Farmhouse to Forever

The Vision of Our Forever Home

The Vision of Our Forever Home Building in the Valley

We’re so excited to share the vision for our forever home, tucked away in a peaceful valley just outside of Madison, Wisconsin. Our 8-acre slice of heaven is surrounded by cornfields and amazing neighbors, and it’s just a few miles from our beloved community of Cross Plains, where we’ve planted roots with Crossroads Coffeehouse and The Creekside Scoop. As we begin this new chapter, we’re dreaming big about what our future home will look like—a place that’s perfect for us now and for years to come.

A Ranch-Style Modern Farmhouse: Building for the Future

We’re envisioning a ranch-style modern farmhouse that’s all about comfort, accessibility, and lots of natural light. We know that life can throw curveballs, so we’re planning for a zero-entryway—just in case. It’s important to us that our home remains a welcoming and safe space, no matter what happens.

Of course, we’re also thinking about family. We want our kids—and hopefully someday, grandkids—to feel right at home here. We’re planning spaces that are perfect for gathering, whether it’s a big family dinner or a casual weekend hangout. And outdoor living is a must! We’re dreaming of a great space to entertain, soak up the sun, and enjoy the incredible views our property offers.

Spaces for Work, Relaxation, and Creativity

This home isn’t just about where we live; it’s about how we live. We’re making sure there’s space for both of us to do what we love. I’ll have my own office and a little sanctuary, think sauna and meditation room —a spot where I can unwind, work, or just escape for a bit. Dale’s portion of the barndominium will be where he stores all his tools and toys, from the work truck to the tractor, and where he can dive into finishing projects. It’s going to be a space that’s as practical as it is inspiring. Eventually we hope to convert this space in to an asset as a agritourist rental. Who doesn’t want to hang with goats and alpacas around a grain bin bar?

Sunrises, Sunsets, and Cozy Nooks

One of the things we love most about this land is the incredible views. We’ll have front-row seats to breathtaking sunrises in the east and the bright light of southern and partial western exposure. We’re all about natural light, so we’re planning the house to make the most of it. But we’re also dreaming of cozy nooks, perfect for curling up with a book or just taking in the scenery.

Building for Us

The best part of building at this stage in our lives is that we’re doing it for us. When our kids were younger, we might have made different choices, focused more on what they needed as they grew up. Now, we’re building with our future in mind—a home that’s exactly what we want and need, designed to carry us through the years ahead.

This home is our dream come true. It’s where we’ll create memories, tackle projects, and enjoy life together. We’re thrilled to see it come to life, step by step, and can’t wait to share the journey with you.

The Build

The Building of Our Forever Home

A Journey in the Making

Welcome to the first of many posts documenting a journey that’s been decades in the making—and one that will likely continue for the next 3-5 years. We’re finally taking the plunge to build our forever home on our 8 acres just outside Madison, Wisconsin. But before we can even think about moving in, there’s a lot to do, starting with tearing down the old farmhouse and building a temporary but totally livable barndominium.

This project will be more than just a construction zone; it’s truly a labor of love, a dream we’ve been nurturing, and we’re thrilled to take you along on this adventure. From navigating the financials to collaborating with the amazing professionals helping us bring our vision to life, here’s the first chapter of our story.

You can follow along on Instagram at @katyanddale.

Step One: Financial Planning and Finding the Right Partners

Before we can even think about breaking ground, we have to get serious about the financial side of things. Building a forever home, especially one that involves multiple stages like a teardown, requires careful budgeting and planning. Not totally my jam, but I’m willing to learn. We’ll be working closely with a team of financial advisors and my banking BFFs Ben Swanson and Brent Landrum from Lakeridge Bank who understand our long-term vision. Together, we’ve crafted a financial plan that will see us through not just the barndominium but the full build of our main home.

As we move forward, we’ll be spotlighting the companies and experts who are making this possible. If you’re dreaming of a similar journey, keep an eye out for the tips and resources we’ll share from our own experiences.

The Barndominium: A Cozy First Step

With our falling-down farmhouse coming down, we need a place to call home while our forever house is being built. Enter the barndominium—a versatile, stylish, and functional living space that’s more than just a temporary solution but a multi-functional space for Dale to park his work truck and trailer, our tractor, RTV, lawn mower, etc. We’re putting as much care into designing this space as we will the main house because it’s going to be home for the next couple of years.

We’re planning to DIY most of this project with the help of friends and family members in the trades. They’ll be instrumental in helping us create a space that’s both practical and beautiful. The barndominium will blend modern comforts with a rustic feel, perfect for our family and the landscape around us.

I can’t wait to share more about the design process, the materials we’re choosing, and how we’re making this space truly feel like home, even if it’s just for a few years. Down the road, this space will be available as an Air BnB or disconnected space for the fam.

Collaborating with Our Dream Team

One of the most exciting parts of this journey is the collaboration with so many talented professionals. We’ve teamed up with Scott Ripp of Ripp Custom Homes as our general contractor (yes, he’s a cousin), Larissa Anderson, principal designer and owner of Haven Design, and artisans who share our vision and values. Each of them brings something special to the table, and together, we’re creating something truly unique.

I’ll be introducing you to our dream team in future posts—sharing their expertise, the challenges we’re tackling together, and how they’re helping to turn our ideas into reality. Whether it’s choosing sustainable materials, crafting custom furniture, or navigating the logistics of a multi-year build, these collaborations are what will make our forever home truly special.

What’s Next: Building the Foundation (Literally and Figuratively)

We’re just at the beginning of this incredible journey, and there’s so much more to come. Over the next few weeks, months and, ahem, years, I’ll be sharing every step of the process, from the first dig to the final touches. We’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of construction, the joys and frustrations of designing a home from the ground up, and the many decisions we’ll make along the way.

I’m excited to take you along as we build our barndominium, tear down the old farmhouse, and eventually, raise the walls of our forever home. Stay tuned for regular updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of tips for anyone dreaming of building their own sanctuary.

This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us—and to share every moment with you.

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ABOUT US.

We’re Katy and Dale, or Dale and Katy depending on who you ask. We are a married team that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and a shared passion for making dreams a reality. We’re currently embarking on an exciting journey to build our forever home on 8 beautiful acres just outside Madison, Wisconsin.

I’m Katy—a life coach and podcaster with a love for designing spaces that are warm, authentic, and filled with purpose. I’m all about turning ideas into reality, and this home project is the ultimate way for us to create something that truly reflects who we are, together.

Dale is an incredibly talented woodworker and a specialist in countertops and flooring, but honestly, there’s nothing he can’t do. His eye for detail and “can-do-anything” attitude have been crucial as we dive into the many DIY projects that come with building a home from the ground up. He’s the hands-on expert, and together, we make a great team.

For us, this journey is more than just building a house—it’s about creating a space that’s true to our values and reflects how important our surroundings are to us. It’s about designing a home that embodies our love for family and nurtures our deep connection to the world around us. Whether we’re working with local artisans, sourcing sustainable materials, or getting our hands dirty with the next big project, we’re committed to making our dream home truly extraordinary.

We’re excited to share this multi-year adventure with you, and we hope our experiences, insights, and inspiration resonate with anyone who’s ever dreamed of building something special.

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Farmhouse to Forever

The Vision of Our Forever Home