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C&B: You have this incredible opportunity to get everything just as you want it with this new build. Tell us about your vision. What is your goal with the design?

Katie: Our goal is to create a haven, a place where we can recharge and reconnect as a family. We want our home to be the home that everyone wants to be at. That way, we can keep a close eye on our kids and their friends.

Also, we’d love to plant a pecan orchard in the front yard once the farmhouse has been built. I can envision sweet, evening parties under the stars, with string lights draped from branch to branch, and chandeliers hanging from pecan trees and over dining tables.

C&B: This is also a wonderful opportunity to do every décor addict’s favorite thing: redecorate! What are your plans for your rooms?

Katie: We’ll design each room with a focus on modern farmhouse style, with touches of rustic architectural salvage throughout. Old barns are our inspiration, as well as pretty much everything you see at Magnolia Farms. We love cool, industrial style mixed with the simple way of life from early farmhouse times.

C&B: And how do you we want your new home to feel?

Katie: We want others to walk in and feel relaxed and inspired in our home. Our desire is that the rooms will flow seamlessly and exude a welcoming ambience.

C&B: From a design standpoint, what are the cornerstones of your home’s look and feel?

Katie: We have a very specific vision about the design, including elements like exposed rustic beams and high ceilings, white exterior siding with a black metal roof and rustic beams (at the front door), mixing textures like raw wood, concrete and metals.

Our other must-haves are an open-concept living area, walk-in pantry and closets, a bathroom for each bedroom, a large back porch for entertaining, lots of dimmer switches, an apron sink in the kitchen and shiplap on the walls. We know we want subway tile with dark-gray grout—and, of course, sliding barn doors.