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Mar 23
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Stylish Modern Straw Bale House Built From Scratch

By Straw Bale Building

Straw bale house

I will never cease to appreciate and ogle natural homes built by hand. Pretty spaces warm the heart.

I came across this stylish straw bale house pretty randomly, and was impressed with the unique style — check it out. I think this house is bigger than something I would ever consider building (just based on the sounds of it, and from the look of some of the images. I like to think homes should be kept as small and functional as possible.)

But anyway, inspiring images — check out the stunning timber frame details, the floors, nice lighting, and…. that kitchen — weird! Maybe it’s the angle, but that seems like a funky space — I want to see more of it to understand what is going on there.

I get excited thinking about all of the details that we will eventually put into our own straw bale house, and trying to imagine what the final space will look like, once I’m inside, sitting in the rocking chair, or looking out the window into the greenhouse to see how the plants are faring.

Mar 20
Love0

My Cob House in Chinese Fashion Magazine (?!)

By Photos, Media
grace magazine - cob house

Gobcobatron featured in GRACE of China

The most recent magazine to feature my cob house, Gobcobatron, is Grace of China. It’s kinda like Vogue, I think. But in Chinese. They did a full five pages on us, so maybe mud houses are trendy or something over there? I have no clue what the article says… translation anyone?

Check it out! (Click for large!)

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Mar 15
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Handmade, Hand Forged Axes: Amazing Blacksmithing Video by John Neeman

By Timber Framing, Hand Tools

John Neeman is a small outfit making stunning quality, hand forged woodworking and timber framing tools in Latvia. Their work is impressive on multiple fronts (including this gorgeous documentary). Very inspiring.

I will have more information about John Neeman tools up in the coming weeks, as they are planning to launch an online store in the near future. (I’ve got a broad axe coming from them, too.)

Yea for traditional skills and blacksmithing!

p.s. Today is the last day to save 20% off the 2012 Timber Framing course! We may even get to use that handmade John Neeman broad axe during the workshop…

Mar 12
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3 Days Left to Save 20% Off Timber Frame Workshop

By Timber Framing, Workshops

timber framing workshop 2012Timber Frame Workshop 2012 Update!

Here’s a friendly reminder for all the prospective natural builders and timber framers out there.

There are only 3 days left to qualify for the Extra Early Registration Discount for this year’s Timber Framing Workshop.

You can SAVE 20% by applying now — that’s a savings of $400. And don’t forget — spaces are limited. All experience levels are welcome.

After March 15, there is still an Early Registration Discount, which is 10% off the tuition.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for applying! Hope to see you soon.

Mar 07
Love0

Short Film Shot in Cob House: DOG SHAMAN’s JOURNEY

By Video

I had a whole lot of fun a few weeks ago making this short film with April and our dog, Pug (the pug). It’s called DOG SHAMAN’s JOURNEY and features a character we made up over a year ago, Dog Shaman, the small dog whisperer. Err. Maybe you should just watch it, and then you’ll understand.

Anyway, parts of this short film were shot in my cob house, which despite its small size, actually worked out pretty well for a set.

Check it out below.

p.s. Watch in high quality!

Mar 01
Love2

Building a Light Clay Straw (Straw-Clay) House

By Light Clay Straw

Interested in learning more about light clay straw (or straw-clay, or ‘leichtlehm’) construction? My friend Jacob over at Red Earth Farms whipped up this handy guide to building with straw-clay. Inside you’ll find advice for dealing with framing your home, how to protect the walls from the elements, making light clay straw and finishing the walls with plaster, and more good stuff. Check it out below.

straw-clay walls

Jacob’s light clay straw home

One Straw Revolution: Light Clay Straw Construction

by Jacob Schmidt

This is an introduction to light clay straw construction (a.k.a. “straw-clay”). In the summer of 2010, I started construction on my first house (20 ft. x 12 ft.). It was stud framed with light clay straw infill. I had helped with other natural building projects and had some conventional experience. This article is the product of all of my mistakes (and few successes) so that you, my fellow builder, do not have to walk the road that I have. Fortunately for y’all I built a chicken coop in 2011, and that helped me to learn more about building correctly with light clay straw. (One mistake being I should have done the coop first, but at least my chickens are happy.) Read More

Feb 29
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Lime Plaster and Lime Wash on Cob or Straw Bale Wall

By Lime Plaster, Clay Plaster
limewash

Applying a lime wash in Gobcobatron

This year, I added a layer of lime plaster to the bottom half of the wall in my house. The idea was that adding some extra alkalinity to the surface would deter surface mold growth — although it’s been so mild this winter that I haven’t actually been able to determine if it makes a difference! (Remember that last year I was having terrible mold and condensation problems on the bottom of my walls during the coldest parts of year.)

Well, the thing that I actually want to talk about is — wow, I love the half earthen plaster and half lime plaster look! Having lived with it for several months now, I know that I want to try something like this in our new straw bale house. But next time it will be even easier than how I did it this time.

Read More

Feb 27
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The Year of Mud Gets a Brand New Look

By Uncategorized

You may have noticed that The Year of Mud has gotten a bit of a design overhaul recently. The theme has been changed, and along with that, the navigation up top has been simplified — hopefully you can find what you need more easily and clearly now.

Check it out and leave your feedback if you have anything to share. Thanks for reading!

p.s. Did you know you can also get to The Year of Mud at https://theyearofmud.com? Oh yea.