Kyal and Kara create the ultimate guest house in their own backyard

This blog post details the new construction home of Tyler and Amanda Tarver in Benton, highlighting their design choices and experiences. The couple's journey began with an inspiring trip to Israel, where they connected with the author, Tanner Cangelosi. Upon visiting their new home, Cangelosi was impressed by the detailed design and unique style, suggesting Amanda pursue a career in contracting. The Tarvers shared insights into their family life, including Amanda's role at New Life Church Saline County, her support for Tyler's YouTube Channel (Tarver Academy), and their three children: Titus (8), Ezra (6), and Finnick (2). Tyler is the dean of NLC College and manages multiple YouTube channels. Their home's design plans were largely spearheaded by Amanda, who conducted extensive research using platforms like Pinterest, Google, and Instagram to compile a 'highlight reel' of open-floor plans and 'hipster features'. These compiled ideas were then provided to a draftsperson to create their custom blueprints. Tyler contributed his opinions for consideration throughout the process. Key aspects of their new home that the Tarvers love most include the open floor plan, which integrates the kitchen, living room, and dining area. This design choice allows Amanda to feel included in family activities while cooking and provides ample space for hosting guests. The inclusion of a pool is also a cherished feature for future enjoyment. Another favorite is the kitchen bar, which serves as a versatile space for family gatherings, meals, and children's homework or craft projects, fostering more family time. The design emphasizes functionality and communal living. The Tarvers also provided five money-saving tips for those considering building a house. Their advice includes utilizing Amazon.com for comparing quotes and purchasing items, undertaking non-dangerous tasks independently, and being present during construction to minimize material waste by subcontractors. They also highlighted the importance of managing return timelines for purchases and finishing certain areas of the house independently to reduce costs associated with per-square-footage charges. They deliberately chose smaller room sizes for their children, recognizing that the kids prefer to spend time in the main living area, thus maximizing space in shared zones and simplifying cleaning and decorating. The daughter’s private bathroom is also appreciated. The fixtures in their home were sourced from a variety of retailers, including West Elm, Cb2, and Wayfair, with Amanda noting that her favorite light fixture surprisingly came from Walmart. The color palette was selected by Amanda from Instagram photos, aiming for a bright, clean, and open feel with added character. The base color is white, complemented by wood tones, blacks, and golds, reflecting current popular trends and personal style. Both Tyler and Amanda expressed interest in building again in the future or assisting others with their construction projects, fueled by Amanda's passion for design and navigating the building process. #HomeDesign #NewConstruction #OpenFloorPlan #InteriorDesign #MoneySavingTips #FamilyHome #CustomBuild #DesignInspiration #ModernLiving

Debbie and Worth Brooks, a couple with backgrounds in healthcare and a shared passion for gardening and older homes, met in 2013 and married in 2017. They purchased a circa-1919 bungalow in Ardmore, a neighborhood right around the corner from where Worth grew up. Despite the house and yard requiring significant work, Debbie, originally from South Florida, recognized the property's potential. The primary bedroom's windows were a key selling point for her, and this space became the focus of the first phase of their home's renovation, aiming to create a private retreat. With the assistance of Harvest Luxury Builders, the couple transformed a bedroom adjacent to the primary bedroom into a luxurious shower and bath, creating a spa-like experience and a spacious en suite. Both Debbie, an avid amateur endurance athlete who has run 13 marathons including New York, Chicago, and Boston (for which she qualified at age 60), and Worth, who enjoys the gym and strength training, found the therapeutic benefits of their new luxury bathroom indispensable for their fitness routines. The luxury shower and bath also proved practical for two healthcare professionals who decided to take on the demanding task of landscaping their yard themselves. On the day they bought the house, the yard was cluttered with discarded motors and automotive parts. Debbie recalled the extensive effort required, stating, "We had to excavate a lot of dying trees and buried pieces of driveway from a former dilapidated garage." She estimated that she and Worth completed up to 90% of the landscaping work personally, making the spa-like experience of their new bath even more well-deserved. In the spring of 2022, Debbie's sister-in-law encouraged them to expand the