August 27, 2011

Kitchen Remodel: Beam Up, Post Down Pt. 2


Our original idea, was to use corbels to support the new ceiling beam. This kind of bracing is found in early American barns, and is often used for a rustic touch in modern archtecture.

Drawing by Eric Sloane, in his An Age Of Barns (click to biggify)

When we got down to the knitty-gritty however, we opted for another early American technique, 18th century shouldered barn post bracing...

Drawing by Eric Sloane, in his An Age Of Barns (click to biggify)

It was easier, i.e. less time and labor.


The new posts were cut from the same tree as the ceiling beam.


Like the beam, these were stained before they went up.

Pounding the tight fitting post into place.

They fit snuggly against the beam.


When we removed the temporary ceiling support posts....


:)

Next on the kitchen remodel list, replacing the kitchen back door.




21 comments:

Leigh said...

I'm happy to announce that I've successfully installed a new network card in my computer and am back online from the comfort of my own home! I have a lot of catching up to do. :)

Anonymous said...

Leigh that looks fabulous, and I LOVE that you made the beams and supports yourself:) I have bookmarked the site for that tool, will be definitely getting myself one for in the future.

A Wild Thing said...

Good to be back to some kind of normal huh!

Your kitchen adventures have me missing my carpenter husband, always something in the works to remodel...came home from work one day and he had my chicken coop built(most of it)...another day I had an arbor over my deck, a screened porch, a duck house...he loved surprising me with new adventures...love that lumber jack well, they can be taken away in a heartbeat!

Seeking Serenity said...

WooHoo! Great Job!
I know how heavy those handcut things can be, my dad made One and that was IT haha.

Evelyn said...

Beautiful feature in your new kitchen!

Mama Pea said...

Your house is going to be a unique, one of a kind, lovingly hand-crafted home. Just gorgeous!

Florida Farm Girl said...

Looking good, Leigh!! Thanks to the carpenter, huh? Lucky you. My DH hardly knows which end of the hammer to use, much less how to use it!!!!! But, he's real good at writing checks!! :)

Doyu Shonin said...

We did something of the sort, but not nearly as well. Wonderful job.

DebbieB said...

That's really attractive, Leigh - I love the shouldering.

And I'm very glad that you've got your home network online again!

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

Congrats on the new network card. Mine has not been working all week.

Donna OShaughnessy said...

Fabulomondo!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is so cool. If I ever get a house of my own, I'm having you come over and teach me how to do this stuff. You guys rock.

denise/deBRAT said...

Leigh how wonderful to have you back! And I love how the new kitchen, sans beam, is looking. You really inspire me in all you do on your property and to your home. Best wishes in all that you do. ~denise/deBRAT

* Crystal * said...

Your kitchen is looking fabulous! So happy your back online... I replied to your comment on my hay fairy blog about your hard keeper doe too...Thanks, BTW for stopping by :)

BrokenRoadFarm said...

Looking good!! Glad you are back!!

Theresa said...

Nice elegant solution! Looks great too.

badgerpendous said...

I love it! Glad to see you're back on line, and the shouldered posts are amazing! This stuff really gets my motivation working. There's some minor work to do on the chicken coop and I keep putting it off. You're inspiring me to get back to it.

When you write your homesteading book, will you include a section on milling your own trees?

Leigh said...

Stephanie, it is pretty cool, isn't it? Something I never thought we'd be able to do. Sure makes the kitchen a whole lot more special.

Sharon, agreed! Sounds like your husband was a one of a kind. I know you miss him dreadfully. Thank you for the reminder to cherish what I've got while I've got it.

Peaceful, sometimes all it takes is one, LOL.

Evelyn, thanks!

Mama Pea, I'm so glad we threw "resale value" out the window. I definitely don't want a cookie cutter kitchen just to satisfy the realtors. Of course, there won't be anymore realtors in our life if we can help it.

Florida Farm Girl, LOL. Hey, we all have our own talents.

Risa, thanks! I hope the photos do it justice. It is rustic, but that's what we like.

DebbieB, thanks!

Jane, believe me, I know how frustrating that is. And such a drain of time, trying to fix the darned things. We actually considered doing without internet, but fortunately, it was an easier fix than I thought.

Donna, thanks!

Eleanor, thanks! I have to admit that we're oftentimes just learning as we go. :)

Denise, thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my posts. It's fun to have others appreciate them.

Crystal, thank you! I'm on my way over to your blog.

BRF, thanks!

Theresa, it's wonderful not to have that silly post in the middle of the room!

Badgerpendous, ah yes, but book. We'll seel :) But hurray for chicken coops too!

MasterShake13 said...

How cool! I'm SO impressed that you made the beams yourself!! It’s always been my dream to buy a house that needs LOTS of work, and do everything myself – I mean, gut the thing from shingles to floorboards, and really make it my own. Well, I’m finally ready to buy my first fixer-upper, so I’m gathering ideas for my first Northern Virginia remodeling project! Now where to start – kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, living area, dining room…*sigh! It’s so hard to decide. Thanks for the ideas - although maybe I shouldn't tackle something as major as putting in my own support beams...I'd feel awfully guilty if the place collapsed due to my mismeasurement :P! I’m so excited to get started!! :D

Leigh said...

MasterShake13, absolutely congratulations on your new purchase! You have every right to be excited. It's a big step, but I couldn't agree with you more about being able to truly make it your own. There's nothing more rewarding, unless it's building one's own home from scratch!

Unknown said...

Nice post.