The Vision: One Thoughtful Space at a Time

If you've followed me for any length of time, you already know this about me…I dream big.

The moment I walked through the doors of Outcrop, I could see it. Not what it was, but what it could become.

I didn't see a foreclosure. I saw women laughing around a table after midnight. I saw quilts spread across design walls. I imagined scrapbook pages covering every table, sewing machines humming, friendships being built over coffee, and people leaving feeling more rested than when they arrived.

That has always been my dream.

I don't just want a place where people sleep between classes. I want a true retreat.

A place where every room has a purpose.

A bedroom that helps you exhale after a long day. Sleep is so important.

An event center that sparks creativity the second you walk through the doors.

A kitchen that naturally draws everyone together for late-night conversations, laughter, and one more cup of coffee before bed.

Outdoor spaces where you can take a break, breathe in the Colorado air, and simply be.

Every decision I make will have one question behind it:

How does this make the retreat experience better?

But here's the part I also want to be honest about...

That vision isn't going to happen overnight.

This house has an incredible story.

Construction began nearly twenty years ago. It was built with an unbelievable amount of quality, radiant heated floors, zero-entry showers, extensive filtration systems, mini-splits throughout the home, beautiful stamped concrete patios, and craftsmanship that would be incredibly expensive to recreate today.

Yet somehow...

It feels like it was never truly lived in.

As I've learned more about its history, it appears the home was occupied only briefly during different stages of construction. You can actually see it. There aren't walls filled with years of pictures. There isn't the normal wear of a family making memories.

In so many ways, it feels like this beautiful home has simply been waiting for someone to love it.

Of course, it also comes with its quirks.

Some bathrooms feel unfinished. There are projects that make me laugh and wonder, "What were they thinking?" The roof has reached the end of its life. Mechanical systems need servicing. Patios need repairs. There are plenty of behind-the-scenes projects that have to happen before I ever get to the fun part.

And honestly...

That's okay.

Because I've learned something over the years.

Beautiful things are rarely built by rushing.

So instead of filling every room with furniture and decorations as quickly as possible, we're taking a different approach.

First, we're making the house healthy, safe, and reliable.

The roof.

Heating and cooling.

Hot water.

The systems that no one notices but everyone depends on.

Next, we'll make sure every retreat has everything it needs to be comfortable. Cozy beds. Soft linens. Great lighting. Functional workspaces. A kitchen that's ready for amazing meals. An event center that's equipped for creativity from day one.

Then...

The magic begins.

One room at a time.

One thoughtful decision at a time.

One beautiful transformation after another.

I want to live in the house before I decide exactly how every space should feel. I want to watch how people naturally gather. I want to see where conversations happen, where everyone gravitates during retreats, what works, and what could be even better.

Only then will I begin designing each room with intention.

Maybe it's creating bedrooms that feel like luxury hotel suites, where you climb into bed and instantly relax.

Maybe it's adding little details beside every bed so everything you need is within reach.

Maybe it's creating an event center that doesn't just function but inspires.

Or maybe it's designing gathering spaces that make you want to stay up talking just a little longer because the atmosphere feels that inviting.

That's the part that excites me the most.

Not decorating.

Designing experiences.

The last time we started this journey together, so many of you shared incredible ideas. We listened, took notes, and imagined what this place could become.

Then everything fell apart.

I'll be honest, that made me a little cautious this time.

I wanted to protect my heart until I knew the keys were truly ours.

Now they are.

And now I get to invite you back into the process.

I want your ideas.

Your wish lists.

Your "I always wish retreat houses had..." moments.

Because this house isn't just being built for me.

It's being built for all of us.

So over the coming months, I'm going to take you behind the scenes as each room evolves. We'll celebrate the wins, laugh at the strange design choices we uncover (trust me... there are plenty), make hard decisions together, and slowly watch this house become exactly what it was always meant to be.

Not overnight.

Not all at once.

But with purpose.

With intention.

And with a whole lot of excitement.

I truly believe that years from now we'll look back at these first photos, smile, and remember that this is where the story of Outcrop Manor really began.

I think this captures your voice while giving readers confidence that there is a plan. It also builds anticipation because they'll want to follow along as each room is transformed rather than expecting everything to be finished immediately.