Stonework Archives - Page 11 of 15 - Handmade Houses with Noah Bradley

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

29 06, 2019

Rock house

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:21+00:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you’d like to crawl up under a rock and hide from the world?

Originally posted 2015-12-04 16:00:32.

Rock houseNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:21+00:00

29 06, 2019

Proper design comes from thorough study

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:11+00:00

This home, as nice as it is, could have been so much better, at no additional cost, nor additional labor, with just a couple of minor design adjustments implemented.

Keep in mind that the combination of log and stone is one of the best mixes a homeowner can put together.

Here we have a nice vintage log cabin with a great original stone chimney… notice that the stones are laid flat and in a horizontal pattern, and that they have great texture and color.

Later on, the current homeowners have added this stone addition and used properly matching stone… which was a wise choice.

But, somehow the addition falls flat… it’s… “nice”, but not… “OMG!!!… that’s AMAZING!!!”

What happened?

Well, for one thing the newer stone work on this addition drifted away from being horizontally laid to more of a “random pattern”… as if it was laid with the aid of a giant shotgun.

But, the larger failing here is one of design (or lack thereof)… a lack of attention… to the roof pitch and an “eye-pleasing” use of windows.

The nearly flat roof that crowns this stone section gives this give it an “industrial… mobile home… modern” look.

And, with regard to windows… the simple addition of a little window on the chimney end, and larger one on the long side, would have dramatically improved the overall appearance.

So what’s the point in all my rambling here this morning?

Too much coffee you say? lol

It’s just that… If a person is going to build… if they are going to buy a nice piece of land… if they are going to use attractive materials… shouldn’t they arrange those materials in the most attractive way that they can?

And the secret to learning appealing design?

Simply look at every home, and every photo of a home, that you find attractive… study each home and try to figure out what it is about that particular home that makes it special (or not special).

Then do it again… and again… and again.

Or… hire someone who has done this process, over and over, for years, to design your home for you.

Certainly beauty is in the eye of the beholder… but I would be willing to wager that I could have spent 15 minutes with a pen and the back of an envelope and convinced this owner to make a few adjustments that would have blessed him for years to come.

Originally posted 2015-12-02 15:26:29.

Proper design comes from thorough studyNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:11+00:00

29 06, 2019

A stone cottage with a missing window

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:10+00:00

Which would you choose to have on the end of this cozy stone cottage? A window? or a bricked-in chimney flue pipe?

I assume the owners of this home wanted a heating stove installed and this was their solution. I would have located the stove off to one side of the window and then run the pipe through the roof.

Originally posted 2015-12-02 14:23:09.

A stone cottage with a missing windowNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:10+00:00

29 06, 2019

Stone House

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:05+00:00

Wow… just… wow.
Notice the massive stones used in the corners and above the windows of this home.
Elsewhere, smaller (much easier to lift) stones make up the rest of the home.
The stones were all laid in an “eye appealing”, and structurally-strong, horizontal pattern.
This home is a fortress, built for the centuries ahead.

Originally posted 2015-11-29 16:49:01.

Stone HouseNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:25:05+00:00

29 06, 2019

Stone cottage with plenty of “relief”

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:24:55+00:00

I do like a stone home.

Laying stone is a form of art, and a great hobby.

It’s a joy to do.

It’s great exercise.

It’s affordable (if a person lays it themselves).

It’s also meditative… It slows a person down and helps them appreciate the moment.

And to top it all off, it creates something beautiful that can last forever.

Notice the varying depths of each stone… perhaps a bit overdone here on this house… but one of the common flaws that I see in so much of the newer work done today is “flat and shadow-free”. Here we see there is plenty of texture for the eyes to enjoy.

Originally posted 2015-11-25 17:41:30.

Stone cottage with plenty of “relief”Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:24:55+00:00

29 06, 2019

Stone ruins

Noah Bradley2019-06-29T10:24:40+00:00

If you build your home of stone it will likely last for centuries… perhaps, millennia. And, even if it doesn’t survive that long, the ruins left will be a joy to behold.

Originally posted 2015-11-20 15:33:26.

Stone ruinsNoah Bradley2019-06-29T10:24:40+00:00

29 06, 2019