Life in the Barns

[Homebody]

Hope the mess didn't scare ya away. Now the good news.....my daughter is getting married late next year - and she wants to use the barn!!
So basically I get to spend whatever it is a wedding costs on our barn...and keep it all in the end? WINNING!

Spending this Summer doing some landscaping work that got neglected during the kitchen remodel and getting rid of A LOT of stuff that's been accumulating in the barns for 17 years. This winter we'll start on the inside replacing some beams and creating a grand stair case to the upper level and generally making sure it's structurally sound for a couple hundred people. Then next year will be all the finishing details.

Have a hard time myself believing we'll be able to get the big ol thing whipped into shape in 18 months but stranger things have been accomplished..

 

[Homebody]

Remember this shed that I picked up from a school stadium? I had the crane put it in what I thought was the perfect spot for it (page 2 or 3) but have since decided to move it. No crane this time so we used a skid steer and literally dragged it the 100' to it's new home. It fared quite well considering there is no floor in it for rigidity.
Gotta build a new wood frame floor for it then it'll be used near our party area where we have our campfires. We'll use it for all the outdoor games, lawn chairs and an inside buffet counter.
7-1 by Laine Olson, on Flickr
7-2 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

After that we destroyed the grass in front of the shop to ready it for the gas pump island. My daughter wasn't aware of this plan and was less than enthused about a gas station near her wedding venue. lol I told her it will be the #1 picture spot of the day!! She's marrying a gearhead.
7-3 by Laine Olson, on Flickr
7-4 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

 

[Bears Fan]

Nice job on getting the shed moved, I have moved a few of them over the years and the bobcat is usually the best option...unless you have a crane handy Can't wait to see the gas pump island, your right it will be the number one place that pictures are taken when you daughters wedding takes place, just cool

 

[Firebrand]

Great work on the house and barns so far!

As a fellow barn guy, the wedding reception thing just 'fits' with the whole concept of what a barn can do!!

Subscribed.

 

[Homebody]

Back from the dead guys! Summer is flying by, can't believe it's Laboe Day weekend already!
Sold my 72 about a month ago so now I have more time(and $) to spend on my projects.
Was pretty hard to see it go...
7-5 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

Anyways, we framed up 3 areas for concrete. Some steps by the small barn, the pad for the shed pictured above.
7-6 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

and my gas pump island!
7-7 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

The steps were more or less a back up space for any extra cement and actually worked out well as we had enough to finish two more sections. Wifey liked this the best.
7-8 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

Just before finishing the pad..
7-9 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

And after.. the "picture frame" edge stops on 2 sides as the shed will sit on the far right back corner so they'll be exposed cement on the front and left side.
7-10 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

The pump island is 2' x 14'.
7-11 by Laine Olson, on Flickr


Once dry, I wrapped a strap around the shed, put some 2x6's under it along with a pvc pipe..
7-13 by Laine Olson, on Flickr
And pulled it into place with my Sierra.
7-14 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

Took some jockeying around but eventually made it. (pic is flipflopped, actually sits to the right on the pad)
7-15 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

Also upgraded my trailer for the Rustorations business! To the side of the trailer you can see one of the Menards patio displays that I mentioned earlier completed.
7-16 by Laine Olson, on Flickr
7-17 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

 

[53PontiacSD]

I just spent the evening reading your wonderful thread. Great work on the barns and house. I really like the 46 truck sitting as yard art. Looks like it made for good planters. Hopefully you'll be back soon with more updates.

 

[Bears Fan]

Great photo! Awesome look Sorry to hear about the 72 leaving Looking forward to seeing how the gas island turns out...

 

[1953mercury]

Beautiful job on the house. I built new homes, and did remodels for many years, and re-do's are generally twice the work and twice the money. I grew up in southern Wis. and always loved the old dairy farms. Last time I was back most of them were gone. Always wanted to renovate a barn into a home, but ended up building a home to look like a barn. The outside area around your place is equally nice. Looking forward to your continuing progress. Cheers, Mike

 

[Homebody]

I just spent the evening reading your wonderful thread. Great work on the barns and house. I really like the 46 truck sitting as yard art. Looks like it made for good planters. Hopefully you'll be back soon with more updates.

Thank you so much, things have hit a lull with a nasty December and no heat in any of the barns right now. If it gets in the 30's, I'll be out there again getting something done.

Great photo! Awesome look Sorry to hear about the 72 leaving Looking forward to seeing how the gas island turns out...

Ya, that was harder than I though it would be but I'm happy someone is enjoying hell out of it. More than I ever did the last two years. I've got the pumps at the sandblasters right now and they'll be priority one come Spring!

Beautiful job on the house. I built new homes, and did remodels for many years, and re-do's are generally twice the work and twice the money. I grew up in southern Wis. and always loved the old dairy farms. Last time I was back most of them were gone. Always wanted to renovate a barn into a home, but ended up building a home to look like a barn. The outside area around your place is equally nice. Looking forward to your continuing progress. Cheers, Mike

Thanks, that means a lot coming from a builder! It most definitely was a project that took many unexpected turns but turned out well in the end.
Can't wait to get more into the big barn and see what surprises await me.

