How to Dream Designs How to Dream Designs
Get the family involvedWhen we told our son that we had some land in which we could
freely entertain ideas on how to use it, he rather quickly wrote
down a detailed list of what could be its outstanding features.
It's a bit surprising how well his list has held up ... (kind of
scary to see what goes on inside an 12 year-old's mind).
When he made his verbal sketches, he was the "headmaster"
of a virtual Hogwarts school and was steeped in Tolkien.
I present his sketches below, verbatim, not as suggestions
per se, but to encourage you and your family members to
stretch your wings. Just Imagine.
Solar Panels: This way, the home will have power at a cheap,
light required way instead of a $100,000 power line.
(yes, our initial estimate to run power was over $100,000)
Home Theatre (Complete Set): A large, wide screen HD, with a large
selection of DVDs to choose from Sounds average, right? Well, here it goes!
A large selection of candies bought from Sam's Club, plus popcorn.
A cooler filled with multiple pops will also be available.
Observatory: A cozy room with bookshelves of books of knowledge,
forgotten tales, and discovery. The first half of the room is ceiling,
but the second is a spacious indoor patio with all glass window "wall"
that curves like a dome to the top where a oversized skylight gives you
a clear view of the sky for your high point telescope.
Circle of Fire: On the second story in the middle of the entire floor
is the Circle of Fire. A circular Fireplace you can view from multiple
places (like the one in Pancho's) that adds to the rustic lore of Rivendell.
The Landscape: The outdoor part of Rivendell should capture you more
than indoors. Ancient trees still stand, with their saplings rooting. Stepping-stones
lead you to different beautiful places.
The Shrine: The Shrine to Gandalf the Grey is a perfect place to enjoy the
outdoor world. Held up by marble pillars so there is no loss to the view,
the seating here captures your heart. The entire shrine is made of stone,
because in the middle is a fire pit (completely forest-fire-risk free!)
perfect for grilling a dinner or roasting marshmallows on.
The Stables: Not what you expect whenever you hear this name. The stable
is more like a home for snowmobiles, the snowplow, and other utilities so
you don't create you typical "clutter garage". It is still shaped like a stable,
with swinging doors to open it up, and even hay floors in the sties.
Above each sty is the name of the animal, so "Land Cruiser", "Ski-Doo!"
and others feel special. If there isn't room for this feature, we can always
tweak the garage in this fashion.
Peeping Hole: On the lovely front door is your average small hole to see
the person who stops by…or is it? Instead of a small window, a decorative
door head-height lays where you stand, so you can look through and see
your visitor and even talk with locked door.
Tree-Trunk Stairwell: The whole idea of Rivendell is to keep the natural
tranquility throughout the entire home. Just like the tree that grows upward,
your house will seem to be supported by this stairwell. In the middle of the
spiral is a large tree trunk; designed like a real tree with mock roots at it's base,
it keeps growing and even looks as though it lives in the home. You walk on
top of green leaf-shaped stairs.
Wall of Spirits: At first glance, having a wooden wall is just a nice touch to
this woodsy home. But when you give the walls a second glance, though,
your eyes will land on sketches of great scenes: Fangorn Forest, Mount Doom,
Shire life, Orthanc, Gandalf the Grey, Treebeard, Gollem, and countless others
all over the house.
The Kitchen Grove: What do you suppose is the main diet of the elves of Rivendell?
None other than wild boar and fruits. One wall of the kitchen has a large mural of a
peaceful grove, with trees sheltering the edges. "Hanging" from the trees are mossy
baskets, great for storing fruits and vegetables. Hopefully, having the moss will keep
the fruits moist and ripe longer.
Well of Urd: Just like the eternal spring in Scandinavia that feeds the World Tree,
this one feeds the tree-trunk stairwell. At the top of the tree is also a waterfall that
spills down to always keep the well full, and the tree healthy.
Healing Spring: A large bathroom contains a large spring. Shaped just like a spring,
including rock walls and steam, this bathtub's spout falls out in a small crevasse.
Also in crevasses are places to keep soap, Shampoo, and conditioner. A skylight
falls upon the spring as though the gods are giving your bath light, hope, and regeneration.
Just Imagine!
Click here to return to Links to Chapters in "How to Build a Castle in the 21st Century"
Jump to Homes ... Land ... Businesses ... Main Menu ... What's New
© Text & Structure of this site is Copyrighted 5/1/96.