The journey to our forever home has taken a monumental leap forward! We’ve officially secured what we proudly call our DREAM PROPERTY, and it’s even more incredible than we initially envisioned. This significant acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, driven by a clear vision for growth and a desire for a lifestyle deeply rooted in creativity and nature.
As previously hinted in my post, “Looking Forward to the Future,” our decision to relocate was fueled by an unwavering ambition: to “build our dream.” This dream unequivocally demanded more land and, critically, a dedicated building for my business – a true workshop, far superior to a makeshift garage space. While the immediate task involves completing renovations on our current home before putting it on the market, we understood that finding the perfect foundation for our future would take time. Thus, our search for “the place” where this dream would come alive began.
Unveiling Our Vision: Key Features for the Ideal Property
Our search criteria were distinct, reflecting both our personal aspirations and the functional demands of Sawdust Girl Inc. We weren’t just looking for a house; we were seeking an entire environment that would foster creativity, offer tranquility, and provide practical solutions for our growing business.
- Ample Land (5 to 15 Acres): Our desire for space was paramount. We envisioned a property that felt secluded and private, offering a retreat from the hustle and bustle, yet remaining conveniently accessible – definitely not “out in the boondocks.” This acreage would allow for future projects, connection with nature, and a sense of freedom.
- A Dedicated Workshop Building: This was non-negotiable. I needed a standalone structure, completely separate from the main house, specifically designed and equipped to serve as my primary workshop and business headquarters. This facility would be the heart of Sawdust Girl Inc., enabling efficient workflow and fostering uninterrupted productivity.
- Commute Convenience: While embracing a more rural lifestyle, practicality remained important. The property needed to be within a 30-minute commute for Wes, ensuring that our new home wouldn’t compromise his daily routine.
The Strategic Shift: Custom Build Versus Thoughtful Renovation
Initially, the romantic notion of designing and constructing a custom home from the ground up held significant appeal. I’d spent countless hours poring over house plans, gathering inspiration for layouts, unique design elements, and functional features that might define our ultimate dwelling. However, a surprising revelation emerged from this extensive research: my “dream house” feature list wasn’t as expansive as I had imagined. It distilled down to two absolute non-negotiables that truly mattered in our next residence:
- A Truly Exceptional Kitchen: This priority stemmed directly from an unexpected and delightful transformation in our current home. Ever since I renovated our previous kitchen, Wes has blossomed into an incredibly talented and enthusiastic cook! It’s astonishing to think that a well-designed kitchen could unlock such culinary passion. Had I known, I would have prioritized an amazing kitchen in our very first home, and every one of the five houses we’ve lived in since! He genuinely loves creating in our kitchen, and I, in turn, adore eating the delicious meals he prepares. It’s a genuine win-win situation, and I’m already envisioning how to push the boundaries with the new kitchen design to further elevate his cooking prowess and our shared enjoyment. This space will be a hub of creativity, culinary adventures, and family gatherings.
- A Serene Master Suite: Naturally, this includes a comfortable bedroom, a space I remain delighted to share with Wes. However, when we’re talking about “dreams,” the concept expands significantly to include separate closets and distinct bathrooms. We’ve discovered that our individual habits and routines, though minor, can occasionally lead to small frictions. (To be fair, Wes is incredibly tolerant. But since I possess the skills to build and design, I intend to proactively eliminate potential sources of irritation, creating a more harmonious and personalized retreat for both of us.) A master suite designed for individual comfort and privacy will be crucial for long-term enjoyment.
This fresh perspective fundamentally reshaped our property search. Instead of solely focusing on raw land, I broadened our criteria to include properties featuring 5-15 acres with an existing house – a house that could be thoughtfully renovated into our dream home. Crucially, it also needed to offer sufficient space, close enough for convenience but not directly adjacent, where I could construct my ultimate “Dream Workshop.” This strategic shift opened up a world of new possibilities.
Crafting the Ultimate Creative Hub: My Dream Workshop Revealed
As I’ve previously alluded, the desire to move beyond working out of a mere garage is not just a preference; it’s the primary catalyst propelling this entire relocation. The need for a superior, purpose-built workshop facility is the driving force behind the “we’re moving” decision. I have a very specific and ambitious vision for my dream workshop, designed to maximize efficiency, creativity, and the overall growth of Sawdust Girl Inc.
- A Completely Separate, Dedicated Building: This is fundamental.
- It cannot be a garage, serving multiple purposes and constantly battling with vehicle storage or household overflow.
- It must not be attached to our house, ensuring a clear physical and mental separation between home and work life. This fosters focus and professionalism.
- Multiple, Distinct Working Zones: My ideal workshop will feature separate areas for different stages of a project. This means I can engage in dusty construction in one space and delicate finishing work in another, all without the arduous and time-consuming process of moving equipment, extensive cleaning, or re-setting up for a new task. This workflow optimization is critical for productivity.
