Decorating Room

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Be ecologically responsible (in imitation of our elf friends!).

Morth,

You might like this website. I'm not sure about the structural integrity of the framework, but it's still quite informative.

http://www.simondale.net/house/

You are looking at pictures of a house I built for our family in Wales. It was built by myself and my father in law with help from passers by and visiting friends. 4 months after starting we were moved in and cosy. I estimate 1000-1500 man hours and £3000 put in to this point. Not really so much in house buying terms (roughly £60/sq m excluding labour).

The house was built with maximum regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives us a unique opportunity to live close to nature. Being your own (have a go) architect is a lot of fun and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the land rather than, at worst, a mass produced box designed for maximum profit and convenience of the construction industry. Building from natural materials does away with producers profits and the cocktail of carcinogenic poisons that fill most modern buildings.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

Morth,

You might like this website. I'm not sure about the structural integrity of the framework, but it's still quite informative.

Yes, that site has been around for quite a while. It is indeed an amazing structure; unfortunately, being a curmudgeonly old Hobbit accustomed to modern conveniences, I would not have it as a primary residence. But it would make a great place for camping in the summer, as my back can no longer withstand hard ground and sleeping bags for more than a day or two. I'd construct such an edifice up on the shores of Lake Superior or Lake Michigan and hang out there until the autumn winds chased me back south.

[Beregond]

I can't tell you how inspiring that house is, Andsigil. To make such an uber cool abode, and to do it so cheaply ($6000 USD? You can't buy a new car for that). Doesn't it make you want to go out, buy a section of forest or meadow, and erect a Hobbit House?

[Raefindel]

That type of structure is very cool and although it works in the UK, their downfall in the US is that they are NOT INSURABLE. In fact they probablly don't come close to meeting building code.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Raefindel

That type of structure is very cool and although it works in the UK, their downfall in the US is that they are NOT INSURABLE. In fact they probablly don't come close to meeting building code.

Most wood framed buildings are unmortgageable in the UK - in fact pretty much the only homes you can easily get mortgages for are standard ones built with proper brick/stone on foundations (and you're lucky if you can get a mortgage on one of those these days ...).

Building regulations are also extremely strict these days and councils can order yo to pull down all sorts of things - our attic room wouldn't be allowed these days for example, but thankfully cannot be removed as it's been there 120 years

[Mithalwen]

However since the building cost was so low ...mortgage /insurance isn't really an issue - planning is a minefield - a weighted towards the mass developer... I'd be suprised if this had planning permission.

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by Beregond

I can't tell you how inspiring that house is, Andsigil. To make such an uber cool abode, and to do it so cheaply ($6000 USD? You can't buy a new car for that). Doesn't it make you want to go out, buy a section of forest or meadow, and erect a Hobbit House?

Originally Posted by Raefindel

That type of structure is very cool and although it works in the UK, their downfall in the US is that they are NOT INSURABLE. In fact they probablly don't come close to meeting building code.

Well, there are a lot ways to adapt to building codes and still live in an uber-cool house:

Earth Sheltered House


Other pictures here:
http://www.rogerdean.com/architecture/index.htm

[mark12_30]

Hmmm, maybe somebody should open an architecture thread...

Has anyone done a tree stencil?

I'm not afraid of drawing a large tree; what I am afraid of is running out of time while I work on the leaves. SO in my daydreams, I think I can paint the tree trunks freehand, and then stencil on the leaves, or stamp them, or a combination of the two. But then I think of the volume of trees I want to put on the wall, it gets daunting.

So: painting the trunk, then stanciling or stamping the leaves... ?

[mark12_30]

I actualy cleaned the room upstairs, and rearranged all the stuff that was everywhere. Lots of it went onto the walls. Now there isn't much room for more.

Maybe I rearranged myself into a corner.

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

Well, there are a lot ways to adapt to building codes and still live in an uber-cool house:

Earth Sheltered House


Other pictures here:
http://www.rogerdean.com/architecture/index.htm

Is it just me and my faulty glasses, or are there no doors to the bedrooms?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Is it just me and my faulty glasses, or are there no doors to the bedrooms?

You have to look at it in context, Beth. Roger Dean is best known as designing all the album covers for the band Yes in the 70's; therefore, like the covers and the music, the house is so ethereal that one merely floats into the room through one of those window-like apertures in the wall.