Blog - Page 113 of 123 - Handmade Houses with Noah Bradley

A porch in Winter

It seems that whenever we have built a cabin that we have always been in a race against the weather… hoping to get a cabin “closed in” before Winter’s arrival.
Our goal would always be to be able to enjoy finishing the interior work with the nearby comfort of a good fire in the fireplace.
Quite often though Winter would win, as it did on this cabin project… the first snow fell too quickly.
Oh well, it still beat working in the city.
And, the porch was still inviting, though plenty cold.

Originally posted 2016-04-06 17:23:12.

A porch in WinterNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:04+00:00

How to build an attractive fireplace

I received a great question today and I thought I might share my answer in a post…

“How can I build an attractive, safe, fireplace?”

Building a safe fireplace is easy.
The building codes and inspectors won’t let you do anything but build a safe one.
There are quite a few resources out there… from books to YouTube videos.. that have diagrams and step-by-step demonstrations to help you on your way.
There are many trade schools out there as well as good masons who will guide you along (and for a few dollars) help you out.
But, the key word to your question was “attractive”.
Aesthetics is not covered in the code books, nor the free videos, nor is it something they teach at school.
I’ll have to put together a teaching video on “Attractive Fireplaces” later this year. (yet another thing on my list!)
But for now, let me give you a good start…a few pointers… perhaps, all you need…
For decades now people have been telling me that my work is amazing, more attractive than anyone elses.
The secret behind my work (it’s not much of secret as I tend to tell everyone) is that I seek out the most attractive finished homes that I can, which are quite often historic homes, and then I pay very close attention to the details, trying to figure out how it was done, and why it appeals to me so.
And then, I copy it.
Not, building it “sort of like it”… but “exactly like it”.
After I’ve done a few “exactly like its” then I start to add my own creativity to the mix.
My advice is that you should look at fireplaces until you find one that amazes you, then replicate it.
I can also say that it sometimes takes a developed eye before a person can really pick out the truly great specimens.
For example art enthusiasts can appreciate a painting much more than I can because they look at these creations as a life calling, every day, all day long. If I want a great painting, I value their input.
My tastes have refined over the years after having looked at thousands of fireplaces.
I think my fireplaces are the best… and as time has gone by I often begin to think there is a fixed guideline in attractiveness… but then I come across a striking exception to the rule which blows my rigidity to pieces.
You are more than welcome to use my fireplaces as a guide in building your own if you wish.
Here’s a few tips that I can offer…
When building the firebox (I often have a professional mason build the inner workings of my chimneys) make sure and lay all the firebrick flat and not on edge, any fresh air vents should be to the side and not on the back, and, the back of the fireplace should have a rounded slope, tapering to the front as it goes up.
When laying the stone fireplace front, pay close attention to the pattern, dimensions, and proportions. Choose attractive stone, all at least six inches thick… the fireplace is the focal point of a house… it is where the artistry and skill of a home is demonstrated. Seek perfection and the touch of an artists hand.
And finally, never, ever span a stone fireplace opening in such a way that it relies on metal to hold it up… either use a single lintel stone, or a functioning arch.

Originally posted 2016-04-03 14:50:24.

How to build an attractive fireplaceNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:03+00:00

Details, details, details

When it comes time to build your home… or even a shed… think “outside the box”.

This is a outbuilding that I built for myself… Outbuildings… you can’t get enough of them!

This was one of those “weekend projects” that took me the entire summer to put together. I have such an understanding, and patient, wife. God bless her.

I came up with a design that was historic, yet uncommon. It cost no more to arrange lumber differently than everyone else does. So why not?

I found an old antique door, and some salvaged windows to use… I saved some money in the process and created something unique and special in doing so. Win, win.

And the picket railing?… I found it at the local landfill. It took a little repair but someone else’s trash became my treasure!

And the red paint? hey, if you got it, flaunt it!

Originally posted 2016-04-02 13:44:28.

