1-5-2015
Sunny
and Cold and Windy
log cabin day 2013
falling waters entrance
Since this diary or journal of sorts is
chronological, then for all purposes this above heading will be my format when
talking about the cabin project. Should I call it a log cabin, and for all
intents and purposes that is what the primary structural component should and
will be? The design though I hope will be a little modern with a touch of
rustic heritage, bordering on green living.
It is a house, but one that opens the
outside up and brings it inside with you. Windows and views unobscured. I had
the chance to help out with a local log cabin restoration, and was able to
watch the Amish builders as they went about taking parts and pieces of three
different log cabins and erecting them onto a location where another log cabin
had stood for years buried in neglect, till it was transferred and restored by
the Pike Township Historical Society.
pikey
falling waters
I have toured the house as recently as last
summer, and have participated in several fund-raising events and have also
donated sculptures, some to be sold for fund raising activities, and Pikey the
bear, one of my wood sculptures, stands proudly in front of the log cabin,
welcoming all to the town of East Sparta. In fact just recently while driving
by I noticed Pikey wasn’t there and I thought someone had stolen him. I had to
check on my way back through. When I did I was assured he was missing, after I
made a point to look for sure again. I noticed fresh tire tracks in the snow led
right up to where he stood , and then it
looked as if the vehicle, which undoubtedly was a truck, as pikey stands over 5
and half foot tall and weighs 300 if anything, had also backed up to the log
cabin . I could imagine it being cleaned out also, as it contained items of
value.
Immediately upon returning home I looked
up my neighbor’s number and asked if either her, or her husband knew of any
reason why Pikey was missing as they also had an interest as they too volunteered
labor for the cabin. And they knew nothing but were going to check it out and
see what they find out. Anyhow word came back to me from that the director that
the Historical Society had used Pikey in a Christmas parade along with other
items from the cabin. It is funny that for years I drove past that corner and
had little reason to check out the happenings there, and hardly ever noticed
much going on , but since I placed that carving there I seem to never miss
making sure it is there, although I gave that job up years a go along with
checking on the cabin.
So where I am going to is that I have had
experience in log cabin building and general log building principles but don’t
know if a traditional log cabin is exactly what I want. In fact, I want what I
build, to be a noticeable asset to the farm and something to be admired. Maybe
finally get my house in Better Homes and Gardens, Mom’s lifelong dream. well I
don’t know exactly that it was her lifelong dream but I can still remember the
day when she told us to clean the house, that Better Homes and Garden was coming
to take pictures, that they were going to feature us in their magazine, and the
young naïve children that we were, hurried and scurried around gathering up
toys as mom directed us on what needed to be done before they arrived as we
were all excited only to find out mom lied to us. Her very own children and she
lied to us, keeping up the fib till she admitted late in the day after running
out of things for us to do and laughing at us every chance she could behind our backs as she led us around blindly,
just to get us to clean the house. No wonder I turned out like I did. Anyhow as
punishment for the letdown, we made her take us to the drive in theatre, but
before we could go my sister Sherry swallowed a nickel mom told her to keep in
a safe place so she could spend it later, so she swallowed it and as a result, we
never did make it to see ‘Blubber,’ w/ Fred Mc Murray. I lived a tortured child
hood fraught with impossible family member’s intent on purposely trying to distract
me from my real calling. Which was story telling?
Old log cabins of pioneer days had small
windows and solid doors capable of fending off Indian attacks or mobs of angry
villagers armed with plowshares and pitchforks. They are solid and will burn
slowly as it takes a wooden beam awhile
to get started to burn and it consumes itself much slower than a composite wood
beam and remains structural, allowing escape if necessary. The windows being
areas where heat would escape when trying to heat with drafty fireplaces, were
kept to a minimum as oil lamps provide light even during the day, as the
interiors of cabins were dark and gloomy and the needed the glow of a fireplace
and an oil lamp were needed even during
sunny days. Most old log cabins I have been have that same characteristic of
being closed in and this is what I want to avoid. Instead I want the light, and
views in my face, open and inviting you to participate with nature and inviting
you outside. More of a minimalist cabin, offering space and simplicity in design,
with a rustic exposed beam and weathered wood siding accent to contrast with
modern features of a third millennium home style.
I have drawn up some sketch’s last night
of a proposed concept, but easily after discussing what I want on here , I can
see that my drawings and concept ideas must change also, as I am still
unsettled with my design so far, and
will toy with some ideas of different geometric shapes . With log construction,
or post and beam construction at the center of it all. I just want open and
exposed as one would say, or at least I would expect, as I have never been a
fan of curtains, or window obstructions like shades, etc.. Instead I feel if one wants to block ones view
inside from outside, then plants, on shelves serve as a satisfactory
obstruction that is green and still represents nature, so maybe open shelves
with plants are in order.
I have always liked floor to ceiling glass
and after visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses in Pennsylvania and including ‘Falling
Waters,’ and others he had worked on, I understand the architectural and artistic
importance of light and openness of nature and how one should design with that
in mind.
I have one shot at this, and for me it
doesn’t cost anymore to build expensive if you have the materials and ability,
so I need to think outside the box into something where I can combine old world
charm into comfortable modern living without leaving the farm . So today’s
effort will be to stay inside because it is cold out, and will be for a week or
more, and work more on designs and hopefully have something to show you next
time around.
No comments:
Post a Comment