BEING A BARNDO NEWBIE

So, you want to build a house? And you want to have some acreage? You ’d like that house to include lots of open space with the opportunity to alter it? And you want it to be a steel structure or pole barn ? If your answer is YES, then you ’ ve come to the right place!

These questions may have been what most of us here were faced with and answered with immense positivity and readiness to move forward. Excitement is extreme and the possibilities endless. The community is large and the resources deep. Welcome to the barndominium world, ladies and gentlemen!

Amanda Jane Avis (AJ) is a writer, retired professional dancer and barndo owner. She and her family are in the process of buying an old barn, which they plan to dissemble and use to build their new Barndo in Round Top, Texas.

If you have a variety of different design styles that you love, but don’t know the right way to incorporate them into one space, you are not alone. Whether you are a fan of both farmhouse chic and organic modern, or love traditional and rustic touches, it's possible to blend elements of each to create a cohesive space you will love. There are just a few things you may want to consider first.

Get Focused

Start with your largest piece of furniture to create a focal point. Ideally, this should be a solid color so you can change out pillows and other textiles throughout the year. You can also add an area rug that becomes the center that you build around, allowing you to mix patterns and colors that add depth and contrast to the space.

Be Consistent

Using too many colors and styles in one area can be distracting and create an imbalance. If you chose a color palette that is consistent, it can anchor the space and give you more flexibility to play with a variety of design elements which otherwise may not work well together

Test Textures

The heart of design is embracing variety. Pair wood with metal. Layer rustic ornaments with modern pieces. Try creating small vignettes with old and new items. Layer textiles and fabrics with wall hangings or plants. Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little and use things you truly love.

A DIY

Barndo Production

When many people his age were just heading out into the world after college, 23 yr. old Christian Johnson took on the momentous task of designing and building his own home. With an iPad in hand, he downloaded Quickplan 3D and began planning out his dream Barndo. The final design was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 story home with 1200 sq. ft. of living and a 1677 sq. ft. shop with an impressive exterior elevation.

While others may have found the project daunting, Christian took on the challenge with enthusiasm and determination, learning trades along the way. From pouring concrete and framing, to installing windows and doors; he was involved in every aspect of the project- from design to finish. He says the most valuable lesson learned was the realization of just how much work, time and effort is involved in building your own home.

Christian admits that those skills and the help of family and friends, were instrumental in making the build a success. He was able to save a lot of money on the construction and complete the project in just 9 months.

For now he is enjoying the fruits of his labor, but is considering a new build when he outgrows this space. Perhaps someday there may even be an opportunity to help others.

Photo: J.D. Carlsen

You can learn more about Christian's build journey by following his YouTube Channel, Create208. You can also find the floorplan online at www.create208.com

By: Catie Hofmeister

While building new steel-frame barndominiums is growing more in popularity with easy options like pre-made kits available, there is something so refreshing about a flip project like converting an old barn into a beautiful living space for humans. Chip and Joanna Gaines showed us that the possibilities are endless with their famed barn renovations on “Fixer Upper. ” Older barns could inspire any imagination, as the tall wooden rafters and elegant windows mimic that of gothic churches and castles. Handshaped timber beams like those in an older barn add a cozy, nostalgic feeling taking us back to our roots.

Not only does building with reclaimed materials like old barns provide a beautiful, timeless aesthetic, but reusing materials is also better for the planet. By conserving resources, avoiding production of waste, and utilizing recycled materials like structural steel, building a reclaimed barndominium is more environmentally friendly than most newer builds.

We all know life isn’t always HGTV glam... renovations take a lot of sweat (maybe some tears too). Renovating an old barn is not a simple process, but homeowners will say it’s worth every bit!! Whether you would like to preserve an old barn near and dear to your heart or you just like the well-worn rustic feel, reclaiming old buildings and materials is such a rewarding experience.

Barndominiums are more environmentally friendly than most newer builds.

