Monday, March 24, 2014

Restoring a Handöl Wood Stove for our Guest House



   How is this for instant gratification? We bought this Handöl wood stove in bad condition and I spent some time (quite a bit actually) cleaning, polishing, welding, resealing, and reassembling this little classic. It is made of a cast iron frame that holds together many pieces of soapstone and cast iron ports (ash clean out, stoking door, and exhaust port out the back of the stove). More pictures and details of the restoration after the jump.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Dreaming of the Right Kind of Stairs & Avoiding Bad Weather and Work

  So it has been a return winter this week and I've been hiding inside waiting and hoping for spring to return. Feeling guilty about not working directly on the house or property I have been distracting myself with stair ideas. Here is what we have and then our considerations after the jump where you can see some of the options and thoughts that we have for the new stairs.

 Here is a small picture of our current stairs. They are nice and help us get to the second floor. That is about all. Otherwise they are in the wrong place in the house, as seen to the right. The stairs are on the right of that picture. They will be moved to the left foreground of the picture as the space behind the chimney will   become two bedrooms.

 Here is the first idea-
And of course the I saved the best for last.....


The steel and wood combination is a common preference that you will see in the next few pictures. This one is great because the box steel construction is a solid option that will not twist as you run up it.
  This is an often overlooked detail when architects design a stair case and specify a centered "I" beam. Even with extra stabilization of the had rail, while totally safe, the shake and jiggle like jello.





Thursday, March 20, 2014

Spring Snow


   We just had a wonderful spring day as the last day of winter and then we get this as the first day of spring. Needless to say the snow slowed down outdoor activities and the grey dampened spirits. Oh well. Start a fire and get out the lights it is time to work under cover!

Monday, March 17, 2014

Getting Started


  Bjorkliden is well insulated with trees. Many of the trees block not only any views but also much light. So we have carefully selected some trees for removal. Since we both enjoy trees and enjoy the protection they offer from the sun and wind, we limited our choices to removing trees that are sick and block the most sunlight on the house and in the yard.
   In the end three birch (bjork) are to be removed in front of the house and three birch and two aspen (asp) on the south side of the house. Above is the before picture for the front of the house after the jump is an after as well as the pictures from the south of the house.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Welcome!


  Welcome to Björkilden! My wife Barbro and I moved to Sweden a year and a half ago and with some  luck we were able to rent our house before we made an offer to buy. As one may gather from the first picture of the blog it is a perfect example of a Swedish home complete with apple trees, red painted house, many extra buildings and of course a flag pole!
  This picture was taken in the spring last year as all the buds were just beginning to form. At the same time we were also beginning to form out ideas about our new home and how we would like to use it and live in it. Now with a few plans we are ready to begin forming this beautiful little piece of home and land.
  In the next few posts we will show you what we are starting with in the house and out on the land.
See you soon!