Newest Project: Cabin Meant To Be

After over two years of searching, I’m so excited to reveal my latest project - Cabin Meant To Be!

Little back story….when the housing market went crazy during the pandemic, me and Logan took advantage and sold a home we remodeled with the intention to flip just not realizing how soon we’d be doing it. Thankfully for us, my in-laws gave us a back up plan if we sold and needed a temporary landing spot as we searched for something to buy. Fast forward through literal years of searching, we are still residing in the “temporary” back up plan. BUT! The beginning of December we closed on a property that is so many dreams come true. Some I knew I had and some I’m just realizing. I’m so thankful we had the opportunity to be patient and find the perfect spot. When I say “Cabin Meant To be” I’m not lying. I’ll have to share more on this another time. For now here’s a look at it!

The property is almost 25 acres with both pasture and woods. On the prettiest hill with the longest driveway sits the cutest little log cabin. The first time we drove up to it, me and Logan were both in love. The area we live in is predominately flat so, the hills on our property and elevation we have access to and views of is a welcomed treasure.

The cabin itself is smaller hitting around 1500 sqft. While we do have plans to expand, I actually love the fact that this is a smaller space that will force my family to spend time together and not have room for too much distance as my boys grow older. I’m enjoying designing a simple home and thinking through ways to make the space function well.

The exterior is in pretty good shape and it will remain untouched aside from maybe some minor changes starting out. When we enclose the carport to expand things, we plan to think through what changes we want to make here.

The inside will be gutted more or less. There won’t be any layout changes aside from the kitchen. I’m SO excited for what we have planned here! You’ll have to stay tuned for the rendering reveal to see our vision! For now here’s a look at the interior prior to the demo.

Any project I take I treat like it’s my own and get so much joy out of making my clients happy but, I will say, for the first time in this space having my own project to let you follow me along on is so exciting! Beyond just the cabin from the barn to the chicken coop to the muscadine vines - we’ve got big plans for this sweet spot we will soon call home!

Grace House

Grace House Texarkana

When I received a phone call telling me that a local ministry that served women and children in need purchased a new building that they planned to remodel, I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it. I wasn’t sure to what scale we would be able to do things as it was a non profit but, I knew I was in! This was the beginning of our Grace House project.

Grace House is a transitional home that provides support to “expectant mothers/or mothers within the age range of 17-27 who have been displaced, homeless, at-risk for homelessness, and agree to participate in the programs to reach self-sufficiency”. It’s a ministry that I know first hand is being the hands and feet of Jesus and rescuing women and children off of the street and out of crisis. Having previously occupied a 1700 sqft residential home, they now had 5000 sqft of space to make a safe haven.

The building that was purchased was previously an inpatient special needs facility. Many things about the layout were a perfect fit but the big task was taking things from hospital to home. We met with Grace House to dream up all the things we’d love to do and the amount of those dreams we saw gifted with the labor volunteered is something I’m so thankful I got to be a part of!

The facility has ten bedrooms, five bathrooms, offices and a large living space including a full kitchen. There is also an emergency wing for those needing immediate assistance. One of the first things we knew when planning the remodel is that paint was going to make such an impact. We wanted the space to feel bright as there’s not a ton of natural light so we used Benjamin Moore White Dove throughout. We also updated the commercial doors with Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black paint. The fluorescent lighting was removed and updated with recessed lights and chandeliers in the main area to bring in some charm and ambient lighting. The green carpet was removed and flooring throughout the bedrooms and hallways was updated with donated material. To make the living area cozy and inviting, we created a stone fireplace to anchor the space. The kitchen received the most love utilizing the existing cabinets but updating with shaker style doors and brightening things up with paint. It also received new appliances, gifted Black Pearl Leathered quartz countertops, gifted Marrakesh Berber Black 4x4 backsplash tile and a new sink. Detail and charm were added in the kitchen with a brass faucet, brass hardware and brass accent lighting.

Each room was sponsored for us to purchase furnishing and because there was such a response and a rallying around Grace House to get their facility remodeled and new doors open, we were able to purchase new furnishings not second hand. The goal was to make this space serve as many as possible and allow everyone that entered to be and feel comfortable. We chose a large leather sectional for durability and to warm up the space. The dining space fit 2 large tables with bench seating so all the mommas and kiddos can pile in and have meals together. The bedrooms were completed with trundle and bunk bedding so moms and kids have their own bed and a couple of rooms have a sweet nursery corner. There is also offices, a play room, a work station, a prayer room and counseling rooms that were furnished and staged.

This space was transformed from a sterile inpatient facility to a warm inviting home. At the time of writing this, they are housing 7 women with 5 kids and 4 kids on the way. They serve women in the Ark-La-Tex area and continue to make an impact on women and children in crisis. As always the goal was to create a refreshing place of rest and peace and this time for a group of ladies and kids that were recused from just the opposite. What an honor!