Now more than ever before, people are craving healthy, peaceful spaces to raise their families. With so many old barns lingering on properties across the U.S. today, it’s the perfect opportunity for homeowners to transform these valuable pieces of history into condominiums, home offices, studios, guest houses, entertainment spaces, or even your own personal man cave/she shed! The tranquility of sitting in a hay-loft while enjoying the country-side view doesn’t have to be lost or forgotten, but rather we can find ways to incorporate that farm-living mindset into our everyday lives.

U.S RECLAIMED

U.S. Reclaimed Wood located in Laguna Niguel, Orange County Southern California, travels the country for distressed vintage barns & structures to provide the best quality Reclaimed Wood, Barn Board, Hand Hewn Beams & Vintage Materials, for Custom Designs, Flooring, Paneling, Furniture and Wood Works.

https://www.usreclaimed.com/ 28052 Camino Capistrano #103, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

OLD WORLD LUMBER

6626 Guhn Rd,. Houston, TX 77040 https://oldworldlumber.com/

Old World Lumber Company was founded in 2015 by a couple of guys with a passion for reclaimed barn wood. Old World Lumber Company sources all of its materials from within the United States, primarily the Upper Midwest where generations of craftsmen hand-built these impressive structures from old-growth timber more than 100 years ago. All of the products you will find for sale at Old World Lumber Company are hand-selected, allowing us to provide our customers with the highest quality reclaimed barn wood in the country.

All American Reclaim specializes in supplying reclaimed lumber and salvaged materials. We like people to think about visiting our shop as an experience, definitely a unique one! We also have a huge selection of salvaged materials, antiques, and even new products that fit the part!

https://www.allamericanreclaim.com/ 990 W. Northwest Hwy Lake Barrington, IL 60010

ARMSTER RECLAIMED WOOD

Armster supplies & mills reclaimed wood from their structures and older virgin forests. Marked by time, weather, rivers, and work, it’s strong and beautiful inside and out. This gift of nature, tied up with history and mystery, grows rarer daily.

https://armsterreclaimedwood.com/ 125 Paridon Street Springfield, MA 01118

COAST TO COAST BARNWOOD

Coast to Coast Barnwood is a family-owned and operated business that specializes in making the unique character of authentic reclaimed barn wood accessible, affordable, and easy.

https://coasttocoastbarnwood.com/ 9743 W Hillsborough Ave . Tampa, FL 33615

CREATE A MAINTENANCE

I have been following the advice of the Indian Proverb, A House With Four Rooms for over twenty-five years…maybe even longer. The philosophy of the proverb is to think of yourself as being a house with four rooms: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual rooms. It goes on to state that you must do something in each of these rooms daily for your healthy well-being. It makes sense that we must maintain our physical health by being mindful of our diet, water intake, exercise, and the space around us. This includes our homes, workspaces, and on a larger scale, our environment. For our mental room, we should identify ourselves as lifelong learners, so “ visiting” this room includes learning new things, developing skills, and participating in personal and professional development. This can be done by reading, engaging in conversations, practicing new skills, attending classes, and maintaining good mental health by being self-aware of our thoughts, self-talk, and actions.

Maintaining emotional wellbeing is important to every area of our lives. It includes developing coping skills, honoring our emotions, and having personal and professional boundaries. We can maintain a healthy emotional room by journaling, doing breathing exercises, and learning communication techniques to build healthy and positive relationships.

The spiritual room can look different for each of us, but it can include attending formal services, reading daily devotionals, praying, meditating, and any number of ways to connect to one another, God, the Universe, and nature.

A maintenance program can help you stay organized, motivated, and feel accomplished in every area of your life. This is just one type of maintenance schedule you can do to support a healthy life, another is to maintain and organize your physical home.

A maintenance program can help you stay organized, motivated, and feel accomplished in every area of your life.

Before you can get organized, you’ve got to have a plan. Being organized starts by identifying what needs to be done and then tackling it one step at a time. My best advice for being organized includes making a schedule so you have a dedicated time slot to do the actual thing that needs to be done.

