The journey to transform my vision into a reality for the Build & Breakfast has been an incredible adventure, full of creativity, problem-solving, and a good dose of unexpected detours. When I first shared my ambitious plans, I was brimming with excitement, and that enthusiasm hasn’t waned. However, like many significant projects, evolution is inevitable. The global landscape, particularly the enduring impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, introduced unforeseen challenges, significantly influencing the timeline for renovating the workshop space and delaying the commencement of our hands-on classes. My top priority remains the health and safety of everyone involved – my family, future guests, and the community. Therefore, I’m embracing flexibility, navigating the ebb and flow of product availability, material procurement, and the search for expert assistance, all while patiently awaiting a clearer path forward.
During this period of strategic patience, my creative energy has been channeled into intensive design work. I’ve dedicated countless hours to refining the blueprints for the upstairs guest suites and our temporary living quarters within the Build & Breakfast structure. I literally explored 54 different configurations, meticulously sketching and envisioning each possibility. The design you see below was, for a time, the culmination of this exhaustive process – a layout I believed optimally balanced the needs of our future guests with our own temporary residential requirements during the main house renovation. It represented a thoughtful approach to maximizing comfort and functionality within the existing footprint.
In this previous iteration, the top-left room was designated as Wes’s and my temporary bedroom, hence its generously sized closet. The plan was to reposition its door to the hallway once we transitioned back to our main house, seamlessly converting it into a standard guest suite. The central room was envisioned as a dedicated craft area, complemented by an office space conveniently located across from the stairs. This configuration truly offered a functional and appealing design, promising an amazing gathering space. However, a few months ago, a crucial realization struck me: building an expansive gourmet kitchen and a large living room upstairs, only to duplicate these significant amenities in the main house, simply didn’t make logistical or financial sense.
The most sensible and efficient approach emerged from a deeper consideration of the overall project scope. Integrating a dedicated guest kitchen and common living areas directly into the new Guest Wing addition of the main house became the clear, logical choice. This revised strategy aligns perfectly with my existing plans to add guest rooms to the main house extension anyway, dramatically reducing the need to expend precious resources on redundant facilities. By consolidating these spaces, I can allocate my limited finances far more effectively, avoiding the costly duplication of essential amenities and ensuring every investment contributes meaningfully to the overall vision of an exceptional Build & Breakfast experience.
Exploring the Existing House: A Glimpse into the Past and Future
Stepping back from the workshop, let’s turn our attention to the main house as it stands today. This structure holds a unique charm and has revealed some intriguing secrets over the past year. Fascinatingly, I discovered whispers of a hidden door that once led to a cellar! While local lore suggests it was filled in due to structural collapse, my daughter, Madison, remains convinced we’ll unearth some captivating mysteries when the time comes. For now, this part of the house will retain its current state. I’ve made a firm commitment to Wes that he won’t have to endure another major renovation upheaval until the entire addition is complete. Once the new structures are in place, I plan a comprehensive gut renovation of this existing space, blending its historical character with modern functionality.
Introducing the Vision: The New Guest-Wing Addition
The image below vividly illustrates the future of our home, showcasing the integration of the highly anticipated Guest-Wing Addition. This significant expansion is designed to elevate the Build & Breakfast experience, offering unparalleled comfort and privacy for our guests. All of the dedicated guest suites will be thoughtfully positioned above the new garage, alongside a spacious pantry and a welcoming, private guest entry. This setup is meticulously planned to emulate the convenience and security of a high-end boutique hotel.
Each guest suite will feature a private, keyed entry, much like a hotel room, providing guests with independent access. Crucially, the door connecting the guest entry to the main house will also be securely keyed, allowing us to control access to our private living spaces. This thoughtful design ensures that our home remains exclusively open to guests precisely when we choose, striking the perfect balance between warm hospitality and personal privacy. It’s a system designed for seamless operation and peace of mind, both for us and for those who choose to stay at our unique Build & Breakfast destination. This addition represents a monumental step towards achieving the ultimate vision for our property.
The Ultimate Guest Experience: Upstairs Layout & Amenities
Just as with previous design phases, the upstairs layout of the Guest Wing underwent countless iterations – easily 100 different configurations were explored. After extensive deliberation, I’ve finalized what I believe is the optimal design to deliver a truly comfy, homey, and genuinely luxurious experience for every guest. This commitment to an exceptional stay is at the core of the Build & Breakfast philosophy.
