The Tassell Dome: Rocked by hand and beautiful

Stoned and beautiful – Karen and Dan Tassell’s Monolithic Dome home sits on six acres just outside of Magonolia, Texas.

Stoned and beautiful – Karen and Dan Tassell’s Monolithic Dome home sits on six acres just outside of Magonolia, Texas. (Dan Tassell)

Enter please! – Karen used her artistic talents in decorating her and Dan’s dome-home.

Enter please! – Karen used her artistic talents in decorating her and Dan’s dome-home. (Dan Tassell)

The right size – The Tassell dome has a diameter of 53 feet, a height of 18 feet, a main living area of 2200 square feet and a loft with 425 square feet.

The right size – The Tassell dome has a diameter of 53 feet, a height of 18 feet, a main living area of 2200 square feet and a loft with 425 square feet. (Dan Tassell)

Gracious living – A generous, open area that includes living room, dining room and kitchen dominates the downstairs.

Gracious living – A generous, open area that includes living room, dining room and kitchen dominates the downstairs. (Dan Tassell)

Going up! – A spiral staircase leads to the loft that circles about two-thirds of the dome’s interior. It has space for two bedrooms and a bath, should the Tassells decide to add.

Going up! – A spiral staircase leads to the loft that circles about two-thirds of the dome’s interior. It has space for two bedrooms and a bath, should the Tassells decide to add. (Dan Tassell)

Collections – The Tassells’ hobbies include collecting. Karen has an extensive doll collection and Dan collects mugs and steins.

Collections – The Tassells’ hobbies include collecting. Karen has an extensive doll collection and Dan collects mugs and steins. (Dan Tassell)

Comfortable work space – Appliances, cupboards and counters in the kitchen are arranged for efficiency and comfort.

Comfortable work space – Appliances, cupboards and counters in the kitchen are arranged for efficiency and comfort. (Dan Tassell)

Master bedroom – Furnishing the master bedroom marked the beginning of the moving-in process. Dan said that Karen began just as soon as he hung the first clothes rod in the master bedroom closet.

Master bedroom – Furnishing the master bedroom marked the beginning of the moving-in process. Dan said that Karen began just as soon as he hung the first clothes rod in the master bedroom closet. (Dan Tassell)

Master bath – An efficient use of space provides room for storage cabinets.

Master bath – An efficient use of space provides room for storage cabinets. (Dan Tassell)

Anyone for a soak? – This attractive master bath includes a roomy tub. 

Anyone for a soak? – This attractive master bath includes a roomy tub.  (Dan Tassell)

The Stoning – Karen and her mom did most of it on their own.

The Stoning – Karen and her mom did most of it on their own. (Dan Tassell)

Adhesive – The Tassells used a Dow Corning product that cures in about three days and eventually forms a permanent bond.

Adhesive – The Tassells used a Dow Corning product that cures in about three days and eventually forms a permanent bond. (Dan Tassell)

Looking natural – The stones are a cultured product manmade out of concrete but look very natural.

Looking natural – The stones are a cultured product manmade out of concrete but look very natural. (Dan Tassell)

What goes where? – The stones came in about four, well coordinated colors and 24 shapes and sizes. Fortunately, Karen and her mom knew just where to put what.

What goes where? – The stones came in about four, well coordinated colors and 24 shapes and sizes. Fortunately, Karen and her mom knew just where to put what. (Dan Tassell)

Getting up there! – To stone the very top of the dome, the Tassells used a manlift, loaned to them by Amy and Bob Brooks. 

Getting up there! – To stone the very top of the dome, the Tassells used a manlift, loaned to them by Amy and Bob Brooks.  (Dan Tassell)

Wow! – The stoning was completed. Now it’s time to celebrate.

Wow! – The stoning was completed. Now it’s time to celebrate. (Dan Tassell)

Dan’s backup power system: Frame 1 is of big white box Xantrex SW4024+. It’s a 4000 watt continuous 10,000 watt surge, 24 vdc (volts direct current) to 120 vac (volts alternative current) Sine Wave inverter with built-in battery charger. Small white box is a step-up transformer to make 240 vac to run water well. Large grey box left of inverter is homemade DC Disconnect panel. Battery bank feeds inverter and propane DC generators feed batteries. Two boxes right of inverter are GenTran Transfer panels. Frame 2 is of battery bank, set-up for 24 vdc with 1500 Amp hr of capacity. Batteries don’t need water and don’t vent. Frame 3 is of 2 Kohler COM 6, 26 vdc Propane generators that feed battery bank. They’re rated at 6000 watts DC each. Solar panel near each generator keeps starting battery charged.

Dan’s backup power system: Frame 1 is of big white box Xantrex SW4024+. It’s a 4000 watt continuous 10,000 watt surge, 24 vdc (volts direct current) to 120 vac (volts alternative current) Sine Wave inverter with built-in battery charger. Small white box is a step-up transformer to make 240 vac to run water well. Large grey box left of inverter is homemade DC Disconnect panel. Battery bank feeds inverter and propane DC generators feed batteries. Two boxes right of inverter are GenTran Transfer panels.

Frame 2 is of battery bank, set-up for 24 vdc with 1500 Amp hr of capacity. Batteries don’t need water and don’t vent.

Frame 3 is of 2 Kohler COM 6, 26 vdc Propane generators that feed battery bank. They’re rated at 6000 watts DC each. Solar panel near each generator keeps starting battery charged. (Dan Tassell)