29 06, 2019

An epiphany

2019-06-29T09:47:22+00:00

Iphone October 2011 896

I received a great inquiry this morning from a member of this community who made a comment about how she had considered the merits of cob construction but now was leaning towards log construction.  I thought I might share my response…

There are many alluring alternative methods of construction out there… including cob.

I’ve “experimented” with many of them. They all have their appeal, as well as their drawbacks. It seems that each form of construction has it’s hardcore advocates… individuals who become authorities of their chosen method, those who promote the positive features of that type of housing, but never mention the negative, and go on to dismiss all the other types.

After building homes for a decade, employing all manner of techniques I eventually came to an epiphany and that is that homes that were originally built locally, centuries ago, using minimal tools and locally sourced materials, were not only proven to endure but were also timeless in their visual appeal. I discovered that new homes built using these early designs and techniques, along with modern features and techniques, made tremendous homes, ones which were in strong demand, with promising resale values, and easy financing (if desired), and proven longevity.

In my area (and that of NC) those types of homes would be log cabins, timber frame, farmhouses, and stone. I also have found that by combining these styles of construction into one home that we can create a striking home that is warm and inviting.

I am currently on the “downhill side” of creating a free mini-course on 12 steps that anyone can take now, at nearly no cost, that will take them from the “dreaming about, but don’t know where to begin” stage to being well on the way towards living in that dream home. I’m also wrapping up the Handmade House Academy… eight hours of my sharing all that I’ve learned through decades of building handmade houses. You ought to think about signing up for that… this first offering of the course will be at a discount price with lots of added freebies. Make sure and sign up to the mailing list at handmadehouses.com for updates. Noah

Originally posted 2016-03-16 14:54:09.

An epiphany2019-06-29T09:47:22+00:00
29 06, 2019

Donald Trump’s log cabin

2019-06-29T09:47:19+00:00

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I led the team that built this cabin for a man who at the time was one of the richest men in the world. (it now belongs to Donald Trump)
The man who had us build the cabin once told me that if he had it his way that this cabin would be his only home.
Isn’t it interesting how even the very wealthy seek to have a modest handmade home?… a simple cabin in the woods?
A home that almost any of us can have if we put out the effort.
The materials for this cabin would likely cost close to that of a new super-duty pickup truck today.
Of course it would take a lot of labor and “learning” to build one like this.
That’s a lot of weekends and days off from the job… would it be worth it?
After all, it would be so much easier to pay someone else to build it.
But that, would be expensive.
So most people play the lottery and avoid the hammer.
And their dream cabin, remains a dream.

Originally posted 2016-03-08 19:29:58.

Donald Trump’s log cabin2019-06-29T09:47:19+00:00
29 06, 2019

Trees and houses

2019-06-29T09:46:51+00:00

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Would you want to have a tree this close to your house?
I do love my trees. But, I’d be mighty nervous during a lighting storm in this little cabin.
And, if the tree were ever to be blown over, and for some reason it didn’t fall on the house, we all know that the root ball of a pine tree spreads wide and would likely lift the end of the house off of the ground.
But still, the tree adds so much to the charm of this house… it is what makes it unique… so how about you? keep it? or cut it?

Originally posted 2016-02-24 14:13:37.

Trees and houses2019-06-29T09:46:51+00:00
29 06, 2019

We do have a choice

2019-06-29T09:46:33+00:00

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We either struggle for a year or two while building our dream home.
Or we struggle for a lifetime with the regret of never having done it.

Originally posted 2016-02-10 14:31:20.

We do have a choice2019-06-29T09:46:33+00:00
29 06, 2019

Heart pine logs

2019-06-29T09:46:31+00:00

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Here we have the corner of an old hewn heart-pine log cabin.
Notice how it’s not “perfect”.
Rather, it has character.
It’s… handmade.
Each log is unique.
And, the spacing between each log varies from one course to the next.
The dovetail notches in the corners are also unique… made by hand, one-at-a-time.
Isn’t it something that handmade creation becomes a treasured antique as the years pass by.
While a manufactured item, on the other hand, just gets old.

Originally posted 2016-02-09 17:48:34.

Heart pine logs2019-06-29T09:46:31+00:00
29 06, 2019

How to build a log cabin

2019-06-29T09:46:02+00:00

CabEx1

Here’s a little cabin that I built years ago.

I recently returned to this log retreat to give her an inspection and to do extensive filming of it for the upcoming Handmade House Academy where I will go step by step through how she was built and discuss even the smallest details. (I am running a bit behind on the course, trying to make it as great as I can… so, it will likely be a few more weeks… make sure and sign up to the email list if you want to receive the coming announcement).

