Stonework Archives - Handmade Houses with Noah Bradley

29 06, 2019

A thousand words

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:34+00:00

They say a photo speaks a thousand words.

What words do you hear?

When you look at this photo do you feel sorry for the folks who live here?… on how impoverished they are… on how small their home is… on the possessions they must not have? Why surely they must be cramped in there. Do they even have cell phone reception or high speed internet?

Likely, if you have found yourself here on this site it’s not sympathy that you feel towards the inhabitants of this house but rather a tinge of jealousy. There is a peace that can be found within a space like this that is lost in our modern world. Perhaps the transition to a home like this would be too hard for us to undertake… but if we could bring some of this charm into our own homes, or have a place like this to retreat to in order to recharge our inner soul… well, that would be goal worth striving towards wouldn’t it?

Originally posted 2016-01-05 14:25:14.

A thousand wordsNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:34+00:00

29 06, 2019

Stone lasts… forever

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:24+00:00

An attractive home…
with no maintenance…
forever.

Originally posted 2016-01-01 15:28:28.

Stone lasts… foreverNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:24+00:00

29 06, 2019

An excellent source of stone

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:23+00:00

It was a simpler time.

I can’t help but look at each of these individuals and ponder their lives.

And. as a builder. my eye is eventually drawn towards the stone chimney that stands proud on the end of this cabin. I’ve come to expect horizontal stones on old chimneys… as that is the only way a chimney can stand without the aid of cement binding it together, but chimneys with well defined layers, like this is one, is somewhat uncommon… it requires a supply of stone each of the same thickness, and stones that are easily shaped. I’m jealous.

Originally posted 2015-12-31 10:54:54.

An excellent source of stoneNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:23+00:00

29 06, 2019

Stone outbuilding

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:18+00:00

For those looking to try their hand at building something out of stone… a stone outbuilding like this one would add a great deal to any property.

Originally posted 2015-12-30 13:51:33.

Stone outbuildingNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:18+00:00

29 06, 2019

Stone

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:15+00:00

Stone… you just can’t go wrong with it.

Originally posted 2015-12-27 15:47:43.

StoneNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:15+00:00

29 06, 2019

New stone wall

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:13+00:00

I wish I knew who the mason was that built this stone wall… one of the finest examples of stone masonry that I’ve seen.

Originally posted 2015-12-26 14:43:06.

New stone wallNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:26:13+00:00

29 06, 2019

Be it ever so humble…

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:55+00:00

I do enjoy looking at places like this… as a reminder of how little we really need when it comes to shelter.

We spend our entire lives working to pay for our homes and to maintain them… not to fulfill our need… but for the sake of comfort and luxury.

Originally posted 2015-12-17 17:01:07.

Be it ever so humble…Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:55+00:00

29 06, 2019

How not to repair a leaning chimney

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:43+00:00

Here we have an old cabin with wide hewn logs.

Unfortunately, the chimney appears to be “on the move” (likely do to a combination of an improperly built footer under the chimney and poor drainage around the cabin).

There is a sign near the front door that states that this cabin is the property of the US government which I suppose explains the useless attempt to hold the chimney in place by nailing a few 2×4’s around it.

This chimney could quite possibly be lifted back into place and properly stabilized by professionals.

Originally posted 2015-12-12 14:42:10.

How not to repair a leaning chimneyNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:43+00:00

29 06, 2019

“Overbuilt” stone home

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:32+00:00

Notice the flared bottom at the base of this ancient stone home… likely bit of “overbuilding” went into this structure (stronger than needed).

I have found that most old structures that are still around were overbuilt. Maybe… there is something to building that way instead of the cheapest easiest method?… yes indeed.

Originally posted 2015-12-09 20:09:25.

“Overbuilt” stone homeNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:32+00:00

29 06, 2019

A most curious cabin

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:29+00:00

A stone chimney could have been built as easily, and as quickly, as it must have taken to notch all the logs to create this wood chimney… the only reason I can think of to do this would have been the lack of access to good stone or access to mortar for bad stone.

Originally posted 2015-12-08 16:15:21.

A most curious cabinNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:29+00:00