Monday, August 24, 2009

Construction Part Two

August 1, 2009

Art and I made a day trip up north to talk to the builder and look around. The slab was in!


This angle is from our current campsite, roughly where we'd like to build a house some day. We had hoped to build the house shell this summer but had to change plans. Building a house would have required new home financing and we would have had to have the house, inside and out, nearly completed within a year. We wanted to do some of those jobs like finishing the kitchen, baths, flooring, wiring etc. over time and we didn't want to spend that much money in so short a time. So, after much thought, we abandoned the plans of building a house for right now. We could build a garage though. We had been approved as part of our variance, to build a 32X32 garage with a maximum height of 25 feet. The garage would be Art's dream garage with lots of space for building whatever he wanted. I wanted a bathroom with shower so he could clean up before coming back to the house (in the future...). I also wanted a little loft area for a workshop/office for him. We'd add a little cantilevered balcony for me to watch over Hasty Brook. It's all we talked about last winter. We wanted to make the most of the space we were allowed to build. I hoped we could use some of the garage level as a relaxing living space over the next several years. Then Art got the idea to enlarge the loft area to a second story. Using an inexpensive software package (by Better Homes and Gardens- $60 at Costco) Art put together the plans keeping in mind our 25 foot height limit. We'll have plenty of room for a small kitchen area, a long bedroom (or two smaller-haven't decided yet) and a good sized living area facing the balcony and my Hasty Brook.



This is our future bathroom- sink, stool and shower. The red tubes are for the in-floor heating for Art's garage so he can eventually be out there all winter. We won't install the boiler for the heating until later but it'll be all ready to go.


Here's the view from the garage toward the septic tank and mound. Tommy seeded the area and in two short weeks the grass has taken hold and it looks pretty nice. Wouldn't this be a nice spot for wildflowers? I've been grabbing up wildflower packets (on clearance!). Should I spread them this fall or wait until spring?


Before the rain drove us away Art and I laid down some long, skinny aspen poles to give me an idea of what the usable space will be like on the upper floor. Yes, Richard, it was lots bigger than I expected! My vision of this space changed and I could see that there was room for a kitchen area and sleeping area too.


On our next trip up: walls!


17 comments:

Richard said...

Time to think if it is possible to add a bathroom/shower upstairs and just one bedroom. It would make it a very livable space while waiting to build a future house.

Shelley said...

You have such a beautiful piece of property Lynne! I'm excited for your plans! The hubby and I used to camp on our lot with tents all the time while planning our log cabin. These are the fun times to enjoy!

NCmountainwoman said...

Oh, Lynne! I am SO excited for you. I'll look forward to every update.

BTW: I'm glad they are saving your rocks.

Carolyn H said...

You're making progress on your new facilities. That's the most important thing! And it looks like a great start.

Carolyn H.

Linda in Erie said...

This is so wonderful! I can't wait to see the rest. What great plans you have. Every nature lover's dream!

Dawn Fine said...

Lynne,
I think Richard has a point about having a bathroom upstairs..You can always put the washer and drying downstairs and a toilet.

looking forward to more posts of Hastybrook!

Montanagirl said...

Wonderful! And I too, agree with Richard...Think on it. So happy for you...such a view!

Q said...

Dear Lynne,
This is so exciting! Dreams do come true sometimes just a wee bit at a time. You will love having a living space while you build the main house.
Hasty Brook retirement home....
Sherry

Pablo said...

This is exciting to me! I'm envious and happy for you at the same time.

Thanx for sharing these pix. You're making the dream happen.

Jayne said...

Just so exciting Lynne! Can't wait to see the progression. :c)

Heidi said...

Very cool Lynne!
I third or fourth the idea of a toilet/sink/shower upstairs. It might take out the sleeping area, but you could make the living area the sleeping area since it's only temporary or vacation housing at the time anyway.

Then you'll at least have a little more convenience while the final house is being built in the future.

Anonymous said...

Inch by inch, stone by stone...

Kathie Brown said...

You must be bursting with excitement!

RuthieJ said...

Looks great Lynne. I'm sure you must be so excited to finally see your dream place being built.

dguzman said...

Oh Lynne! How exciting! I think you should spread the seeds in the fall; that's how wildflowers seed themselves, isn't it, in the fall after they've flowered? Makes sense to me, but maybe you could research it a little on the intertubes.

Maybe you should consider a log cabin, with your own logs and stuff!?

Mary said...

You have great trees. Lovely!

Eve said...

Wow Lynneeee! Either I've been missing in action or you've been blogging overtime! I think it was me. This is great! I'm so excited for you!!
Now off to read more......