More good Cabin Porn.  Hope you enjoy.

XO

Michelle

n. pl. Gran-a-ries

1. a building for storing grain

2. a region yielding much grain.

Over the past several months I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be involved with the design of a cabin in Fergus Falls, Minnnesota, created by one of my favorite Architects, Dale Mulfinger. Dale was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota and is a master of design for rural landscape and vernacular architecture.

This little cottage began its life as a farm granary on the other side of the lake. The owner’s great-grandfather bought it from the farmer in the 1890s and had a team of horses drag it across the ice in the winter to its current lakeside property, then built rooms around it for living. During the course of this project, it has been picked up and repositioned, attaching it to the new cottage via an open breezeway.  The new home will be used for the homeowners—the attached granary, for guests.

Dale’s design (below) shows the old granary on the left and the new construction on the right.

Original granaries had suspended floors that protected the grain from rodents and provided air circulation.  I love that the homeowners had the vision and have taken the time and effort to keep this historic structure in their family.  Is there something beautiful your could do with these?

Continue reading “The Granary” »

Got old growth wood?

Don’t know what to do with it?

It’s okay, you’ve come to the right place.

In Duluth, Minnesota a gigantic grain elevator, dating back to 1887, is slowly being dismantled by Wisconsin Woodchuck.  Approximately 6 million board feet of Eastern White Pine, along with the iron hardware that holds it together, is coming down, board-by-board, in hopes that this beautiful material will stay in circulation.  The story aired Sunday night on the History Channel’s Ax Men.

Continue reading “Big Trees” »

Ranking No. 1 on my Tivo box is Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators.  (Sorry Honey Boo Boo.)  You don’t have to love interior design to get hooked on this show.   It’s high drama amongst creative personalities with dreamy budgets.  And it’s full of fabulousness.

 Kathryn M. Ireland brings it every time.  She’s sweet, funny, and kinda crazy and uses fabric and color to reflect her clients’ travels and appreciation of art and textiles.  In all of her projects, beauty and function hold equal importance, making the spaces comforting and livable.

Continue reading “Kathryn M. Ireland” »

BeDe is grateful for the sweet spread in this month’s Mpls St Paul Magazine.  If you don’t subscribe, take a look here and we think you will.  Can’t handle commitments?  It’s okay.  You can pick up a single copy or order a back issue by contacting the MSP folks here.

I’m very excited to see a BeDe home featured in Lake Country Journal!  The magazine is regional, so if you live outside of the Brainerd Lakes Area, order it here.  You’ll be inspired by all of the beautiful photos in this sweet read.  My Coastal Charmer on Crosslake  is on page 38.

Declan and I just returned from our tour of Charleston, where we absorbed sweet Southern hospitality, the sights and stories of our country’s history, and some seriously good eats .  One of our excursions led us to the gardens at Middleton Place, settled along the Ashley River.  Dating back to 1755,  this National Historic Landmark embodies historical Southern plantation living and was, by far, the most memorable part of our trip.  C’mon in and have a look.

Continue reading “Sweet South” »

I’m writing a series for Houzz on how to marry modern and rustic styles.  So far, I’ve covered Cabins and Farmhouses. Here is the latest, titled 10 Ways to Get the Modern Cottage Look.  If you’d like to have a little peek, click on through.

I’m happy to see you here today, so thanks.  I wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

This is where I’ll be if you’re looking for me.

-Michelle