Being as we live in an agricultural part of the country, I think it's safe to assume that residents here have a greater chance of one day owning a barn than, say, folks in Seattle or Portland.

Chalk that up as reason No. 1,082 to love living in the Inland Northwest. (Reason No. 1,083 is this week's forecast, by the way.)

I'm sure it takes a fair share of work to actually own a barn and, of course, restore one (just ask Rolane Hopper of The Vintage Barn in Rathdrum). But as someone whose house is about 10 feet away from neighbors on either side, having a barn on my (imaginary) property sure sounds romantic.

I thought it'd be fun to dream a little. Here are some links to barns that have been restored or repurposed and are now in use as homes, studios, event venues and offices.

*A gorgeously green artist's barn, on re-nest.

*A roundup of barn conversions, on Apartment Therapy. (I am trying like the dickens to jump into my computer screen and make myself at home in that first photo featured, but unlike Dora the Explorer, I apparently do not have that ability. Shoot!)

*Kelly and Ashlea's converted barn, on Apartment Therapy

*Here's a barn you can rent by the week in Tuscany. That'll do.

*A dear friend of mine is getting married in this barn in Chehalis next month. The photo above is of my nephew's barn wedding at a venue called A Touch of Country outside of Rockford. And while we're on the subject of weddings, check out these barn wedding venues in Oregon.

I'm trying to track down two other barn houses that I've seen before but can't seem to locate tonight. Check back if you need a little more barny love.

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