It's Only a Shed: Luxury Living

In the past "It's Only a Shed" has been 12'x20' coach houses, but today we added four feet ... 12' by 24'. And what better way to start than with the coach house of Dianne and Roger.

I knew their coach house was special, but gosh darn, it's super nice and I'm so happy to be sharing it!

Dianne and Roger have been full-timing since 2008, originally from central Indiana, they have been enjoying the RV lifestyle. Their plans were to 'winter' first in Florida, then spend the second winter in Texas and the third winter the plan was to visit Arizona. Lucky for us, their second winter was spent in the Rio Grande Valley and they found Retama Village. Funny enough, it was this blog "It's Only A Shed" that convinced them that wintering with a decked out coach house was the perfect plan.

Construction planning started immediately after closing on their Retama Village 'super-site". Their challenge was to 'fit' and build a coach house that would hold several family heirlooms, some special furniture built by the Indiana Amish and other treasures they had purchased while touring in Europe. All in a 12'by24' coach house.

Roger's 'inch by inch' planning ensured their family antiques would indeed fit. When construction started their plans had been perfected. The goal, to create a coach house for entertaining, using Roger's grand-mother's dining table as the center focal point. This is an "entertaining" coach house, designed for special dinners.

Grandmother's dining table seats six comfortably. Dianne, what time is dinner!?

Dining here is indeed special.

The corner kitchen, with beautiful granite, is even fitted with a dishwasher, a first I believe.

Check out the stain glass window set in the wall -- cool!

Colorful dishes didn't need to hide in a closed cabinet.

Displayed in a vignette of color are hand-crafted bowls making kitchen work a pleasure!

I love the display & storage of the dinner plates!

Dianne and Roger were not bashful about color, their walls are a warm Terra cotta color.

The Amish build hutches hold a treasure trove of goodies.

Dianne painted the cabinets the same color as the walls making the room feel so much larger - great decorating trip!

Cameras on our cell phones allowed me to take a panorama photo.

My iphone has a new panoramic setting, it worked!

The tray ceiling has a copper tiled insert and the large fan keeps the air circulating.

Color, color everywhere. This is such a fun place -- my eyes never stopped, every corner is a vignette!

Simply, yet so pretty!

Looking towards the bathroom, you will find the secretary desk, another family heirloom. The inch by inch planning makes this coach house so efficient.

The secretary desk is exquisite, another heirloom!

The side of kitchen, with a beautiful stained glass, which was in Dianne's stick-house, was inserted into the wall during construction.

Love, love, love the granite!

A full bathroom with corner shower gets the job done.

Add the custom built cabinets and every inch is maximized. The vessel sink, well, what can we say other than WOW!

To the left is a full size washer/dryer.

The bathroom - check out all the storage.

Washing clothes is a breeze with the stackers

We are not done yet! Step outside of the coach house -- to the back.

Here we find a patio and pergola for afternoon 'sun-downers'.

The black metal chairs were Dianne's grandmothers, estimated to be 80 years old they are still super comfy and Roger's favorite.

In South Texas, we are able to grow all types of tropicals and the birdbaths attract many types of migratory birds who are looking for a quick drink.

View of the back gardens

Dianne collects rocks, isn't this a spa-like design??

The Coach House tiled floor includes in custom insert -- I'm seeing a theme here!

A little secret, the cute birdbath was originally planned for the bathroom, but a opps meant it stays outside. Bet the birds never had it so good!

Dianne and Rogers RV site is all about privacy and nature.

For non-RV'ers, having the coach parked beside the coach house is an RV'ers dream come true.

Add the 12'by24' coach house and staying 'parked' for the winter couldn't get any better.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of Dianne's and Roger's place.

Having reference books is mandatory. Retama Village is adjacent to the World Birding Headquarters, The National Butterfly Center and the Bentsen Rio Grande State Park ..... nature is everywhere here!