I recently took a three day solo motorcycle trip around Lake Huron, a few days of "alone in my helmet with my thoughts" time. Just as I start to unwind as I roll north on #23 thru Alpena, Michigan I have to brake HARD…not to avoid any road bound trouble but to make sure I don't sail past one of the most impressive stone houses I have ever seen (and there are some stunning stone houses out there…remember this one? Maybe this beauty. Or, wow!

​The owner was cutting his grass and gave me a knowing smile as I grabbed my camera, it would seem he is used to the attention his home draws. Everywhere you look there is interesting detail on the "Henry House", which was completed in 1904. Two storey stone houses are quite rare, and I love the way the randomness of the stone shapes and colors plays off against the more formal style and wood details of the eaves, porch and turret. One interesting detail is the outer edge of the circular porch roof being supported by only one column. A fabulous house, looking out over the water and an obviously proud and attentive owner - old house done right!

Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.

Build is proud to be a member of the Timber Framers Guild, a worldwide nonprofit association of timber framers. Timber framing is construction using larger wood pieces which are shaped and locked together. Often, timbers are finely prepared because they remain exposed which also exposes the skill of the craftsman involved. 

Last year we partook in two separate timber framing joinery workshops at Whippletree near Peterborough. We are looking forward to using our expanded skills on upcoming timber frame projects. 

The benefits of honing our handcrafting skills go beyond just timber framing, as this centuries old craft finds its way into our everyday construction work. 

Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.

Our recreation of the Summerhouse from the Ashhurst Estate in Mount Holly, NJ is taking form. The bell curve, six foot tall, wooden roof skeleton will be covered in copper by a local metalsmith. With only one black and white photo in existence, we can only estimate the surface material originally used. But we do think the natural patina of a weathered copper roof will suit this building beautifully. 

We will continue to post progress reports on our blog as we move forward. If you are interested in obtaining this historic piece for your own garden, let us know!

Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire is a unique heritage community which covers the history of four centuries and generations of immigrants transforming into American citizens. The majority of the buildings sit on their original sites but some have been moved here to be saved from demolition. In some cases a single building may show restorations from different centuries for comparison. It is fascinating to walk into an 18th century home with a garden of the time period and then visit a World War II era grocery store on the same block. The museum's archaeology department has an interesting blog discussing current events and finds from the ongoing digs in the area.

A trip to New England would not be complete without a visit to Boston, MA. A small city rich in history, the downtown is a contrast of beautiful historic buildings and contemporary structures. Many of its most interesting buildings were also at the centre of the American Revolution, such as Paul Revere house, The Old State House and Faneuil Hall which now houses a great marketplace. The most impressive building to us was The Boston Public Library McKim Building with its classic elegance beautifully restored. Every inch is a spectacle, John Singer Sargent paintings; bronze doors; walls, floors and vaulted ceilings of marble; murals by Edwin Austin Abbey and twin marble lions on pedestals. 

Finally, an American holiday for house geeks can not be complete without a Frank Lloyd Wright house in the mix. We found this example of Wright's usonian house design, The Zimmerman House in Manchester, NH. Being the consummate control freak, Wright designed the house, the interiors, all of the furniture and the gardens. The house is owned by the Currier Museum of Art and still houses the Zimmermans' personal collection of modern art, pottery and sculpture.

The crisp and colourful delights of October remind me of our driving tour of New England two autumns ago. We are house geeks and our holidays generally consist of viewing architecture, taking home tours, visiting art galleries and enjoying local foods. This visit to the eastern seaboard was no exception. 

Providence, RI is the home of one of the country's best design schools, The Rhode Island School of Design, so it was a must to visit. The RISD Museum of art is high on my list of best design museums in the world. Their collection covers from decorative art to contemporary art to textiles. Serendipitously, we arrived during the annual RISD alumni fall art sale and purchased a lovely vase from this lovely guy (which included ten days of fretting about its safe return home).

In Newport, RI, we took a day to tour the infamous Newport Mansions. The most well-known, The Breakers, was a summer cottage of the Vanderbilts at the turn of the century. The 70 room, Italian Renaissance-style palazzo is a National Historic Landmark. The decoration of the rooms is grandiose and extravagant but the highlight is the children's playhouse on the grounds. 

