With the land purchased, the driveway installed, and the site cleared, I could finally start the design process. To have started planning any earlier would have been a wasted effort.

I took measurements of the house site, which was very small due to the steep grade. I knew that a walk-out basement would be needed, as well as the construction of two massive stone retaining walls.

I spent days on the site, observing the sun rising and setting. I paid attention to wind direction patterns. I took into consideration the direction of the views that I would want to enjoy in the future (and the views I might want to avoid).

Originally posted 2015-03-24 17:44:37.

I bought ten acres of hillside property in Madison County in 1991. It was a long narrow property starting at a paved road, then crossing a small creek and quickly climbing up a hill, all the way to the top.

I found that the grade of the land steepened the further I entered to the point that I realized that building a driveway to it’s peak was out of the question.

But, I did find a small potential building spot about two thirds of the way up that was just perfect for a house site. It was a bit tight… I would have to build some retaining walls to give me the minimal amount of level land needed for a small family.

Originally posted 2015-03-24 16:22:36.

I thank each and every one of you for “tuning in” as I reminisce about my experiences building and restoring unique homes. It means a lot to me that there are so many others who share my passion for handmade houses.

My deepest hope is that my photos and comments might inspire others to build their dream home.

Originally posted 2015-03-23 17:11:15.

Originally posted 2015-03-12 15:19:27.

Originally posted 2015-03-12 15:12:50.

Originally posted 2015-03-12 15:09:28.

Originally posted 2015-03-12 15:03:29.

Old log cabin… meet your new companion.

A timber frame addition.

Originally posted 2015-03-11 15:38:20.

If this isn’t the ugliest new home that I have ever seen, it’s certainly a contender.

All of you dear friends who have been following my ramblings for a while know that I place great importance on the concept that a home needs to be attractive from all four sides… and that the most important of those four sides is the one seen from where you park your car.

Originally posted 2015-03-09 21:47:15.

While we were there… restoring the Strasburg stone home… we thought we ought to go ahead and build a sweet little stone cottage. It now serves as a guest house and studio for the homeowners… pretty cute, huh?

Found in this new structure is  five key ingredients to excellent design and construction. When combined a home can be created that is striking in appearance to all who gaze upon it.

First it’s small. Now houses don’t need to be small to be attractive, and it is possible to have an ugly small home… but the odds are in your favor that if you build small, that the structure will be attractive. Large homes can be attractive too, but one must avoid the flaws so prevalent in the dreaded McMansion.

The second feature found in this home is the simple, elegant, and historical lines… nothing here for show, no doo-dads, fake gables, or plastic columns. Simplicity at it’s best.

Third, is the quality stone work… lot’s of stone… and not some kind of stick-on random pattern stone work. Here we have the best stone available for this location, laid by skilled masons. Brick can be nice too… if well done.

Fourth… install a quality roof.  This one is copper. The eye and the mind, can’t help but notice the added richness, if the house is worthy of possessing a precious metal for it’s roof, then it must be precious. Like fine jewelry on a woman.

And finally use antique wood on the interior. An antique is always worth more than something newly manufactured. It’s warmer, worn from use, and of a higher quality than can be found anywhere else.

Originally posted 2015-03-08 17:27:23.