The roofing crew arrived yesterday to put a new roof on the old barn just before 8 am. They were crazy fast, polite and it was really interesting to watch them work so well together as a team.
I told the HH we should have set up a time lapse camera or something. We were amazed that by half past twelve, they were all packed up and ready to head off to their next job.
Granted putting a new roof on our barn wasn’t a huge or complicated task with lots of curves or levels or anything, but still.
We were surprised at how fast the whole thing went. But then again when you have 10 people show up and swarm the place, I suppose that’s what you get.
Next up on the project list is getting someone out here to re-work the deck {and fix the front porch}. We’re hoping to have that done before Lucy’s new fence arrives.
With only about 6 more weeks to go until fall, I’m really eager to get both the deck and the fence done {and stained} before the cooler temps arrive.
Because HELLO, once the cooler temperatures arrive, it will be time to plant the 2000 {HOLY COW} bulbs that I ordered. There are SO MANY projects to squeeze in before winter it’s crazy. But also really, really exciting too.
I love this part of the new home process. I love it when you look at a place and you say to yourself; This place would look so much better if only…… And then you buy the place, make a list and see the whole thing come into fruition.
I LOVE that part!!
I love checklists! And I especially love ones that involve a lot of gardening projects.
When I look at the side of this barn in all its glory next summer, I see something tall growing on the left, a potting bench with terra cotta pots under the windows, a new door and a white trellis around the door with vines {climbing roses?} arched around it.
That’s what I’m thinking this space needs. But maybe you have a better idea?
Project mode. It’s my happy place.
~Mavis
Christie says
I love the new look and all your ambition! Thanks for sharing!!
Lesley says
Your very own barn! Can’t wait to see what the rest of the homestead is like! Thanks for taking us along for the wonderful ride.
eliz says
Looks great!
Do you have to water the grass or does it just stay that green in Maine?
Mavis Butterfield says
We don’t have to water the grass. 🙂
eliz says
Wow! That is nice. I’ve never lived someplace like that. Last year was pretty good, we got an unusual amount of rain throughout the summer, but so dry this year in sw Montana. Wildfire 4 miles away. Would love some moisture.
Enjoy your new place!
eliz says
Mavis,
Do you have a favorite brand of breakfast tea or do you only drink earl grey?
My favorite lately has been Yorkshire biscuit brew. I think it stains my teeth, but could just be our well water I guess. The dental hygienist asked if I drank a lot of coffee.
Wendy C. says
Do you have a special tool of some sort to plant 2,000 bulbs or are you digging holes with a shovel. Curious minds want to know.
KC says
I don’t know about Mavis, but a friend planted a massive number of bulbs using a hole-drilling attachment on a cordless screwdriver.
Mavis Butterfield says
The HH uses a hole-drilling attachment on a cordless screwdriver and I place the bulbs. It’s team effort with that many bulbs, that’s for sure.
Annette says
Sunflowers along the side. And the trellis you mentioned.
J in OH-IO says
Wow-you are making so much progress already! WhooHoo! Way to go! It all sounds lovely and so pretty. My suggestion is zinnia’s cut and come again or something like them for bright and cheery pops of color.
Remi says
Your barn looks great- I love seeing the before, progress & after pictures! If you’re going to get a new door, have you looked at any Dutch doors? And some hydrangeas would look nice there too. Plus, I think they do really well in Maine/the east coast.
Sue in SoCal says
Shutters are my idea for the windows. They just finish them in my book.
Sue says
I’m a little confused that you replaced metal for shingles (particularly in Maine!).
Did the existing roof leak?
I recommend adding a screen/storm door for airflow without the no-see-ums & skeeters.
Jet says
Sorry, but the metal roof looked better. (Have one on my log house.) To each his or her own! Good luck with your new digs.
Tracy T says
1000% agree with you.
Mavis Butterfield says
The metal roof was old and leaking. It needed to be replaced so we went with something that matched the house. 🙂
Sue says
Your architectural shingles are beautiful, and matching the house makes perfect sense. The metal roof looked much nicer than it functioned, apparently!
Pat says
I was thinking the same thing!
Kim says
So happy you are getting things done. You ALWAYS put a special touch on your homes.
Sue S. says
I thought the metal roof looked new myself, too. What about the snow load?
Nancy says
Sunflowers, like you have done before, would be fabulous against the barn!
Susan says
I think a big wooden planter box under the windows would be adorable!
Susan says
If you are thinking about a climbing rose, look up David Austin roses. They specialize in really fragrant varieties, and the plants are very healthy and hearty. Their US facility is in Texas – they started in England.
Tiffany F says
It looks great and I love your ideas for flowers. I also like the suggestion for shutters on the windows. I think a metal star would be pretty also, but might be too much with all the flowers. I know it will look beautiful when you’re finished.
We got a new roof put on our house the same days yours was done. Ours is a smaller 1,100 sq ft house. They were done by one o’oclock, packed up, and gone also. It is amazing how fast they can do a roof!
Lynda Rees Kling says
Is it actually a barn?! Maybe the other side is more barn like..!
Mine is full of animals and definitely not a house!
debbie in alaska says
I wondered if people would comment about how you went from metal to shingles in a heavy snow state. But shingles are usually significantly less expensive (metal would have been 60K on our house and shingles were 40k and we are in the snowy state of Alaska) and it makes sense you would want to match your home. Though I do love the look of a metal roof – I would 100% want the house and barn to match and if the house didn’t need a new roof then shingles probably made the most sense.
maureen detmer says
just a thought, i have similar space above our garage, that i use for my crafts and i love it. in the summer it can get somewhat steamy so a ceiling fan comes in handy and is just enough. in the winter i have wood stove. another thought that would be easy enough to do is to add a double barn door on either end up top that opens in the middle for air flow, natural light and of course a view. a simple red door completes the look.