It funny to me that i am even writing this now because i am a ghost writer. Even though no one really reads this stuff there is something to be said for putting your thoughts in one place on cyberspace and leaving them for myself or others later. I always tried to write a journal when i was growing up but i never got past the second page. Anyway enough of this...
I met with my architect, Davin Fillpot, with
Page Southerland Page Austin. Davin is a gift from above. I mean this when I say it. I met Davin years ago when we built the Regents Private School in Austin. He worked for
Jackson Galloway at the time. I called Davin several months ago to let him know about the grand opening for the Travis Camp ribbon cutting for the
Austin Sunshine Camps. Davin donated his architectural services for our new travis camp located on Lake Travis. Red McCombs donated almost a million dollars to build us a new camp. Anyway, when i called davin i told him i've been working on building a new office building. Thats not entirely accurate. I purchased the land two years ago, its located just off mopac in Austin.
While talking to Davin i realized he would be the right person and architect to take my drawings, a hundred or so sketchs on paper, make sense of them, get the proportions right and build the building in autocad. Davin is really talented, more he understands the vision I have for the office building. In the past I've driven to selected small towns in Texas, like martindale, hico, hamilton, gatesville, taking pictures of things i see that speak to me. I sometimes draw the things I most wish to incorporate into the office building. I dont do Davin justice when i say that he is putting the project into autocad. He has patiently listened to my vision. We met for lunch at
Lamberts downtown so he could show me his progress. He showed me an impressive study of old building and then two concepts. Both were excellent. We decided elements of both with make up the next set of elevation. I will post the preliminary concept elevation we settle on.
I bought this a month ago. I was drawn to the color but unfortunately its not original to the 1947 Willys CJ2A. What I found out when I brought it home is the original color was Normandy blue (Navy Blue). I was thrilled. I plan on painting the wheels a dirty white (almost white with some hints of wheat). Some might call it tennis court white. The body will be navy blue and the frame will also remain true to its original black.
Here are some of my initial thoughts: It needs to have a steep gable roof, probably wood clading (likely shiplap), a simple deck. (Pause) now this is key, it needs to have a steep ladder up to a sleeping loft. I expect to have a iron stove for warmth, and no AC. Hunter original Hotel series fan will do fine with triple windows down each of the sides of the cabin. Paint color to be determined, but i really like the paint colors from Farrow & ball. Go this from Urban Grace blog and I ordered a color wheel. Floor boards will be reclaimed pitch pine planks (penstripe pine). wainscot at the walls will be bead board from discovery. 
They have a beadboard that is planned leaving the paint in the route joint. I think this is a great looking wainscot. Rustic but not texas rustic - the rusty star hanging on the wall kind of rustic. Did that make any sense? I am playing with the idea of having an exterior staircase up to the second floor at the front of the house. Steep set of stairs to an hole in the second floor, maybe a trap door. To avoid some plumbing and given our warm texas climate I think an outdoor shower is in order. To screen the shower users I perscribe straight 1.5" dia cedar posts with bark lashed together. The house will be supported by 10 drystack stone footings. Unrelated, I found this table at pieces of the past in johnson city, texas. 
It is an old home economics table, dates to the 30's or 40's is my guess. I love it, but cant bring myself to spend the 1,000 dollars Kathy is asking.
I don't ride but I appreciate good work when i see it. Mellow Johnny's bike shop is Lance Armstrongs new shop in austin. The Architect, Michael Hsu, transformed this old building into an industrial work of art. 
the wood came from my parents barn. its pretty old wood but not old enough to have square nails. the table in the picture was made from wood dating back to the mid 1800's and i removed handmade square nails. i love the family table. the purpose was to build a table where the kids could all do their homework and we could eat together as a family. the joints are all mortise and tenon. took forever. the pine for the table came from discovery antiques in gonzales, Texas. (http://www.discoverys.com/) best reclaimed building inventory in the southwest.
2. shaw original sink
