So the old house is down. Now what?

I wanted a home that was as functional as it was beautiful. We live on a farm and my husband is in construction.  Mud and other things come with the territory.   I loved the old farmhouse look.  Old homes have so much character.  We both wanted to create an upscaled farmhouse.  I found an exterior picture in Southern Living that Josh and I both loved.  

Sketch of house in Southern Living (I moved the wing)

But the interior needed some adjusting.  So I photocopied it, put it on an over- head projector and traced the exterior walls.  Then re-drew the floor plan.  I thought I was being so crafty!  And because my family is in general construction, it for the most part, worked.  Let's just say, apparently I am no architect!  Thanks to a good friend who took the time to scale it out for us to make sure it could be done.  

My messy rendition of blueprints

Many times we had to step back make adjustment to to small details that would change big details.  And for the most part it is coming along beautifully.  It has, in ways, lost it's old school farmhouse touch and in others it has gained a unique new farm look. 

So we started...

Grandad's lil hod worker

A Year Later...

So after my last post, everything changed. We discovered that the house we were remodeling had extensive past termite damage and was not structurally sound.  After a structural engineer visit and other inspections by professionals it was deemed a total loss. This was not part of the plan. 

   So, we bought a Potomac Fifth Wheel and went back to the drawing board.  After the coldest winter in ten years, a couple baby calves in the trailer, some pink insulation foam, a very wet and windy spring, storms, hail, and whats now a very hot and dry summer, we are getting excited again about our new home!  I have to say a year in 200 square feet with a two going three year old have provided memories and stories that we will laugh about one day and maybe even miss... Maybe.

Here are some pics to bring you up to speed...

December 18th 2010. Demo begins.

Two backhoe's and a dump truck is all that was required.

All in one day.

The next day.

The house.

So, we are one week in to renovating the house we just bought. The house we had only stepped foot in once before buying. The house that at first we would only temporarily occupy until we could afford to build the house of our dreams (five years tops). The house that after we purchased we realized was going to be a lot of work. The house we are now contemplating spending the next twenty years in. The house that we have somehow managed to fall in love with.

First, we ripped up the carpet... and to our surprise underneath was the most beautiful dark stained oak hardwood floors. They were in perfect condition.

Second, we knocked a hole in the ceiling. (I know what your thinking, WHY would you do that?) I have a very good reason. You see there was a closet in the front room that had this ceiling in it that was well 12 inches higher than the rest of the ceilings in the house. So, we thought what the heck let's just see what's up there and with one swing of a hammer the popcorn ceiling crumbled. Our suspicions were right, someone had dropped the original 9 foot ceiling to 8 feet. Why we will never know or understand.

So, with the original trim work, oak flooring, and 9 foot ceilings what more could a girl ask for? Well, how about a new farmhouse apron sink, a kitchen island, a new fireplace, curtains, rugs, I think I just got alot easier to shop for come Christmas time! And after this renovation is done that may be the only way I get those things!

Have I mention it's also paved road? Yes, paved and only 15 min from town. Our previous farm was on a dirt road. So, as you may imagine I am totally pumped to have pavement lead my way home!

Me

I live in Northern Arkansas on what used to be a small farm. A few weeks ago we sold our small farm and house and bought a much bigger farm and much older house. I, for the most part, am a stay-at-home mom, if you can call it that, (I never seem to be home). I work part time for my church as the Children and Youth Program Director and when I am not doing church stuff or chasing my two year old daughter, I am feeding cattle for my husband who helps run the family owned general contracting company. We bought the farm of our dreams and we are very excited. For the next several months, (aka tornado season) we will be living in a single wide behind our new old house, as we renovate. I have to say although I am excited for the end result, it can't get here fast enough!! Did I mention it's going to be tornado season?