Cottage 13 (Post-Vegas)

The 2009 International Builders' Show took place last week in Las Vegas, and by all accounts, was a pretty somber affair, considering some estimates predict 50% of all builders - large and small - won't be around when this economy turns around. Ironically, Las Vegas is the foreclosure capital of the Country.

Pretty cool event, with thousands of vendors spread out over a few acres at the Convention Center in Vegas. Coincidently, the Miss America Pagent was being held at our hotel the same days we were there.

Here's a big city shot the night before we left, at Happy Hour, at the Stratsophere, the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

Off the top of this very tall building were amusement park rides that cantilevered out into the air, 108 stories up. Definitely learned a lot about myself while free-floating so far high up, and I got to tell you, it's not the type of stories you share voluntarily.

The convention floor.

Now, Cottage 13 is getting closer to finish each and every day, and like I said last week, Dean should be the proud owner within a few weeks, leaving just enough winter to fully appreciate springtime. Here is the drive leading to his wooded homesite.

The front elevation - metal roof, clapboard siding, simple square handrail, nice porch and nice architectural lines.

Side elevation, looking into the fireplace room and the kitchen by the bump out. Some nice ledgestone on the chimney and foundation.

View rounding the back, with the exposed rafter porch roof, which next summer will be transformed into a screened-in porch.

And the final side view. This siding and the stain makes this house appear to be several centuries old, and as far as I am concerned, looks really good.
Another front view, with the sun sinking, temps around 5 degrees.


Going down the stairs....

and 3 handmade barn doors yet to be hung...

and the great looking 4 panel shaker-style interior doors.

big shower heads for big shower...

and curtis and alvin in the kitchen.

typing slow and lower case cause i got my boy in my other arm.

very cold and big storm on the way.