Your barn home is incredible looking! Do you have a project thread of it on here?

 

[WarrenJ]

Finished reading all the pages-great work and nice looking home.

 

[Homebody]

Finished reading all the pages-great work and nice looking home.

Thanks!

I got a few neat little projects done before the snow started flying this month.
Once the shed was positioned and fastened in place I had to move the door to the front and patch up the back where the door was.
Being an old ticket booth the door was in back and two windows were in the front. Here's the new door being cut in place of one of the windows.
7-18 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

And not too long after that we had a finished shed - now stocked with all of our outdoor chairs, games, cooking utensils, bag boards, etc. I love the way it turned out! Put a counter in it for a microwave and mini fridge also.
7-19 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

Here you can see how it sits next to the firepit and one of those clearance retaining walls I got from Menards which works great as a food/drink table.
Next Spring I'll put a block paver patio down in front of it for the picnic table which will save me from having to move it every time I mow. A reason for everything around here!
7-21 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

If you notice in the background of the above pic, I put up 12 sections of weathered cedar fence extending from the shop over to the firepit area. Totally changed the looks of the area and gives me a place to hang some signs, etc.
My wife found a pic on Pinterest of wood saws on a fence and I knew I had bought enough of them over the years at auctions on the cheap and up they went. Got em out of my way in the barn and banked some brownie points with the wifey - double win!!
7-22 by Laine Olson, on Flickr
7-23 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

 

[Homebody]

I've been in a cleanout, downsizing mode all Fall trying to clear the barn for it's impending remodel and trying to find a use for a lot of odd things I've picked up for re-purposing. I had two of these old yard carts and thought I'd put em to better use! I need to find one more for a third door. It actually works perfect as the rain and morning dew come off the barn overhang about 15" in front of the doors and I always got wet while unlocking the doors. No more!
7-24 by Laine Olson, on Flickr
7-25 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

 

[gtabasso]

Kinda bored sittin here tonite so I figured I'd start a thread about my barns.
Enjoy...or not.
They've been a work in progress since we moved here 14 years ago. Seems never ending. lol

I'll start with an aerial shot of the layout thanks to my son the pilot.:happy:
As you can see from the pic, the three barns are in what I call the "Bago Triangle". Tools are constantly getting moved among the three and never in the one that I need em in. I even buy doubles and triples of tools at auctions and garage sales to help alleviate that issue. lol

Each building has a name of course so when the kids were young they knew exactly which one I was referring to. At the bottom we have the original corncrib (The Crib), then to the West is The Small Barn, and at a right angle to that is The Big Barn. Ya, I was really creative with the names!:crazy:

Were gonna start with The Crib as that's the one I'm currently working on transforming it into a Mancave.

Any livestock in those barns. When I'm "in the barn," I'm with my horse.

 

[Homebody]

Any livestock in those barns. When I'm "in the barn," I'm with my horse.

Negative. It was previously a Dairy barn and before that was the largest chicken farm in the county. The top floor was about 18" of solid chicken poop that we shoveled out.

I prefer to fill em with automotive horsepower these days.

 

[C_F]

It actually works perfect as the rain and morning dew come off the barn overhang about 15" in front of the doors and I always got wet while unlocking the doors. No more!

That's a great idea! Here's a photo I found somewhere on the net of a guy who had a similar idea. I guess he had a spare hood kicking around, and so...

 

[Homebody]

That's a great idea! Here's a photo I found somewhere on the net of a guy who had a similar idea. I guess he had a spare hood kicking around, and so...

Thanks
Yes, I've got a few hoods myself I plan on using somewhere.

 

[Bears Fan]

The shed and fire pit areas look great!!! I need some extra storage space too...The yard cart to is a great idea, I need a overhang on my barn service door too, awesome stuff!...Merry Christmas.

 

[don long]

Homebody
merry christmas.
I promise to catch up on your thread soon

Don

 

[CafeTools]

Homebody
merry christmas.
I promise to catch up on your thread soon

Don

x2 and nice thread

 

[polexican23]

hello fellow illinoisian. nice work on your barns. subscribed for more updates on the barn/wedding venue setup. btw if you really pull it off, you can always rent out your new space for other weddings. Big money in that these days.....ask me how i know. Ok i will tell you, I spent a lot of money on my wedding 2 years ago and it was in a barn.

 

[Homebody]

hello fellow illinoisian. nice work on your barns. subscribed for more updates on the barn/wedding venue setup. btw if you really pull it off, you can always rent out your new space for other weddings. Big money in that these days.....ask me how i know. Ok i will tell you, I spent a lot of money on my wedding 2 years ago and it was in a barn.

I hear ya! Incredible money. We've actually gone and looked at two in the area that charge 2 grand for a single day wedding with set up the night before. Both are booked solid every weekend through 17 already!!
One was pretty nice and the other was a dump IMO with numerous safety hazards. Weak zoning and permits there I guess, but people still love it.

