Luxury Living - 12by20 Plus 4

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!

Isn't this a cute vignette! 

While living the summer 'on the road', being able to have home grown tomatoes

is a true luxury for full-time RV'ers.

So, thank you soooooo much Dianne and Roger for sharing your "It's Only a Shed" with us! 

 It's truly a beauty!

It's a Tiny House

I love this blog and the ideas that are shared ... so, its time to share with you!

Tiny House Blog

Make sure you check out their gallery,  for Retama builders you just might find an "gotta have it" item.

Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Ramsay's Retro Retreat

Remember the movie "The Long, Long Trailer" with  Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez playing the newlyweds?  Well, meet Mike and Lorraine and their 1950's-styled"Retro Retreat".

At Retama Village our social events are many ... Mike & Lorraine getting ready for our Pirates Day event.

This hands-on couple designed their floor plan and the inspiration came from the plates with the pictures of the 1950's car.  

Though, their picture of the 1950 trailer fits right in with our RV community. Then, add some Fiestaware plates and pitcher. Did someone say Margaritas!?

I Love Lucy -- and the red appliance accents -  Perfect!

Their kitchenette is a knock out.  Don't you love the curve of the countertop?  All their cabinetry was custom made by our local cabinet maker, Triny.  Man-oh-man, Triny is a true craftsman!

Love, love, love this wrap around counter

Their kitchen includes a sink for quick BBQ cleanup .. and of course, 

there is a microwave for popcorn making!  

The washer/dryer at below this countertop -- clever!

This little coach house includes everything for creature comforts!  The full bathroom has room for the washer/dryer.  Lorraine was clever to include a countertop long enough to make clothes folding a breeze.

Extra storage above the throne.  Every inch counts!

Each coach house has the plumbing ... so building the interior walls is easy!

There is a lot of storage in this 240 sf coach house ...  

Lorraine made sure of that, but her talents didn't stop with the design!  

This gal's talents included the laying of the flooring, running electrical, painting 

AND getting the final decor perfect!

Tucked away is the air bed for guests.  But be careful, husband Mike has claim to this outdoor living, with all the modern conveniences one could just about live here. Did we say, there is lots of storage.

Mike did all the construction and electrical and plumbing installation.

The whole process took under 2 months to complete. 

The double doors on the side make entertaining fun!

It's all in the details!

Add together 2012 modern conveniences with two comfy recliners and a 1950's end table, and this coach house becomes 'home sweet home'.

Thanks Mike and Lorraine for sharing your Retro Modern coach house!  

What time does the movie start?

Okay, it's been awhile!

No, actually its been over a year since any updating has been done.  One can give 1,000 excuses, so there are none.

What did happen recently, I noticed that this little blog has had over 10,000+ page views.
Not entirely sure how that can happen when the blog has been dormant.

So, let's kick start the activity.  The Retama Villagers are sending in their photos of recent updates, their build's and other coach house developments. This summer, which officially starts today, the goal will be to add as many as I can.

In the meantime, I thought I would share some of the Retama Village Christmas decor that was done last November.  Our Villagers are very special, their donations ($$) made it all possible.

The courtyard fountain.

The fountain was so pretty and at night it became very special.

It was nearly 100o when we started assembling the fountain decor.  Vicky is still smiling!

Our Christmas decorating started in July with the selection of colors, and merging of many ideas.  Then in October we began putting the plan together.  We had hundred's of feel of garland, 30 wreaths and so  much more.

The fireplace - with peacock feathers and garland still allowed for TV viewing.

 A little story, original plans were to have pheasant feathers in the mantel, until we learned that the male pheasant only grow one beautiful plume a year .. hence the costs were $60 for a dozen feathers.  Never mind, we changed to plan B.

We think there were 1,000 ornaments, we think!

 It is so hard to see the detail on a Christmas tree, but this one was very special.

A table center piece.

More peacock feathers.  We scored when we purchased our feathers at an antique store in rural Illinois. Did I mention our grapevine came from Illinois, our pine cones came from Williamsburg VA.  Traveling in an RV does have it's benefits!

Our Christmas Open House

Our November 25th Club House Open House was the Grande viewing.  Complete with the Village carolers, 600+ handmade cookies, live music and a lot of people.

We hope that you will try to join us for the 2012 Christmas Open House.

Looking Up!

Our 12 x 20 coach houses are little, less than a one car garage, so getting the most of every inch is critical.  Planning and re-planning, thinking and re-thinking .... well, it all part of building a 12 x 20.

  

Now, stop and imagine, a 12 x 20 floor plan is divided in half.  Half, 12 x 10 is typically the kitchen/bath area ... the other half, 12 x 10 is the living area.  The height of the roofline is really short.   

 Now look up!  Here is where you will find some real creativity and tray ceiling designs in a little coach house can be tricky.  So, well, a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

A little bit of Tuscany in the Village

Full-timer RV'ers Pat and Garry just completed their coach house with our village 'go to guy' Raul.  Raul  construction guys take a simple storage shed and make it special.

Raul's crew transformed this 12 x 24 into a Tuscany retreat.  

Pat had the idea for the arches, Garry had the ideas for the ceiling.  It took Raul to pull it all together. This is the first time this technique has been done and the results are impressive.

Pat and Garry's coach house has a side entrance, and as you enter you see the ironed bristo chairs, the darling "WELCOME" and the family pictures. 

 

Step inside and you feel like you are stepping into Tuscany, Pats decor is inspired by the rolling Italian countryside, beautiful Italian art, and exquisite hand painted ceramics of Tuscany.

Raul's cabinet maker custom built the entertainment center which includes a fireplace, perfect for chilly evenings.

The tray ceiling is finished with hand cut tiles, the curves are soft and elegant.

Pat searched high and low to find this copper styled sink.  Love the wine glass holder!

The copper styled sink can be found in the bathroom too.  Love, love, love the mirror.  The storage on the left holds all the towels and supplies and includes space for a stacked washer/dryer. Perfect!

 Garry spent hours getting the stencils just right!  The warm "Welcome" above the bristo table are warm and inviting -- just like Pat and Garry!

Wine is popular in Tuscany (and Retama) , decorating with vintage wine bottles is one way to bring Tuscany into any room. Wine centerpieces on tables or lined up along a backsplash are ways to incorporate the look into a room.

Pat, Garry and Zoey love their coach house, their neighbors, and Retama.  Garry has several other projects that have been completed, I need to grab the camera and get some more photo's ...  his RV site is looking good. 

Home on the Range

The coach house of Linda and Bruce Hall was purchased in December and they wasted no time in getting their coach house completed in January 2010 and I must say it's a cutie!   

At Retama its not just the super-sized RV pads that are enjoyed, but its really about the additional outdoor living spaces.  There is plenty of patio setting up patio furniture, the grill and Oh! even a fire pit, perfect for relaxing or for when friends to come and visit. . .  which is often!

As one walks through the double french doors the feel of south Texas touches the senses. 

Here the convenient counter top which doubles for dining and is a bonus for 'happy hour' gatherings.

Whoa Nellie!  This beautiful wall sculpture is perfect!

Check out the tray ceiling and the tropical fan.  A really nice touch.

Linda and Bruce also created a workspace and of course, the comfy chairs which invite one to come inside for an afternoon nap.

The kitchenette includes the microwave, a handy fridge and sink.

 Linda's attention to detail with the western bathroom light and horseshoe.  

Oh, ya gotta love the stacked washer and dryer too!

Thank you Linda and Bruce for sharing your 12' x 20'!