Decisions.

In my previous post, I mentioned that we were in the process of deciding on paint colors, flooring, and cabinetry. We have concluded those three stages and moving on..BUT I wanted to share the progress made in those areas. I titled this post “decisions” because there comes a time in the building process where there are so many major AND minute decisions to be made.

I never thought I would be asked some of the questions I have been faced with..things that simply hadn’t crossed my mind. For example, deciding on which way interior doors would swing. Did I want them swinging inward or outward? I just assumed someone else might make this decision for me. However, I learned it was all up to Sam and I..whatever we preferred. We realized quickly that it DOES make a difference in which way a door should swing. It effects the placement of furniture, space in the room, etc.

Another decision we were recently faced with was closet organization. I had NO idea how I wanted the closets to look, other than the fact that I need some racks to hang clothes on. I quickly discovered that there are many options when it comes to closet shelving. After some thought (and with the help of Pinterest), I had an idea as to what types of organization was fitting for Sam and I’s lifestyle.

The focus of this post, which is paint colors, flooring, and cabinetry, lies in the realm of major decisions my husband and I made. There are so many things that could go wrong and have a major effect on the appeal and feel of our home. I felt the worry and weight of making these decisions knowing that if I wasn’t satisfied, I was the only one to blame. I am pleased to say that we are overall very happy with our decisions, but not without a couple of hiccups and “I wish we would’ve ______” along the way.

Paint

I tend to overthink and have done a LOT of overthinking throughout building our home. The paint color choices are quite overwhelming. We knew we wanted the ever-popular gray-beige that is in right now. My only concern was about the color scheme going out of style one day. After thinking, and re-thinking, and thinking again…we decided that the pros outweigh the cons of this paint color. One thing I love about greige is that you can add pops of color in with seasonal decor.

I am a kindergarten teacher, so naturally I love all things bright and colorful. However, I don’t want to incorporate so many colors that it becomes overwhelming. My plan is to change up the decor to add in the colorful pieces that I own. Another reason we went with the color is because I like to change things up quite often. Don’t get me wrong, I love fashion and what not, but I would much rather spend time home decor shopping and browsing.

SO. I feel obligated to share our color choices. We went with Porter Paint colors. I am a fan of their website. You can choose a color and the website will provide its complimentary colors along with it. Below is what we decided on for each room. I had made this document to give to our builder.

The painter appreciated that we didn’t choose a different color for each room. We wanted to keep it pretty simple.

Flooring

Our floor is one of my most favorite aspects of our home. I feel that it is a healthy balance color. Not super dark and not too light. Our floors are real hardwood. The color is called Heritage Hickory. One thing I was NOT planning on was choosing mixed width flooring. I didn’t even realize it was an option until it was presented to us. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out! 

Progress.

Our building project officially began in September of 2017. Here we are in January 2018 deciding on paint colors, flooring, and cabinetry. I am amazed at the process of building a home and have gained great insight (what to do, what NOT to do).

1. Footers

 

2. Foundation

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ”                                                      1 Corinthians 3:11

Lee Brick and Block, Brick: Stone Chase  Mortar: Soft White

Side note: Check out my husbands wood shop blog here.

A local Amish crew completed the framing and roofing.

3. Framing

4. Roofing, Windows, and Siding

To achieve the ultimate farmhouse look, we knew we wanted a metal roof. The roof is standing seam with a Kynar finish. The color we both loved was called “Silver Metallic.” HOWEVER, the color was going to take a month to be delivered and cost quite a bit more. We looked at some other options and decided on a grey-beige metal called “Ash Gray.” It turned out perfect and everything happens for a reason, right?

Right side view. Far left window is master bathroom (over the tub) and other two are the master bedroom windows)

The vinyl siding is white (really? wouldn’t have guessed it). Sam and I debated for quite a while over choosing Hardie or vinyl. Brick wasn’t an option for us considering the setting and appeal we wanted for our home. Hardie has a wide look, which is what we really liked. But, it is expensive and has to be painted. Our builder, Chris Collins, informed us that there are wider options with vinyl siding. We decided on a double 5” vinyl siding.

Windows are a simple four-paneling with white grid. Most four gables homes built have black grids instead of white. I originally loved the black grid. However, Sam helped me come to the conclusion that it was a little bit too modern for us. Click here to see an example of a black grid window on a four gables home. Gorgeous!

As of NOW….

The insulation, by Adam Scales, and dry wall on the interior is almost finished. Our house is looking and feeling like HOME. We have picked out flooring and working on paint colors. Cabinetry layouts will be very soon.

A new addition will also be joining our new home. My husband and I are expecting our first child! We have a little girl named Stella Mae due in April. I fondly remember walking over to our land to tell him the exciting news that we were expecting. Sam was working on clearing some brush out from a fencerow (which we have now cleared out completely). He was over the moon and we still are! The land we are building on holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Our little girl will grow up on the family farm just as I did, which is my absolute dream.

Picture taken on 1/13/18. Our small town of Russellville, KY received about 3 inches of snow.

The beginning…

 

Photo Cred. Brandon Keith Photography

This blog is a team effort created by my husband and I. Our hopes and dreams are to have followers enjoy this journey with us and provide useful information to others building a farmhouse. Oh, and you must know that we have an adorable “farmhouse” poodle who is embarking on this journey alongside us. Woof.

Our journey began when my husband and I decided to sell our home and build on the family farm. We stumbled upon the Southern Living Four Gables house plan and agreed it was the perfect plan for us. The open floor plan, large porches, and metal roof provided the southern charm we were looking for. Although our home is a new-build, we  were drawn to this plan because of the character it will have.

Four Gables house plan by Mitchell Ginn. It has been featured in Southern Living many times.

You can find the specifics of Ginn’s plan here.

We did make a few changes to the original plan. We flipped the entire plan and eliminated the mud room to create a large walk-in pantry. The bedroom is 2 ft. longer and a few doors have been moved. There is a breezeway connecting the garage and home, which will be closed in. The breezeway will serve as a mudroom. We will add an outdoor shower behind the breezeway (we live on a FARM). Total square footage for our build is 2,636. You will find our modified plans below.

Another note about the plan that we recently changed. The columns. You will notice that there are 4 columns in the living/kitchen area. After much thought, we decided it would be convenient not to have any columns at all…..just wide open spaces (insert Dixie Chicks tune here).

Our builder was hesitant when I asked him if it were possible to eliminate the columns. His response was that he would need to take some time to think it over. I was wonderfully surprised when several days later, he explained that we wouldn’t have to have any columns! Our builder added some hefty beams to support the 2nd floor instead.  YAY! My advice if you are building this home would be to eliminate the columns, UNLESS you want the cosmetic appeal.

2nd floor below.

We are pleased with the way the 2nd floor is laid out. My favorite part is the loft area, which will look out double windows. I imagine myself reading and enjoying the sunlight pouring in over the years to come.

Below, you will see the exterior elevations of the Four Gables plan. We did decide to close in the breezeway (SAFETY, people)….so the breezeway will have a window in it.

Lastly, the home will be built on 1.7 acres. PLENTY of space for a little homestead: goats, garden, orchard…and an in ground pool? Maybe one day. The plot of land overlooks a large pond and field where dairy cows graze. My family owns and manages the Scales Dairy Farm, located in Russellville, Kentucky.