kitchen. Debbie noted that while they only increased the kitchen's size by 64 square feet, it made a significant difference. Following the removal of a support wall and the relocation of the laundry room to the back of the house, a red oak beam now spans the expanded kitchen space. Original heart pine planks were revealed in the ceiling, contributing to a modern farmhouse aesthetic. A leathered granite countertop, formerly a space for folding clothes, became a favorite food preparation area. Debbie expressed her satisfaction with the renovation, highlighting that the back door now opens directly onto their deck, eliminating the need to walk through the old laundry room. She also appreciated the new location of the washer and dryer in a closet just outside the primary bedroom. The second phase of renovations addressed a rotting front porch that wrapped around the corner of the house. The Brooks opted for large cedar posts and lined the entire porch with cedar. They also re-did the porch floor with composite decking, significantly extending its lifespan. Just over six months after these changes, Debbie and Worth were delighted with their home's transformation, crediting Todd and Robin Aron with Harvest Luxury Builders for their hard work, stating, "We can't thank them enough. Not anyone can renovate these old homes." Despite the significant interior remodeling, much of which is hidden from view, the couple's sustained efforts on the exterior have attracted attention from passersby and the Winston-Salem Garden Council. The Garden Council recently requested that the Brooks' home and yard be considered for Forsyth County's Bird Friendly Habitat Certification Program. Debbie views this as a positive start and is working to gather historical documentation about the house. She hopes their private paradise will one day earn the certification, reflecting their dedication to both their home and its natural surroundings. #HomeRenovation #CraftsmanBungalow #ArdmoreNeighborhood #HomeImprovement #LuxuryBathroom #KitchenExpansion #Landscaping #HistoricHomes #WinstonSalem

Deborah and Jason DeSalvo, a couple from Montclair, embarked on a multiyear project to construct an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly home in Hunterdon County. Their primary goal was to create a residence with a minimal carbon footprint, integrated holistically into its natural surroundings. They acquired 43 acres of farmland and, with a strong commitment to sustainable living, began an extensive research phase to determine the best building practices and materials. Their vision was a traditional-looking farmhouse that covertly incorporated advanced ecological features. The DeSalvos collaborated with architect Bill Kaufman of WESKetch Architecture and Construction. Their detailed list of requirements included generating their own energy through solar panels and a geothermal heating/cooling system. They insisted on locally sourced materials, preferably from the United States and manufactured close to their home, to reduce transportation impact. Furthermore, they demanded a toxic-free environment, specifying all-electric, EPA-rated appliances and avoiding gas or propane. Jason DeSalvo emphasized his unwillingness to compromise on these stringent environmental criteria throughout the design and construction process. Kaufman embraced the challenge, applying the 'small-house architectural theory'—not necessarily meaning small in size, but rather small in environmental footprint. Although their house is 4,000 square feet, the design prioritizes efficient space utilization, ensuring every room serves a daily purpose. The layout also incorporates features for aging in place, such as first-floor living and accessibility without barriers. Kaufman described the final design as having outward simplicity but inward complexity, resulting in an attractive, livable home where the sustainable elements are largely undetectable to occupants. Functionality and design were inextricably linked in Cold Brook Farm's construction. Seventy-two south-facing solar panels and a sophisticated seven-zone geothermal system enable the house to achieve net-zero energy status, producing all the energy required for the household annually. This surplus energy is also sufficient to charge two electric cars for 15,000 miles each per year. A tightly sealed insulation envelope protects against external temperature fluctuations, while deep eaves regulate sunlight penetration, allowing warmth in winter and blocking excessive heat in summer. Extensive southern-facing windows maximize natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. Interior design, spearheaded by Anastasia Harrison of ADH & Co., also adhered to strict sustainability guidelines. All materials were sourced from American companies and local craftsmen, with a focus on sustainability. Walnut beams in the living room were crafted from trees harvested on the property, and materials like ceramic tile resembling brick and soapstone countertops were chosen