Designing and Building Your Own Home Archives - Page 22 of 28

29 06, 2019

Nobody does it better

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:57+00:00

One thing that holds people back from building their dream home is the fear that they aren’t good enough… that there are people out there better, so why even try?
Let me assure you that you are the best person to build your future home. No one can do it better.
I’m not the best carpenter, but I can lay stone better than most.
I’m not the best mason, but I can nail up trim better than most.
I’m not the best at anything, other than building my own home.
Just like you.

Originally posted 2016-09-14 13:14:34.

Nobody does it betterNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:57+00:00

29 06, 2019

For every “rule” there is an exception

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:56+00:00

For decades now, many have praised the design work of the homes I have built.

For the record, I’m no artist (although the title is flattering).

I’ve always looked to the past for inspiration, that’s where I get my design ideas from. That’s when homes were built from natural materials and blended in with the landscape.

I’ve done my best to create “rules” or guidelines in what makes a home attractive. Why is it that these vintage treasures are so attractive? They looked good back when they were built a century or two ago and they look even better today. Who can say that of anything built in say the 1970’s (or now)?

I’ve managed to come up with quite a few characteristics in what makes a home attractive, but every time I think I’ve come up with something that is absolute… I find that there is an exception to the rule… which sort of makes it “not a rule” doesn’t it?

Anyway, just take a look at this beauty of a home… The door is off the end of the cabin, and not the front. The windows on the front are slid to one side, and just look at how big that second floor window is… it goes up into the roof! And the brick chimney top that’s poking through the roof… why, I never. lol

But she is precious isn’t she?

I can think of no new home built in my area that compares to the simple beauty of this place.

She breaks all the rules.

Originally posted 2016-09-12 15:55:21.

For every “rule” there is an exceptionNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:56+00:00

29 06, 2019

What is it?

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:54+00:00

Whenever I post this photo on the Handmade House facebook page it always draws a lot of comments. People love it.

And why is that?

It’s a modest home at best.

I would imagine that it could be built at a fraction of the cost of the average new home being built today.

Maybe half as much? or even less?

I’d say that 75% of the volume of this image is nature… land and trees… hey, if that’s all we have in life, peace and quiet, a few birds signing… it”s a good day.

The rest of the image is a house, a home that we could see ourselves building, and paying for, without the lifelong burden of a mortgage.

And what is it about the house that we see?

Mostly, a wonderful roof, a metal one, not asphalt that will wear out in twenty years or less, but a metal one that will let us know every time it rains.

And of course there is the porch.

Is it possible to spend too much or lives on a porch?

Has anyone ever regretted building a porch?

Yes, I can see why this image draws admiration.

I’m glad I’m not the only one to see it.

Originally posted 2016-09-11 11:59:54.

What is it?Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:54+00:00

29 06, 2019

The family home

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:50+00:00

Here we have the front porch of a fine old farmhouse.
You might recognize the gentleman here, being struck by a broom from his loving wife.
I’ve always admired Grandpa Walton.
He had plenty or reason to miserable, having had to work hard all his life, being penniless in his old age, having to live with one of his children, and having a wife that was constantly calling him an “old fool”.
But instead, he chose to always be the cheerful character of the family. He focused on how fortunate he was to live where he did, and to be surrounded with those who he cared so much for.
So, let us learn by his example.
Hug those in your life who are nearby, whether they want it or not.
And, find that special place in the country… it can be life changing.
If you’d like, occasionally, take a nip of the recipe.
For health reasons, of course.
And be ever so thankful, for the gal in your life with the broom.
Be extra thankful that it’s not a cast iron pan that she swings.

Originally posted 2016-08-20 15:07:49.

The family homeNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:50+00:00

29 06, 2019

Roof-lines

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:48+00:00

I do so admire the roof-lines of houses built in the past.

Originally posted 2016-08-18 17:03:16.

Roof-linesNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:48+00:00

29 06, 2019

A fine little screen porch

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:46+00:00

Ah yes, a screened porch.

The perfect place to read a good book.

Talk with loved ones.

