millertime

Creative architecture...need to add on to your home but you cannot afford expensive building materials? Got a bunch of insulated exterior doors lying around? Then presto! You got yourself an exterior wall! I want to be clear here, even though I've poked fun at some local architecture before http://mrimomma.blogspot.com/2007/02/here-are-some-fine-examples-of.html#links I actually mean no disrespect to these resourceful builders. In fact........here's another property I admire near my home. This is the first time I've seen someone update a farmhouse with siding where it came out very cute and unique! They're even updating the barn to match-awesome!Then we have a couple building methods which can also be economical and creative-straw bale building and cordwood building. I stumbled upon these ideas while reading Mother Earth News magazine several years ago, and I've always wanted to try something like this myself. Even though the straw bale method looks funny going up, the end result can be downright elegant! Here's a couple links for more info http://www.strawhomes.com and http://www.balewatch.com/ . My favorite feature here is the crazy-efficient insulating qualities the straw bales have-a boost in any climate.

As for cordwood building...I love the patterns you can make with the wood-like a log home but much cheaper! Nice thick walls provide super insulation, and better still...
...you can even incorporate bottles! Just imagine the sun shining through those...stunning! Here's a couple links for your surfing pleasure
http://www.green-trust.org/cordwood.htm and http://www.daycreek.com/dc/HTML/allthingscordwood.htm . You may wonder why I'm veering off the garden topic to ponder home construction...I'm brainstorming a major renovation to my place within a few years, and this is what happens!