for their natural properties, requiring no toxic sealants. All paints used were non-VOC. The DeSalvos repurposed existing furniture and meticulously researched new items to ensure they were free from noxious chemicals and petroleum products. Their commitment extended to avoiding shingles, specific tiles, gas lights, and generators. Beyond the house, the DeSalvos dedicated themselves to preserving and revitalizing their 43-acre land. They practice organic, regenerative farming, growing healthy food on 12.5 acres, including grain for flour. They preserved over 5 acres of wetland and 25 acres of natural woodland, reintroducing native plant species and removing invasive ones. Around the house, only edible plants or those beneficial to wildlife were used for landscaping. The DeSalvos acknowledged the higher initial cost, estimating a 30 percent premium over traditional construction, but highlighted the long-term environmental benefits and the anticipated 10-year payback period through reduced operating costs. #SustainableHome #NetZeroEnergy #GreenBuilding #HunterdonCounty #SolarPanels #GeothermalHeating #EcoFriendly #OrganicFarming #LocalSourcing

Julie and Eddie Flores, a couple residing in Kansas City with their three children, embarked on an unexpected journey to acquire and renovate a historic Dutch Colonial house in Julie's hometown of Lincoln, Kansas. Their endeavor began in January 2022 when Julie's parents urged them to visit a neglected 2,023-square-foot, three-bedroom Dutch Colonial property that had been vacant for nearly a decade. Despite its dilapidated exterior, characterized by a collapsing porch, chipping lime-green paint, and a roof hole frequented by squirrels, the couple was captivated by the interior's original features, including hardwood floors hidden under carpets and an appealing staircase. They immediately recognized the house's potential as their "forever home." Initially, the Floreses had no plans to leave Kansas City, but the allure of the Lincoln house persisted. They learned that the property, situated on land owned by the Lincoln County Hospital & Healthcare Foundation (LCHHF), faced demolition if a new owner wasn't found within a year. The LCHHF, in conjunction with the Lincoln Economic Development Foundation (LCEDF), offered the house for free under the condition that the new owners would relocate the entire structure within Lincoln and reside in it themselves, thereby preserving its historical value and preventing it from being flipped for profit. The house, built in 1910, was once home to W.J. Grubbs, an early mayor of the town. The Floreses successfully bid for the house, receiving it via a "bill of sale" that formalized their ownership without any monetary exchange. Their motivation was rooted in a belief in repairing rather than discarding, a value instilled in Julie from her upbringing on a farm. Following their acquisition, the couple initiated extensive renovations, documented on their Instagram and blog, "Nursing Back to Life." Early tasks included replacing the roof, clearing the basement, and dismantling the porches to prepare for relocation. During the gutting process, they uncovered various historical artifacts, such as old playing cards, coins, and a concrete slab with children's handprints from 1973, which they decided to preserve and move with the house. However, they also encountered less pleasant discoveries, including a cockroach infestation within the insulation. Simultaneously, the Floreses purchased a 3-acre plot of land from Julie's father, two miles from the original site, for the construction of a new basement. This phase proved challenging due to issues with an initial contractor, leading them to hire a different company. In January, the house was moved by Unruh House Moving for approximately $40,000. The relocation involved complex maneuvers, such as lifting the house onto steel beams after the existing foundation was partially removed. The two-mile journey took two hours, with the house carefully navigated past obstacles, a testament to its robust construction. The event drew local spectators, turning the move into a community parade. With the house successfully relocated, the Floreses are now focusing on completing the renovations, a task complicated by their three children and Eddie's job as a traveling nurse. They are currently residing in Julie's parents' home, dedicating their available time to the project. To date, they have invested around $95,000, including the moving costs. Beyond creating their "forever home," the couple views this project as an opportunity to support the local economy and foster community pride in Lincoln, a town struggling with an aging population and economic decline. They aim to collaborate with local businesses for specialized work and hope to move into their renovated home by Thanksgiving. #HomeRenovation #HouseRelocation #DutchColonial #LincolnKansas #CommunityRevitalization #HistoricPreservation #DIYRenovation #FamilyProject #RealEstate #AffordableHousing