- Ample Space for Collaboration: The new workshop needs to be large enough to comfortably accommodate more than one person working simultaneously. This future-proofs the space for potential team members, apprentices, or collaborative projects, opening doors for expanded capabilities and mentorship opportunities.
- A Functional Two-Story Design: This vertical integration is a game-changer for my workflow.
- Ground Level: This floor will be dedicated to “dirty work” – the heavy-duty construction, sawing, sanding, and assembly. It will be designed for robust machinery, dust collection, and easy material access.
- Upper Level: This space will serve as my “Office Work” zone. Here, I’ll engage in the cerebral aspects of the business: designing and drawing up plans, conducting research, hosting virtual meetings via Skype or phone, writing blog posts, meticulously editing photos and videos, and performing voice-over work. These are tasks I currently juggle at our kitchen island or in my small loft studio, often plagued by constant interruptions. Working from “home” meant dealing with an average of 500 distractions daily that someone in a traditional office environment wouldn’t face – primarily our beloved dogs barking at every falling leaf, but also family members who, knowing I’m home, feel the need to see what I’m doing or engage in casual chit-chat during crucial work periods. This dedicated upstairs office will provide the focus and quiet needed for high-quality content creation.
- Future Expansion: The upper level also holds potential for additional amenities or specialized areas that I’ll elaborate on in future updates, hinting at even more exciting developments for Sawdust Girl Inc. Headquarters.
The Quest: Navigating the Property Search Landscape
Once we broadened our search parameters to include existing houses ripe for renovation, we dedicated several Saturdays to “drive-bys.” These preliminary scouting missions proved invaluable for quickly eliminating properties that clearly wouldn’t meet our specific requirements. With such a distinct wish list, it was often easy to discern from the road what simply wouldn’t work. For promising contenders, I’d then send the addresses to our realtor to arrange proper showings.
It’s important to clarify that we didn’t abandon our original goal of “buying land on which to build.” Instead, we expanded our search to encompass both scenarios: raw land for a custom build *and* properties featuring an existing house on 5-15 acres, with sufficient adjacent space for a substantial, two-story workshop building. After all, what are the odds of stumbling upon a property that perfectly ticks every box? It took us six months to find our current house, and even then, I only had one “must-have” on my list. This time around, we were actively seeking “Dream Material” with a rather unique and detailed “wish list,” a challenge we relished.
Throughout the search, we accumulated valuable insights into the realities of property hunting:
- Listing Versus Reality: Sometimes, properties appear far more appealing and spacious in online listings than they do when viewed in person. Photography can be very deceptive!
- Topography Matters: A seemingly promising six-acre plot on a map can reveal itself as an unusable, steep hill with no viable building site for a future workshop once you actually visit the location. Understanding the land’s contours and usability is paramount.
- Hidden Gems: Conversely, some properties might look so unconventional or “weird” in their online descriptions or photos that you almost dismiss them entirely. Yet, these often hold the most unexpected potential for transformation. Always keep an open mind!
The Unearthing of a “Diamond in the Rough”
Despite the detailed criteria and the potential for a lengthy search, our quest for the perfect property was surprisingly swift. I don’t want to give the impression that we endlessly toured dozens of homes. While the insights above are indeed based on properties we personally visited, we actually spent only two dedicated search days with our realtor, viewing merely three or four places each day.
It was on one of these scheduled showings that we arrived to find the selling realtor already present, waiting to greet us. Her presence was notable because, as she explained, this was a “unique place” that truly “needed explaining.”
And then we saw it. And it was, in its own way, PERFECT!
An incredible 11-acre estate, featuring a charming (if quirky) existing house, AND a completely separate, two-story workshop building already in place!
Of course, it’s not “perfect” in the sense of being move-in ready with every detail meticulously finished. But it possesses immense potential, and it will be infinitely easier and faster to mold what’s already here into our ideal vision than to start from scratch with raw land and build upwards. The house itself is… quite unique, to say the least. It has its peculiarities, but I’ve tackled “weird” houses before, and I’m confident in my ability to transform it. Crucially, it’s perfectly livable, providing a comfortable base until we finalize our plans for its extensive renovation – which will likely involve additions down the line. However, my immediate, primary focus will undoubtedly be the workshop building. This is *my* business building! The future Sawdust Girl Inc. Headquarters!
Embracing Rural Living: Our New Home in Clinton, TN
Our newly acquired property is nestled in the picturesque rural landscape of Clinton, TN. Embracing country living means making a few adjustments. We’re transitioning to septic tanks and will need to arrange for private trash collection services. One of the most enchanting features, and perhaps one of the most demanding, is our very own pond, alongside a sprawling five acres of lawn that will require regular mowing. In fact, Wes, ever the practical one, was so concerned about the sheer volume of fallen leaves providing perfect cover for ticks that we promptly purchased a large lawnmower this past weekend. Ticks are, frankly, quite gross, and we’re already strategizing ways to manage them.
