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Feature Friday: Blue Barn and Cottage

May 1, 2020 By Rhoda 48 Comments

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You all loved this feature of Loren’s cute cottage home, so I’m sharing it again today!

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Today’s Feature Friday is a fun share. I met Loren on Instagram, she doesn’t have a blog, but she has a pretty page on Instagram called Blue Barn and Cottage. I just love her story and her cute ranch home that she’s completely renovated and I knew you all would too. I’ve asked Loren to introduce herself, so here she is!

Hi, my name is Loren, and I’m honored to be featured on Rhoda’s blog.   We’ve lived in our current home for just over two years. I’m a single mama to a sweet girl and a pup.  I work as a teacher and just recently started a new adventure of renovating another home. For the first time, we won’t be moving into the home though.  I’m partnering with a family friend/investor and it’s truly been a dream come true for me to get to “re-love” this home. It’s one I’ve walked by and prayed to be able to restore for three years now. The owner turned me down numerous times, but this past fall things came together to be able to purchase it.

Our current home is the third one I’ve renovated, and with each one I gain a little more confidence and take a few more risks. When I bought our last home, I was coming out of a difficult season of divorce and the remodel process was a tangible reminder for me that God works through messiness and brokenness and makes it something beautiful in time (even though it looks anything but beautiful during demo and construction). I sold our last home as an investment and purchased our current home just over a year ago (it’s just a few houses up the road). I don’t have any formal training in design or construction, but I think it’s just in my blood. My dad, grandfather and great-grandfather were custom home builders. New construction isn’t as appealing to me as homes with history though. I’ve been fascinated by historic homes in need of re-loving for as long as I can remember. There’s something so special and almost therapeutic to me about giving a home new life.

I haven’t made major changes to the exterior of our home, but I removed some of the overgrown shrubs, dark tinted screens, added window boxes, and painted the shutters and porch floor.  The floor was a fun project. I decided I wanted it to look like wood planks so a friend and I taped it off with ⅛” painter’s tape and spent a few days completing it. I couldn’t be happier with it.   I also replaced our front door.

I found our front door during a very stressful time in the remodel.  I was feeling overwhelmed and very stressed about the budget. I had taken a screenshot of an identical door days before I found it for $10 at a thrift store.  I truly feel it was a gift from God to remind me that He would provide. It needed lots of love but it’s still one of my favorite things about our home and a daily reminder that God provides.

People usually refer to remodels, with plans to eventually sell, as “flips” but I consider it more “re-loving” a home.  I try to keep as much of the original character and charm as possible. Features like phone nooks, hex tiles, glass door knobs, original hardwood floors, and even sometimes wallpaper, are like found treasure.  

And one of my favorite things to do is add more character and charm along the way. I love whites paired with rich, warm tones, textures like tongue-and-groove ceilings, and wainscoting. I think they bring softness, warmth, and depth to help create the cozy feelings of home.  I do my best to find budget-friendly options, including repurposed or thrifted items and do-it-yourself projects. A large part of the reason I was drawn to our current home is because of the century-old barn situated on a hill in our backyard. I have dreamed of owning a barn-store for years.  I’m slowly developing a vision for it and hope to start working on it this year. .

My favorite room in our home is the kitchen and it’s undergone the most drastic changes.  The kitchen was originally a galley-style and was divided into three separate spaces – kitchen, dining room, and breakfast room.  From day one,I knew I wanted to remove the dividing walls to make it one large space. I also removed a closet and opened the wall to the living room. I worked within a very tight budget and was able to complete the kitchen space for around $10,000.  

I opted for laminate countertops with the look of marble (rather than the real thing) and our kitchen island is a DIY project using a double-vanity I found on Craigslist. 

With the help of a friend, we added the shiplap, baseboards, and a butcher block top.  I don’t think anyone would know now that it was originally a bathroom vanity.

The hood and open shelves were also DIY projects. I think together they give the space more of a custom-look without the cost. I opted to splurge on a few things like glass doors, a full-depth refrigerator cabinet, full height cabinets, and tongue-and-groove ceilings, but saved by not adding a lot of drawers or extra bells and whistles.  I wanted the space to be timeless and open, but also feel warm and inviting.

I saw this diamond door propped up on the side of a local thrift store months after we moved in.  I knew I wanted a door with a diagonal pattern to break up the vertical lines in our kitchen.  I measured the door with a piece of paper that day (it was all I had) and it was a fit! I left a note asking them to please hold it for me because they were closed at the time, and sure enough they did! I’m convinced it’s the girlfriend of our front door – It has a more feminine look with the diagonal window panes, but they have matching X-patterns on the bottom. It’s like they were made for this home and each other. 

I added board and batten with hooks to the living room and it gives the feel of an entryway without actually having one.  The front door opens directly into the living room.

I opened the wall from the living room to the kitchen, which allows for easy entertaining.  I added tongue and groove above the mantel, recessed lighting, and painted the fireplace hearth tiles using a stencil. There were original hardwood floors under the carpeting and they came out beautifully. I chose to use a dark walnut stain to and depth and warmth since I use so many light tones on the walls and furniture.  With layered rugs, shades of white, gray and blue/green, the room feels calming and peaceful.

I kept our bathroom as original to the home as possible.  I’m thankful for timeless styles like black and white tiles, because it allows for an updated look without having to spend a lot  I added the plantation shutters, beadboard, shelves and paint, but everything else is original. I had to get a little creative to cover the holes from the previous radiator – Rather than trying to patch the tile, I added the small bookcase to cover the patching.

