Storybook Homes

14 Comments

1. Fred 14 Nov 2006

   Interested in the story book roof design structure, The eves in particular.
   Rolling the edges.Placing of framing
   to accomplish this. sculpting?

2. Samuel 15 Nov 2006

   Fred,
   Thanks for the great question. One way to create the rolled eaves is to “scab” on additional cut pieces of plywood in the shape of the roll you are after. This shaped piece is also referred to as a fabricated framing component. This shape can be anything you want, a full round or a half-round, or any shape you wish.
   This new piece is attached to the end of each truss or rafter and sometimes the wall (depending on the size of the roll or shape of this piece). These ends are then braced by lumber (2×4’s for example, which are nailed through the plywood and into the ends of the 2×4) which run perpendicular to the rafter/truss ends between each new attached piece so that they don’t shimmy and shake.

   The next step is to nail the thin strips of plywood/sheathing or 1×4’s on top of the ends which span these new fabricated roof ends so that the roofing materials (tar paper,shingles, etc.) can then be attached in the normal fashion.
   The easiest roofing material to bend around these rolled eaves are asphalt shingles because they are so flexible. Cedar shakes are used but are steamed to create the curve, while clay tiles can also be used if they are curved in the production process before they are dried.
   We think rolled eaves are fantastic and give so much charm and character to the cottage, we just love them!
   Best of luck with your project.

3. Andrew McElroy 21 Nov 2006

   I would like to know if you have any actual photos of storybook home no.25 a two story cottage.If so could you email me and what builder would you recommend I live in dallas,Tx. area.I have added and modified your drawing and would like to see if you could help me with the addition and cost to do make the change .I can email you my rough copy. PS.PLEASE HELP I LOVE THIS HOME

4. Samuel 21 Nov 2006

   Andrew,
   No actual photos of this cottage yet, wished we had some. We will post some when we have them in the future, maybe it will be your cottage??
   We would love to see your “rough copy”, please email it to us, we will look it over and talk with you about it and then give you an estimate on the cost for us to do the changes.

   We have a custom cottage being built in Colleyville, Texas (northwest of Dallas) right now for a client, Castlegate Homes is the builder, they do exquisite work, not sure if they build outside of their area however.

   Andrew, we look forward to working with you on this project, because WE LOVE THIS COTTAGE also!!!!

5. A. Reed 4 Jan 2007

   Are there any books for helping people get into the “cottage mindset” and adjust to living in a smaller space? For example, going from a traditional ranch-home to living in a cottage, one might have to pair-down and readjust their ideas about “stuff.” (People always tell me that I have too much stuff!) Is there any literature with organization tips that you can recommend to help people get used to the “cottage lifestyle?”

6. Tina 5 Jan 2007

   A. Reed,

   I have some references for you, some favorites of my very organized and un-cluttered sister-in-law, check out the author Deniece Scholfield, she has several books about un-cluttering and organizing your home. Her other favorite, Don Aslett’s Clutter’s Last Stand. My friend’s personal favorite on the subject is the television show Clean Sweep on TLC. Another great reference is The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka, she has other books and a web site as well. Hopefully these references will get you on your way. I think we could all use a little simplification in our lives.

7. Kate 10 Mar 2007

   Hi, I live in the Columbus, Ohio area and was wondering if you could give me some sort of general price range for what it would cost to build a Storybook Home that is around 2000 sq. ft. Also, when you use the term “total project cost,” does that include EVERYTHING involved in building the house? Thank you! Kate

8. Tina 12 Mar 2007

   Kate,
   Great question and probably our most frequently ask. The real answer is “it depends”. http://storybookhomes.biz/2006/09/27/cost-to-build-a-storybook-home/ is a blog on our web site that will also address your question. Cost to build can range from $75/s.f. to $400+/s.f., for the structure, not including land/property. We might suggest interviewing a few reliable builders and finding out what they would estimate, since they are familiar with building costs in your particular area. We have found in the past that as the home owner, you have great control over how much your cottage will cost to build. You can make decisions that will make a great difference in price. For example, if you choose real slate or hand made clay tile the cost will be more than using a cementatious tile or an architectural shingle. If you choose wide plank hard wood floors throughout or parquet flooring, that will end up being more expensive than carpeting or laminate flooring. Windows: There are extremely high end windows that are copper clad, or panes that are individually divided… they will run you more than a standard double pane window with pre-made grids from Home Depot. I am sure you get the gist. What I would suggest is choosing the things that are most important to you, like: Windows or chimney pots or roofing or plumbing fixtures or doors, etc. Then say I am not going to compromise on these things. This is what I want. Then on the areas that aren’t so critical you can make choices that are less expensive, but will still fit the bill. We have some wonderful preferred vendors on our web site and they have ranges of products and can also help you with estimating the cost of your cottage. I hope this is helpful information. Best of luck!

9. Tim 5 Nov 2007

   You mention steaming cedar shakes to make them bend. What is this process? Does it require a special steamer or do you simply place the shakes over boiling water?

10. Samuel 5 Nov 2007

    Yes, it does require a special steamer. However I’ve seen several “homemade” contraptions which work for boards and shingles, the apparatus simply traps (without pressurizing) the steam for a determinate amount of time to allow the wood to absorb the steam. Different woods require different steaming times. I recommend contacting Custom Cedar Solutions (on our Preferred Vendor page under ROOFING) for more specifics and some beautiful photos of steamed shakes on Storybook Homes.

11. Victoria 27 Mar 2008

    I have a question about windows. We won’t be able to afford to build a storybook cottage, but we currently live in a cottage that we are trying to add storybook features too as we remodel. We can’t do everything we want to do because of budget constraints, so we are focusing on things that will give us the most cottage look. We are going to be redoing our windows and can’t find windows with the diamond panes in them, only the colonial type squares. They would be better than what we have now, but I have my heart set on the diamonds. Know any where that sells them?

12. Samuel 27 Mar 2008

    Yes, Victoria, give Jim Hyland a call, he is wonderful to work with and can produce your beloved Diamond Pane windows for you. His link and contact information is on our Preferred Vendor Page on our web site.
    Best of luck, we’d like to see pictures of your cottage sometime.

13. Trudy Fagan 22 Jul 2008

    We have designed and are building our own storybook house and I am having trouble planning the kitchen. We do not see pictures of them very often. Original European storybook kitchens were , I’m sure very primitive and simple so how can we incorporate storybook into our kitchens? We are having our cabinets made by a carpenter and we are going to finish them, that is the most affordable way we have come up with. I want a light and creamy colored distressed finish but don’t know how to go about this or how to adorn the cabinets to give them a look straight out of Hansel and Gretel!! Thank you for any help or ideas!!

14. Becky 24 Jul 2008

    Hi. I wanted to know if anyone has photographed any of the storybook homes in Dallas, TX. There are some really nice ones and they are being torn down at an alarming rate to build large million dollar homes, especially in the university area. It is sad to think that they are not being preserved,at least in some form. Thanks, Becky