Izba

Izba ( _ru. изба) is a traditional Russian countryside house, a kind of log house. "Izba" is the house of the conventional Russian farmstead, generally built close to the road, and in conjunction with a barn, kitchen garden, and hayshed. The surrounding outbuildings composed a yard, which would have been surrounded by a simple woven stick fence. Traditional, old-style "Izba" construction involved the use of simple tools, such as ropes, axes, knives, and spades. Nails were not generally used, as metal was relatively expensive, and neither were saws a common construction tool. All of the building components were simply cut and fit together using a hand axe. Traditionally, one would place coins, wool, and frankincense underneath the corners of the house to ensure that those living there would be healthy and wealthy.