Ellie’s room is one of my favorite rooms in the house.  It gets the best (magical) sunlight. I recently added the wallpaper from Wallpaperie in the ‘Amara Floral’ print and photos can’t quite capture its loveliness  Her bedskirt and precious pink buffalo check ruffled pillow were sewn by a talented friend, Tracy at Tracey’s Feathered Nest.

Master bedroom, another cozy space.

It was love at first sight with the guest room. I love the corner windows and coziness of this space.  It previously had blue carpeting but I tore it out and left it as is. I debated stripping the wallpaper but decided to keep it – It gives this room such a soft, nostalgic feel. There is a small bathroom attached, but I haven’t started this remodel yet.

Our den had very dark wood paneling with blue carpeting when I purchased the home.  I painted the paneling Alabaster white and recently updated the fireplace with a DIY German Schmear technique.  We love the gas logs and carpeting in this room. I also added the french doors between the kitchen and den which is nice when guests stay with us.  They’re able to close the doors if needed since the guest room is off the den.

I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful ranch home tour of Loren’s home! It is so charming and cottagey and I love every little detail she has done to this house. Loren seems like such a sweet gal and her little girl is precious, so check her out on Instagram too!

 

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, Feature Fri. 48 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Calypso in the Country says

    January 25, 2019 at 4:32 pm

    I follow her on Instagram but I loved reading her story here. Such a talent and inspiration. Love her style!
    Shelley

    Reply
  2. Guerrina says

    January 25, 2019 at 5:30 pm

    What an inviting home, so peaceful and relaxing!

    Reply
  3. martha says

    January 25, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    Love it! Such a great home and those doors are beautiful! Thanks for sharing a look at this pretty home.

    Reply
  4. Mary Thompson says

    January 26, 2019 at 7:10 am

    Absolutely one of the best that you’ve featured!

    Reply
  5. Melissa says

    February 8, 2019 at 6:31 am

    Hello!! Your home is beautiful!!! May I ask the color of your kitchen “diamond” door?

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      February 8, 2019 at 9:24 am

      Hi, Melissa, Loren will not see this message, so please go to her Instagram account that I’ve linked and you can ask her there.

  6. Melissa Owens says

    May 4, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    Hello- What is the color on the door in the kitchen?!? I love it!

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      May 5, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      Hi, Melissa, you’ll need to go over to Loren’s Instagram account and ask her there. She won’t see this.

  7. Emily says

    May 6, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    Can you share the paint colors in your kitchen and daughters room please??

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      May 6, 2019 at 2:38 pm

      HI, Emily, Loren will not see this question, so please go to her Instagram page and ask her there.

  8. Sherri says

    November 28, 2019 at 7:57 am

    I absolutely love every square inch!! Will you PLEASE guide me along with mine? ❤️

    Reply
  9. Sherri says

    November 28, 2019 at 9:29 am

    What is the paint color you used for the entry door!?! Also, paint color you used for the bathroom? ❤️

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      November 29, 2019 at 10:41 am

      Hi, Sherri, you will need to go and check out Loren’s Instagram page for more details on her home. She will not see this.

  10. Hope carr says

    December 13, 2019 at 10:17 pm

    Love it!!! What kind of white didn’t you use on the kitchen cabinets?

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      December 15, 2019 at 12:46 pm

      Hi, Hope, this is a feature of blue Barn Cottage and you’ll have to go to Loren’s Instagram to ask her, she won’t see this here.

  11. Haley says

    January 2, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    What color is your front door and the wall inside as well as what white did you use?

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      January 2, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      HI, Haley, you’ll need to visit Loren on Instagram at Blue Barn Cottage and ask her there. She won’t see this question here.

  12. Nancy Bailey says

    February 5, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    I loved everything about your home and remodel. I love in the home I grew up in…and over a period of years have made many changes and so many on a dime budget. I especially was pleased to see your mention of counter tops done in a marble laminate…I love a marble but not in my budget. I will certainly consider the laminate. Thank you for “opening your home”.

    Reply
  13. Jacki says

    May 1, 2020 at 9:05 am

    Beautiful and charming! Great job!

    Reply
  14. Colloni says

    May 1, 2020 at 11:03 am

    Wow!!!! You did an amazing job, would love to see your before pictures. I really like your style.
    Thanks for the share!

    Reply
  15. Pat says

    May 1, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    I love your great style.You are so clever with reusing items (love Island idea in kitchen)and thrift items. Enjoyed looking at all your rooms.

    Reply
  16. Jes says

    May 1, 2020 at 1:30 pm

    Loved Loren’s style and post. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  17. Donna says

    May 3, 2020 at 10:55 am

    Luv how you redid the house. Hope I could do the same some day for my farmhouse decor

    Reply
  18. Machele McCance says

    May 5, 2020 at 6:05 pm

    Rhoda, I just watched the video of your daddy in his garden. Oh my! He is PRECIOUS! Reminds me so much of talking to my Granddaddy about his garden.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      May 6, 2020 at 9:20 am

      HI, Machele, I’m so glad I got that video when I did. This is the first year he will not have a substantial garden. Only 10 tomato plants and I know he’s missing it. That video was before he got very sick with C-Diff 3 years ago and he really hasn’t been quite the same since then. But we are glad he is doing as well as he is.

  19. Lynnn says

    June 20, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    This was a wonderful post! She is blessed with talent, ambition and vision.
    Hope that all her “re-loving” projects bring great success. She surely deserves
    it.

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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