The Philip and Kelly Menou home

<p>While lines of the design are simple, modern and clean, the effect is dramatic. Philip and Kelly’s practical pursuit and willingness to give and take led to a first home with plenty of wow factors: High ceilings, a landing with white x-shaped railing topped with a stained oak top piece and pipe and wire stair balustrade are just an example.</p>Special to the American Press

He was thinking hunting camp, dark-stained and rustic. She was thinking Southern Living, crisp, clean and white.  The result is different than either Philip or Kelly Nortman Menou imagined. This bright, natural light-filled barndominium with its interior industrial farmhouse vibe, workshop space and versatility is the result of synergy. That’s what happens when two people cooperate to produce an end result greater than the sum of its parts.

Once Philip and Kelly decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, she told him about a piece of property where they might build their forever home.

“I’ve never met a single person who scored a homerun on their first home build,” Philip said. “I wanted a place comfortable enough to start a family, something affordable and functional, yet not a house so big that we would become so comfortable we would be reluctant to build again.”

He proposed a metal building shop house. She saw the plan’s merits.

In the future, the shop house would continue to house his shop/workspace, and the finished space could become a pool house, guesthouse, outside kitchen, or a space for the guys to hang out.<p>The home of Philip and Kelly Nortman.</p>Special to the American Press

They roughed out a floorplan and tweaked it more than once. They made a list of his and her priorities. They kept their minds and the line of communication open.

“Something that seems very important to you can become less so when you see how much it’s going to cost,” Philip said.

“We couldn’t have done it without our contractor, Brandon Terrell from Trademark Homes,” said Kelly.

Philip and Kelly gave examples of how Brandon was able to follow through on their ideas, contribute his own and help the metal building professionals make decisions on how customization could be best achieved.  

The couple said that the concrete foundation was a significant building expense. Kelly didn’t plan to buy quartz countertop. However, she did have her mind set on a mainly white natural surface, which wasn’t available in granite. Foam insulation was sprayed directly onto the metal building and it’s something Philip and Kelly highly recommend.

The heated and cooled portion of the house and loft is 1,260 square feet. Over all, the structure is over 3,700 square feet. The living space feels larger because of the windows, high ceilings, light colors and well-edited furnishings and décor. Storage exceeds ample. In addition to shelving and drawers in the stairwell, the stairwell can be accessed from the shop, an extra long storage closet where Kelly plans to store, among other things, her seasonal décor. Clothing and linen closets are deep and spacious. In the hall is a doorless pantry, expertly styled.

“I didn’t want a door,” Kelly said. “I knew if I had one, I wouldn’t keep it as neat.”

The décor and white dishes styled on the kitchen’s open shelving were wedding shower gifts, as was the large vintage sign over the cabinets.

“The church gave me a pantry shower,” Kelly said, “and the hostesses gave me the Magnalite pots.”

Kelly explains how much of the kitchen items and décor were wedding gifts. The supersized porch swing was a gift from Kelly’s sister Kayla and her future brother-in-law. It was handcrafted by his grandfather. Kelly’s dad created the oak toprail for the loft. Philip designed and painted the industrial painted pipe handrail for the stairs. A lifelong friend made the engraved metal artwork. The quartz kitchen island’s end posts were found outside during the building process and were on their way to the dumpster. The Edison string lights were used during the wedding.<p>The sheetrock walls of the light-filled kitchen are painted light gray and trimmed with a bright white. Countertops are quartz. Open shelving is lined with wedding shower gifts.</p>Special to the American Press

This 20-something couple began with the end in mind.   

“After two months of marriage, we are still learning what makes a house a home,” Kelly said. “We both have a wonderful example of what home is because of our parents. So, truthfully, it’s been hard to call this new place home. But every time I see Philip walk in after work with fresh flowers or standing at the stove cooking one of his gravies, it becomes more like home to me. We agree it’s the people, the laughter and the love that make our house a home.”

To find out more about this project go to Kelly’s website: makingrays.blogspot.com.