This meticulously planned upstairs space will feature five distinct guest suites, each designed with comfort in mind. Beyond the private accommodations, guests will have access to convenient community amenities, including a well-appointed coffee bar – perfect for brewing that morning cup – and a dedicated laundry closet, ensuring a hassle-free stay. Among these five suites, one will be a unique and highly functional bunk room. This particular room is the only element where I’m still meticulously weighing the configuration options, seeking input to perfect its design. The bunk room is envisioned to comfortably accommodate 4 to 6 beds, alongside a dedicated lounge area, providing its occupants with their own private space to relax and socialize. I’m imagining this as an ideal setup for groups of friends, families, or retreat participants who wish to stay together while enjoying ample personal space.
Bunk Room Configuration: Option 1 (Private & Flexible)
This first design option for the bunk room prioritizes privacy and flexibility. It cleverly integrates the bunk beds into a distinct area that can be easily closed off from the rest of the room. This thoughtful separation allows some guests to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep while others can comfortably stay awake, watching TV, chatting, or engaging in quiet activities without disturbance. This configuration offers the versatility to spaciously accommodate four beds, providing generous individual space. Alternatively, for larger groups, I could strategically add another set of bunks, arranging them in a U-shape to comfortably house six guests. This adaptability ensures we can cater to varying group sizes while maintaining a high standard of comfort and consideration for all occupants.
Bunk Room Configuration: Option 2 (Open & Social)
The second bunk room option presents a more open and communal layout, featuring six bunk beds openly arranged within the room. This design is complemented by comfortable seating areas, including sofas, chairs, and beanbags, inviting occupants to gather and socialize freely. Aesthetically, I can vividly picture this setup – it would undoubtedly look incredibly cool and photograph beautifully, a consideration that my “blogger brain” always evaluates! However, from a practical standpoint, this option presents significant functional drawbacks. If even one person in the group desires to go to sleep, everyone else would either have to comply and go to bed or meticulously attempt to maintain absolute quiet. Such a scenario, as we all know, can be incredibly challenging to enforce and often leads to unnecessary friction or “drama” within a group dynamic. My goal is to create a serene and enjoyable environment, and this open layout might inadvertently compromise that.
Considering six people within a single party is a substantial number. This brings me to a pivotal question: Is a bunk room capable of accommodating six beds truly necessary for the Build & Breakfast, or would four beds be more than sufficient to meet the demand? These are the nuanced decisions that often occupy my thoughts late into the night. Intriguingly, at this preliminary stage of development, the choice between four and six bunks makes no significant difference in terms of construction cost or labor. My primary concern isn’t about the immediate practicalities but rather avoiding future regret – the feeling of wishing I had opted for a different configuration down the line. Therefore, I’m reaching out to you, my incredible community: Can you envision a scenario where you’d be eager to book a six-bunk suite with a group of friends or family? And if so, which of these two configurations – the private, separated option or the open, social layout – would you personally prefer to stay in? Your insights are invaluable, and I eagerly await your thoughts!
Commitment to Inclusivity: Catering to Wheelchair-Bound Guests
While I can’t predict whether a wheelchair-bound guest will visit the Build & Breakfast, my commitment to accessibility is unwavering. I am dedicated to making our facilities and experiences as inclusive as possible. Recognizing that most major power tool bases – such as the table saw, shaper, jointer, and planer – are not easily modifiable, a standard woodworking class might present challenges. However, this won’t deter me. I am absolutely willing to collaborate closely with any wheelchair-bound guest to customize a hands-on session tailored precisely to their interests and capabilities. We will work together to devise creative solutions, ensuring a rewarding and empowering learning experience for everyone. My goal is to foster an environment where passion for crafting knows no bounds.
Transforming Space: The 3000 sq/ft Studio and Event Center
With the guest suites now strategically located within the main house addition, you might be curious about the grand plans for the 3000 sq/ft upstairs space in my expansive workshop building. Prepare to be amazed, as this area is being reimagined into a dynamic and versatile Studio and Event Center – a hub of creativity, learning, and community engagement!
The Dynamic Event Space: A Hub for Creativity and Workshops
At the forefront of this transformation is a substantial, open area at the front of the building, which will serve as a magnificent, expansive classroom-style space. I understand that many individuals may not be ready for a full-scale home renovation but would absolutely love the satisfaction of building something unique to take home. This dedicated “Event Space” will provide the perfect environment for workshops, classes, and communal crafting projects, fostering a supportive atmosphere for hands-on learning and creation.