And… if you’ve read this far… lol… here’s a response I wrote this morning to a member who asked about my availability to help them build their dream handmade home… It’s a quick summary of where I am in life…

“”What do I do now?” That is a loaded question. lol

I could probably write a short novel on answering it fully.

I’m in a transformational period of my life. Maybe it has something to do with approaching 60… a man at this age has another good ten years to make his mark in the world (hopefully more). And so time becomes his most precious commodity.

Behind me is nearly thirty years of running a construction company that has specialized in building unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade houses… cabins, barns, farmhouses, historic restorations, timber frames, stone cottages, etc. I’ve likely had over three hundred people apprentice with me, and I’ve done my best to please over a hundred clients throughout those years (which was the most challenging part of building those homes, by far)

A number of months ago I came upon a pause in my workload and so I seized the opportunity to take a “time-out” to reflect on where I had been all these years and how I might want to change things going forward. I absolutely love building handmade homes… I know the process better than anyone…. but the stress associated with the business aspect of it all had taken the joy out of it.

Moving forward I would like to share with a broader, appreciative, audience all that I know and have learned, and to encourage them to undertake the home of their dreams, so I’m establishing an online presence and creating educational products… “The Academy” being the first of those, where I’ll share hours of my time through a video series that I hope will do just that. I also plan on building my next home in the near future (I can’t wait).

I do have a few folks that are tempting me to come build their home…. I’m not certain how, or if, those opportunities will work out… I don’t want to find myself back in same rut. We’ll see.

If someone came to me and said that “I have the most wonderful piece of land, I want you to design and build the perfect home there… cost is not an issue”. I’d jump all over that… my tools would be loading up on the truck within hours!

I’m always interested in helping good people out… If there is something I can do to help you out with let me know.

Handmade homes, built well, are expensive to have when someone else builds them. If you are the type of individual who is willing to do a lot of the work yourself you can save a ton of money and have a great time doing it. Log cabins that are already built do come onto the market from time to time and you can save a ton of money in buying one that way, but most have “issues” and are not tailored to your wants and needs.

I would encourage you to build your dream home. Do it right the first time… and have a home that will last you your lifetime, and, be a blessing to future generations.

Noah

Originally posted 2016-01-13 16:06:21.

How to build a log cabin2019-06-29T09:46:02+00:00
29 06, 2019

We just garnered the attention of over a million viewers…

2019-06-29T09:45:28+00:00

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In a world where you can find almost any service online, there’s one service not so easily found.

The days of the hand made home craftsman are not over, but they are particularly hard to find.

Old style homes and cabins continue to pop up here and there, but many of these craftsmen are Amish, or do not make full use of internet technologies. They are country folk and mountain men and women. They seem to have dropped into the background of society since the world has come to rely on Google to find services, and they are not so easily found there.

One man fights to see that one old world tradition isn’t forgotten, as he himself an old-world hand craftsman, Noah Bradley moves to inspire while sharing pictures of old to his facebook page, (Handmade Houses With Noah Bradley) as well as those he has constructed over time.

His building knowledge lends itself to a particular brand of commentary that understands the construction at hand, how it was built, what’s falling apart first, and what needs to be done to preserve it. The following photos from his facebook page and web site share bits of commentary from the eyes of wisdom that come from many years of experience.

http://liveoutdoor.co

Originally posted 2015-12-26 12:55:33.

We just garnered the attention of over a million viewers…2019-06-29T09:45:28+00:00
29 06, 2019

What are the benefits of living in a real cabin?

2019-06-29T09:45:21+00:00

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It’s a great question… and today, I’m not going to try to answer it.

But rather, I’d just like you to take a moment and look at this photo and contemplate for yourself on how living in a place like this would affect you. Would your life be better?… Enough so that having a place like this should become a goal to have, rather than just a daydream?

I heard it said the other day that “a goal without a date is just a wish”.

And we know that to be true… if we aren’t putting out some effort towards getting something it will likely never happen and then one day we will find ourselves living with the regret of never having tried.

So maybe, make this coming year the time where you will make the first small steps towards having a handmade home of your own.  I’m working a little video now that I hope to release soon (free) that will give you a dozen or so inexpensive steps that you can take that will get you far enough down the path towards having a place like this that you will find yourself living in that cabin before you know it!

Originally posted 2015-12-19 15:21:53.

What are the benefits of living in a real cabin?2019-06-29T09:45:21+00:00

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