- May 2
- 3 min read
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There’s something special about taking a space that feels fine… and turning it into something that feels intentional, warm, and completely you.
Our dining room had good bones, but it was missing character. After fresh paint throughout the house, we decided it was time to give this space the same attention—with two major upgrades:
custom-built barn doors and a modern farmhouse light fixture.
This transformation completely changed the feel of the room, and I’m so excited to share every step with you.
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Before: A Blank Canvas
Before, the dining room felt very standard—clean, but lacking personality. Very Cowboy bachelor pad.
The lighting was basic, and the space didn’t have a focal point.
After painting the inside of the house, it was the perfect time to elevate the room and bring in warmth and texture.
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The Vision
We wanted:
Functional design with character
Warm wood tones to balance the fresh paint
That’s where the barn doors came in.
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Building the Barn Doors
Instead of buying pre-made doors, Cowboy collab'd with his buddy at Harris Renovations and they custom built the barn doors and stained them — making all of the difference.
You can see in the video below:
Measuring and assembling the boards
Securing the structure
Applying stain for that rich, warm finish
👉 Tip: Don’t rush the staining process. Letting the stain fully absorb and dry gives you that deep, custom look.
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Installing the Barn Door Hardware:
This is where it really starts coming together.
Mounting the track securely into the wall
Carefully lifting and placing the first door
Aligning and hanging both doors evenly
Installing handles for the finished look
👉 Tip: Make sure your track is perfectly level before hanging—this affects everything. Tracks can be purchased online or at a local hardware store. After purchasing, ours had to have some welding alterations due to length needed, which was a project outsourced to another of Cowboy’s buddies.
The barn door handles are deer antlers, secured by screws. If you don’t have any extra sheds laying around, you can purchase custom antler handles at Antler Artisans (antlerartisans.com).
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The Lighting Upgrade:
Lighting completely transforms a space—and this was the finishing touch.
We swapped out the basic fixture for a modern farmhouse piece from The Home Depot that:
Anchors the room
Adds warmth
Complements the wood tones of the doors as well as matches the rustic metal of the tracks
The difference is immediate and dramatic.
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The Final Reveal:
The combination of fresh paint, custom barn doors, and upgraded lighting completely changed the space. Then we brought all the furniture in. One of my favorite pieces in this room is the dining table. It was custom built for me about 10 years ago by a former neighbor, using reclaimed floorboards from a Georgia estate sale. The wood came from a home that was over 100 years old, which makes this piece feel even more special. It’s a table that seats eight, the basic farmhouse chairs I found on Amazon, and has truly stood the test of time—now finally in a space that does it justice.
What once felt plain now feels:
Warm
Intentional
Inviting
Full of character
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Watch the Full Transformation
Bonus: Full Barn Door Build + Install Process
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What Made the Biggest Impact:
The barn doors created a bold focal point
The light fixture elevated the entire room instantly
The fresh paint tied everything together
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If You’re Thinking About Doing This…
A few quick takeaways:
Custom builds add more character than store-bought
Lighting matters more than you think
Small upgrades can completely change a room
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Final Thoughts:
This dining room now feels like an extension of our home—not just a space we pass through.
And honestly, that’s what RGJ is all about—creating spaces that feel lived in, warm, and real.
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