Railings Completed

Work is slow at BHB...but steady. Before we move in (pre-Thanksgiving '07) I was probably putting in around 3-4 hours a day (and double that on weekends). My current average is about 2 hours per WEEK. I have made my lists of remaining projects (my Dad claims he STILL has his lists...from 26 years ago!!!) and I am working top to bottom.



So, I have to say (despite the critics who are all over the code-violations here) I am extremely pleased with how this project turned out. The railings are made of chain link fence parts plus some 1/8" cable - all purchased at Home Depot - that cost me around $150 total. And the result looks simple, clean, slick, just like "professionally" done railings that would have cost 10x that.


Anyway, DIYers take heart. It CAN be done!

New Strategy For Finishing the job

The owners of BHB are taking a radically new tack to deal with the on-going problem of how to finish construction on their home; they are now actively PLAYING THE LOTTERY. So, wish us luck! We'll keep you updated.

Some recent interior shots

Life has assumed some normalcy here at BHB. Which is another way of saying, I just don't work on the house that much anymore! Recently I have made a pact with myself to do a couple of hours of work on the house each weekend. It's a modest goal, but over time I WILL make some progress on the long list of tasks that remain.

It's hard to imagine a time when we weren't living here. Sometimes I look around and try to imagine the time when this was all a dream in my head and some sketches in my notebook. I am amazed and humbled and grateful all at once. This house is so special and so...US. The adventure continues.

Chain link fence railings

With some large chunks of time on my hands this past weekend I decided that I would go ahead with major project # 43,652: ripping out the temporary loft railings and constructing the new "finish" railings. What you see above is the result of close to 10 hours of work. I think it came out really nice.

As you can see from this shot, I only got half-way done. At the lower right of the image the 2x4 temporary railing is visible. I have long ago learned to cut in half any estimates of what I think I can accomplish on the house at any given time. The design I came up with was driven by my desire to spend as little as possible (pretty typical). I knew I wanted tubular metal railings and wire stays. Back when I was sourcing products for the play loft railings I priced out some professionally fabricated and installed railing systems: BIG bucks. My solution? Go to Home Depot and see what I can come up with for cheap.


What I came up with was basically chain link fence parts. The vertical posts are the chain link fence posts; the horizontal (or diagonal as it were) bars are the fence top rails, and the hardware is all the cheapo hardware for chain link fence. I bored out a hole to seat the base of the posts into, drilled some holes through the posts and then bolted them through the stair risers into the stringers beneath.

The cable cost something like 6 bucks. I anchored it in the downstairs post and then passed it through holes I drilled in the center post and finally fastened them to the wooden end post (which I built to match the other loft railing posts) via simple turnbuckles.

Score one victory for the cheap-skate! Seriously though, I love coming up with smartly designed modernist solutions to design problems that would cost thousands to do "right". All in all, I would say this cost me about $65. Not bad at all.

See BHB on iTunes

Now you can download the episode of Renovation Nation featuring Bare Hill Barn (for only $1.99!) In iTunes, search for Renovation Nation. Click on "Vol.2". We are episode 13 of Vol. 2 titled, "Today, Steve checks out a 200 year old barn renovated into a modern, eco-smart house." Oooooo! Enjoy.

Inside BHB on a fall afternoon

A Beautiful Day

Fall Arrives

There is the most beautiful view from our house. Especially during the fall. I am so grateful for this aspect of our new home.

The long view: Future of BHB Blog

Faithful readers: as you have noticed, there hasn't been a lot of activity here these past months. I guess that's because there just isn't THAT MUCH going on. BHB Blog will remain here though, as a resource and as an easy place to direct people interested in learning more about this crazy project. I will be updating it periodically with new pics, vids, and posts. Feel free to direct friends, family and otherwise interested parties here. For new visitors, please feel free to roam, taking in the photos, videos, and posts written by me over the past two plus years. I do still read all comments, so do post them if the spirit moves you. Thanks for visiting!

Renovation Nation UPDATE

If you tuned in Tuesday at 6:00 (like we did) you noticed that our segment did not air. The producers called us that evening and gave us a new air time: this Friday Sept. 26 at 9:00. The show will be rebroadcast a total of 7 times I think over the next day or two. I know that it is also airing Sat. at 4:00. Hope some of you can catch it!