Details, details, detailsNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:02+00:00

Arches and Lintel Stones

Here we have two opposing fireplaces that I built in a Virginia farmhouse. We thought we’d add some variety and visual interest to these two adjoining first-floor rooms by building one fireplace with an arched fireplace and the other with a large supporting lintel stone to span the width of the fireplace opening.

Both are historically accurate and have been used for thousands of years.

The arch takes longer to build. The massive four-foot long lintel stone was not easy to find. So costs work out to be about the same to build. If you could pick just one for your home… which would you choose?

Originally posted 2016-04-02 13:23:09.

Arches and Lintel StonesNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:01+00:00

Building your own home in the woods

I want to encourage everyone that a dream home is doable… I built my first home at the age of 20 with little money or experience, and no credit. I worked evenings and got that house far enough along that bankers were impressed enough to loan me the little bit of money it took to finish. It wasn’t a McMansion… but it was nice, and handmade.

I’m planning on building my next home in a couple years at the age of 60, still not much money to be found anywhere around here, and the old body ain’t what it used to be. But I have learned a lot, so it ought to turn out well… slow… but well. I plan on recording the process… I hope you’ll follow along.

I’ve known people in their 70’s who hand-built their home.

I’ve even worked alongside people in wheelchairs.

Originally posted 2016-04-02 12:51:22.

Building your own home in the woodsNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:00+00:00

Adding an antique staircase to a new home

I do love old staircases. I’ve been using salvaged ones for several decades now.

The quality of the craftsmanship and materials found in them cannot be replicated today.

It’s seems that each one I find is a one-of-a-kind, unlike newly built ones which can be identical whether they are found in small homes or monstrous manors… from one side of the country to the other.

I do love the old hand-tooled marks. and the wear patterns that come about through much use… treads that have been worn by a century or more of climbing, railings worn smooth by hands of both young and old alike. I wonder about those who might have slid down those railings laughing all the way, or the children that might have sneaked down the stairs to see what Santa might have brought, or perhaps a young daughter on her way to her first date as her father anxiously looks on.

Some of my clients love the squeaks that seem to come with and old staircase. I do my best to get rid of them during the install, but it seems no matter what I do at least one will reappear. I had a kind client thank me deeply for “creating that lovely squeak”. I accepted the compliment, not wanting to confess how much effort I had put into removing it, and had failed.

I have spent over 30 years reusing salvaged materials in newer homes. Of all of the materials that I find available staircases are quite often the most numerous, and often the greatest bargain. Part of the reason for the abundance, and the low price, is because of a staircases massive size… they are huge and tough to manage, and struggle to put into place. Another reason is because they were often built for a very particular location, every staircase needs to start at a certain exact point and end at one as well. Another issue, and this is a big one, Building Codes often specify that a each rise height can vary no more than a very small amount… the risers on some old staircases vary a good bit… it’s smart to measure each one before buying. And keep in mind that the distance from the top of the first floor to the top of the second floor needs to match the height of the staircase exactly… you can’t have half a step left over at the top!!!

With all of the above kept in mind. When I build a new home and I know that I want to use an old salvaged staircase, I often start by finding and procuring the staircase first and then designing and building the home with those dimensions in mind.

I did rebuild an old house once that had a precious staircase in it that I knew it would not pass code due to varying dimensions in the risers. I went ahead with it hoping that somehow I could get it to pass. The building inspector did notice it, but had a talk with the owners of the home, pointing out the “imperfection” but then passing it on their acceptance. We were all tickled.

Originally posted 2016-04-02 12:31:39.

Adding an antique staircase to a new homeNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:07:59+00:00

The perfect small log cabin

I was once challenged to design and build a log cabin, of the highest quality, and as small as possible… without being ridiculous.
And this… is what I built.
(I’m giving away the blueprints for this cabin to everyone who enrolls in the Handmade House Guild and Academy)
Go HERE to learn more!

Originally posted 2016-03-26 17:29:00.

The perfect small log cabinNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:07:58+00:00

Strive to improve the landscape with your home

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 homeNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:07:57+00:00