Home maintenance can easily be forgotten or delayed if there isn’t a plan in place. Before you know it, things get out of hand and there is an overwhelming amount of work to be done. An easy way to keep up with maintenance is to create a schedule that prompts you throughout the year. This is a great time to intentionally make a plan and schedule that allows you to make progress and spread the work out to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Using a spreadsheet or calendar, create a maintenance schedule that sets aside a day or specific time to carry out the task.

ANNUALLY

●Trim trees and bushes for change of season ●Clean gutters of debris ● Change filters on heating and air systems ●Change batteries in alarms and smoke detectors ● Clear closets of clutter: purge, donate, and discard accordingly ● Power wash concrete or other outdoor surfaces ● Schedule annual service calls to keep systems in optimal order ●Change indoor air filters on heating and air systems ●Deep clean bathrooms, baseboards, ceiling fans, and other areas ●Clean accumulated clutter from garage or other spaces ●Coordinate monthly services for pest control, lawn maintenance, and other services ● Schedule bill paying ●Replenish paper products throughout the home ● Evaluate home and make a menu and shopping list ● Laundry ● Empty indoor trash cans and set cans curbside

MONTHLY WEEKLY

Most people underestimate the amount of time they have. They have the best of intentions for keeping their home clean and organized but simply run out of time. This method helps disburse the chores and allows time to be designated to carry out the chore. Doing so helps make the tasks manageable and easy to complete if you discipline yourself to the schedule. This is another example of practicing Kaizen...making small, continuous progress forward, a process I teach my clients to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Having a maintenance schedule on hand can reduce the sense of overwhelm and make chores easier to manage. Spend time working out a schedule and stick to it for long-term success. Each year, you can assess the schedule and see where you can make modifications. Over time you will streamline the schedule and knock your home maintenance tasks off your list with ease. When you have a schedule, you’ll have more peace of mind and a wellmaintained home.

Lisa McGrath is an International bestselling author, National Board Certified Teacher, and Achievement Coach helping busy individuals identify their purpose, set personal and professional goals, and achieve them. Her latest book, A House With Four Rooms: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing is available on Amazon.

September brings in the slow crawl to fall, as kids return to school and the sun begins disappearing below the horizon a little earlier each day. The sticky heat of the summer starts to give way to soft breezes and cooler weather that will have many of us breaking out sweaters and dusting off our soup pots. If you have a local Farmers Market, you may notice an uptick in attendance as others flock to the stands to gather the best of Falls harvest. From pumpkins, pears, winter squash, apples, and sweet potatoes, there are an abundance of gorgeous fruits and vegetables to choose from.

Before you head to your local market, make a list of recipes and dishes that you will create with your haul. It will save time and money and ensure that nothing will go to waste. No one enjoys having to toss rotting fruits and vegetables because they weren’t used. Whether you choose to re-create Grandma’s Famous Pear Tart or your friend's Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Soup, the possibilities are endless.

In addition to adding color and flavor to your plates; local artisans often sell goods that you can enjoy throughout your homes. From soaps, candles, flowers and even handmade jewelry, there is something for everyone. It is a great way to support small businesses within your community and promote sustainability. So, grab your keys, your best friend, a hot cup of your favorite fall beverages, and make a day of it.

Before you head to your local market, make a list of recipes and dishes that you will create with your haul.

Fall' s The Best Of Harvest

Here is a handy list of the fall produce you should be buying (and when you should be buying it) for optimal freshness.

Fruits:

Here is a handy list of the fall produce you should be buying (and when you should be buying it) for optimal freshness.

