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Monday, February 28, 2011

Phase II: the barn mud room & storage room

This post shows the making of the barn mud room and the barn storage room
I was initially going to include the loft, but even I was getting confused, so for simplicity I'll focus on these two spaces.  The barn mud room and the storage room sit on the same level as the barn room .   
(for reference: the loft sits directly above the mud and the storage rooms)



As I have previously mentioned, our attached barn was a working livestock barn when we bought the property.  Here you see the livestock stalls; notice the iron water basins and the iron hay rack in the corner!   This corner will be the barn mud room.   Stairs will be built in this space that access the garage below.



The room cleared out and opened up for construction.
Please note the door opening to the right of the window- that is the doorway into the storage room.  As you can see in this post the ceiling is low (it is the same in the storage room.)  These boards will remain exposed.




View from the barn room.  The open framing to the left of the original barn door is the doorway from the barn room to the mud room.  The storage room sits behind a wall that the barn door is leaning against.  The space visible through the framing on the second floor is the loft.




This wall will be closed off except for the opening into the mud room where we will place these antique iron gates from Argentina.




I wanted there to be a division between the two rooms, but didn't want to close off the rooms entirely with solid doors.  I knew these would be perfect for this space when we found them two years ago!




View from the mud room towards the barn room with the iron gates in place.
I've always had a very clear vision as what the barn room will look like, but this mud room was more a means to an end (the garage) in my mind- until we started the renovation.... this little space is quickly becoming a surpise little gem!




Two layers of flooring were removed to get down to the original barn floor.




The mud room floor being demo'd for the stairs.




The construction of the stairs to the garage.




All of the original antique barn windows have been replaced with energy efficient windows the same size and style of the originals.



The framing of the stairs in the garage. 




The room after being insulated.



Wood post with original iron tethering ring.
The structural engineer mandated that a post be placed in this location in the mud room  (for reference: the opening on the right side of the photo is where the iron gates will be placed.)   This original barn beam was used instead of a metal post.  To the right of the post will be the stairs to the upstairs loft. To the left of the post behind the wall (this original wall will remain) is the storage room. (The doorway into the storage room can be seen in the second photo.)



The storage room "before"!  If you've ever lived in an antique/old house you know the challenges of having little to no storage space.  This room will serve that purpose for us.  We have some fabulous antique iron lanterns (originally gas) from San Francisco that will serve as lighting in this room.




The NE corner of the storage room "before."




The same NE corner with the old windows and doors removed.



And again, the same NE corner of the storage room showing the stairs that were added to the loft.  The stairs will be walled off from the storage room.




Standing in the storage room looking back to that corner to the right of the old post with the metal ring (5th photo up, where the doorway to the loft steps will be....are you still with me?!!)





The carpenter cutting the doorway to the loft stairs.



The loft stairs doorway.



So, you get the big picture, right?!!!



44 comments:

  1. this looks like a very exciting project,I cannot wait to see the finshed pictures.

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  2. I am getting the picture. I do love a good reno and this one is very exciting.

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  3. What a wonderful (& huge) project you have taken on, but it will be so awesome. I love what you are doing with the mudroom & storage rooms. Those pictures of the snow made me cold just looking at them. Keeping fingers crossed that you don't lose power, but great that now you have a backup plan.
    CAS

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  4. OMG this is sooooo exciting! I can't wait for the big reveal! I LOVE the iron gates from Argentina, my parents bought the most beautiful iron works and jacaranda armoires there..they have such exquisite things. This is going to be a spectacular space..I can tell...can't wait to follow it along....

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  5. I am so enjoying watching the progress on your gorgeous house. My dream has always been to do exactly what you have done and are doing - some day!

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  6. I was wondering about those little square windows when I saw from them the outside. LOVE the doors and I think the loft is going to be a great space. Can't wait to see how that fleshes out.

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  7. you explained it well BUT I am exhausted looking at the process! I love the iron water basins and hay stack. What will you do creative with those? Your gates are FABULOUS!!

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  8. Love the Argentinian gates! I remember long ago seeing a barn conversion. They kept the iron hay things in the three rooms (which once were stalls) I always thought that was soooo cool. Can you do similar??

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  9. Fabulous! I love your vision for the iron gates-- what patience you have! Such a delight to follow your fun. :)

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  10. I was getting slightly lost but I love all of your pictures and can see what you are doing. Keep the pictures coming, I can't wait to see it all in place, especially those lovely gates. ;-)

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  11. I get the picture, and I like it! Can't wait to see it all done with your fabulous gates. So exciting!

