Blog - Page 3 of 123 - Handmade Houses with Noah Bradley

An excellent source of stone

It was a simpler time.

I can’t help but look at each of these individuals and ponder their lives.

And. as a builder. my eye is eventually drawn towards the stone chimney that stands proud on the end of this cabin. I’ve come to expect horizontal stones on old chimneys… as that is the only way a chimney can stand without the aid of cement binding it together, but chimneys with well defined layers, like this is one, is somewhat uncommon… it requires a supply of stone each of the same thickness, and stones that are easily shaped. I’m jealous.

Originally posted 2015-12-31 10:54:54.

An excellent source of stoneNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:23+00:00

Building codes

I doubt if this home would pass code.

But, she sure has passed the test of time.

Originally posted 2015-12-31 10:37:56.

Building codesNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:22+00:00

Another three-section log home

Here’s another three section log home to go with the one posted yesterday.
This house has great definition between the three sections thanks to the middle section being recessed.
But like the other log house she is in need of a stone chimney or two… and porches… where are the porches?… gotta have porches!

Originally posted 2015-12-31 10:29:48.

Another three-section log homeNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:21+00:00

Making a good cabin great

What a nice log house!

This home is a great example of how a large home can be made from two smaller log cabins. I especially like the addition of the central sided area which provides visual contrast as well as extra living space… a different “feel” has been created inside and out, and, at a reduced price per square foot than the log sections.

And, who doesn’t love that long porch?

If I had designed and built this home I would have made three changes, that I feel would have made this home perfect…

The home lacks the presentation of an exterior stone chimney, something we have come to expect to see on a log home… I would have placed one on the log section to the left in this image.

I would have also added more windows, one on each side of that added chimney… on both floors… and two more windows added on the framed section, above the porch roof.

And finally, I wouldn’t have aligned these three sections of the home so flush with each other on this side of the home. By stepping back each section a couple of feet this home would have developed much more character… more depth… and then each section would have not only blended with each other, but would have been appreciated for it’s uniqueness.

Originally posted 2015-12-30 14:25:48.

Making a good cabin greatNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:20+00:00

The purpose of kitchen cabinets

Too cluttered?

Or, just right?

Originally posted 2015-12-30 13:58:27.

The purpose of kitchen cabinetsNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:19+00:00

Stone outbuilding

For those looking to try their hand at building something out of stone… a stone outbuilding like this one would add a great deal to any property.

Originally posted 2015-12-30 13:51:33.

Stone outbuildingNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:18+00:00

The chimney betrays the era

She is a cute cabin… rustic and simple.
The men who restored her did a good job… they replaced the bottom log (the sill), the chinking was applied correctly (recessed), and the tin roof is a nice touch in keeping her modest in appearance… a working family home of the mid-1800’s and beyond.
My only disappointment is the chimney… the masonry “veneer over cinder-block” is given away by the random pattern of the stonework and the running bond pattern of the brick. I don’t mean to be critical, but imagine a time in the future when cabins will be restored and the chimneys will be re-built out of plastic that “looks like” stone and brick… I’m sure many will love it… but those with a keen eye will likely comment “what the heck is that?”…”couldn’t they have found someone who could have built it the way it was built?” lol

Originally posted 2015-12-30 13:37:46.

The chimney betrays the eraNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:17+00:00

Tool #1 The mighty pencil

Here in this first of a series of videos we cover the most critical and important tool a builder can have… the simple pencil… but as you will find in this video, there are things about pencils that you might not know!

Originally posted 2015-12-29 21:10:19.

Tool #1 The mighty pencilNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:16+00:00