Our favourite of the mansions, is a humble, shingle-style residence, The Isaac Bell House. Designed by New York architectural firm, McKim, Mead and White, it was an early example of the influence of arts and crafts design in America and the mesh of European and Japanese influence. As a work in progress, it was fascinating to witness the detective work which went into the reconstruction of the interior. 

And, we are also diner geeks. Our search for a decent breakfast at a reasonable price in downtown Newport brought us to Gary's Handy Lunch, where 70 years plus, Gary, still makes fresh oatmeal every day. 

Stay tuned for part two: New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Catherine Cassidy is a Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.

For the past 40 years each May, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust celebrates the architect's groundbreaking career by holding a Wright Housewalk Tour in Oak Park, Illinois. 

In 2013, we were excited to attend the tour in connection with a trip to Chicago. The tour consisted of eight private homes designed by FLW and his contemporaries, plus access to a number of landmark buildings, including his home and studio in Oak Park and the outstanding Robie House of Chicago (one of PBS TV's Ten Buildings That Changed America). The walk was long and the tours were quick but overall it was a fantastic day to experience his interpretation of Victorian style architecture and the dawning Prairie style.

An infamous Wright house which wasn't on the tour but can be seen in Oak Park is the Edwin H. Cheney House. The lady of the house, Mamah Borthwick had a love affair with Wright which eventually led to her horrific demise in Taliesin. A fictional account, Loving Frank, shares the story of this relationship from Mamah's perspective, a juicy read if you are stuck in a line up on the Oak Park tour.

This year is the 125th Anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois. To celebrate the FLW Trust has chosen an All Wright 2014 Housewalk with a selection of homes exclusively designed by Wright. These are private homes not normally open to the public, and architectural fans travel from all over the world to experience them. If you are a fan of American architecture this tour is a great segue to a weekend in Chicago.

Catherine Cassidy is a Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.

We have outgrown our current shop digs and have been searching around the city/area for something suitable in the way of shop and office space. Something old and funky like the Kellys Gingernut Pub discovered on a recent trip to Cape Charles, Virginia would be fitting. 

Originally a 1907 bank building, it's nice to see old structures live on to other uses. Modern structures lack the style and wonderful craftsmanship that this Federal style building struts. I was instantly drawn to the ornamentation of the brickwork, the pleasing proportions and the simple but refined shape and scale. 

Alas, it seems Stratford is lacking in fun old industrial space (factories, shops, creameries and blacksmiths shops) perhaps I will need to build my own. If you have any leads on such a space I would love to know about them. Perhaps a list of Stratford's favourite old buildings is in the works.

A recent drive thru the town of Madoc uncovered a wonderful gem of an old stone house. Note to self: always carry the big camera as this photo was taken with my iphone and doesn't do this home justice. 

Wonderful variety and scale in both the stone and wood works, including a quatrefoil pattern in the gable over the door. Love the covered entry and the three bay window as well. The lovely detailed gables echo the Lancet window arches. Generous discounts to prospective clients wanting to replicate this beautiful home.

PS. I am not the only one to admire this house. Notice the cover of this book, Old Ontario Houses, which I just found!

Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.

A holiday drive to the Carolinas, offered a plethora of beautiful houses for inspiration. While certainly not the largest (or widest!) or imposing house we saw in Charleston, this one nonetheless impressed me with it's proportions and simple adornment. 

Notice the shutters done right, the front door with its transom and canopy, and the pleasing texture of the siding. 

Strolling through this neighbourhood had me wondering why our new housing developments can be so poorly planned and full of absolutely ugly houses... we only have to look back to find our inspiration. 

Anyone know of any narrow lots available?

Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.

We swung thru Pennsylvania to visit two gems by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Kentuck Knob, an example of one of his Usonian homes (affordable for the "common" person) which was built into a hillside. This residential home, built in 1956, was one of FLW's last designs. 

Only 4 km, from Kentuck Knob is the iconic, Fallingwater. Designed and built in 1935, it is listed in the Smithsonian's Life List of 28 places to visit before you die. It was so impressive, I would say, see it twice before you die.

Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.