Ensuring Accessibility: Wheelchair Ramp and Dedicated Bathroom
The unique characteristic of this building’s back side being partially below grade, which previously contributed to some of my drainage issues, is now being leveraged to our advantage. This topographical feature will, serendipitously, allow us to make this entire upper floor fully wheelchair accessible. Our plans include constructing a new wheelchair ramp and adding a convenient access door on the back of the building. Furthermore, in our commitment to inclusivity, one of the bathrooms within this center has been meticulously designed to be fully accessible for wheelchair users, ensuring comfort and convenience for all visitors.
Essential Amenities: Catering Kitchen and Laundry Facilities
No event is truly complete without delicious food, which is why I’m incorporating a fully equipped catering kitchen and an accompanying pantry into the design. This will enable us to host a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to larger workshops, ensuring guests can enjoy refreshments and meals on-site. Additionally, a small, efficient laundry center will be included, primarily for managing linens and any washing requirements associated with the extensive crafting and workshop activities that will take place here.
My Dream Studio: The Ultimate Creative Sanctuary
Do you recall the craft room I meticulously built in my previous home? Well, prepare yourselves, because I am about to construct an even more incredible one here! In the year since all our belongings went into storage, I’ve lost count of the times I desperately needed a dedicated space for sewing, painting, cutting, printing, or a myriad of other creative tasks. This new, expansive studio and craft room will be thoughtfully designed not only as my personal creative sanctuary but also with the flexibility to transform into an additional “class space.” This versatility means I can easily host special “CRAFT WEEK” events at the Build & Breakfast, an idea that I’m increasingly excited about!
Strategic Workspace: My Dedicated Office and Podcast Room
The room currently labeled as a “podcast room” on the plans is, in fact, destined to become my primary office. The decision to locate my office here, rather than within the main house addition, is purely one of practical convenience and necessity. Perhaps the most critical reason is the blissful absence of dogs barking at every falling leaf outside – a constant challenge that makes voice-overs, phone calls, video conferences, and any form of filming or recording incredibly difficult to execute from home. Therefore, this dedicated, tranquil space within the Studio and Event Center is precisely where my office needs to be, ensuring a productive and professional environment for all my digital endeavors.
A Whimsical Detour: Considering an Alternative TV Show Accommodation Plan
While I am 97% certain that this alternative plan won’t be implemented, it’s a testament to the thoroughness of my design process – I felt compelled to sketch out a TV-show-centric accommodation option, just for the sheer intellectual exercise. About a year and a half ago, Julie and I found ourselves in discussions with yet another production company regarding the possibility of “creating a TV show about us and what we do.” (A prospect, I must add, that has a 99.999% chance of never materializing!) During these conversations, we playfully suggested that my Build & Breakfast would be an ideal location for a building competition show. As I mentally worked through the logistics of such a show, the need for convenient, on-site accommodation for participants became a tangible consideration, prompting this design exploration.
Having invested the time to sketch this alternative dozens of times, I decided it was worth sharing, even with the near certainty that the first, primary option will be the one I ultimately build. Realistically, I have a multitude of tasks – at least 100 things – to complete on the main floor of the workshop before I can even begin to fully focus on the upstairs development there. The immediate priority is the eagerly anticipated construction of the guest wing addition to the main house. This exciting phase will commence as soon as the draftsman and I finalize our meticulous back-and-forth on change requests and he delivers the complete, approved construction plans. We’re currently navigating our second round of revisions, ensuring every detail is perfect.
While I’ve confidently mapped out the interior floor plans, bringing in an expert to design the exterior aesthetics of the house has been crucial. My experience lies in transforming the interiors of eight different houses, but I’ve never embarked on a project of this scale – building from the ground up or executing such a substantial addition to an existing structure. This learning curve is exhilarating! As soon as those final construction plans are in hand, the next steps will involve gathering quotes from contractors and submitting for the necessary permits. The excitement to break ground on this project is immense, yet I also have a continuous stream of work in the workshop to manage – seamlessly integrating these ongoing tasks around the new addition work. Thankfully, Julie genuinely enjoys the general contracting aspect of projects, which means I don’t have to shoulder every responsibility myself. With our combined efforts and diverse skill sets, I have no doubt that we will create something truly amazing, a testament to collaboration and shared vision.
I understand this has been a comprehensive update, packed with a lot of information and exciting developments! Before you go, please don’t forget to weigh in on the crucial bunk room debate. Should it feature 4 beds or 6? What are your reasons for choosing one over the other? Do you prefer a separated, private bunk area or an open, communal space, and why? Your practical insights and preferences are incredibly valuable as I make these final design decisions. Furthermore, if any other considerations come to mind that you believe I should factor into these plans, please share them. Your feedback helps shape the future of the Build & Breakfast, and I am genuinely grateful for your input!