next steps :: siding + insulation + sheetrock

We really wanted to stay true to the classic barn design, so after considering several options for siding, we chose red metal siding for the exterior and white trim. For the inside of the barn bays, which is the exterior wall of some of the living space, we went with a board & batten design using Hardie siding.

Exterior Siding in Progress

Shortly after, the insulation was installed followed by the sheetrock. While we were capable of tackling much of the work ourselves, insulation is a miserable job if you're not properly equipped, plus we decided on foam insulation for the roof areas. 

For the sheetrock, I was adamant that we have a smooth finish. I'm sure there is a place for all of the alternate sheetrock finishes like orange peel, knockdown, Spanish lace,etc.... but not for a project with my name on it! We ended up with an awesome drywall installer who did an excellent job on the finish.

Entry & Stairwell

Kitchen & Pantry Entrance

Living Room

You'll notice in these photos that in the living, entry & kitchen, only the ceilings are drywalled. For this area, we chose tongue and groove pine and installed it horizontally.

Installing the first tongue & groove pine board

...and the (mostly) finished room

Laundry/Pantry

Downstairs Bathroom

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Office

Upstairs Hall & Stairwell

Master Bathroom

Master Bedroom

Now all of the "fun" decisions begin. I've had the design scheme pulled together for a while, so now its time to see it all come together!

Redesign :: Brooklyn on a Budget

One of my favorite design shows is Sabrina Soto's "The High Low Project" on HGTV. After completing the previous post where I designed the interior for a Brooklyn row house with beautiful but high end items, I challenged myself to come up with a "low" design for those on a tighter budget. Here goes:

Carmen Sofa in Toasted Pecan $799 :: Pier1

This is a comfortable sofa with a similar shape and nailhead trim like the Lee option. The "toasted pecan" upholstery lends the room a nice warmth.

Sedgewick Leather Recliner $1299 :: West Elm

This is an example that the expensive option isn't always best one. I found this leather chair from West Elm. It's a great substitute for the Lee leather club chair, but I think its a better choice because it reclines!

Melba Chair in Dansbo Dark Gray $249 :: Ikea

This was actually the chair that inspired this challenge. Leave it to Ikea to produce high design for so little money. Although it doesn't have the bronze legs, it does have a nice heathered charcoal gray upholstery and is a dead ringer for the Goodland chair -- and exactly $3K less per chair!! I really loved the warmth of the bronze metal, so I'd probably spray these legs out with Rustoleum Designer Metallic Spray in Aged Brass.

Bessarabian Kilim Rug $1200 :: Bradfords Rug Gallery

 The rug is where you could definitely shop around (either online or at your local rug stores) and save quite a bit. This kilim is a great option and brings in the rich colors I chose for the original design. It is quite a bit smaller than the original choice and its not an antique hand-knotted wool... but it could still work nicely and kilims are very durable for the kiddos.

Egg Chair in Orange $712.86 :: Amazon.com

While this chair isn't an authentic Jacobsen Egg chair, its a fairly good replica and the orange upholstery is a nice alternative to the Persimmon Ducale wool in the original chair. And again the savings are outstanding -- this chair is a tenth of the original.

As for the coffee table and trio of side tables, my original selections are pretty well priced so those are staying...

Milo Teak Coffee Table - Jayson Home :: $1,395

Sig Side Tables - Jayson Home :: Starting at $195 each

Twisted Metal Drum Table $129 :: Wisteria.com

 I found a nice alternative to the Platner table that I chose to place between the gray armchairs. It has a nice dark finish and mimics the general shape of the original. Plus the solid top might be a nice choice if there are children around.

Wood Stool $220 :: Shed Eclectic

Good design always inspires replicas and the Eames turned wood stools are no exception. This piece from Shed Eclectic is a beautiful interpretation and is offered at a very attractive price point.

Verona Trestle Table $549 :: World Market

There are trestle tables all over so finding a alternative to the Ethan Allen design isn't difficult. This piece from World Market is a viable option and is almost a quarter of the price -- definitely a good starter item.

Lydia Dining Chair in Pacific Velvet $319.98/pair :: World Market

While we're at World Market, we might as well pick up a pair of these dining chairs which are a pretty attractive substitute for the custom upholstered chairs from the original post. The indigo velvet is still my first choice, but this teal works nicely. What about the super fantastic Chiang Mai fabric?!? For me its a crucial element, so... I'd have a pair of small lumbar pillows sewn. There are several talented folks on Etsy that sew pillow covers in this iconic fabric.

Bowen Wishbone Chair $139 :: World Market

World Market delivers again with their interpretation of the Hans Wegner iconic wishbone chair. Their weathered finish is nice and on trend, but for this project, I would probably paint the chairs (or have a pro spray them for an even more durable finish). A soft black like Benjamin Moore's Gravel Gray (2127-30) would be a nice complement to the other elements in the room and relates nicely to the charcoal armchairs in the living room.

Satellite Chandelier $1126.25 :: Design Within Reach

This chandelier is a fabulous option and won't feel like a compromise at all. It's an iconic design on its own, but is roughly half the price of the Cosmo light.

I've gotta say...this "High/Low" challenge was fun! I may just have to make it a regular thing...

