It’s amazing
Wondrous things happen when the heart, the mind, and the hands, come together to create.
Originally posted 2016-02-04 16:55:22.
Let’s get serious…
The average size of a new house has now risen to 2,720 square feet.
The average cost of a new house has now risen to 351,000 (that’s 100,000 more than it was seven years ago)
And what does a home buyer get for that extra money?
1) Smart home technology
and…
2) Another ten years of paying a mortgage
3) Half of all children under the age of 30 still living with their parents.
4) A cookie-cutter home built as cheaply as possible.
There is an alternative.
A handmade house.
Much higher quality.
And at a lower price.
But, for a season in your life, a year or two, you will need to contribute a good deal of effort towards it’s design and construction.
I designed and built this home for myself.
At half the current average cost of a new home.
And, it’s larger than the average home.
It’s also built better.
It did take a lot of effort.
It was worth it, though.
I’m not special… you can do it too.
I’m on the downhill side now of finishing up the Handmade House Academy. It’s taken more effort and time to put together than I ever imagined. It will be ready to go by the end of this month. Don’t miss it. Eight hours of video content where I will share all that I’ve learned over the course of several decades in how the average guy or gal can design and build their own home… and not just any home… an amazing home… a handmade home.
Originally posted 2016-02-01 16:51:25.
A little goes a long way
It doesn’t take a lot of stone to make a huge impression.
A small addition that is faced in stone, no larger than what is seen in this image, would dramatically improve any home.
Originally posted 2016-01-27 14:11:05.
Just the basics…
A log cabin.
A stone chimney.
A front porch.
A door.
A window.
And four rocking chairs.
Originally posted 2016-01-27 13:52:24.
A door, and a chimney
Now here is something you don’t see often.
A door next to a chimney.
It does look good there doesn’t it?
I do appreciate any opportunity I’m offered to gain an up-close look at a stone chimney.
I would think that the one downside to having a door here would be that anytime that door would be opened, while a fire was burning in the fireplace, that the draw would be affected and some smoke would enter the room.
Originally posted 2016-01-27 13:42:26.
The original tiny house
Some say that Henry David Thoreau was the founder of the current interest in tiny home living.
I have long admired Thoreau, and his book “Walden”, is among my favorites.
The idea of living free and simply holds a lot of appeal for this old boy.
But Thoreau only lived within such modest means for two years before moving on to a larger home.
Today many are starting with this size space and squeezing into it a kitchen, a bath, a laundry room, and a staircase.
Originally posted 2016-01-26 14:33:41.
Grist Mill timber frame
When it comes to timber framing there is not finer example to be found than those within a grist mill, where timbers needed to be large and plentiful to handle the weight and stresses of the machinery and grain found within a water powered mill.
Originally posted 2016-01-25 13:45:46.
A roof with a lifetime guarantee.
Often when we build we force nature to conform to our wants and needs… sometimes it’s best to let nature have it’s way and we choose to work with it, and not against it.
Originally posted 2016-01-25 13:32:51.
Regardless of the season, a cabin looks great
Just a reminder…
Spring is less than two months away.
And then, next up, is Summer.
Originally posted 2016-01-25 13:19:57.
A cabin with character
She is not the straightest cabin in the world.
And, the inconsistencies in workmanship reveal that this cabin was likely built by the homeowner and not a team of experienced builders. There is certainly no disciplined German workmanship on display with this fine old home.
That’s one of the things I love about cabins… they aren’t complicated enough to scare off anyone from building them.
Originally posted 2016-01-24 16:07:27.