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  12. I am loving the big picture - and those dreamy gates! I'm cheering you on, you brave souls, you!
    xo isa

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  13. Oh my, what a vision you have for this space. The iron gates are fabulous and I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

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  14. Hi Joan, Dan, and Ella: Vision...what vision you have for these rooms! Again, spectacular! Cindy (I love the barn door)

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  15. SO exciting!! I'm loving taking this journey with you. The gates are fabulous - can't wait to see the next take!!

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  16. Oh my goodness! It is coming together so beautifully!! You guys are amazing!

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  17. Waiting with bated breath for the 'after' photos...

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  18. Love the iron doors...quite an amazing concept. You're quite a visionary! Looks like it's coming together so well! By spring you will be well on your way to getting the space finished!

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  19. I love the fact that you are re-cycling/re-purposing so many things. Your home is loved..and it shows.

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  20. I love the idea of the iron gate as a way to separate but not really close two rooms!

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  21. I'm ga-ga over the Argentine gates.

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  22. Are you having fun, or what? It's fun to see Texas-size dreams bringing New Hamsphire to life.

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  23. Wow. You have a serious vision and I can totally picture it! It's going to be amazing. I can't wait!
    xoxo
    Lila Ferraro

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  24. I love your renovation. The choices you're making are beautiful. The pictures and detailed descriptions are helpful, but if you're able to post a floor plan that would be even better!

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  25. hi Jewelia!
    thank you!
    Ironically, I included the following floor plan when I wrote the post, but because it didn't have the stairs to the loft in the correct place, or the entrance into the storage room I decided against it! This was drawn early on in the project just to give an idea! hope it helps!

    http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2009/03/floor-plan.html

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  26. I totally get the picture- its going to be the perfect storage and entrance space when you are done!

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  27. Oh wow, I'm following every detail here. I can't wait to see the finished product. ~Delores

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  28. I've popped over from V&L - and oh my. My husband and I first ventured to NH 7 yrs ago for the fall foliage. It has since then been a dream of ours to move here - for all the reasons you've mentioned... renovating a farm house, and enjoying the beauty that abounds. I just wish I had a stronger calling to do it. Now that our kids are 5 and 3, we took them with us to the Northeast last fall to see what they thought - and they were smitten with the apple tree farms. Still, we haven't managed to budge out of Dallas - but perhaps one day we will. Until then, I'm glad to have found your blog to follow along and dream with you. Thanks for sharing your journey.

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  29. Thanks for sharing the link to the floor plans. I totally see the "big picture" now!

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  30. This is my second time here and whenever I come to your blog I want to spend HOURS looking at your house. I admire you and your husband for renovating your place the way you do it.

    I wish I was half as handy as you are! Just half would already be great! :-)

    Please, drop by my blog, if you have a minute. It would be a honor having your there. Really!


    Have a Blessed Day!

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  31. I love this big picture and can totally see it! I have you on my blog roll and I am inspired daily. I can't wait to see the finished product! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  32. Joan,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog today. It was really nice having you there.

    Oh, and thank you for liking my name too! :-)

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  33. Love, Love, love the gates :)

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  34. The perfection continues! My head is spinning but I know it will be fabulous in the end. Those metals doors are going to make that space so special! Can't wait to see!

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  35. Glad I found your blog....really great.

    I know how much hard work it is and it's so worth it. I've done the simular thing for the last 25 years and loved every bit of it.

    Ingela

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  36. How did I miss this post Joan! What a great project....I'm with every one else...I love the gates too!

    xo kelley

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  37. WOW WOW WOW....I just can't get over how much work you are going through to preserve this beautiful old house and barn Joan. I am so impressed. I love the fact that you are preserving a beautiful piece of history...the way you kept the size of the original windows so not to change the look of the barn..awesome! I'm so glad you are taking lots of pictures so you can record this restoration...what a wonderful keepsake for those who follow behind you. Ok I'm going back to catching up on here....enjoy your evening! OH...I love the hitching ring on the post. DH found an old hedge post on our farm that has a hitching ring on it...I'd like to put it in a special spot once we get more yard work done. Take care
    Maura :)

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  38. You should feel really proud of the thoughtful process you have undertaken. Thanks for bringing us along.
    Mary Ann

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  39. Joan, big pictures are the best.....xv

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  40. I am hanging on your every word and picture! I do NOT have the patience that you have though:):) It is going to be amazing! Pinky

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  41. Wow...this is a monster of a project! I'm wrapping up an old home attic reno that I thought was huge...but this is definitely making mine look wee tiny. :-) I can't wait to see your space evolve. And those GATES! Brilliant.

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  42. Wow this is amazing, I am enjoying the process. I happened upon you from another blog, sorry I forgot where I came from, but glad I came.

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan