As spring nears and the snow is finally melting here in northern New England, I find myself gazing out the window at our tea house. What is it about a separate “room” unto itself sitting in the middle of a woodland garden that beckons? Gee…I wonder! First, let me begin by showing you…
I’ve promised to keep you in the loop about how things are going here in my new timber frame carriage house. Although it may sound cliché, my husband and I truly are living the post and beam dream. We love this house! In my posts My Outdoor Shower Kicks Butt!! and My Carriage House Gardens: The Patio Garden, I…
Recently, I was talking to an acquaintenance about building a barn-style home and she asked, “What exactly is barn-style? Does it mean converting a barn into a house?” This question started me thinking about how best to describe barn-style. Converting an old barn into a house definitely affords the home a barn-style look, but you don’t need to begin with an…
There’s nothing I love more than flipping through magazines and books looking at gorgeous homes. When I was building my house, photos from books and magazines were my primary inspiration in designing our Victorian carriage house. Now that the housing market has begun its rebound, I’m beginning to consider ideas for the main house (to…
When building a home it is important to have two things in mind: a budget and a detailed plan, while understanding you’re likely to amend both as you go through the build process. It is easy to go over budget when building a home or home addition. That’s why I wrote an earlier post called, “Building A Post and Beam:…
Happy New Year! Post and Beam Living is extremely excited to announce we’re writing a book about the post and beam structure, to be published in late 2010. This picture book will help future home builders decide what styles of post and beam homes best fit their lifestyles and personal tastes. How cool is that? …
I have to admit, when I first heard I was going to be involved in a photo shoot for a new barn home filled with all kinds of technological wizardry, I wasn’t overly excited as technology is not my thing. However upon meeting the home owners (two PhDs in mathematics who…
As stated in my earlier post, I found many examples of how the post and beam structure and the timber frame were and are used in and around the walled city of old Quebec. Instead of writing on and on, I’m going to let the pictures speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy the photos…
I’m back from Quebec City. Wow! First, let me say should you ever get the chance to visit this wonderful city, do not pass it up; you will be well rewarded. There is literally something for everyone there. Art and culture abounds and if you’re one for the night-life, this city fits the bill. Though…
For the next few days, I’m off to the great city of Quebec for a “wor-cation”; my made up term for combining work and fun. I’ll be staying in my dream hotel, Le Chateau Frontenac, taking in as much as possible; particularly the fantastic architecture of both the hotel and the city. It’s going to be rough, but…
Whenever it nears the holidays, thoughts turn to fond memories of the season. “Over the river and through the woods” brings on a whole new meaning when the house at the end of the journey is a gorgeous salt-box post and beam barn home. This salt-box style post and beam was specifically built to fit…
As promised in my post on October 13th, this post will recommend paint colors to use in post and beam bedrooms and baths. As always, the main consideration when choosing color for a timber frame home is to accentuate and compliment the architectural structure. But not to worry as it’s not rocket science. If it’s…