I do love copper roofing.
And, redwood siding.
And, mountains.
(I can’t take credit for those… lol)
This is a timber frame home that we assembled from new timbers that we had sawn at a local lumber yard.
Originally posted 2016-09-14 13:29:27.
One thing that holds people back from building their dream home is the fear that they aren’t good enough… that there are people out there better, so why even try?
Let me assure you that you are the best person to build your future home. No one can do it better.
I’m not the best carpenter, but I can lay stone better than most.
I’m not the best mason, but I can nail up trim better than most.
I’m not the best at anything, other than building my own home.
Just like you.
Originally posted 2016-09-14 13:14:34.
For decades now, many have praised the design work of the homes I have built.
For the record, I’m no artist (although the title is flattering).
I’ve always looked to the past for inspiration, that’s where I get my design ideas from. That’s when homes were built from natural materials and blended in with the landscape.
I’ve done my best to create “rules” or guidelines in what makes a home attractive. Why is it that these vintage treasures are so attractive? They looked good back when they were built a century or two ago and they look even better today. Who can say that of anything built in say the 1970’s (or now)?
I’ve managed to come up with quite a few characteristics in what makes a home attractive, but every time I think I’ve come up with something that is absolute… I find that there is an exception to the rule… which sort of makes it “not a rule” doesn’t it?
Anyway, just take a look at this beauty of a home… The door is off the end of the cabin, and not the front. The windows on the front are slid to one side, and just look at how big that second floor window is… it goes up into the roof! And the brick chimney top that’s poking through the roof… why, I never. lol
But she is precious isn’t she?
I can think of no new home built in my area that compares to the simple beauty of this place.
She breaks all the rules.
Originally posted 2016-09-12 15:55:21.
Originally posted 2016-09-12 15:28:53.
Originally posted 2016-09-11 11:59:54.
It’s a great time of year to have the chimney cleaned.
The chimney sweeps are easily available, and the fires will be lit again in a matter of a couple of months.
I never burn pine so I can generally get away with going a few years on my fireplace, but the wood stove flue… that gets my attention every year.
Originally posted 2016-08-23 13:02:29.
Originally posted 2016-08-22 10:57:29.
There once was a time when trees were large,
and homes were small.
Originally posted 2016-08-20 15:57:04.
Here we have the front porch of a fine old farmhouse.
You might recognize the gentleman here, being struck by a broom from his loving wife.
I’ve always admired Grandpa Walton.
He had plenty or reason to miserable, having had to work hard all his life, being penniless in his old age, having to live with one of his children, and having a wife that was constantly calling him an “old fool”.
But instead, he chose to always be the cheerful character of the family. He focused on how fortunate he was to live where he did, and to be surrounded with those who he cared so much for.
So, let us learn by his example.
Hug those in your life who are nearby, whether they want it or not.
And, find that special place in the country… it can be life changing.
If you’d like, occasionally, take a nip of the recipe.
For health reasons, of course.
And be ever so thankful, for the gal in your life with the broom.
Be extra thankful that it’s not a cast iron pan that she swings.
Originally posted 2016-08-20 15:07:49.
Here’s “before and after” images of a stone arch that we made years ago.
It’s a simple process, you just create a form out of scrap lumber, and then you carefully, and patiently, shape each stone.
And then, once done, you have created something useful and attractive (that will last for centuries).
Originally posted 2016-08-19 12:45:02.
