I built my first handmade house nearly 40 years ago, and have been building unique handmade homes ever since. (BTW… I did start young… I’m not quite a fossil yet… lol)
I’ve learned a lot in all those years… trade secrets and simple ways of looking at things. I’ve had some great teachers along the way… talented craftsmen… and combined with lots of hands-on experience… and in addition… the pleasure of studying so many homes that have survived for a century or more.
I did very little advertising throughout my career, it seems that folks who wanted a special home found me through word of mouth. I guided these precious clients of mine through the design and building process with the goal of giving them their dream home. I have found that the only thing more pleasurable than having a handmade home is playing a major role in its design and construction.
If you haven’t experienced it, I hope that one day you will.
In looking online it seems there is no shortage of information out there on “how to notch a cabin” or “how to lay a stone”, but nowhere do I find any source that teaches a person the basic concepts and steps on how to design and build an attractive handmade home.
To me, that is the most important lesson of all… one that needs to be a priority… from the first dreamed vision, to the final stroke of a paintbrush.
Rather than taking a lifetime of handmade house insights to the grave I thought about how great it would be to just sit down and share a full day (eight hours) of focused time and share what I have learned through all these years of designing and building one-of-a-kind homes… to help move anyone interested “30 or 40 years down the learning curve”.
Just think about how much money could be saved, and how much better a home could be built by making such a leap!
(and what I would have given to have had such an opportunity when I began my journey.
For many, the Handmade House Academy likely will be life-changing in that something that was once viewed as impossible to have, suddenly becomes achievable.
Building a home does require a lot of work, but it can be an extremely enjoyable experience.
I’ve always said… “It’s much easier to design and build one’s own home, than it is to live with the regret of never having done so.”
And so this idea of “sharing it all” spawned the creation of the Handmade House Academy.
The Handmade House Academy is only available to those who are Members of the Handmade House Guild… I hope that you will consider joining us!
Noah
Originally posted 2016-03-19 15:28:27.
I want to build too, this is why I look for trees ans stone when I look for land. Pleas keep me in mind as I get ready to buy and build. I want have a lot of money but figure if it is paid for and my Grandpa did it, so can I. I to am pushing 60 but have no fear of trying.
Yes!
There is nothing better than a good piece of land.
I too admire the desire to have a home free of a mortgage… or at least one as small and short term as is needed. Most folks that wait until they have plenty of money before they build, never build. I have found that the folks who get their dream home are the ones who begin now… one step at a time… and that things fall into line and dreams do happen.
I hope it’s released soon! We have our little spot of heaven staked out and have been sitting on our imaginary porch through several seasons now. ; )
Rys
That’s great news!
Spending time on one’s land, imagining it’s potential is SO important (and pleasurable).
On the other hand… being in a rush can lead to a lot of regrets.
It’s just a matter of weeks until the course is done… it’s all written and recorded, and now it’s time to start creating the slides and adding in the photos, and getting it all uploaded.
It’s well worth the wait and cost… tremendous value… the extra freebies are worth a lot more than the cost of the course will be… and within the course will be lots of tips that have the potential to save you tons of money and give you a much better home.
Would like to take your course. .How much is it? And where is it? Thanks Don
Don it will be an online course… one that you can watch from your home, at your leisure, over and over again. It looks like it will be eight different segments each about an hour long, delivered to your email box, one per week… with a bonus video at the end where I will answer all questions that I receive throughout the course from those who sign up. I haven’t nailed down the final price yet on this first offering of the course. There is a lot of value to it, I’ve put a tremendous amount of time and expense into making it (sharing the most important insights after a lifetime of building), and to top it off each of the extra freebies is worth far more than cost of course. I’m going to price it so that all those in the future will kick themselves for having missed out the introductory offer. Thanks much for your interest and patience! Noah
My name is David. I’ve been in the restoration arena for nearly 50 years now. These days I work mostly with dry stone and some lime mortar projects. Your course sounds interesting and sometimes I had rather learn than teach. I try to learn something new everyday and so far it’s been fun.
David, thanks for the note.
I think learning keeps us young, and teaching becomes our responsibility as we grow.