Or, take a nap.

I’ve built homes for some who have claimed that the screen porch was their favorite room of the house.

Are you a “screen porch person”?

Originally posted 2016-06-17 12:58:31.

A fine little screen porchNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:46+00:00

29 06, 2019

Every form of building has it’s pros and cons

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:42+00:00

This house, one of my previous homes, was built using several different forms of construction.

Without a doubt the modern stick-built area saved me money and sped up the construction process.

The log cabin addition aged the entire home… made it feel as if it had always been there.

The post and beam section gave us a very warm and cozy feeling family room.

And the stone basement, foundation, and chimney kept us warm and ensured the house would stand for centuries.

Quite frankly a home like this would have been out of our financial reach had I not contributed a lot of effort in building it, work that anyone can do, one step at a time.

Originally posted 2016-06-13 15:11:27.

Every form of building has it’s pros and consNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:42+00:00

29 06, 2019

A mortgage-free home

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:41+00:00

Every twenty years banks gather enough interest, through mortgages, to buy every home and commercial building in the country.
How would they ever survive if we chose to build our own mortgage-free homes?
How much better would your life be?
Would you lose any sleep knowing that the banks were suffering?

Originally posted 2016-06-13 15:01:57.

A mortgage-free homeNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:41+00:00

29 06, 2019

Are you crazy enough?

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:38+00:00

The people that are crazy enough to think that they can design and build their dream home… are the ones who do.

Originally posted 2016-05-21 15:42:27.

Are you crazy enough?Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:38+00:00

29 06, 2019

How much does a log cabin cost?

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:34+00:00

If you never want to own a handmade home,
then always let your first thought be “how much?”

for surely… the answer will be more than you want to hear,
and then,
you can easily dismiss the dream.
But,
if you really want to have that dream home,
let your first thought be…
“I WANT that handmade house, what do I need to do to make it happen?”
I’ve seen the young get their dream home, and I’ve seen the old, I’ve seen those financially challenged do it. (BTW… I’ve never seen a lottery winner do it)
Dream big, take small steps.
Yes, it does take effort.
Is it worth it?
Oh yes. So much so.

Just don’t get caught in the trap that so many do…

Of expecting someone else to do all the work… of designing a beautiful home for you, of picking out the best materials, and taking the greatest care in building that home to the highest level of skill… and doing all that, at the same price, or less, than the mass produced vinyl homes being built by the thousands today. It’s just not going to happen.

But please, don’t let your dream die! You can have that wonderful home.

The reality is that future handmade house owners need to either open the wallet wide… or put the toolbelt on.

I’ve built over a hundred one-of-a-kind homes for individuals who wanted me to do all, or most, of the work. I’m so thankful for those people. I’ve created some masterpieces and paid my bills in the process, and those same clients now have wonderful homes.

I’ve also taught hundreds more how they can do the same thing I do themselves and I have seen them go on to claim their dreams and create wonderful memories. Not to mention many now having incredible homes with little or no mortgage.

There are few things in this life that I love more than designing and building a handmade home and I believe that if you give it a try that you will feel the same way. The process is methodical… one step at a time… everyone in the building trade at one time built their first house. Many who build homes for a living have no more education than a high school degree. It’s not rocket science… it’s carpentry… it’s masonry… it’s plumbing. Yep, nailing boards, putting one stone on top of the other, gluing pipes together. There are tons of how-to books and videos out there.

You can do this. You are qualified.

Whether you choose to do it all or just some of the work, is something that can decide as you proceed. But at least start the journey by becoming fully informed on the options and the steps. And take the first few yourself… start the design work… seek out the materials… read up on the trades. I can’t tell you what decisions you will make as it progresses… but I can tell you that you will love the final destination!

Noah

PS… yes, the Handmade House Academy course is still being finished up. I’m so sorry for the delay… but be looking for the big announcement soon for all those on this site’s email list! There you will learn how to make this future home of yours a dream home… a home that will amaze you and everyone who visits.

Originally posted 2016-05-12 13:32:52.

How much does a log cabin cost?Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:08:34+00:00