Speaking of nature, our beloved dogs, Brody and Bella, absolutely adore romping around their new domain! This, however, presents a new set of challenges and responsibilities. The rural setting means we’ve observed coyotes and foxes on the cameras Wes has installed to monitor the property until we move in. Ensuring the safety of our furry companions will be a top priority, and we’re actively researching secure fencing and other protective measures to keep them safe from local wildlife.
Exploring Our Natural Kingdom: Woods, Mountains, and Waterfalls
One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of our new property is that we now own an entire side of what we proudly call a “mountain”! To be fair, those from the American West might consider it more of a substantial hill, but here in Tennessee, it unequivocally qualifies as a mountain. Complementing this natural grandeur is a charming little creek that cascades down our tiny mountain-hill, creating what we affectionately refer to as our very own waterfall. A well-worn trail winds its way through the dense woods at the back of our property, leading all the way up to our personal mountain retreat.
This past weekend, embracing our inner “homesteaders-in-training,” we also invested in a UTV (Utility Task Vehicle). This robust vehicle will allow us to easily navigate the wooded terrain, venturing deep into the property to gather firewood from fallen trees – a sustainable way to heat our home and embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle. While I may harbor a distinct dislike for ticks and mice, I am fully committed to conquering the challenges and relishing the rewards of this incredible rural living experience!
A Sneak Peek: The Future Sawdust Girl Inc. Headquarters
Without a doubt, the element of our new property that excites me most is the workshop building – a structure that is even better than I knew I wanted, perfectly designed for the future of Sawdust Girl Inc. This dedicated space isn’t just a workshop; it’s the future headquarters of my business, poised to become a hub of creativity and productivity.
- Optimal Proximity and Privacy: The separate building is situated at an ideal distance from the main house. It’s close enough for my convenience, allowing for an easy walk to work, yet far enough to discourage casual interruptions from those in the house who might otherwise “just pop over to see what I’m up to.” This ensures focused work time and a professional boundary.
- Expansive Dual Bays: The workshop features two distinct and generously sized bays, each one larger than my entire current workshop space. This dual-bay setup will be revolutionary for managing different project phases and maintaining an organized, efficient workflow.
Upon stepping inside, I didn’t even need to take measurements. The sheer scale instantly elicited a “wooooo” reaction; I knew it was perfectly sized for my ambitions. This image shows Bay 1, which is slightly smaller than Bay 2 but still offers tremendous working space.
Bay 2 is currently serving as temporary storage for some of Julie’s belongings, as well as items we’ve already begun moving out of our Maryville house. This early transfer helps create more room for us to finalize those critical renovations.
Bay 2 also features a convenient door leading into a hallway. One end of this hallway provides direct access to the outside, while the other boasts a sturdy metal stairway ascending to the upper level. Crucially, this hallway also houses a bathroom – though it’s more accurately described as a room containing a toilet, indicating its basic functionality which I plan to enhance. The existing facilities provide an excellent foundation for future improvements.
Ascending the metal stairs, you arrive in a vast, open-plan space on the upper floor, a blank canvas awaiting my creative touch. At some point, a previous owner or occupant had begun some framing work up there, but it never progressed far enough to clearly define their original plan or intention. I’m confident that I’ll be tearing out the minimal existing framing and starting fresh, designing the space precisely to meet the unique needs of my “office work” and content creation demands.
Accelerating Our Future: The Path to Moving In
I genuinely never anticipated finding a property that not only featured an existing workshop building perfectly aligned with (and even surpassing) my desires, but also sat on a piece of land that was beyond our wildest dreams. And to find something so perfectly suited, so quickly, was truly remarkable. But we did, and I knew instantly that I wanted it badly!
The timing wasn’t perfectly aligned with our current home sale timeline, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. I couldn’t risk losing this extraordinary property, so we made the leap. It’s officially ours, and our excitement is palpable!
Now, with two mortgages to manage, the urgency to complete our current house is higher than ever. My goal is to have it on the market by April, and I’m pushing hard to meet that deadline. Thankfully, Julie is returning from her extended vacation in Costa Rica, a well-deserved break with her daughter during college winter break. She’s fully recovered from her surgery and is ready to lend her invaluable help and hard work to this intense renovation push.
The sooner we can finalize the Maryville house, the sooner we can make our full transition to Clinton and truly begin building our new life and business headquarters. (And only *then* will I fully dedicate myself to helping Julie find the “little farm” she dreams of finding for herself!) This is an exhilarating, challenging, and profoundly rewarding chapter in the Sawdust Girl journey, and we can’t wait to share every step with you.