Inspired :: Brooklyn Row House

Ahhh...New York City! When I was a teen, I would daydream of living in the Big Apple. Moving into my own (very tiny, no doubt) apartment...eating (real!) Chinese takeout...enveloped by the energy of the city and soaking in the experience of it all. As it turns out, NYC wasn't in the cards for me so every once in a while, my mind takes a little vacay and I live vicariously through my cousin who, for several years, has lived in Manhattan.

New Spacious Brooklyn Row Home

Recently, she, her husband and adorable twin toddlers moved in to their new row house in Brooklyn. Fortunately for them, the majority of the home had been tastefully renovated. The previous owners retained many of the original elements including lovely brick walls which gives the place a ton of character. Blending with that, the new elements lean toward the modern -- very livable, but a little colder than she and her husband would like. We're southerners, after all, and gravitate toward warm, comfortable spaces that say, "Welcome Home - Come on In!" Here's my take on a few furnishings that I think would be the perfect mix of NYC cool and southern charm...

3722 Sofa - Lee Industries :: Call for Pricing

I love this sofa from Lee Industries. It has just the right mix of clean lines and comfortable seating - plus the nail-head detail lends it an extra dose of style. The design is simple enough to retain a tidy appearance, but the 84" length and down wrapped cushions make it perfect for afternoon cuddles with the twins. Keeping the needs of a family in mind, I'd upholster the sofa in Lee's Arthur fabric in Cornsilk. Its a very durable, woven fabric that blends warm gold and gray tones.

Arthur Cornsilk - Lee Industries

I'd add a leather armchair and ottoman in the same style...

3722 Armchair in Nature Brass Leather - Lee Industries :: Call for Pricing

...then I'd place two of these armchairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. This chair is available with several leg and upholstery options...for this room, I'd choose the bronze legs and a very durable wool tweed in a warm, dark charcoal color. I'll admit, they are pricey, but the design is timeless and they are an investment you'll enjoy for years and years.

Goodland Armchair with Bronze Legs - Design Within Reach :: $3,250
*Photo with correct fabric not available

Coal Lama Tweed - Design Within Reach
*This photo isn't necessarily the best representation of the fabric... I assure you its a fabulous charcoal colored tweed

Another, often pricey but worthwhile investment, is an antique rug in a pattern and colors that you love. Again, the designs are timeless and the superior craftsmanship means it'll be around long after the chicks have left the nest. I found this antique hand-knotted rug at Safavieh. It has all of the rich colors I wanted to infuse into the space and is large enough (13'4" X 18'5") to define a comfortable living space and plenty of seating.

Sultanabad Antique Wool Rug - Safavieh :: Call for Pricing & Availability

The last seating piece I'd add would also inject a shot of color, fun and modernity to the space. The iconic Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen is perfect when upholstered in Ducale wool in a warm persimmon tone.

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair - Design Within Reach :: $7,166

Ducale Wood in Persimmon

To anchor the seating area, I think the substance and warmth of this wood coffee table from Jayson Home is perfect.

Milo Teak Coffee Table - Jayson Home :: $1,395

To bridge the space between the sofa and leather armchair, I like this group of tables, also from Jayson Home. They are very versatile and the gold-tone of the base relates well to the bronze legs of the Goodland Chairs.

Sig Side Tables - Jayson Home :: Starting at $195 each

Between the Goodland chairs, I've chosen a Platner side table in a dark bronze finish with glass top.

Warren Platner for Knoll Bronze Side Table - HiveModern :: $1,078

To bring in a little more wood accent, I'd cozy one of these Eames walnut stools beside the Egg chair.

Eames for Herman Miller Walnut Stools (in three styles) - Design Within Reach :: $879

This home's main floor is open and spacious, so the dining space should be addressed at the same time. I love the traditional and family friendly trestle table design, but of course, I want to mix it up with modern seating. At the ends, I'd place two custom upholstered dining chairs. I'd cover the backs and sides in Robert Allen's Sasha Silk Velvet in Atlantis and the seat and inside back in one of my all-time-favorites, F. Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon in Aquamarine. This fabric features a wonderful array of colors and directly relates to the antique rug and the persimmon upholstery on the Jacobsen chair.

Cameron Trestle Dining Table - Ethan Allen :: $1,919

Grammercy Dining Chair - Ballard Designs :: $339 (COM)

Robert Allen Sasha Silk Velvet in Atlantis - OnlineFabricStore.Net :: $43.60/yard

F. Schumacher Chaing Mai Dragon in Aquamarine - To the Trade :: Call for Pricing

 For the side chairs, the iconic Wishbone Chairs designed by Hans Wegner in 1949 are a perfect complement, comfortable for guests and durable for children. I've chosen the black stained oak finish, which results in a softer black, almost charcoal color.

Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair in Black Stained Oak - HiveModern :: $599

To finish the space, I think this chandelier from Jayson Home brings just the right amount of sparkle and the antique brass relates well to several of the finishes in the living space.

Cosmo Chandelier - Jayson Home :: $2,195

Of course, the remainder of this little daydream involves days filled with shopping for the perfect accents, art, pillows, etc to make the room complete.

Psst...I realize I stayed on the high-end with this design, so I'll be following up next with a low-end version. It's my specialty!