What started out as a 2 year project turned into 6 years due to factors including COVID, which led to the loss of electrical, pumbing, and HVAC subcontractors. Aditionally we had to let go our unreliable framming carpenters. We are incredibly grateful to the following compaies, friends and family that made this dream possible.

*Jeff Day and Assoc. Architecture * Clydsdale Timber Framing * Phil Mittler ( Framing, Siding, Flatwork,* Our son Jimmy Whose skills in construction and fabrication were essential. * Our daughter Amy for the interrior design, fixture selection and to point out how out dated our tastes were. * Our son Tony Who provided my wife and me with the peace of mind and confidence to step away from the business for extended periods. * And to my wife Karen who thought I had lost my mind, but still took care of all the administrative work and helped with some of the labor.

Learning how to install, wire and program a gate opener. NOT FUN

The outside shower was great while staying in the camper untill fall came

Had to get my septic installers license. Quite the exam

Foundation excavation. Several days of moving material

The boss keeping an eye on the excavation

This is Clydsdale’s facility. This is where they maufactuer and assemble each Bent. They are then disassembled, labeled, palletized and loaded. I have so much respect for these craftsmen. They invited us to see our structure in process.

Day of arrival. We had to off-load 3 tractor trailers of post and beam to my float to get them up the drive

In 3 days the Clydsdale crew had the structure done

Now it was back on Jim and I to install the exterior panels. The company we used for the garden center panels is the same one we used for this project. The only difference, they didn’t install anymore. this came as a surprise a little late in the game. Soooooo

The panels were 8’x20’x8-12″ and weighed aprox. 1200 lbs. At 8300 ft elevation the wind can make it pretty skechy. When we got to the other side of the house we couldn’t see or hear eachother so we had to comunicate using our phones. We were both a little uneasy about it.

Our friend Phil (above} came up to do most of the framing, siding and flatwork. He is the best “jack of all trades” that I know and was a major contributer to the project. Jimmy did the majority of the drain laying, welding the deck frame. I did all the copper plumbing and the majority of the electrical, metal/wood stairs and railings

Poured concrete sink after we stripped the forms. Molding was white oak cut from the farm. planed and straight edged in the shop.

Walnut flooring made from trees at the farm. ( see made in shop page )

I added 2 basement bedrooms and full bath in 2024