5 minute read
EVERY BARNDO HAS A STORY
IfWalls Could T al k
BY STACEE LYNN
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achE of the hundreds of enthusiastic Barndominium design families I work with have a unique and often heart-warming story about their Barndo project. Some are first-time builders, some are committed to doing much of the finished work themselves, others are creating a gathering place on legacy property to be enjoyed by generations to come. One of my greatest pleasures in designing Barndominiums is hearing these stories and sharing in the amity and delight of so many Barndo dreams.
I am happy and gratified to share the stories of some of my clients with all of you. And, I hope you will be Barndo inspired!
One of my first and favorite design relationships is with the Rust and Roots lady, Whitney Holcomb. Whitney ’s family wanted to return to a simple, live-offthe-land life, with little to no mortgage and easy maintenance.
They selected a build site on four acres that they already owned and used it as the down payment for the construction of their Barndo.
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The Barndominium works for their lifestyle.
By keeping the design simple, making some budget friendly choices and doing a significant amount of the work themselves, they built their 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,800 sq. ft. Barndo for less than $100/sq. ft., well under the average cost for this type of construction.
After searching for nearly a year to find the right floor plan, Whitney says she and her husband, Billy Donn, independently happened upon one of my YouTube videos and they instantly knew they had found their Barndo designer! I was flattered and very happy to begin the design journey with the Holcomb family.
The Holcomb’s broke ground at the end of November 2020 and poured the slab the beginning of December and it was dried in within a couple of weeks. However, the build process was hindered because the pandemic veered right into their construction timeline. Several aspects of the project had to be placed on hold. Securing metal, trim, glass doors and other materials took several weeks and even months. But with everyone in the family rolling up their sleeves and completing the finish-out, the Holcomb’s finally moved into their Barndo the beginning of July.
Whitney says they chose to build a Barndominium because Billy Donn loves metal buildings, and they were attracted to the high ceilings, versatility of the Barndo, and the ability to easily add on later if they so desired. The Barndominium works for their lifestyle.
The Holcomb’s lived in their bumper-pull 38’ camper for 3 years before building their Barndo. It was challenging but in the end, well worth it. They were able to save money and be on-site during the build process. Whitney says it also gave them a greater appreciation for the creature comforts – the simple things that meet their needs.
When designing their space, they planned around their family and lifestyle. They are a family of 6 (10 if you count the dogs). With a daughter in college and three boys at home who spend more time outdoors than in, the Holcomb’s created plenty of gathering space with their 800 sq. ft. covered porch.
Completing the Barndo was definitely a family affair. The Holcomb’s were motivated by a steadfast determination to get back to their roots and live a healthier, clean, sustainable lifestyle. Billy Donn was no stranger to country living and had a previous life of riding and roping. At their aptly named Rust and Roots Farm, they raise their own meat, milk goats, collect fresh eggs and tend to their abundant garden. Whitney says they are very mindful not to use pesticides or chemicals in their home or on the land. The pigs, chickens and goats are fed non-GMO, non-soy feed.
The family spent their first night in their new home on the 4th of July and it was complete with friends over to share in the food, fun and fireworks. In the months since, the Holcomb’s have furnished and decorated their home, planted their garden, and continue to make improvements. They brought no furnishings from their prior home so they included pieces selected specifically for their Barndo which is finished out in a Cottage Core aesthetic with as many vintage pieces Whitney can get her hands on. I am flattered to say that the vintage vanity in the owner’s bathroom was inspired by the vintage hutch in my own kitchen.
Today, the Rust and Roots Farm Barndo is filled with scratch baked bread, farm fresh eggs on the counter, and barefoot boys along with their four dogs full of dirt and sweat traipsing in and out. Cooking for friends and family is Whitney ’s love language. They savor her special recipe mac & cheese, skirt steak, cabbage, and poppyseed chicken casserole deliciously made in cast iron pots. The family enjoys morning coffee as the sun rises, sitting on their east-facing porch.
The family ’s future plans for their farm includes adding a pond and installing a pizza oven, and eventually developing a farm-to-table Air B&B on their property for folks who want to shop the famous “Trade Days” in Canton, TX. Their lives in their new Barndo is a work in progress, Whitney says, but they are in no rush.
Whitney shares that the “Rust” in Rust and Roots represents the imperfections in life. She and Billy Donn left a corner fence pole raw and as it rusts it reminds them to embrace imperfections and love the life they have .
