Like A Ton of Bricks

 The last month has been a busy one at Bethel Farm as construction continues to progress. Everyday it seems there is something new completed and more checkmarks on our to-do list.

As I've mentioned before, there are inspections all along the way.  These last several weeks we have passed wall, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and chimney footing inspections as well as having our septic system installed. Up next is the insulation inspection followed by drywall installation.  

The amount of insulation is CRAZY and it has completely changed the sound when you walk in the barn. It definitely sounds more like a house now.

Once the footings were poured for the chimney the masons got busy.  It's amazing to watch these guys work! Brad laughs at me because I'm so mesmerized by the process, but my creative side would love to get in there and learn from them.  

Altogether the chimney will house three fireplaces, two on the lower level (one in the master suite and one outside on the patio) and one on the main level in the great room. 

The firebox in the great room is tall enough that I can stand up in it!

The brick will be covered in a stone facade and a reclaimed wood mantle.

We can hardly wait to have our first fire.

For my part, the last several weeks have involved lots of design decisions, internet orders, furniture orders, cabinet choices, tile choices, lighting choices, etc.  I still have much to do but the list is certainly getting shorter.

Along with all the changes and progress at the barn we have been blessed with one extra special addition to Bethel Farm.

Our first grandchild Callyn Clare Boyles was born May 20 and she definitely rules the roost!

Things Are Heating Up

 Spring has sprung at Bethel Farm and as the temperatures heat up, so are things at the barn.  As the electricians continue making progress the mechanical contractors are busy installing the HVAC system. Like everything else about converting a barn, planning and installing the necessary ductwork has been a bit challenging.  While the main floor has ample space to run ducts, the downstairs has lower ceilings which means getting creative.  Fortunately, I think we've been able to make it work both functionally as well as aesthetically. 

The chimney for the fireplaces is another big project that was begun this week.  One thing I've quickly learned about construction is that it involves A LOT of inspections! So, of course, construction of the chimney is no exception.  First the concrete footings must be poured. But before they are poured the framing and rebar must be inspected.  That's where we are in the process. Once the footings are poured (and inspected) the real construction of the chimney and fireplaces can begin. 

We want the fireplace to be the focal point of the main floor which means it needs to be substantial due to the ceiling height and the open floor plan. We've scoured the internet for pictures to assist us in planning the size as well as the type of stone we will use.  We can hardly wait to see it come together.

As I've said before, there are so very many decisions involved in this project! Since I am a classic over-thinker it can be daunting at times.  I think creatively so I decided that making some design boards would help me to be more organized and decisive.  I've also enlisted help from some wonderful designers which has certainly eased my anxiety about it all.  Things like cabinet design and furniture choices are much easier thanks to them.  That said, I'm proud of myself this week because I finally pulled the trigger on some lighting choices that had been particularly hard for me,

Along with all the human workers involved in our adventure there are a few fluffy and furry characters as well.  Before we ever decided to make Bethel Barn our residence there were probably close to one hundred occupants.  Anytime you walked through you would find a mosaic of bird droppings on the floor and dozens of sweet barn swallows flying in and out.  They've never been a problem and, in fact, they help tremendously to keep the mosquito population low.  Now that we've closed up most of their usual entrances they are definitely fewer in number. But to my surprise they are not giving up their residence so easily.  With only a few ways in and out they have still managed to build around twenty nests. I have always been intrigued by them, but now I find myself in awe of their determination and resilience, not to mention the instinct to come back to this place year after year.  

While the swallows flit about another furry friend makes her way to the barn every morning and takes her place among the workers as a self-appointed supervisor.  Pearl is an Anatolian, Great Pyrenees mix who weighs at least 120 pounds.  She's a gentle giant and she has become the mascot of the barn. You can't help but smile when you walk in and see her standing guard over everyone.

(Pearl and just a few of the swallow nests)

 

Getting There

We've made some exciting progress over the last few weeks at Bethel Barn! With every step of the process we celebrate being closer to our dream. I shared the excitement of seeing our windows installed nearly two years after ordering them.  Well this week marked another big milestone as our exterior doors were installed.

Just for reference, here is the before picture:

(these doors are each about five feet wide)

And here are the new doors:

They are exactly what we envisioned! We have kept the original transom window above which will be painted black to match the doors and windows. It is fixed in place but previously it was operated by hand crank to tilt in, making room for a tractor to pull through with hay. We're keeping as much of the original charm of the barn as we can while giving it a modern vibe.

Along with the front doors there are two sets of french doors upstairs and two sets downstairs as well as two doors in the mudroom. 

The upstairs french doors will open onto the screen porch, those downstairs are in the master suite and will open to the patio.

Another exciting addition recently has been the staircase.  This was a head-scratcher for us when drawing up our plans.  Because we have an inverted floor plan with bedrooms downstairs, it was important to us that it not feel like you were walking into a basement.  We wanted the stairs to be as open and large as possible.  Thanks to our architect and our builder I think we have achieved that.  I can hardly wait to see them finished!

I tease Brad because every afternoon when we take our walk through and assess things he says, "It's getting there, my love."  It makes me smile to think about the many times in our 30 years together that this sentiment applied. Life is a lot of "getting there".  When we're younger we may think that we'll finally be happy when we get there.  But the older we get the more we realize that the joy really is in the journey.  As excited as I am to be able to wake up in Bethel Barn every day I am savoring each step of 

"getting there".

 

The Trees Come Down and The Walls Go Up

 

In the last few weeks site work has begun on the barn project. 

 Because we want to have sun exposure on the northern side of the barn and we plan to put in a swimming pool, a significant amount of trees needed to be removed.  Although I can assure you we still have PLENTY of trees on the farm, I always get a little anxious when I hear the whirring of chainsaws. I just don't like trees being cut down. I can remember growing up and only having one tree of any size in our yard.  I dreamed of living somewhere with hills and trees abounding.

  But Brad has great vision when it comes to these things and I am learning to trust him. The improvements he has made to the farm in the five years we've been here are proof enough. So, as the trees come down I am beginning to see his vision coming to life.

As sitework continues outside, there has been no lack of work going on inside.  Before framing could begin on the lower level plumbing had to be roughed-in and concrete poured.

With the concrete poured, framing has been nearly completed, masonry work is beginning

and the walls are going up.

Today as we were walking through the barn discussing next steps I told Brad that I can't believe we're at this point in the process.  It's getting busier by the day!  So. Many. Decisions.

But I'm determined to enjoy the process as much as possible and not lose sight of what is important...

...building a HOME.

"A house is built through wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.

Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables."

Proverbs 24:3-4