOVES it out there. What a blessing that we’ll be there soon.
I just think this will be so cute and so much fun to live in. VEERRRYYYY excited to hear about your house plans! 🙂
Ugh. I hope the home plans actually happen soon. It’s such a big decision. Meeting with the home designer this week (hope he’s “the one”) so I hope it all comes together soon.
This is looking so great Kim! I can’t wait to see it finished – I know it will look fantastic.
We’ve used the window film in our bathrooms as well, and I think it provides a decent amount of privacy and still lets in more light than blinds. I do think it lets in less light than a bare window, but oh well.
Yeah, my hold-up with the film is that it is going to block some (a little) light. I love to open up all my window shades every day for the light so I may miss that.
I second Emily. Plantation shutters allow you to keep the bottom half shut and still open the top for light. I wish we had done this in a bathroom that has a floor to ceiling window. The blinds stay shut all of the time and I hate it!
I gotta look into these. That’s actually one of the options I was leaning toward.
It’s coming along so well! That deck will be prime location for the summer!
As far as the window goes, what about frosting it with that contact paper stuff? Since you’re out on your land that should be enough privacy. Enough where people can’t see your goodies, but you still get all the light. 😉
Yeah, you are right. We don’t need a TON of privacy.
So cool! About the window – aren’t you on a farm in the middle of the country? Who is going to see in? 🙂
That’s what I thought too! I’d say embrace the country and don’t block the window at all! 🙂
Yeah – I have debated that idea, but the window is on the side of the driveway. I’d hate for someone to drive up and get a show.
Only guests. And Ryan is weird about having shades when he’s in the bathroom or dressing. Very modest, that one.
It’s looking so great- dang, Ryan is super handy 🙂 You lucky lady you!
As far as the bathroom window goes- like a previous commenter mentioned, cling on window film might be a good idea. Either that or some plantation shutters on the bottom half? At our house, we have blinds hanging up in our bathroom window, and I shut them completely and then using my hand, I flip the top half of them open so there is still light coming in but the bottom half is closed for privacy- does that make sense?
Totally makes sense. Just need to make sure it’s something that is resistant to water. never dealt with a window in a shower before.
Wow! That is really come a long way! Happy Weekend! xo Kristin
The barn is coming along, it looks great.
In our bathrooms we used that cling on window film for privacy. There are different textures and some are more private than others. It works for us but to be honest our windows are smaller and there really isn’t anyone hanging out behind out house except us.
Yeah, that’s the same with us. It’s a pretty private area, but if a guest comes, we don’t need them getting a full show.
You gotta add a tire swing for Henry under the deck! A farm kid needs a good tire swing… 🙂