How we cleared our wooded lot for our mortgage-free cordwood home in Western New York – by hand, bartering, and learning what the land was trying to tell us.
Cordwood Masonry
Why cordwood masonry, out of every natural building method we looked at — and the question that made the answer obvious.
Finding Land
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t dream of having a home of my own. I was ten when I saw the magazine that first put a shape to it — a DIY cabin, ten feet square, with a tiny kitchen and a sleeping loft that held two single mattresses on either side of a central...
Wall Jack Premiere
Home / Projects / The Cottage Studio We tried,but we couldn't lift the last 24 ft wall by hand. So I built a wall jack with a hand winch and a couple of 16ft 2x6. Didn't think to start the video until half way through, but you get the idea. I will post my regular...
Exterior Walls
Home / Projects / The Cottage Studio Getting an early start this morning. Two more exterior walls are on the agenda and it looks like rain tomorrow. Should be a bit cooler today, hoping to work straight through with no afternoon inside work. Fingers crossed! Have a...
A Little Help Goes A Long Way
Home / Projects / The Cottage Studio Back to work!! Finishing touches on the floor are complete, now for the walls! It's a glorious Wednesday morning, enjoy my friends, I know I will. Evening Post One wall up! I am really working to do this all on my own, but a little...
Loose Ends
Home / Projects / The Cottage Studio Harley decided it was her turn to do the morning inspection Just some loose ends to finish up. The forecast says rain starting tonight until Tuesday. I hope so, we need the rain and I need the rest! Have a great weekend my friends....
Floor Framing Complete!
Home / Projects / The Cottage Studio Ahhhh, floor frame complete! Next, insulation and sheathing. It's Friday my friends, woohoo! Evening Post - Just a few things to finish up tonight and tomorrow morning. Then a little R and R before I move on to the walls. What a...
A Better Idea
Home / Projects / The Cottage Studio Myron came home as I was building the wall jack. And instead of using the jack, he and I flipped the two sections I'd already built into place. Much easier with two people one of whom is 10 inches taller than the other. It's going...
Starting the Floor
Home / Projects / The Cottage Studio Another beautiful day! Harvesting the last of the green beans and starting the floor. Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends! Evening Post: One step forward, side step then onward and upward! Additional Thoughts Once the skids were...