Old Barn Converted Into Bearuiful Country Home

Old Barn Converted Into Bearuiful Country Home AG WORLD Ag World 22-1-22 "I got the idea after seeing a couple of old barns turned into clubhouses and restaurants," says Iowa farmer John Pomberg of West Point, who, along with friends Chris Merierrotto and Joe Holtkamp, turned a dilapidated gable-roofed barn into a beautiful modern home. The barn was located on a farm across the road from Pomberg's father, Stanley. After clearing the accumulation of junk out of the old barn, one of the first orders of business was straightening out its sagging limestone foundation. Large, hand-hewn 14-in. sq. pine beams run the length of the 45-ft. wide barn, and these were straightened little by little with jacks. Once the beams were straightened, a new concrete foundation was poured. The inside of the barn, in which all original beams, rafters and sheeting were retained, was then thoroughly cleaned with a pressure washer. Missing sideboards were replaced, 6-in. bat insulation was installed in the walls, foil bubble insulation was installed in the attic, and steel siding was used on the sides and roof of the barn. Imitation stone facia was added to the foundation and the barn's original four lightning rods were returned to the 36-ft. tall roof peak. The house has three levels. The 45 by 60 ft. main floor holds a great room, master bed-room, bath and kitchen. The 15 by 40-ft. second floor has an imitation limestone fireplace and entertainment center. The 12 by 16-ft. third level loft looks down over the whole interior. One of the more unique features of the house are three chandeliers that drop down on pulleys attached to the barn's original hay mow door rope. "We worked on it for almost four years in our spare time in the winter and summer when there wasn't farming to do," says Pomberg who moved into his new house from his parents' home last spring. Since then, he's been busy furnishing the place. "I used the old pine wood we salvaged from the barn to build a bar and cabinet, bench, double dresser, bed and a 14-ft. long table that goes in the great room," he says. Pomberg isn't telling what he has invested in the house, but he says he saved a lot of money by doing it himself with friends. Straightening the foundation alone could cost as much as $50,000 if all the work was hired, he estimates. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John Pomberg, 1586 265th Ave., West Point, Iowa 52656 (ph 319 837-6040).

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