Fruits

Apples: Sept-Nov Cranberries: Oct-Nov Figs: Nov Grapes: Sept-Nov Guava: Nov Key limes: Oct-Nov Kumquats: Oct-Nov Passion fruit: Sept-Nov Pears: All Fall Persimmons: Nov Pomegranates: Oct-Nov Quinces: Nov

Vegetables:

Arugula: All Fall Beets: All Fall Broccoli: Oct-Nov Brussels Sprouts: All Fall Cabbage: Nov A Cpples:elery: SeptNov -Nov CranberEggplanr ties:: Se Octpt-ONoct v Figs:Garli Nc: ovAll Fall Grapes:Kale: SeS pept-Not-Nov v Guava:Leeks: NovSept-Nov KeTuy limernips: s: OOctct-Nov Kumquats: Oct-NovSweet Potatoes: Sept-Nov PassiWinto en r f Sruit:quasS he : pt-OcN t-ovNov Pears: AlWild Mul sFallhrooms: Sept-Nov P Zersimucchim nio : ns: NovSept-Oct Pomegranates: Oct-Nov Quinces: Nov

1. Choosing the right photographer is essential. Don't choose someone based on price alone. Finances can definitely play a factor in your decision, but do you love the images they produce? Do you love their editing style? Do you enjoy their social media posts? Have you checked out their website? If you said yes to these, then most likely you have found your photographer. I always recommend contacting them through their website and calling them to discuss what you envision for your photos.

2. Conveying a feeling with the environment can create gorgeous photos. Your photoshoot location should have a meaning, calmness, excitement, or an enhanced feeling of well-being. The location should bring you joy. When you love the location then all of your energy will be given to the others around you and make for a comfortable setting. Use buildings, objects, and props to enhance portraits. Photo: Jennifer Ginger Photography

3. Emotion, movement & symmetry is key to creating incredible photos. I love to have my clients do some pretty silly stuff, because it makes the movement ,and laughter, much more natural. I often have them twirl and dance as they walk. It encourages genuine smiles and emotions that add depth and beauty to the images captured. It is so important to create an experience they will remember, and a feeling of love & joy in the moment.

4. Communicating clearly with your photographer is key. We want to know all of the details before we book your session. Some things that are important to know beforehand are names, ages of children, the images and feelings you want to capture, the location you love, your goals for your session, and any other information you want to share to make the best use of the time you have.

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Convey a feeling with the environment.

5. Clothing choices can make a huge impact on your session and choosing the best color combination and outfits is so essential. Think of your location for fall and what fall colors would be best. I tell my clients to stay away from everyone wearing plaid clothing, stripes, all black or anything with oversized logos. You can pair up a beige or green dress with tans and polos for the men. There are a lot of color combos that work great for fall photos. You may even want to consider sending your outfits to the photographer ahead of time, to get their opinion. We are here for you every step of the way. 6. Music can elevate your photoshoot. While there are times I do not bring my Bluetooth music to play, I can always play it on my phone. I always ask my clients what their favorite song is. I find that it puts them at ease and can bring out everyone's personalities. It is a great way to make everyone comfortable and ready to take some great photos.

7. Posing is a great way to get that perfect family shot that we want to hang on the walls. Posing isn’t always easy. When someone asks me “what do I do with this hand?” , I guide them to a position that feels natural to them. Oftentimes that may be laying it naturally to your side or on your hip. Just remember these portraits should capture your personalities. You never want to be in positions that feel unnatural or stiff.

Remember to have fun and enjoy being in the moment with one another. It is something that you will always look back on, and that is the joy of creating moments we will forever cherish.

Photo: Jennifer Ginger Photography

Children are naturally photogenic, they love being in front of the camera and want to know they look absolutely adorable that day. To make them even more comfortable, introduce them to the photographer by name and show them a picture of the photographer before they meet them. This makes the introduction so much easier for both parties.

8. Printing your images is priceless. Yes, we all have USB’s that we store your images on for safe keeping, but printing them is one of the best ways to have them available and ready for you to enjoy and share with those you love. Printed images are a keepsake. Ask your photographer about printing some of your photos. You won’t regret it. Photo: Kenzi Joy Photography

My name is Jennifer Ginger and I am the owner of Jennifer Ginger Photography. I have been happily married for 13 years to my husband Greg, and we have 2 beautiful daughters , Riley & Reagan. I started my career 6 years ago and haven't looked back. I am incredibly humbled and thankful for the people and stories I have discovered along the way.