Getting through zoning is a whole other deal though. Winnebago county likes to drive business away rather than embrace it with all their fees, etc. We're still contemplating renting it but after seeing what others have had to do it may take a couple years.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks to Don and Cafe also, appreciate it!

 

[polexican23]

your county isnt the only one. This is Illinois after all.

 

[Capt Crash]

I just found your thread and I love everything that you have done EXCEPT selling the Camaro. House looks great, the mancave look great, and I am sure that the Barn will look great as well.
Brian

 

[Homebody]

I just found your thread and I love everything that you have done EXCEPT selling the Camaro. House looks great, the mancave look great, and I am sure that the Barn will look great as well.
Brian

Thanks Brian! Agreed on the Camaro - WTH was I thinking???

 

[Sunbimmer]

I did lose track of you're thread why as I subscribed to it.
After you commented in my thread I caught up on yours...
Just WOW very nice job on the house and everything else

Would call that spectacular

And yes, why did you sell the Camaro....what a beauty!!

 

[Burley]

Was that Texaco station in Hazel Green, Wis.?? If so, I did a photo shoot there for a car magazine!

*EDIT: Now that I compare, its not the same place.

The plan once their done is to put an awning like this one......


...on the front of my mancave,


Here's what the pumps look like fully restored.

 

[Bob Heine]

Thanks Brian! Agreed on the Camaro - WTH was I thinking???

Laine, I understand moments of weakness all too well. At one point I was really working hard on my '72 Corvette and was asked "what do you plan to do with it when it's done?" Before I could say "enjoy it" my wife said "we'll probably sell it." I slowed down dramatically and very likely will never finish it. I find working on it to be fun and relaxing.

 

[Homebody]

I did lose track of you're thread why as I subscribed to it.
After you commented in my thread I caught up on yours...
Just WOW very nice job on the house and everything else

Would call that spectacular

And yes, why did you sell the Camaro....what a beauty!!

Thanks, I really need to post here more as I've been quite busy emptying the big barn. Let's just not talk about the Camaro.... I do still have my 5th gen though and it's a blast to drive.

Was that Texaco station in Hazel Green, Wis.?? If so, I did a photo shoot there for a car magazine!
*EDIT: Now that I compare, its not the same place.

Fabulous pics! I need to hook up with you sometime for pics of my 5th gen.
I'll have to take a cruise up to Hazel Green and check that place out.

Laine, I understand moments of weakness all too well. At one point I was really working hard on my '72 Corvette and was asked "what do you plan to do with it when it's done?" Before I could say "enjoy it" my wife said "we'll probably sell it." I slowed down dramatically and very likely will never finish it. I find working on it to be fun and relaxing.

Building the car was fun and I've done several but doubt I'll do anymore to that extent. I enjoy driving my 5th gen around just as much. Some day I'll buy a 68-72 C/10.
8-1 by Laine Olson, on Flickr

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Subscribed.

 

[Homebody]

Test
https://photos.app.goo.gl/af2yey93TwMyFHlE3

 

[Homebody]

Fml, I have so much to update but refuse to use pb anymore. Can't figure out how to upload from Flickr on my phone.

 

[lieutenant]

Figure it out! I love this thread.

 

[bj383ss]

Use Flickr.

Bret

 

[Homebody]

Use Flickr.

Bret

I have it, just can't figure out how to post pics here from my phone.

 

[Crown]

If you've got the flickr-app installed:
- start the app
- click on the icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (person icon next to the alarm bell)
- now you're in your camera roll
- select the photo you want to post by clicking it
- now you get a large view of your photo
- click on the icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (bowed arrow)
- you'll get multiple options now, select the copy URL in the bottom row, 2nd from the left icon (chain icon)
- now you're back to the large view of your photo and the url is copied to the phones memory
- go to the garageforum in your browser
- click on quick reply or post reply
- paste your image url
- post your reply
- wait for others to be in awe and post nice comments

You can do it. It just takes some time, especially with multiple pics.

 

[Firebrand]

Great work, need updates! Plus 2 on Flickr. What he ^ said.

 

[Homebody]

https://flic.kr/p/D7CuCf

Did exactly as stated above. No worky...
It gives just the link to the pic - and the whole camera roll for that matter..

 

[TractorJeff]

There is a barn in South East Wisconsin that was being used for Weddings. Till Zoning and Health found out about it! They are upgrading to comply with Fire Exits, Bathrooms, Wheelchair Access and a Zoning Variance to run a small Business in an Ag/Residential area!
My opinion?
Better to see the Barn used, than knocked down to lower Property Taxes!

 

[bj383ss]

https://flic.kr/p/D7CuCf

Did exactly as stated above. No worky...
It gives just the link to the pic - and the whole camera roll for that matter..

Did you change the tab at the top to bbcode?

 

[48RON54]

What an awesome thread! I can't believe I just stumbled onto this now! Great work both in and out of the house! If I said I was impressed that would be one heck of an understatement!