Harmony Barn Renovation |
Driving down Main Street in Mancos the other day, I saw the new mural/sign that was just installed. Although I loved the previous mural, I was happy to see the subject of the new one – burros! The mural features a painting by local artist Veryl Goodnight. Not only is she a famous artist who happens to live in the area, she has a gallery on Grand Ave and is a huge supporter of the arts and of the town of Mancos. I am seeing this as a good sign for the Tin Burro’s (our) latest project, the Harmony Barn. Our plans for the barn include art and writing workshops and we hope to be part of the artistic synergy happening in town. And there is a whole day devoted to burros called Burro Fest, which includes a burro obstacle course and art events.
Week 7 We have also just received a good dumping of snow in the last few days (about a foot on our hill), which is always welcome in a drought-prone area, and hopefully a sign that we will get regular moisture the rest of the winter. One can hope. Other signs that progress is happening is that our contractor Patrick arrived at the barn with a pickup full of 2 by 4s to start building the perimeter interior walls. And appliances are arriving this weekend. It’s a good thing that they will be able to be stored on the new concrete floors, which have cured beautifully with no cracks, even with this cold weather. Here’s to good contractors and tradespeople!
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Week 6
There is nothing like both of us having a bout with Covid to make us retreat into our home - for days - and in the dead of winter. Can you say CABIN FEVER? This week there was not much going on but retreating. Work on the barn is minimal while the concrete cures. The barn's only visitor is our contractor Patrick who comes from Durango to change the propane tank for the heater that is keeping the barn warm. And what about that word RETREAT? It can mean falling back after a failure, or it can be a withdraw to rest, recharge and maybe learn something new. One of the reasons we are renovating the barn is that we hope to host nature-oriented retreats. Or camps. Or gatherings. Or reunions. What the word is doesn't mean as much as the purpose or the intended result. And while we are on our self-imposed "health retreat," pondering the benefits of a real retreat (or whatever you want to call it), just feels good. Here are a few reasons to consider a retreat in the warm (hopefully Covid-free) months ahead. * Retreats have long term benefits because you bring a purpose and intent to them. * Retreats provide a break from your daily routine. * Nature can help you unwind. * You are in the company of like-minded people with shared interests. * You have access to professional guidance. * You don't have to worry about planning. I can think of more, but these are from Chopra.com if you want to learn more. If you are interested in hosting a retreat (after June 2022) or would like to learn more about our retreat offerings in the future, drop me a line at [email protected]. ![]() Week 5 Today's work at the barn is dedicated to my late father, Don Chapel. When he wasn't supporting our family being a Minneapolis firefighter, he was a cement man. As firefighters worked every other day for 24-hour shifts, he did cement jobs on the side, often with my brothers. He poured slabs, steps, driveways and also built foundations. I remember him being proud of the manual labor he did - even if it did eventually wreck his body. Today, at literally the crack of dawn, four cement trucks rolled up to the Harmony Barn to start pouring the concrete slab floor. Mark was like a five year-old waiting for Santa, if Santa were to arrive in a cement truck. So this week it will be mostly his photos of The Pour and the work they did to get ready for it by installing the plumbing and radiant heat system. Now the slab will sit and cure for two weeks until it's time to start framing the interior spaces and staining the concrete a couple of weeks after that. ![]() Week 4 Mark took this artful peephole shot of what's happening inside the barn this week. Pipes, pipes and more pipes. Some for basic plumbing and some for the radiant heat system being installed in the floor. It's like a crazy Picasso line drawing of tubes; a plumber's artistry. And speaking of artfulness. At the Harmony Barn apartment we encourage artful musings. There are colored pencils, brushes, watercolors, and paper available for guests to use. In the year and a half since we opened the apartment to short term rentals, guests have gifted us many wonderful pieces. Here is a gallery of gems we have collected from guests of all ages.
![]() When Mark and I bought the barn we had to create an business to purchase the property. And the LLC needed a name. That Thanksgiving we didn't have any family or friends visiting so we decided to head west into Utah on a day-long road trip. What better time to brainstorm a name for our new venture. We wanted something that would connect to the property itself, yet be versatile enough to encompass anything we could think of doing with that business. In addition to renovating the barn, we could see possibilities beyond our property lines. We thought of names that had to do with the environment, seasons, colors. We wanted something a bit whimsical and memorable. We thought of the aluminum animals that the original owners of the property had put in strategic places throughout the subdivision. There are elk, a mountain lion, a bear and the one we inherited, a burro. We love that burro! It is patient and stoic through all weather and who doesn't like a good donkey? Mancos even has a whole day devoted to the animal - Burro Fest. Aluminum Burro didn't sound great so we went with Tin Burro, LLC, and moved it next to the barn to greet our Harmony Barn guests. Dogs bark at it, kids want to climb on it, and adults just wonder about it - perfect! ![]() The Harmony Barn name has a different (and shorter) story. Our oldest daughter Ally moved into a house in Brooklyn, NY next to a small pocket park called Harmony Park. I just loved that name and all that implies. It's a word used in art, music and is a good thing to achieve in life in general. And it sounds great with barn. Done. In the logo we wanted to capture nature, casual life, and an easy-going place to enjoy the area. Week 3
The progress this week was mostly hidden behind plastic sheeting (to keep the warmth in) and bags of nasty insulation, old appliances, doors and windows. But Mark did get in to sneak a few photos and the guys were busy digging out the trenches for plumbing. Not sexy progress, but progress all the same. Week 2
What better time than the beginning of the year to start a transformation project. Mark and I have always loved the process of a renovation - even when it is messy or inconvenient. Every day after the workers have left we eagerly look for the latest sign of progress. And then before we know it, the place, room or project is done! Of course it is never without headaches or cost and time overruns but it almost always comes with the satisfaction of something turned into something else - and better. Of something that didn't work into one that does, or of an ugly space turned lovely. Our Harmony Barn project is no exception and probably the biggest transformation project we have ever undertaken. Unlike building from scratch, you have to deal with inherited issues (permitting), uncertainties (what's behind the walls?) and critters (what IS behind the walls). This week the ground beneath the barn was excavated (no ancient surprises!) and then put back better and ready to support the new concrete slab and foundation. Onward! Week 1:
In 2021 we worked with architect Heather Murray to bring our vision of renovating our 20 year old horse barn into a gathering place for small workshops, weddings, and meetings. She created amazing plans transforming a dirt floor structure into an attractive, functioning, and welcoming space worthy of the name Harmony Barn. We are now working with builder Patrick San Marco with SM Built to bring to life our vision of a place where people can come together to participate in events, or even just relax while taking advantage of the beauty of the area and all it has to offer both culturally and recreationally. Week one was all about demo! Taking down walls and stall gates and partitions. Because of all the construction work on the lower part of the barn, we have suspended vacation rentals in the apartment above. There will be just too much noise, dirt and activity for our guests to experience a peaceful get-a-way. If all goes well we should be back in action in April. |
In January 2020, my husband and I bought a barn on 10 acres adjacent to our home property near Mancos, Colorado, and asked ourselves, "What do we do with it now? Since then we have renovated the top floor into a vacation rental and are in the process of renovating the bottom/main part of the barn into a gathering space. Join us on our journey! |