Storybook Homes

Is that Thatching?

Samuel — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:40:31 +0000

Yes, that’s thatching! We have designed some of our cottages to have thatching! REAL THATCHING! Many questions arise about thatching, especially longevity and availability.

We have come across many articles, both in England and in the US that say thatch can last anywhere from 75-100 years before renovation is necessary.

Thatching is possible in the United States but obviously not very common. There are a few Master Thatchers here in the US and they travel to all parts of the country.

If you have a thatched cottage or have a picture of one, please share with everyone!

Job Posting: English Garden Designer

Samuel — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 22:03:55 +0000

Storybook Homes is currently looking for an English Garden Designer to assist with landscape designs. Applicants should have a flare for whimsey, familiarity with cottage garden plants and flowers, and have excellent hand-rendering abilities along with CAD software skills. This is a part-time postition and will contracted on an “as needed” basis. Non-professionals who have a passion for English garden design are also encouraged to apply. Please send your resume plus portfolio to Storybook Homes’ address P.O. Box 60, Lynden, WA 98264 or email your packet to storybook@storybookhomes.biz. Posted until filled.

Cost to build a Storybook Home

Samuel — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:16:51 +0000

Many clients request information about the building costs for a Storybook Home. The answer is, it all depends. Actual costs depend on location and what materials and fixtures you choose to use. We have specified materials for our cottages which could be considered very “high-end”. We suggest utilizing the most beautiful materials and fixtures you can find. But, there are great substitute materials and fixtures which can lower the cost of construction. Additionally, if you throw in a little of your own elbow grease you can create something beautiful, with authentic storybook features for much less.

Construction costs can vary anywhere from $75/sq.ft to over $400/sq.ft, it all depends upon your choices as the cottage owner.

Do you have any Questions about Storybook Homes?

Samuel — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:48:22 +0000

Are there any questions you may have that we can answer?

Why the “Jetty” for an Upper Floor

Samuel — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 17:20:44 +0000

Have you ever wondered why some of the old European cottages, which have more than one story, have successive cantilevered floors (”jettied”) which give them a “top heavy” look?

Originally, during the Middle Ages, when additional stories to cottages or buildings were built, cottage builders first used relatively flat floor joists which were laid directly on top of the walls below, creating flat exterior (normal looking with no cantilever) walls. These second and third story floors however, would sag and shimy from loads placed upon them, such as when furniture was placed upon them or by people walking around on them.

It was not until the 17th Century that builders discovered that if the ends of these joists were projected out beyond the story wall below by two feet or so, and that the upper story wall was then built out on the ends of these joists, the weight of the upper part of the cottage would then stablize the floors and act as a counterpoise for any weight placed upon the floor joists. This proved to counteract the sagging by creating a “load deflection” as it is called in modern building terms. Therefore, each additional story was built successively “jettied” out from the floor below which created a “top heavy” look to many cottages and buildings of that time.

Our modern day floor joists have been designed in such a way that “jettying” is no longer required. However, these modern day joists do have a slight crown (although not very easily seen or felt it is so slight) which is designed into the joist so that the joist will level off, flatten, and NOT sag when loads are placed upon them, unless of course too heavy of a load is placed on them.