Lord knows I still have lot to learn… but having been swinging a hammer now for over forty years, in non conventional ways, I’ve learned a few things. I think about my grandchildren, all under three feet tall, and those not yet born, how they might want to one day build their own home and I might not be around to give a hand… so what advice would I give them? And that led to the idea that maybe others might want to listen in on what I had to say… and that has grown into the Academy.
Very interested, please notify me when you have prices figured out. Thank you!
will do Lynne!
I just found your website & am beyond thrilled! I have wanted to live in a little log cabin for 55 years! Thanks for sharing. This is gonna be great! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. It’s Spring in Arkansas. 🍀🌷🌼 Time for dreaming.
Well, welcome aboard Cyndy! thanks for the kind note! Just 55 years huh? why you are just getting started!
Noah
Love to live in a log cabin…Always fascinated me when I see photos of them…I would give everything modern to enjoy this kind of life.
Well, one day it will happen for you!
There are of course a lot of benefits to this modern life, but so many things that they overwhelm us and we lose touch with so much. It’s nice to slow down, sit on the porch, or by the fireplace, and quietly savor for moment this life we have.
I am not sure what you want but I have never saw such magnificent work. It’s what every working stiff wants deep down in their (mine) spirit.
Thank you Lux, I really really want to just encourage everyone that a dream home is doable… I built my first home at the age of 20 with little money or experience and no credit. I worked evenings and got that house far enough along that bankers were impressed enough to loan me the little bit of money it took to finish. It wasn’t McMansion… but it was nice, and handmade. I’m planning on building my next home in a couple years at the age of 60, still not much money to be found anywhere around here, and the old body ain’t what it used to be. But I have learned a lot, so it ought to turn out well… slow… but well. Thanks for signing on! Noah
I’ve got 7.5 Acres ,wooded, some stone. No house.
I’m interested in your offer.
Can’t wait to hear about it.
You are in a great place… just having land is wonderful!
It has been my dream for many years to build and live in my own log cabin. Am nearly 50 now and still dreaming. Hopefully I will have the funds to watch your lessons. Am disabled but still wanting deeply to build my own log home. Something to sit on the porch with my lovely wife drinking coffee watching the grandkids grow. Thank you in advance for your wonderful photos of log cabins and possibly the chance to make my own.
Kevin, all you have to do is start making plans and taking it one step at a time.
Dreams do come true when, action is taken, and goals are made! I believe you can do it!
Of course there are a lot of degrees to being disabled but I have seen many wounded veterans, some missing limbs, and some in wheelchairs, working in the construction industry.
I would love to sign up for your mailing list.
Susan, that would be great! We’d love to have you on-board!
Look for red arrows and a sign-up box on just about every page of this site over at the right hand side… or click on one of the two red boxes where you can get my list of favorite books on building… anywhere you can put your email address will get you there!
And don’t worry about spam… I don’t do that… and I don’t give away this list to anyone… and, you can easily sign off the list at anytime… every email comes with a simple way to be removed. Noah
This page right here you claim you’ll give away free plans for this small cabin? Yet I can’t find them?
Hi Andy, thanks for getting in touch!…
and, sorry for any confusion…
this posting reads in part…
“I had hopes that this would all be put together by the first of this year… but man o man… there is a lot of work involved, I’ve spent many months now working on it. I hope you might consider signing up once it’s released. This first offering of the course will be at a greatly reduced price and will include some extra freebies that will never again be offered… like… lifetime access to a private Handmade House Community group, and a downloadable set of plans to the most beloved cabin I ever designed and built, and lifetime access to the Handmade House Academy Course, and… future “opportunities” (which for now need to be kept secret :).
If you are signed up to the mailing list, have no worries, you will get an announcement in the coming weeks about when the course will be finally ready for release.”
So, consider signing up for the course when it becomes available… and if you do… the plans for this cabin will be sent out to you via an email. And if you choose not to sign up for the course, these plans will be presented for sale sometime this coming summer (for about the same price as this course with all it’s freebies… in other words… the first offering of this course with all it’s freebies (including the plans) will be a screaming deal!)
Noah