Deep window sills and window seats

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A deep window sill… or a window seat… is such a small inexpensive detail, but it turns an ordinary window into a place of wonder.

Originally posted 2016-01-20 15:45:22.

Deep window sills and window seats2019-06-29T10:06:24+00:00

Cabin living during a snowstorm

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There’s nothing like cabin living after a good snowfall.
If you have that dream cabin in the woods it’s time bring in a few more pieces of firewood.
For those still living the city life, it’s time to head to the store and stock up on bread, milk, and toilet paper.
Stay warm my friends.

Originally posted 2016-01-20 15:39:24.

Cabin living during a snowstorm2019-06-29T10:06:23+00:00

How to build a log cabin

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Here’s a little cabin that I built years ago.

I recently returned to this log retreat to give her an inspection and to do extensive filming of it for the upcoming Handmade House Academy where I will go step by step through how she was built and discuss even the smallest details. (I am running a bit behind on the course, trying to make it as great as I can… so, it will likely be a few more weeks… make sure and sign up to the email list if you want to receive the coming announcement).

And… if you’ve read this far… lol… here’s a response I wrote this morning to a member who asked about my availability to help them build their dream handmade home… It’s a quick summary of where I am in life…

“”What do I do now?” That is a loaded question. lol

I could probably write a short novel on answering it fully.

I’m in a transformational period of my life. Maybe it has something to do with approaching 60… a man at this age has another good ten years to make his mark in the world (hopefully more). And so time becomes his most precious commodity.

Behind me is nearly thirty years of running a construction company that has specialized in building unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade houses… cabins, barns, farmhouses, historic restorations, timber frames, stone cottages, etc. I’ve likely had over three hundred people apprentice with me, and I’ve done my best to please over a hundred clients throughout those years (which was the most challenging part of building those homes, by far)

A number of months ago I came upon a pause in my workload and so I seized the opportunity to take a “time-out” to reflect on where I had been all these years and how I might want to change things going forward. I absolutely love building handmade homes… I know the process better than anyone…. but the stress associated with the business aspect of it all had taken the joy out of it.

Moving forward I would like to share with a broader, appreciative, audience all that I know and have learned, and to encourage them to undertake the home of their dreams, so I’m establishing an online presence and creating educational products… “The Academy” being the first of those, where I’ll share hours of my time through a video series that I hope will do just that. I also plan on building my next home in the near future (I can’t wait).

I do have a few folks that are tempting me to come build their home…. I’m not certain how, or if, those opportunities will work out… I don’t want to find myself back in same rut. We’ll see.

If someone came to me and said that “I have the most wonderful piece of land, I want you to design and build the perfect home there… cost is not an issue”. I’d jump all over that… my tools would be loading up on the truck within hours!

I’m always interested in helping good people out… If there is something I can do to help you out with let me know.

Handmade homes, built well, are expensive to have when someone else builds them. If you are the type of individual who is willing to do a lot of the work yourself you can save a ton of money and have a great time doing it. Log cabins that are already built do come onto the market from time to time and you can save a ton of money in buying one that way, but most have “issues” and are not tailored to your wants and needs.

I would encourage you to build your dream home. Do it right the first time… and have a home that will last you your lifetime, and, be a blessing to future generations.

Noah

Originally posted 2016-01-13 16:06:21.

How to build a log cabin2019-06-29T10:06:22+00:00

Double Decker porch

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A two story porch… the difference in price to build a two story vs a one story is minimal… but the added space gained is priceless.

Originally posted 2016-01-12 12:34:01.

Double Decker porch2019-06-29T10:06:21+00:00

Regrets

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Do you think the owners of this cabin ever regret the effort and expense it took to build this place?

I doubt it.

Will you regret it if you never get around to doing the same.

Originally posted 2016-01-10 18:21:48.

Regrets2019-06-29T10:06:20+00:00

Build well

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The ultimate bathroom?
Or, perhaps a little less privacy than you like to have when bathing?
There is so much I admire about this image… a home made of wood wrapped in trees… and, who wouldn’t enjoy some relaxing time in a tub like that? It’s not for me… but that’s not the point… it was right for the person who built it… they visualized what they wanted… made it as wonderful as they could, and they did a great job.
A tip of the hat to them!
And, may it serve as inspiration for the rest of us.
Build well my friends.

Originally posted 2016-01-09 16:25:47.

Build well2019-06-29T10:06:19+00:00

A hillside cabin

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A hillside site provides an opportunity to showcase additional stonework, and, it creates a walk-out basement down below the cabin.
How about that!… a challenging house-site, initially viewed as a negative element, can lead to having a better home!

Originally posted 2016-01-09 15:46:12.

A hillside cabin2019-06-29T10:06:18+00:00

When is small, too small?

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Hmmm…
Appliances on the front porch…
The age old dilemma…
Yes, or no?
It’s one of the big problems with the tiny, tiny house movement. Certainly there is plenty of room in one of these structures for a person… but not for all of the stuff that we need to satisfy our current lifestyles.

Originally posted 2016-01-09 14:55:55.

When is small, too small?2019-06-29T10:06:17+00:00

A nice house site

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The house looks new… but the house site looks like it was created many years ago. An old road bed perhaps?

Originally posted 2016-01-08 13:00:04.

A nice house site2019-06-29T10:06:16+00:00

Almost there

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A sweet old country cabin… just precious.

I don’t mean to be critical but I don’t share opinions on how  each structure can be improved, well, this site has no purpose.

The roof overhangs are too great. It looks like the eaves of the house extend nearly three feet.  This creates a visually crushing effect of the house… squashing the second floor. A foot or less of overhang would have been so much better.

Originally posted 2016-01-08 12:42:41.

Almost there2019-06-29T10:06:15+00:00
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