The plans called for a feature 12" post between the dining room and the living room. We drove to the lumber mill in Healdsburg to select the the timber which we felt would be the straightest and most stable.
Everyone who comes into this house eventually hugs the post. The inspector hugged it and said that 'this is exactly the kind of house we love to see.'
Shoji panels were locally made by Design Shoji. Cabinetry by Knottyhole Woodworks. Cabinet finish by McLaughlin Wood Finishing. Painting by Professional Painting.
Everyone who comes into this house eventually hugs the post. The inspector hugged it and said that 'this is exactly the kind of house we love to see.'
Shoji panels were locally made by Design Shoji. Cabinetry by Knottyhole Woodworks. Cabinet finish by McLaughlin Wood Finishing. Painting by Professional Painting.
The architect had a personal collection of antique shoji screen. One was incorporated into the entertainment cabinet and the other, of Mt. Fuji, was used in an interior window between the kitchen and the hall, facing the drive. Shoji cloth was left off so the owner could look through the silhouette from the kitchen to the Zen garden in the front of the house.
The vertical grain Douglas Fir trim was continuous through out the house, over every door and window. When installing windows and exterior doors we paid particular attention to this detail, even though the trim was months down the road.
The fir trim was hand selected for matching grain. While the picture at the left looks like one long piece of wood, it is made from two. The wood with the finest grain was used in the more public spaces and those pieces with slight flaws were used in closets.
The vertical grain Douglas Fir trim was continuous through out the house, over every door and window. When installing windows and exterior doors we paid particular attention to this detail, even though the trim was months down the road.
The fir trim was hand selected for matching grain. While the picture at the left looks like one long piece of wood, it is made from two. The wood with the finest grain was used in the more public spaces and those pieces with slight flaws were used in closets.
Here we have the post approaching 20 years later.
As luck would have it we built in a very wet winter. The ridge beams, once in place needed to be protected until the roof was on. Rafters would be mortised into the ridge, secured and covered with blue tarps every night. On some of the nights with the heaviest rain, the contractor slept in his car with an egg timer. Every hour he got up to inspect the tarps and push up on them to let the water drain off from between the rafters. During one very heavy rain, the weight of the water in the tarp, between rafters, bulging down like an inverted VW Beetle, was so heavy it actually cracked the top plates.
As luck would have it we built in a very wet winter. The ridge beams, once in place needed to be protected until the roof was on. Rafters would be mortised into the ridge, secured and covered with blue tarps every night. On some of the nights with the heaviest rain, the contractor slept in his car with an egg timer. Every hour he got up to inspect the tarps and push up on them to let the water drain off from between the rafters. During one very heavy rain, the weight of the water in the tarp, between rafters, bulging down like an inverted VW Beetle, was so heavy it actually cracked the top plates.
The architect had three dimentional oriental wood carvings which were incorporated between the post and the house.
The clear heart redwood trim 'look' was selected from A grade redwood, which has white sap wood as well as 'red' wood. The pieces were installed in such a way that the white sap wood was facing the house and the clear heart side facing outward. This cost saving trick can not be done with today's redwood.
The clear heart redwood trim 'look' was selected from A grade redwood, which has white sap wood as well as 'red' wood. The pieces were installed in such a way that the white sap wood was facing the house and the clear heart side facing outward. This cost saving trick can not be done with today's redwood.
The deck, surrounding the entire house, is redwood, made from two units of eight foot lengths of B-heart redwood, foundation grade. It had been in the lumber yard for years and they were happy to part with it.
Rather than using long lengths, we emphasized the joints by easing them for effect. We framed the joists at 12 inches, but screwed every 24. Butt joints landing on non screwed joists were biscuited for stability. Twenty years later that technique has proven stable.
Rather than using long lengths, we emphasized the joints by easing them for effect. We framed the joists at 12 inches, but screwed every 24. Butt joints landing on non screwed joists were biscuited for stability. Twenty years later that technique has proven stable.
Kent, Bob, Bundy, Armando and the contractor.
Mission accomplished
Mission accomplished
Today.
The quality of the materials used, their selection and the building process has given years of service to the clients.
A 'space' was created which is now seeing the third generation of bare feet on the hardwood floor. The children who were the first occupants of the 'boys' wing are now bringing an new generation home.
The quality of the materials used, their selection and the building process has given years of service to the clients.
A 'space' was created which is now seeing the third generation of bare feet on the hardwood floor. The children who were the first occupants of the 'boys' wing are now bringing an new generation home.