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Category Archive: Build Livable

At a Crossroads ⤲

At a Crossroads ⤲

The post below was sent as an issue of my newsletter, Ready for Rain. My friend Tony asked, when we had just purchased property on Orcas, “What’s next? You’ll build a house and move in… then what?” Sometimes Tony’s questions seem like challenges, but I think he’s...

Designing for Dogs 🦮

Designing for Dogs 🦮

Builders and architects can work wonders, but they won’t live in the house. They won’t use it every day. They don’t have access to the daily rituals and events that fill the day. That information is the domain of the homeowner, who must explain what is needed, a few times, to make sure the house fits with these routines. 

The Westward Wind

The Westward Wind

Despite all the watching and planning, we still didn’t know why the westward wind was happening. That all changed a couple of weeks ago when we hosted a small dinner party that included a retired Coast Guard officer. We talked about the wind and he said, “Oh, that’s a land breeze”. I had heard of a sea breeze before, but never a land breeze. I had to learn more.

The Finished Product: Flattop House 🏡

The Finished Product: Flattop House 🏡

There is a unique point in each house’s life when it’s naked and in it’s purest form. The work is done, but the people haven’t yet moved in. For us that lasted about 24 hours and I took the opportunity to take photos before it’s hidden behind furniture, rugs, and all the things that bring it to life. Below, I’m sharing those photos along with sections of the creative brief from last week.