Artisan/Craftsman Dirk Nelson’s House is like one of my Harvest Tables… on steroids!…
Dirk Nelson, a friend of mine, owns and operates a construction company, named Free Range Building Company, in Walla Walla. His latest project is a house that he built at 1250 Reser Road in WW.
Dirk Nelson in his house
I had the opportunity to see the house while it was under construction and once again at a recent Open House. It is simply amazing! In fact the first time I toured Dirk’s house the beauty of the reclaimed material construction and finish literally gave me “goosebumps”!
When I first visited Dirk’s house, I thought that I was a pretty good table builder. However the craftsmanship and the attention to artistic detail that is evident in his work humbled me! I think that I heard that it took Dirk three years to build the house – his work is like one of my Harvest Tables on steroids!
Second Story "Patio and Entry"... notice how the "pavers" meet the large slabs of reclaimed concrete...
You will have another opportunity to see it when Dirk hosts another Open House, May 6- 7- 8. Check Dirk’s website http://www.freerangebuilding.com for more details. There are great photographs on this site!
I’ve asked Dirk about his design process but I’m still not sure what comes first… the design or the materials. He did tell me that he first designs and draws everything out on a computer CAD program before he starts any construction.
It is clear that the accumulated reclaimed materials influence his design. In fact he had some of the materials for eighteen years before he built the house.
There is a growing artisan community in Walla Walla and Dirk tapped into these resources as he built the house. A symbiotic relationship has developed where each of us helps the other in what ever way we can. For example, Dirk asked me for advice on how to create a weathered white finish on wood. In return he gave me some weathered 4″ x 4″ posts that I needed for legs for a table that I was building.
"White Washed" walls, reclaimed beams, bolts and timber washers on the second floor
It is exciting that in the Valley of the Two Wallas, we can “pool our resources” to create works that are greater than any of us could have done on our own. You should take the opportunity to tour Dirk’s house – it is simply a huge piece of art!
Great job Dirk!!!!
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