Notice the flared bottom at the base of this ancient stone home… likely bit of “overbuilding” went into this structure (stronger than needed).
I have found that most old structures that are still around were overbuilt. Maybe… there is something to building that way instead of the cheapest easiest method?… yes indeed.
Originally posted 2015-12-09 20:09:25.
Within nearly every old mill you will likely discover a massive timber frame structure.
It takes great strength to withstand the might of a river, the movements of large machinery, and the weight of tons of grains.
A timber frame is up to the task.
And if it works for a mill… just imagine how well it serve you as part of your home.
Originally posted 2015-12-08 17:56:46.
What a nice log cabin… (even though I didn’t build it)… lol
If I had to guess I would say this cabin is likely about 20 years old and was built using antique logs. The growth of the shrubs, the mix of early 1800’s strap hinges on the door with 20th century z-bracing on the window shutters, and a chimney without any crowning at the top, are all clues.
I’ve spent my career building cabins… I admire anyone that does the same… and I especially admire anyone that can build a cabin and leave no clues as to it’s age (almost impossible to do).
But here the one clue that cries the most to it’s age is the front porch roof… see how it extends beyond the log cabin where the two come together? I’ve never seen one like that on an old cabin… it draws the eye and once spotted distracts the viewer from fully appreciatingĀ what would have been a nearly perfect project. The builder/designer of this cabin was focusing on the porch floor, not the larger porch roof that would be built above it.
The solution to this problem would have been to build the porch floor system shorter than the length of the cabin, much like you see in how the back addition to this cabin was built. I generally build the front porch two feet shorter than the cabin (a foot or so shy of the each end).
Originally posted 2015-12-08 17:12:18.
A stone chimney could have been built as easily, and as quickly, as it must have taken to notch all the logs to create this wood chimney… the only reason I can think of to do this would have been the lack of access to good stone or access to mortar for bad stone.
Originally posted 2015-12-08 16:15:21.
What a great log structure. I would imagine that this cabin was built by the entire community as a place where they could all gather and fellowship, (which only impresses me more with this log building).
Notice the logs that are above the front doorway and how much more aged they are. Likely there was once a roof above the door and these logs were exposed to the splashing rain over a period of decades. When building a cabin I often give extra attention to the logs above a porch.
Originally posted 2015-12-08 16:07:31.
I have yet to build a hobbit style home… I so hope to do so… one day.
But hoping won’t make it happen, I need to start planning towards it, so that is what I’m now doing.
Now, will my wife want to live in hobbit home?… likely not. But fortunately one of the keys to building a handmade house is the freedom to combine several types of construction formats… build a home that is part this, and part that… perhaps have a log cabin den, a post-and-beam kitchen and maybe a hobbit guest room?
Originally posted 2015-12-08 15:46:02.
Everything that I see in the image needs some degree of attention and care, and yet… all is well.
Interesting. Isn’t it?… that we could admire something lacking polish.
With regard to cabins and homes, it all comes down to good design and a wise choice in materials. I doubt if a new log cabin kit with a vinyl sided addition, in this state of aging, would be seen as equally attractive.
Originally posted 2015-12-08 15:34:08.
How is it that such a simple structure can hold us so captive?
I could try to answer the question with “why I think this small cabin is special”…but for today, for this inviting place… I’ll leave it for you to ponder the question and come up with your own answer.
After all, it’s the questions we ask ourselves that make this life so special. š
Originally posted 2015-12-08 15:07:16.
A nice little cabin with tall and skinny windows and doors.
The miss-mash arrangement of logs above the windows and front door is most interesting… I would imagine it is the result of a shortage of straight materials, the need of some patching and replacements of rotted wood, and some creative woodworkers who just tried to fill empty spaces.
Originally posted 2015-12-08 14:57:04.
Here we have a peek inside of one of the outdoor kitchens in Colonial Willamsburg.
Notice the pattern of the brick… not only of the floor… but of the fireplace.
Today we are blessed with a boundless variety of attractive brick, but for some unknown reason very few people bother to choose any other pattern of laying these brick than the monotonous “running bond” pattern that is seen practically everywhere… from brick ranchers to shopping malls.
Originally posted 2015-12-08 14:52:34.
