29 06, 2019

A blended home

2019-06-29T09:47:49+00:00

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I have found that homes that are all one thing (log, stone, timber frame, etc) tend to be a bit boring especially as time goes by. I prefer building a blended home, one where several forms of construction are employed… it makes for a better home, and saves money as well.

Log cabins make great dens, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

Timber frame makes for a great family room, kitchen, and bedroom.

Modern stick-built construction, designed and finished properly can handle the above rooms… but really make sense in utility, closet, mudroom, laundry, staircase areas, etc. as it is quick to build and a bargain in price.

I know of no one else that promotes this idea. It seems each industry wants to promote it’s product, it’s form of construction, as “the one and only”.

Originally posted 2016-04-21 13:35:42.

A blended home2019-06-29T09:47:49+00:00
29 06, 2019

Strive to improve the landscape with your home

2019-06-29T09:47:37+00:00

fall-field-old-farm-house

Quite often when we look for land to purchase, a view is top priority. We want to enjoy scenic mountains or a rolling countryside when we kick back on our front porch.
It’s important to remember that when we build, our new home becomes part of that view.
Sometimes, if we build well, our homes can become “the view”… like this wonderful cabin.

Originally posted 2016-03-25 15:12:26.

Strive to improve the landscape with your home2019-06-29T09:47:37+00:00
29 06, 2019

The Creation of the Handmade House Academy

2019-06-29T09:47:31+00:00

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I built my first handmade house nearly 40 years ago, and have been building unique handmade homes ever since. (BTW… I did start young… I’m not quite a fossil yet… lol)

I’ve learned a lot in all those years… trade secrets and simple ways of looking at things. I’ve had some great teachers along the way… talented craftsmen… and combined with lots of hands-on experience… and in addition… the pleasure of studying so many homes that have survived for a century or more.

I did very little advertising throughout my career, it seems that folks who wanted a special home found me through word of mouth. I guided these precious clients of mine through the design and building process with the goal of giving them their dream home. I have found that the only thing more pleasurable than having a handmade home is playing a major role in its design and construction.

If you haven’t experienced it, I hope that one day you will.

In looking online it seems there is no shortage of information out there on “how to notch a cabin” or “how to lay a stone”, but nowhere do I find any source that teaches a person the basic concepts and steps on how to design and build an attractive handmade home.

To me, that is the most important lesson of all… one that needs to be a priority… from the first dreamed vision, to the final stroke of a paintbrush.

Rather than taking a lifetime of handmade house insights to the grave I thought about how great it would be to just sit down and share a full day (eight hours) of focused time and share what I have learned through all these years of designing and building one-of-a-kind homes…  to help move anyone interested “30 or 40 years down the learning curve”.

Just think about how much money could be saved, and how much better a home could be built by making such a leap!

(and what I would have given to have had such an opportunity when I began my journey.

For many, the Handmade House Academy likely will be life-changing in that something that was once viewed as impossible to have, suddenly becomes achievable.

Building a home does require a lot of work, but it can be an extremely enjoyable experience.

I’ve always said… “It’s much easier to design and build one’s own home, than it is to live with the regret of never having done so.”

And so this idea of “sharing it all” spawned the creation of the Handmade House Academy.

The Handmade House Academy is only available to those who are Members of the Handmade House Guild… I hope that you will consider joining us!

Noah

Originally posted 2016-03-19 15:28:27.

The Creation of the Handmade House Academy2019-06-29T09:47:31+00:00
29 06, 2019

The Poor House

2019-06-29T09:47:28+00:00

Mecklenburg Poor House

She’s called the “Poor House”, but I believe anyone living in such a fine home would be anything but poor.

How can such a simple home be so attractive?

Perhaps… there is great beauty to be found in simplicity.

Originally posted 2016-03-18 15:04:41.

The Poor House2019-06-29T09:47:28+00:00
29 06, 2019

Disconnected

2019-06-29T09:46:54+00:00

IMG_1974

For most of the time that we have been building homes we have used the materials found nearby… mainly wood and stone.
In the last couple of centuries we have improved upon this most basic of living structures by bringing in other materials.
But it’s only been in the past few decades that we have begun the total abandonment of local materials… and in the process… we have lost something.
Our homes have become disconnected.

