Quick; think of one structure every state in the country has in common. You guessed it (probably because I gave away the answer in the title), The Timber Frame Barn. They may have their own details indigenous to a geographical location, but the ties that bind all barns together begin in their bones with the…
One of the greatest features of the post and beam is its versatility. When it comes time for an addition, from the smallest bump out to a total reorganization of a home’s floor plan, post and beam is the way to go. It works with any style home (as the following pictures will prove) while…
Yankee Timber Frame: Visuals that come to mind when imagining a timber frame are often typical – the log cabin in the woods. While this is understandable, it is not the only style suitable for a post and beam home. Quite the contrary as a post and beam home can be any style you choose.…
My mom and I often disagree about taste and style particularly when it comes to architecture. She can not understand why I am such a huge fan of barn homes. As long as I can remember I have always had a love for barns. Barns are romantic symbols of our past. If not your personal…
The decor was not my style. I discovered one of the best, most cost effective and immediate ways to create a totally fresh look was with paint. I also learned the importance of choosing the correct shade of a color. Do you have any idea how many shades of white exist out there in the…
Remodeling a post & beam is a piece of cake compared to a similar project on a stick built home. One of the primary reasons is because the post & beam frame supports the structure, while a stick built home’s structural support is provided by the interior walls. In the year 2000 friends of…
People often suggest the need to design a house with the master bedroom on the first floor. You hear things like “someday you may not want or be able to climb stairs”. Possibly, but it may also be true that we could stay in better shape as we age if we are climbing stairs. My…
You may not believe this wild story but trust me, it is absolutely true. It happened to my close friend and I asked him to recount it for this post: I live in a Yankee Barn that was built in 1979 – 30 years old! April 15, 2007 was not one of my better days.…
Lighting a timber frame home has a few specifics you may not find in other homes. Having just done one myself, I’ve discovered the use of chandeliers, track lighting, up lighting, pendant lights, wall sconces, floor lamps and table lamps were all necessary for properly lighting different areas of my carriage house. Here are 3…
Here’s a virtual video of my Carriage House. This was created as we finished the design phase at Yankee Barn Homes to help us get a feel for the interior. We’re thrilled with how the 5ft kneewalls give us an intimate feeling of space on the second floor. Enjoy! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-XhtQp1H34] Want more information about Yankee Barn Homes?…
Planked kitchen ceiling by Yankee Barn Homes One of the beauties of a timber frame home is the gorgeous planked ceiling contrasting with the beams. It really complements what a post and beam house is all about. But the 2 ½” planks used by some builders for second floors leave the homeowner with quite…
The other day I asked a friend of mine what would be important to her should she design a house at this stage of her life. Her response was so funny I asked her to write it down. Here she is in her own words: “First, I feel that I must admit something: the…