I grew up loving to build. I would rescue wood thrown away at construction sites, find bent nails lying around and straighten them. I would walk with my best friend to the lumber yard with my red ryder wagon and spend my allowance on whatever wood I could afford and wheel it back to my yard. If I couldn’t find any sources for new wood I would sometimes be forced to take apart something I had built, just so I could have materials for my new idea. And what ideas I had, a rollercoaster that started at the top of my parents shed and ended at the edge of our yard. A go-cart with steering, brakes, and the best wheels I could find (our old lawn mower). My favorite project was a tree fort nestled in a large cedar tree in my backyard. It took me almost 3 years to build, and weeks after completion, my parents informed me that we were moving. We all have plans, and then life happens.
The second home I designed and built was “Lewis.” It was supposed to take 6 months and be the first cabin in a lot I had bought, developed and permitted for some vacation homes. It ended up taking 4 years.
It was originally going to be a 1 bedroom with a loft. The loft was going to be a basic spot for an extra bed, then I added a deck, a full bathroom, and decided it should become the second master. But the original idea of a railing going across the room was not private enough for a master suite. Closing in the room was the obvious solution. I remember standing on the loft looking out over the great room and wanting to keep that sense of shared space and openness. So I came up with the idea of a post and beam wall with large glass panels. And when desired, for privacy you could raise some blinds to cover the glass.
Of course, designing the home and then changing it midstream was not enough. I had this vision of what I wanted it to look like when I was done and unfortunately it became quite obvious that the furniture readily available was going to be an unacceptable compromise. So, half of the furniture was designed and commissioned. I sweated the details and fought hard for this space to become what it is.
I am still working on finishing the twin cabin to the north of the lot, “Clark.” I am hoping soon, to finish the grounds and finally see what I have envisioned all these years. My original plans changed so much over the years that at this point they are unrecognizable. Life happens, things change and then we change with them.
Getting to build a home from the ground up is such a mixture of endurance and expression. At some point you find the vision for the home you are building and then, you try to be true to it. You battle your budget, contractors, time, and compromise all in the pursuit of your vision. And then your vision evolves and you call your contractor and say something like, “hey Jeromy, I’ve been thinking and…
