Here’s the spec, almost finished. Buyers are doing the carpet upstairs, and the major appliances.
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Wow! That's really, really nice!
Good job, thanks for sharing.
looks great - much nicer then anything here with the word "spec" in front of it...
nice work.
Wow, that's quite a spec house!
Very nice Bob, very nice indeed!
Nice work. I think the outside is very distinguished looking.
Are those two electrical boxes on the right side of "inside_mbr.jpg" actually not level with each other?
MERC.
Wow! We could sure use a few specs like that around here!
Nice Job Bob. Is this your design as well or did you do a design build team approach with an architect? Looks like someone took the time to think their way through this one.
Do you do specs often, and if so, do you find the extra attention to design and detail pays off in the spec market?
Again - nice job... More please.
Kevin Halliburton
And with that, the great emporer Oz gently floated away on a curtain of hot air, laughing at the unfortunate ignorance of little people beneath him. But under his breath he cursed that stupid little dog...
Kevin, it is from a plan purchased right here at this Taunton site. Peter Twombly and Dick Estes, architects, Newport, RI.
The original is in Jamestown, RI, right in the neighborhood where Mike Smith is doing most of his work.
I didn't change a thing, except for the flooring species, which is quarter-rift white oak. The prototype has red birch.
We framed the exterior walls in 2x6, which they make us do here, and trussed the roof, the original of which got 2x4 outer walls and a stick frame roof.
Edited 11/1/2004 7:38 pm ET by Bob Dylan
I get the impression, from your questions about the Susanka house details, that you know how to play well with architects. There seems to be a cohesiveness in your mind between design and build and it really shows in the finished piece.
Keep up the great work!Kevin Halliburton And with that, the great emporer Oz gently floated away on a curtain of hot air, laughing at the unfortunate ignorance of little people beneath him. But under his breath he cursed that stupid little dog...
Is this their "Pond House?"
http://www.estestwombly.com/pondpage1.html
I noticed it's one of the designs featured in Susanka's book. Takes some guts to embrace the not-so-big concept in spec building. It sounds like you had a buyer before the house was finished. I hate to stick my nose into your business too far but I'm dying to know if you feel the not-so-big design was as profitable for you, as the standard model of size over substance.
I'm guessing there were some real advantages in duplicating a custom home that was already built, with the details worked out in a 1 to 1 model too. I'm sure you know there are some heated debates about architects doing "canned plans." I see some real potential for increasing the market of sensible specs following your lead. Looks like you're a strong voice for the advocates promoting it.Kevin Halliburton And with that, the great emporer Oz gently floated away on a curtain of hot air, laughing at the unfortunate ignorance of little people beneath him. But under his breath he cursed that stupid little dog...
Yes, it's a copy of the Pond House.
I took the risk because I thought it was right for the neighborhood and for the lot, and because it is, except for the large amount of stone, a pretty cost-effective package.
It would have sold a lot sooner if I had "rusticized" it. Here, the only single-family specs built, are done for the vacation home buyers, and most all of them want some kind of rustic Adirondack Great Camp feel. Clearcoated millwork with knots showing, birchbark everywhere, logs, twigs, etc. By doing all the millwork and cabinetry in a satin white paint job I lost the feel I might have had by using clearcoated pine. I am sure I lost some buyers, too.
Imagine how different the look would be just in the living areas, with the dining room, staircase, LR and kitchen, done instead all in satin finish knotty pine cabinetry, built-ins, and trim.
The next spec, if I do one, will be twigged and barked to the max.
BTW, love your tree. Is it structural? I live in a copy of the Susanka NSBH and it has three structural tree trunks, one inside and two out.
Thanks and yes, it's very structural. That trunk supports a steel beam that holds about 1/3 of the weight of the entire second floor.
I hear you on the stone too. We finally had to concede that rock face CMU was as close as our budget would let us go. It's funny how many people have commented on how nice the "rock" on our house looks. I'm toying with the idea of adding some random concrete stain detailing to make it a little more organic but I'll probably just let it ride.Kevin Halliburton And with that, the great emporer Oz gently floated away on a curtain of hot air, laughing at the unfortunate ignorance of little people beneath him. But under his breath he cursed that stupid little dog...
Awesome!!!!!
you got any more pics.?
I take it you are the contractor?
That house as got a lot of detail, and me thinks that's what
make this house so appealing.
Thanks for sharing.......
What do you find when you sell the house? Does it sell quickly? Do you get enough extra in the price to cover the extra cost? Will people give up square footage to get character?