Q&A with Kenadey: Remodeling The Cattle Cottage

One of our team’s most beloved projects is the Cattle Cottage because it was designed for our very own Store Manager Kenadey and her family. To give you an idea of the process of designing with 319 Decor & Design, we sat down with Kenadey to ask about her experience. We hope this gives you insight and encouragement for your own remodel or building process.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your home?

Our home, named The Cattle Cottage is located in Hudson, Iowa, and the project scope included a 2,500 square foot addition and remodel. The second phase is now complete, and we’ll be sharing the full reveal of it soon!

Q: What was your vision for the project?

My vision was so big for this project. My mind ran rampant with dreams of children, holidays, hosting, and someday even seeing our grandchildren in this home. The goal was to create a generational home. I wanted a place where my kids would fight for and never want to leave. My dream was for this home to be where we started and continue to grow our family.

Q: What is the history of the home?

This was my husband's grandparent's home, and it’s over 100 years old. It’s the place where they built their family farm, and the memories that live through this home are endless. We are now remaking photos of our children in the exact spots where my husband crawled, played, and baked, which is so special.

What started as a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom Cattle Cottage has recently grown into a 6 bedroom, 4 bathroom Cattle Estate. There have been a few other changes to the home, including adding central air in 2025. This was a big improvement in our lives after sweating through four very hot summers. I was also pregnant during three of those summers, so you can only imagine how thrilled I am to have central air.

We have gone through three different phases of renovating this home since we purchased it in 2021. Each phase also occurred during either a pregnancy or birth of a new child. It’s safe to say that we learned to get tough very quickly. In fact, we survived without a roof in the middle of January for two weeks, so we really can say we lived through it all.

Q: What was the experience like for you designing with the 319 Design team?

Being an employee and client of 319 was two different worlds. I have a very defined style and typically know what I love right away, but making decisions becomes slightly more difficult when seeing every single option.

I spent two years curating every single detail in this home, and through it all, Katie and Natalie were my biggest supporters, while also bringing me back to earth daily.

Q: What are the standout elements of this design?

There are wood wall features with different styles, paint colors, and stains. 

We also chose bold and intricate tile that gave the large rooms lots of personality.

Every bedroom brings a different vibe, especially because we color-drenched everything - the doors, trim, windows, and even cabinetry, catering to our children and their unique personalities.

Q: What materials and finishes did you use in this space that you especially loved?

Tile is a big standout in each space, along with very bold paint colors. I also used different quartz counters to give each room its own look. To really top it off, we leaned into deep wood tones and brass hardware throughout the home.

Q: What challenges did you face, and how did you and the 319 Design team solve them?

Timing was everything in this project. We endured a 3 month delay dealing with county permits, which can be part of the remodeling process. Our foundation got poured incorrectly in the middle of January, and with a baby arriving in April, I was a mess. Katie and Natalie talked me through so many days and took it upon themselves to handle what they could from a design standpoint.

Q: What has been the impact of the remodel of your home on your daily life and family?

We started this remodel with a two year old, three year old, and a baby on the way. While remodeling, we lived in two small bedrooms and no bathtub for nine months. In January of 2025, we broke ground and lived without a roof for about two weeks. During that time, we were both rained on and snowed on. 

Our multi-functional living room and playroom became an impromptu dining room, and our laundry room moved to the garage. We powered through the best we could with our little family. There are stories from those nine months that we’ll be able to tell for the rest of our lives, including days with no running water, no electricity, and even one chilly morning I woke up to our home being a mere 48 degrees. Our trooper toddlers Dru and Cutter never even batted an eye through the craziness.

We welcomed our son Boss in April of 2025. At that time, we got the go-ahead to finally spread out into the rest of the home in September. 

Q: What are you most proud of in this home?

I’m most proud that everyone who walks through our door feels at home. My children have spaces to grow and make messes. My husband and I finally have our own primary suite, with a closet and en suite bathroom.

I love to host, and that is exactly what this home was designed for. When we have new people over to our home, I love when they walk through each room and are wowed by the details. Each room feels different from the last and personal to our family.

Q: What advice would you give to someone going through a remodel with 319 Decor & Design?

Plan, plan, plan. The 319 team will help you every step of the way. Let them! Ask questions - about deadlines, about contractors, and about materials and products. The 319 team will take care of everything if you let them.

Q: How did the 319 Design team make the project more enjoyable for you?

They provided reassurance that everything can be fixed and everything will be okay!

We are so excited to soon share the full reveal of each phase of the Cattle Cottage project with you all. To see the gallery of Phase One, visit our portfolio.

If you’re curious about designing with 319 Decor & Design, read more about our process and our design services.