Why is it that every home in Colonial Williamsburg is so attractive, more than 200 years after they were designed, yet every home in the new subdivisions in my area are so ugly?

Originally posted 2015-09-13 15:12:37.

1) Many small houses are visually appealing.
2) Large rural homes that are composed of a series of unique smaller structures each attached to the other are equally attractive.
3) Historically many farmhouses were built this way… start small, and add on as the family grew and as the funds were saved to pay for these additions.
4) This method of housing makes financial sense, as huge mortgages are avoided.
5) It all makes me wonder why we rarely build this way today.
6) And a more basic question… why is it that we find small houses so adorable?

BTW… this cute little place is located in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.

Originally posted 2015-09-11 16:58:58.

The classic “six over six” double hung window.
You cannot go wrong with this window, just make sure that the window panes are taller than they are wide.
If your window measurement doesn’t allow this pattern try a “six over nine” or a “nine over nine” pattern.
I much prefer an odd number of horizontal window panes. I have observed that people, when they look out a window, tend to center themselves on that window… an even number of panes places a mullion in their line of sight, whereas a centered pane is a delight.
If your house has windows that vary in size… aim to maintain the size and proportions of the individual panes throughout the house, not a consistent window pane pattern.

Originally posted 2015-09-11 15:32:03.

The corner notching on this barn is beautiful, in part because it is flawed. It was built by a man who clearly understood the characteristics of wood and who was also highly skilled at using an axe. This barn was clearly not created by a man who built cabins for a living. The result? There are many flaws in the workmanship… gaps and irregularities abound. And yet, his work is absolutely gorgeous… because, it looks “handmade”.

There is a curse within all the building trades. It seems that the more a craftsman works on developing his skills, the more his work ends up looking manufactured. A stone mason shapes his stones so much they begin to look like brick. The brick mason’s work begins to look like rolled-out vinyl flooring. The plasterer’s work is so smooth that it looks like drywall. The blacksmith’s work becomes so free of character that it belongs on the shelf at Walmart.

Originally posted 2015-09-07 14:05:52.

There is not a single thing in this photo that was expensive… in fact I can say that this area likely would cost less to build than what is being built today in many subdivisions.

Originally posted 2015-09-06 20:11:37.

Now that is one nice picket fence.

Of course, what’s behind it is not bad either.

I was once told by a photographer that “any builder can build a home that has a view… but few know how to build a home that is part of the view”.

Keep that in mind when building your home.

Originally posted 2015-09-06 13:55:38.

A sweet little house that is filled to the brim with elaborate detailing, all of which are in great need of some tender loving care.
I can see from the variances in the shading of the siding on the front of the house that there was once a porch roof that spanned this front entry. Can you imagine the ornate posts and detailed railings that were once on this intimate treasure?
Is this where the grandparents spent their final years, out back of the main house?

And then we have this home, with no ornamentation at all. Gorgeous.

Both homes are very attractive in their own right… but which is your preference?

Originally posted 2015-09-03 14:12:44.

I have a dear friend who purchased a new home a few years ago complete with a front porch. But, for some reason (likely money savings), the architect and builder made the porch only four feet wide.  A porch this narrow is wide enough to put furniture across it, and allow people to squeeze in there with barely enough leg room to not touch the railing. Go figure.

I have found the ideal size of a porch to be eight feet. Any larger and the porch often overwhelms the house (unless it is a large home), and any smaller and it’s just not practical.

Originally posted 2015-08-29 13:28:18.

Many cities have stone buildings built prior to 1920’s and this is what the team of men and animals would have looked like that helped build them.

My great grandfather was one of the masons who helped build the Old City Hall in Richmond, Virginia. I never met the man but I can’t help think of him whenever I drive past his legacy.

One of the greatest gifts that comes with making something durable, handmade, and attractive is that a legacy is created. By building a nice cabin, or a stone wall, or putting together a patchwork quilt we have left something for future generations to enjoy, and to remember us by.

Originally posted 2015-08-25 13:25:56.

Here’s a nice look for those seeking to build a cottage near the beach. The exposed framed walls are built using new lumber, that is then backed with siding, and to finish it is all then painted.

A layer of insulated panels is next applied to the exterior and then finished siding is applied.

Likely a bit more expensive than standard construction, but the finished result has so much more character don’t you think?

Originally posted 2015-08-17 12:43:17.