August 7, 2017

A Decorative Touch for the Barn

I have a little more progress on the barn to report. Remember this photo from my last barn post?

2 posts in the middle of the barn to support the hay loft.

Dan wanted to add kneebraces to those posts but was concerned about us bumping our heads on them. So he decided to make small curved knee braces.



They took some extra time but I like them!

He also finished the floor joists for the hay loft.


The loft will only cover 2/3 of the goat area, which we think will be plenty of room for hay. Pretty soon he'll be able to get started on the roof!

Next time I'll show you what Dan found on top of the barn the other day. It was definitely a surprise!

Next > "Ship's Ladder for the Hay Loft"

26 comments:

Goatldi said...

Love the kneebraces! A nice almost decorative choice. I am curious as to what Dan found on the barn roof now. No fair lol!

Leigh said...

Thanks! ;)

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

It looks to good to store hay in, I'd want to live in there. It looks beautiful.

Leigh said...

Tania, Dan has always had a dream to build a log cabin, but I'm afraid this is going to be as close as it gets to that! It will definitely be a good sturdy structure for goats, hay, and milking room.

jewlz said...

Its absolutely beautiful! My guess for the found item is: snake.

Unknown said...

What a blessing for Dan to have the skill to build your barn. We will be talking to a builder this week about having a barn built.

Leigh said...

Jewlz, good guess! Come back later this week to find out if you are right. :)

Ruth, I am truly blessed to have a husband like Dan. For us, it's the difference between being able to homestead or not. He's a true "jack of all trades," but he would credit YouTube! LOL. There isn't anything on there that a body can't learn to do.

Unknown said...

I like them too.... (still alive down here)

Meanie said...

Wow! Barn and curved braces look great!
Did Dan know he was so talented?
Do you know that building rustic homes like this are in high demand?
...And this is just your goat barn???
Fancy stuff Leigh.!;-)
:-)

Ed said...

Once again this is more art sculpture than a goat building!

Mrs Shoes said...

Dan really has the mindset (& skillset) of an old-timer; adding the decorative touches alongside the utilitarian is making this barn as much an art project as a functional barn. I wonder if, a couple of hundred years from now, people might think your barn is many, many years older that 2017. Wonderful, really.

Quinn said...

Beautiful.

Donna OShaughnessy said...

I just posted a barn update too! Ours is more hodge podgy in appearance, we have a "diversity" of posts going in. Some new, some old, some short, some tall. As long as it provides shelter for the critters. YOUR barn looks like it could be a lovely home!

Michelle said...

This looks great! Looking forward to the surprise! lol

Leigh said...

Lynda! Good to hear from you! Have you given up blogging?

Meanie, actually Dan would love to build a home for us. That was our original plan before we found this property, but with a house already on it, we just got to work with other things. He is a talented guy and I'm thankful for him.

Ed, it's going to be the fanciest goat barn ever! LOL

Mrs. Shoes, it's funny but builders used to add personal touches as a matter of pride. Quality has been downgraded so low that I'm guessing most folks wouldn't think of doing that anymore. Hopefully it will be standing long after we're gone!

Quinn, thanks!

Donna, how funny. I'm on my way. Of course, Keith has been able to scavenge materials for quite awhile now. Dan doesn't have that luxury, but we've got a lot of pine we can mill!

Michelle, thanks! Next post will reveal the surprise. :)

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Those knee braces are really nice! Those goats will be living in style! Nancy

Mama Pea said...

What a beautiful structure! Dan is a genius. A talented genius.

Sam I Am...... said...

That is one stylish barn! How did Dan learn how to do all that? I'm always curious as my father was a carpenter and taught me nothing as it was evidently a "man's" domain in his mind. I have always wanted to learn how to build things for my home but could never find any books that assumed you didn't know anything! LOL! I have since come across a few females that are now sharing their knowledge and Ana in Alaska has some great plans and instructions on Pinterest and some books too, I think. I hope she will be able to teach me something! I have the tools but need to learn tool safety also. Dan should really be patted on the back for such a beautiful and painstaking job! It's beautiful!

Susan said...

That is going to be a beautiful barn! And how wonderful to have the hay right there!!! (BTW, I am soooo glad to finally be able to comment!)

Rain said...

Hi Leigh :) That's a great design! Beautiful workmanship. I love how much enthusiasm you both have, it's going look great and be super functional! I can't wait for the next surprise :)

Leigh said...

Nancy, the thing about goats is that they won't even care! LOL

Mama Pea, I agree, although all he sees are the flaws. ;)

Sam I Am, Dan would tell you YouTube! His dad wasn't much on showing him how to do things, but he did want a go-for, so Dan learned a lot by observing. Of course he had shop in school, but he also took home ec! I've always wished our school had offered shop classes for the girls. Women need to know how to use tools and men need to know how to cook and sew. Unfortunately, I don't think anybody is being taught any of those skills anymore.

Susan, thanks! The comment problem was "embedded" comments I think. I like how conversational they can be, but when I couldn't even comment on my own blog it was time to change the comment format!

Rain, enthusiasm gets us started, commitment gets the job finished. :) Next surprise tomorrow!

Renee Nefe said...

I realized that I hadn't heard from you in a while and knew it was because I hadn't been checking. oopsie. Nice to see all your progress.

Leigh said...

Renee, good to hear from you! I haven't posted blog links to facebook in
a long while either. :)

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

Love the braces Dan made they're perfect!

Leigh said...

Hi Sandy, yes! They are a really nice touch.

M.K. said...

Very nice - beautiful work!