McMansion -Time's Two

Over the past decade a 'McMansion' has commonly referred to very large homes, those 3,000sf+  styled home with oodles of open spaces, massive kitchens and master bedroom suites decorated like a high end hotel.

Here in Retama our McMansion's are tiny, only 220 s.f. but carefully drawn and engineered to be masterpieces in their own right.  The coach house of Sabrina and Ken, from McAllen Texas and the second coach house of Ken's cousin, have to be my personal favorites.   The very first time I walked into their coach houses all I could say was WOW, Wow, Wow! And they weren't even complete.  Needless to say every opportunity I stopped into see the changes in this 220 s.f. perfect tiny house!

Take a peek, the transformation of this 'shed' to a weekend getaway for Ken and Sabrina will make you stop and reconsider just how compact and efficient this coach house,  errr ahh!  McMansion really is!

Ken's first goal:  Open it out!  The doors that is.

Here in South Texas we have many wonderful days of sunshine so the two french doors let the breeze and sunshine in.  Plus, Ken and Sabrina like to entertain -- the open doors allow an easy flow when there is a group of people.

Ken made sure the coach house was party friendly with surround sound, outdoor speakers, under eave lighting, with plans of an outdoor BBQ - Texas style to be installed later.

Still under construction and before painting, check out the attention to the cabinet storage detail.  The small, narrow vertical cabinets near the door are for storing the outdoor folding chairs!

Below the corner kitchen, under construction, just had the granite installed.

The lower counter is the desk.

The ceiling tin is set in rough sawn cedar timbers and indirect with

indirecting lighting creates the perfect night time ambiance.

The Murphy bed makes this a perfect getaway with ample built in cabinets.  Check out the pull out table top - a perfect way to save on space.  The built in wardrobes were installed on both sides of the bed. Another clever space saver is the headboard storage !

Below is the Murphy Bed closed in the cousin's coach house,

 -which is painted a different color.

I just love the local art on the wall and the convenience of the storage for bed linens and pillows.

The kitchen may be tiny but the tall cabinets and perfect design make this a power house of convenience for food prep or simply brewing the coffee. The kitchen is complete with a microwave, undercounter fridge/freezer.  Not shown, is a window with a beautiful stain glass from a local artisan, I have to come back to get a photo of the stain glass.

The built in desk has internet connection and XM stereo surround sound.

 This little coach house has it all.

The bathroom …. a stacked washer/dryer and cabinets everywhere holdall the linens, there is even a clothes hamper.

The bath sink has the same beautiful granite found in the kitchen.

Ken and Sabrina did an amazing job and there is so much more to see on these little McMansion's.  Currently there is a renter who is enjoying the coach house.  As soon as they leave Ken promises that we can get more photo's which I promise to share.

Moving Walls

Yes, that is right, moving walls! This coach house uses every square inch, sometimes twice when you consider that some of the walls move! The ingenious idea and credit of the moving walls is given to Phil and Vicky of Homer Michigan.

This coach house is cool.  From the outside it looks like all the other 12'x20' sheds.  What's amazing is their coach house interior which Phil cleverly designed and built. Vicky is the the lucky one with the spa bathtub!

Phil explained their coach house was creating with two goals, a spa for a very lucky Vicky! But also to serve as a garage during the summer months where their cute red car is guided indoors by means of chalk lines, two additional sets of eyes, removal of coach house doors and mirrors on the car allowing it to slip in with with only 2” to spare.  Amazing - it fits!

However when the car is back outside Vicky has a charmer of a coach house, large enough to serve Thanksgiving dinner inside for a large crowd of friends with plenty of room to spare.

Let's start the tour!  You will never believe the moving walls

Check out the full wall of cabinets -- the burgundy cover is Vicky's spa tub.

Now look closely, below, the four cabinets open provide a full

spa on the left, the commode, bathroom sink &

mini kitchen and the washer dryer.

What more does a person need!

Starting with the spa and shower, below.  Phil added the tiled flowers,

a nice touch since gardening is Vicky's favorite hobby!

Here is the fun part, the doors to the right of the spa are closed --

but watch what happens!

The commode doors are pulled forward and extend, providing plenty of room.

Oh, the toilet stays put -- only the walls move forward.

Another view of the extended bathroom.

The bathroom sink / mini kitchen cabinet is truly maximizing space.

Again, the cabinet is pulled forward to bring out each component -- Watch!