Fall is the perfect time to refresh your home décor. By bringing in the warmer, rich tones of autumn, you can create a comforting space to relax and nurture your mind and spirit. Fill your home with golden yellows, warm browns, vibrant reds, and soothing greens to bring a little of the outside in.

SW Canyon Clay

SW Rosemary

SW Naples Yellow

SW Cooper Red

SW Sunset

M a tters

Real estate is booming and that is true for both resale and new construction. Forecasts show that growth is expected well into the new year. While that may mean more projects for the building industry, it also comes with new challenges. If you are in the process of building, choosing your builder, or if you just started planning, here are a few things to take into consideration.

Hurdles you and your builder may be facing-

Lumber and other material prices experienced a historical increase in 2021. Although Lumber has begun to stabilize and, in some areas, decrease, it is not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. While that has provided some relief to consumers and builders alike, it has not cured the problem. Materials like steel have seen increases of more than 50% since the beginning of the year.

These inflated prices can raise the overall construction costs on a home. While homeowners may have agreed to a fixed price on a new build in April, costs may have risen tens of thousands of dollars before material can be ordered for the job.

Additionally, because of the limited availability and bottlenecks, materials are harder to obtain. Many are seeing long lead times on windows and doors, appliances, and other supplies.

DEMAND

According to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the sales rate of new single-family homes was up by 41.5% from October 2020 compared to 2019.

The skyrocketing demand may create a bottleneck as builders, subcontractors and vendors try to keep up. Builders are having to turn clients away or create longer waitlists, to ensure that they don’t fall behind or postpone jobs they are currently working on.

LABOR

With so much demand for housing, there is more work than skilled workers. A report by Trades International states that the construction industry lost 13% of its workforce during shutdowns. Many craftsmen dropped out with no plans to return, causing a shortage even before demand increased.

PATIENCE IS KEY SHOULD YOU WAIT?

While frustrations may be at an all time high for all parties, it is important to remember that many things are out of the control of the builder and suppliers. What is essential during this time is communication. Even when there is no progress to report, your builder should be checking in with you periodically. There is nothing worse than waiting, with no clear idea of when things will progress, and your builder doesn’t answer your calls. That is a question many are asking themselves. They fear that the costs are no longer in line with their budget. The thing to consider is that there is not a guarantee that prices will return to what they were a few years ago. Even with slight decreases, there is also the consideration that interest rates may go up. With rates at still at historical lows, higher construction costs may be offset by less interest over time.

Mastercraft Builders LLC Mastercraft Builders Texas

Mastercraft Builders Louisiana:(225)-678-7301 Texas: (281)-201-7435 info@mcbbuilt.com (LA) texas@mccbuilt.com (TX) www.mcbbuilt.com

Shelley Can Help

Shelley Loving Email- info@shelleycanhelp.com www.shelleycanhelp.com

Rust & Roots

Whitney Holcomb Instagram.com/rust _ and _ roots _ farm

The Barndominium Co.

Stacee Lynn (281) 592-0298 Email- info@ourbarndominiumlife.com Website- www.ourbarndominiumlife.com

The Medallion Manor

Kristi Cikowski Email: themedallionmanor@gmail.com Website: www.themedallionmanor.info Instagram.com/themedallionmanor Facebook.com/themedallionmanor

Create 208

Contact-Christian Johnson www.create208.com Youtube- Create208

Jennifer Ginger Photography

Contact- Jennifer Ginger Email-jennifer@jennifergingerphotography.com http://www.jennifergingerphotography.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jennifergingerphotography/

Melamotion

Amanda Jane Avis Email- ajavisdance@gmail.com www.melamotion.com

M O V e

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