Man converted storage silo into a beautiful 2-bedroom home — see inside

A drive along Highway 50 toward Elmdale, then farther west, brings travelers into the quiet beauty of rural Kansas. Within about 90 minutes, familiar noise fades into open skies, rustling leaves, and peaceful farmland. The landscape widens, thoughts slow, and the senses settle into a gentler pace. Small towns appear along the way, marked by grain elevators, tidy front porches, and streets where trucks crawl past at an unhurried tempo. The road soon slips into rolling countryside framed by stands of cottonwood and sycamore, and a soft sense of freedom begins to build. Travelers notice the scent of cut hay and the easy rhythm of open land. It becomes clear why people come here seeking peace and space to breathe.

In West Chase County, beyond fields of soybeans and along a calm creek valley, a distinctive escape waits. The Owl’s Nest Silo House offers a mix of privacy, nature, and comfort. The setting feels removed from daily pressure, creating space for reflection and rest. Birds call across the water. Wind ripples through tall grass. Evening settles quietly over the valley, and the stars come forward with remarkable clarity. It is a place that rewards attention. Every sound, scent, and movement invites visitors to slow down and simply be present.

Beside the silo stands a hand crafted log cabin finished in 2019. Built as a snug retreat, the cabin was intended for occasional stays and promised rustic charm with modern comfort. Gerald Wiens led the project, expecting modest interest. His plan resembled a small vacation rental with just a few booked weekends each month, enough to share the setting without crowding it. Inside, the Paw Print Cabin offered warm wood tones, a small kitchen, and inviting places to read or talk. A porch opened to fields and sky, and the air carried the smell of cedar and earth.

Demand grew rapidly, especially during the pandemic. Guests searched for safe and quiet places away from city life, and the Paw Print Cabin delivered exactly what they sought. Bookings climbed far beyond Gerald’s early expectations. At one point the calendar filled with more than 180 occupied nights in a single year, proof of the strong appeal of expansive views and uninterrupted quiet. Visitors wrote about waking to birdsong and watching weather sweep slowly across the prairie, and many returned again.

Near the cabin stood a sturdy old silo. Instead of removing it, Gerald pictured turning it into a livable space. A round building presented unusual design puzzles. Conventional furniture and framing rely on straight lines, and the curve of the silo asked for a different approach. Still, the idea felt promising, and sketches and models guided the vision toward something real. The project took patience, creativity, and trust in the landscape itself.

The silo eventually rose to four finished stories and reached 45 feet. The result blended imagination and function, transforming farmland history into a modern retreat. Outside, the structure still resembles the agricultural form it once served, while inside it feels surprisingly warm.

Light curls around the interior walls, revealing grain patterns in the wood and soft textures beneath the windows. Plush leather chairs create relaxed spaces for reading, conversation, or quiet contemplation. A compact kitchen and cozy sleeping areas continue the spirit of comfort found in the cabin next door. Guests can watch the sunrise from upper windows, listening to breezes along the creek and cattle in the distance.

The farmhouse setting and thoughtful design make the Owl’s Nest Silo House a rare place to unwind. Travelers arrive expecting a simple getaway, yet many leave with more. They carry memories of silence, of open horizons, and of an uncommon round home that welcomes them into the calm heart of Kansas.