Originally posted 2016-02-24 19:53:25.

Disconnected2019-06-29T09:46:54+00:00
29 06, 2019

A home made of wood

2019-06-29T09:46:10+00:00

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A house made of wood is still a thing of beauty, as she ages and slowly returns to the earth. Even in such a state of disrepair I find myself admiring this home.
Timeless in her charm.
I doubt if future generations will feel the same about the vinyl and formaldehyde creations that are being left behind for them.
So, what do you say?
How about when we build we choose to use natural products, as much as we can.
And, let’s give plenty of thought to the designs of our homes.
We can try to reinvent the wheel and come up with the next great look… or… we can look around and discover what has been proven to be admired for centuries.

Originally posted 2016-01-21 13:51:35.

A home made of wood2019-06-29T09:46:10+00:00
29 06, 2019

Cabins do love to show off in the Winter

2019-06-29T09:45:19+00:00

IMG_1791

A home should blend into it’s environment… even perhaps… be an improvement upon the landscape.

Log cabins, especially in the Winter, succeed in doing just that.

Originally posted 2015-12-18 22:37:46.

Cabins do love to show off in the Winter2019-06-29T09:45:19+00:00
29 06, 2019

Abandoned homes are full of memories

2019-06-29T09:45:14+00:00

IMG_1609

The large branch on that tree out front would have been perfect for a long rope swing.
I betcha this house was once full of children, all who eventually grew up and went off to the big city to seek their fortune.
But, they left a real treasure behind.
Such a sweet little house.

Originally posted 2015-12-15 21:50:47.

Abandoned homes are full of memories2019-06-29T09:45:14+00:00
29 06, 2019

Small and tall

2019-06-29T09:45:11+00:00

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Small and Tall.
“Nine over Nine” windows… each nearly as large as the front door.
This little house appears to have ten foot ceilings, a steep pitched roof, and a proud chimney.
Sweet huh?

Originally posted 2015-12-14 18:31:49.

Small and tall2019-06-29T09:45:11+00:00
29 06, 2019

Proper design comes from thorough study

2019-06-29T09:44:31+00:00

IMG_1800

This home, as nice as it is, could have been so much better, at no additional cost, nor additional labor, with just a couple of minor design adjustments implemented.
Keep in mind that the combination of log and stone is one of the best mixes a homeowner can put together.
Here we have a nice vintage log cabin with a great original stone chimney… notice that the stones are laid flat and in a horizontal pattern, and that they have great texture and color.
Later on, the current homeowners have added this stone addition and used properly matching stone… which was a wise choice.
But, somehow the addition falls flat… it’s… “nice”, but not… “OMG!!!… that’s AMAZING!!!”
What happened?
Well, for one thing the newer stone work on this addition drifted away from being horizontally laid to more of a “random pattern”… as if it was laid with the aid of a giant shotgun.
But, the larger failing here is one of design (or lack thereof)… a lack of attention… to the roof pitch and an “eye-pleasing” use of windows.
The nearly flat roof that crowns this stone section gives this give it an “industrial… mobile home… modern” look.
And, with regard to windows… the simple addition of a little window on the chimney end, and larger one on the long side, would have dramatically improved the overall appearance.
So what’s the point in all my rambling here this morning?
Too much coffee you say? lol
It’s just that… If a person is going to build… if they are going to buy a nice piece of land… if they are going to use attractive materials… shouldn’t they arrange those materials in the most attractive way that they can?
And the secret to learning appealing design?
Simply look at every home, and every photo of a home, that you find attractive… study each home and try to figure out what it is about that particular home that makes it special (or not special).
Then do it again… and again… and again.
Or… hire someone who has done this process, over and over, for years, to design your home for you.
Certainly beauty is in the eye of the beholder… but I would be willing to wager that I could have spent 15 minutes with a pen and the back of an envelope and convinced this owner to make a few adjustments that would have blessed him for years to come.

Originally posted 2015-12-02 15:26:29.

Proper design comes from thorough study2019-06-29T09:44:31+00:00
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