Why not build something like this?

Originally posted 2015-09-11 15:19:00.

It’s nice to have a window over the kitchen sink.

Can a window be too large?

Originally posted 2015-09-11 15:06:55.

Maybe this is more rustic… more crude… of a lifestyle than we might want.

But  there is a lot to be said, for peace and quiet. To sit by an open fire and listen to it crackle. To stroke the hair on a companion that loves you unconditionally. To not have all the distractions that fill our world. And to know that a musical instrument is nearby when the urge strikes for us to break the silence.

Originally posted 2015-09-10 19:17:10.

There is nothing else in the world like spotting a Mail Pouch barn going down the highway. Have you ever seen one? How long has it been?

Originally posted 2015-09-10 14:02:12.

Here we have a rare combination of brick, stone, and log.
Brick was historically used as “nogging” here in the States to infill the spaces between timbers, which would create more mass and slow down air infiltration which helped to stabilize interior temperatures.
The bricks were seldom left exposed and were covered with siding on the exterior and plaster on the inside.
Exposed brick timber infill is much more common in European nations.
This is the only example I’ve ever seen of a log cabin with a brick addition… so look it over carefully to determine if you like the look, or not.

And here we have one classy brick house.
There are so many interesting details to be seen.

(I think the little bay window is my favorite).

And here we have an English roadside home… stone, timber-frame, and brick.

These materials can play well together, can’t they?

Originally posted 2015-09-09 15:04:23.

They don’t make group photos like this one anymore.
I gather these fine folks are proud of their sweet home… as well as… their pig, chickens, horses, and two dogs (that can sit on chairs).
What’s up with that? Is that normal to put your dogs on chairs when taking a group photo?

Originally posted 2015-09-08 20:11:02.

I built my first home for myself at the age of 20. I installed a “five V” metal roof on top of that home just like this wooded cabin has on it. It took me two days to install… with no help.

It’s not as fancy of a metal roof as a standing seam roof is… some folks regard it as more of a barn/shed type of material. But it sure made for an “easy install”, and it never leaked, it never needed any maintenance, and, it sounded wonderful when it rained. (it was also bargain priced).

Of course you can paint it if you want after it starts to rust up a bit… but sometimes that’s a tough call… do you think this house would look better, or worse, with a fresh coat of paint?

Here we have an attractive vintage cabin, that unfortunately has not been properly maintained to the standard of care that she deserves.

The roofing on this cabin is a corrugated metal roof, identical in price and in ease to install as Five-V roofing but so much cheaper looking in appearance.

It appears that the chimney on this cabin was removed (or fell down) years ago and a pipe was just stuck through the wall. Not very attractive is it? Nor is it safe.

I can’t fault the guy for the cinder block steps off the end of the porch though. I’ve done some temporary measures in my life that could have turned into long term results… but fortunately I married well, so I am ever so kindly nudged into making things right as time goes by.

Originally posted 2015-09-08 13:07:30.

I’m impressed with the way that these people handled the steps leading up to the porch. Rather than making them a formal, arduous, set of steps that one must deal with, they broke them up into winding stone landscaping steps and then wood steps coming off the porch. Clever. And attractive.

Originally posted 2015-09-07 16:20:34.

There are a lot of things that I admire about Hobbits… one of them is how nicely that they frame their homes. (I do wonder about the practicality of having a round door though).

And, I admire the way that a Hobbit’s home blends into the environment… the way that the landscaping comes all the way up to the front door and wraps all around the home. I like the variety of building materials too… wood, stucco, stone, and brick… each offering something of visual interest.  And, just look at how attractive the aged paint is on the front door… so many would be tempted to give it fresh coat of paint, but I suppose the wee Hobbit would rather smoke his pipe and tend his flowers. Such a fine life.

Originally posted 2015-09-07 14:42:07.

A family makes yarn in the front yard.

I have had the privilege of restoring, and working the materials from, a lot of very old houses over the years that I have been in this unique building trade. I can’t help but reflect on the craftsmanship and beauty of these old structures as I work on them, but I also make an effort to reflect on the lives that must have been lived in them as well. The stories these old homes could tell, if only they could talk.

I wonder… what this woman is thinking as she sits here on this threshold.

And, I wonder what momma has in that big pan on her lap?

Originally posted 2015-09-04 17:44:47.