Okay, the sink remains inside, but the vanity is moved into

place covering the microwave

THEN!  the sink can be pulled forward.

Perfect for brushing teeth and putting on makeup.

But wait, there still still more!

Two steps to the right and all the dirty

clothes can be popped into the washer - dryer.

Turning around and facing the front of the coach house is the movable kitchen island and comfy chairs for tv viewing or simply relaxing.  Retirement is great!

Talking with Phil and Vicky is like taking Mike Rhodes (our developer) tour, they explained how they were one of the first to purchase their lot when Retama Village was still a cabbage patch and the sales office was down at the Palapa. Their decision to purchase was made when they heard Mikes vision for this development and enjoyed a cool beverage and watching the Rio Grande River flow pass. Sounds like a nice deal to me!

Vicky and Phil retired in 2006 and purchased their RV and a truck right after Vicky's retirement with ideas of touring the country, however when Phil listened to Mike's presentation, met his other new neighbors who were also considering purchasing, it was obvious that Retama would become their winter home and they would become Winter Texans.

Retama Village's coach houses are individually unique, but Vicky and Phil's is one of a kind, hat's off to a job well done!

The first 12 x 20 Blog - Gail and Bonnie Quinn

I've been told the hardest part of blogging is simply getting started and creating this new blog is no exception. Yesterday, Sunday was a picture perfect day, 75degrees, beautiful blue skies, a light breeze and everyone in Retama Village was out for a stroll. It seemed perfect timing to get the ball rolling on this blog!

















I stopped by Gail and Bonnie Quinn and they graciously allowed me to start the 12x20 blog with their coach house. My last visit to their coach house it was still a work in progress, but I must say that now that its finish Gail and Bonnie did an excellent job. Bonnie tried to create an outdoor oasis with a twist of hotel luxury thrown in. Luxury it is -- their attention to the details make this coach house wonderful.

They have been full timing for four years and wanted to get away from the standard RV beige. Bonnie always wanted a lot of color and color she did! The beautiful terra cotta-red and gold blend beautifully with the solid maple cabinets that Gail had custom built by the local cabinet maker. The hours of hand rubbing the tung oil on the cabinets makes them simply beautiful.

Bonnie wanted the coach house to have a relaxing atmosphere where they can come outside and relax. The TV sits on an interior wall and by opening up the big french doors allows them to view the 'ball games' while sitting outside. What Winter Texans wouldn't be happy sitting outside and enjoying the Rio Grande Valley's great winter while sipping a cold beer or margarita!

The kitchenette also has the hand rubbed maple cabinetry, a sink, microwave and the under-counter fridge and freezer provides all the conveniences. The freezer actually fits into their fifth-wheel basement and fits their traveling lifestyle.

The backsplash is tiled with the same pattern as the tiled floors. This is the first time I've seen this design in a coach house and its very flattering and actually makes the room feel larger.
There is plenty of room for guests to stay for a night or two, there is a hideabed tucked in the couch, and with the full bathroom -- its literally a home away from home.

Gail made sure all the small important details were taken care of. He wired one set of switches 4-way, so they can be turned on from either the french doors or the side door, or from outside -- very clever. He also put a hose bib on the outside of the coach house for easy access. I wish we had thought of that feature.

The bathroom has all the amenities and plenty of space to enjoy a good hot shower. Put all of this together and Gail and Bonnie's grand kids will definitely be staying a lot longer!.





If you have a chance to visit with Bonnie and Gail make sure you ask them about their pictures -- when they auctioned the contents of their house one picture in particular remained. Ask Gail the story. He who laughs last, laughs best ..... and, well, we know that enjoys a good Gail laugh!


The change from a storage shed to a coach house is a long process, every square inch must be accounted for, but the end results are truly amazing. It's hard to imagine that a 12 x 20' storage shed can become so much more.

Thanks Bonnie and Gail for letting us see close up your wonderful coach house.


Happy Holidays!

The Beginning of "It's Only A Shed"

Everyday throughout Retama Village one can hear the owners discussing the next improvement that will be made to their Casita or coach house. The interiors, as you will begin to see, are simply amazing works of art, craftmanship and creativity. No two casita's are alike other than they all measure 12' x 20'.

Some casita's are simply made, with drywalled walls and a bathroom with toilet. Others have tiled flloors, mini kitchenettes with granite countertops, microwaves, stoves and refrigerators.

Enjoy the visit with us as we meet the neighbors and learn more about their decisions to transform their storage SHED something far different!