B & W Farmhouses

Recent Favourite

Farmhouses can be assembled quickly, look rustic and provide a good-sized interior for discerning families.

Link to B & W Busy Birdhouse (w chickadees)

Photo GH

Farmhouses 7

Moving Quickly

Rustic farmhouses that don't require a paint job seem to fly off the work bench. Trim work is easy - even a bit of fun - and the soft barnboard takes nails like a charm. Zoom.

 "Oh yeah. It's an authentic Z-frame door!"

"Next up - a pile of logs and free birdhouse on the porch"

Link to Farmhouses 6

Photos GH

Vintage Trailer Birdhouse 1

Starts with a Sketch

 "Google 'birdhouses', go to images, go to 'funky designs' for more inspiration"

I have noticed that the month of July has been a busy month for me in the workshop. Custom projects and dozens of birdhouses have occupied my time, productively and positively in most cases, and - fortunately - quite a few items have been completed or are almost done.

When I start catching my breath my mind usually asks the question, "So, what's next, Buster?"

Well, now that I've completed a rough sketch of an old trailer and have done a bit of thinking about suitable materials for building such a thing (birdhouse that is), I think I will soon be knee-deep cutting lumber and assembling bits and pieces using the time-tested method called 'trial and error'. And though I have seen some vintage trailer birdhouses made with lumber and tin, I will stick to plywood and white pine.

"I will use angled slats to form the curved sections"

"Yup. I predict I'll need a lot of slats!"

More to follow, when time allows.

Link to Farmhouses 6

Sketches and Photos GH

Farmhouses 6

Name Change

 "In spite of the time it takes to paint, I like the colours"

I used to label these models 'white barnboard farm-style w porch' but before I could say all those words the birds had flown the coop. So, I went for a shorter name... farmhouse. Seems to fit. And it doesn't take all day to say it.

"I made three farmhouses w no paint. They're a breeze"

Of course, it still takes a long time to add two coats of paint and a boat-load of trim. That being said, things are progressing nicely, in my opinion.

Link to White Barnboard Farm-style w Porch 5

Photos GH

Log Cabins 5

One Free Birdhouse

 "Voila! These are done like dinner"

I do this a lot. I look at a finished birdhouse and say, "This birdhouse should come with another birdhouse... no extra charge."

Children have asked me if the small one is real.

"Perfect size for skeeters," I say.

Link to Log Cabins 4

Photos GH

Funky Birdhouses 6

Trim - First Steps

A few days ago I traced the front edge of the curved roofs onto thin strips of white pine, cut them out on a band saw and painted them w two coats of paint matches the body of the BH.

Okay, now what? I'm thinking... same trim on the body as last time... or something else? Hmmmm.

More to follow.

Link to Funky Birdhouse 5

Photos GH

Log Cabins 4

Distinctive Perches

 "Bits of metal make a solid perch"

Two western cedar log cabins, with butt ends nicely covered with thin strips of like trim, are now ready for habitation... almost. Though the rustic look suits me fine I think I will add one final touch to the front.

"Lots more western cedar in the pile in background"

A bench for a pot? A wandering cat?

Wait and see. More to follow.

Link to Log Cabins 3

Photos GH