I am excited to share about a project we’ve been working toward and that’s finally & officially underway.

OUR FARM BUILDING

Like most small businesses, specifically farms starting out, our home has doubled as our place of business; office, storage, order processing, studio, packaging, seed starting, even putting plug-in AC units in small rooms to create cold storage for our wedding floristry – the list goes on and on.. Our farm blends so much into our home that it’s hard to tell where our farm stops and our private life begins. We wanted a building for all of these farm processes, but not only that - to add to the experience of our farm and all it has to offer.

We have been working toward this building behind the scenes silently and consistently for two years. Two years ago, I drew a design for a building that would fit with our farm layout. I knew the builders I wanted (they are local Amish), and because they only frame in and build - it required that I hire or become the contractor for all the other tasks; getting the right permits, surveys, engineer approvals, finding an architect, foundation build, ordering doors and windows, finishings, and more.

To save money, I decided to appoint myself the contractor for this project, and I had to learn about construction as I went — and I consistently felt inadequate, inept, and in over my head. I have been silently pouring out my soul for this project. It’s been a long journey. Pride and smiles and inspiration equal to the amount of despair and tears experienced. I’ve cried so much, and I’ve felt so much defeat and failure. When I experienced the delays, I wondered – is this not meant for us? Am I not going to be able to take this project forward? But then – something would happen to inch it forward, and onward. It was never a “no”, always just a “not right now.” So I kept at it. Because of my inexperience – it took us a very long time to get here. Along the way, I’ve made so many mistakes, and experienced endless setbacks, delays, and detours – even at one point having to literally start over.

Originally the plan was for a small one-story space – entirely ignoring the possibility of a flood.

Because we are in a flood plain, to receive a permit Floyd County required the building be flood-proofed or elevated above flood levels.. Neither would work with our existing building plan. We decided to scrap to original design altogether, start over, and envision and move forward with an elevated building.

The first step was knowing how much to elevate it. By Floyd Co codes, if you are elevating a building, we are required to elevate it 2 ft above base flood elevation. Base flood elevation here is around 12’, making the floor rest at a whopping 14’ off the ground. In the new design, I decided to change the roof style from gable to shed roof. Gable peaks would have made the building even more of a giant than it is now that it will be elevated. A shed roof design would be a lesser total height of the building, allow us a perfect space to roof mount our solar array, and give a modern appearance.

We are calling it The Onyx

The Onyx color is inspired by the black barns you can see in rolling fields of Kentucky and Indiana, but with modern elements. I designed the building through a rough sketch, and an architect created official drawings. A search of the onyx gemstone’s symbolism shows it represents protection, strength, and courage — which felt profoundly relevant to the building specifically, and our farm venture as a whole. The building will be powered by solar energy. And the elevated design will allow us to have and do more; a main floor pavilion, and an upstairs studio.

FIRST FLOOR - The Onyx Pavilion

The Onyx Pavilion will be used to do the processing, packaging, storage of our farm goods – the essential parts of getting produce and flowers to our community. We will FINALLY have a walk-in cooler for the first time ever. It will have an outdoor kitchen feel for processing and packaging vegetables and flowers. The other half of the pavilion space will have picnic tables for a place to have reprieve from the sun.

*Surrounded by Gardens*

As you go up the first few stairs, the first stair platform will allow for a low overlook down the center of the aisle to the new rose garden that cuts through the new rose hedge. Make your way up the stairs to the deck of the building, and it will provide a spectacular overlook of our original farm.

SECOND FLOOR - The Onyx Studio

Inside will be The Onyx Studio with tall windows, white walls, and glass garage doors allowing for ample light and an open air feel — a beautiful, intimate space to do floristry with our exquisite flowers. I’m excited by the prospect to just create and play with flowers inside this space — and to curate a space that inspires.

Our Farm Building

I am excited to share about a project we’ve been working toward and that’s finally & officially underway.