Innholdsfortegnelse for Forever Homes 2021 i Log and Timber Home Living

If you’re old enough to remember “The Waltons” — the quintessential TV series of the early 1970s — the show’s signature sign-off was the multi-generation family wishing each other good night. This endearing interaction was made possible by the extremely close quarters the Waltons shared — a design aspect that’s not quite as desirable by modern standards. These days, we love our families, but we also prize our privacy. That’s why, if you’re planning a new home that will accommodate several generations under one roof, you will want to carefully balance public and private areas within its design. Multi-Gen on the Rise “Multi-generation housing is an old concept that’s making a big comeback,” says Diana Allen, an architect and director of design at Woodhouse: The Timber Frame Company in Mansfield,…

Majestic views come with the territory when you fly planes for a living. For pilot Tom Brady and his wife Jeanne, that holds true even in retirement. From the living room of their custom timber home near Lake City in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the Bradys can enjoy the wide valley bisected by Lake San Cristobal, fir covered hillsides and snowy peaks. But getting that vista — and a home worthy of it — took nearly a decade of hard work and planning. After the couple married more than 40 years ago, they moved to Texas from their native Colorado, but still spent their vacations in those beloved San Juan Mountains. “Every fall we’d come to Lake City before hunting season to watch the Aspens change,” says Jeanne. It wasn’t…

It’s a familiar profile: a happy and secure couple with grown children (or a successful single); a piece of property in a beautiful place; and a dream of living there full-time. Discretionary income is available, so building that special home makes sense now, even if it’s only used a few weeks per year until retirement, or even semi-retirement, happens. In addition to creating a floor plan that functions well now as well as in the future (think main-level master suites and accessible entryways), you’ll also want to think about how you’ll maintain your home as you age. Here are four bits of sage advice. Take care of you first. Real property is almost always a sound investment, and building a house as a vacation rental until you retire there can…

BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Yes, it’s rainy here six months of the year, but those looking to beat the heat will find summers to be temperate and pleasant. And, with a house on the sound, you can enjoy sights few other places in North America enjoy — like whale watching from your front porch. Mean price for a single-family home: $369,775 Median household income: $35,616 BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA If you’re a Midwesterner at heart, take a gander at this charmer in the Hoosier State. Fitness nuts will love this cycle-and-pedestrian-friendly hamlet, which also has abundant opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing and camping. Mean price for a single-family home: $198,501 Median household income: $23,772 BURLINGTON, VERMONT Only 75 miles from Montreal and 180 miles from Boston, this artsy/outdoorsy town offers cultured day…

It’s no secret that the elements we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on how we experience a space. For example, the natural materials found in log and timber homes, like wood, stone and metal, create an instant sense of strength, security and serenity. The same principle goes for the use of color. The colors we use in and around our homes transform more than just the way they look — they alter our moods, too. If you’ve ever walked into a blue-themed room and felt suddenly calm or have been energized by a sunny yellow space, you’ve experienced the effect. An entire line of study, known as color psychology, is devoted to understanding how certain pigments impact the way we think and feel. Knowing the basics can be…

A forever home is a dream realized. It’s the house that fits you and your family to a T. The last one you ever intend to own. It doesn’t matter if you buy it when you’re 25 or 65, or if you build it from scratch or renovate — this home is intended to satisfy you for the long haul. The average life expectancy in the United States and Canada is 80 years — a full decade longer than the average 50 years ago. While we all hope to remain physically robust for all our lives, with prolonged lifespans, challenges — especially in our homes — will be standard. That’s where smart-home technology can help, according to Marlon Buchanan, author of The Smart Home Manual, and the man behind the…

It’s a gorgeous autumn stretch — the kind where the weather is crisp, the family is choosing teams for a game of touch football and the weekends seem ideal for lounging and laughter. Do you really want to hop on that riding mower or spend hours weeding in the midst of all the fun? Landscape maintenance is a necessary part of any home’s upkeep, and tasks like gardening can be enjoyable — even therapeutic. But when taking care of your yard starts to feel like a part-time (or full-time) job that reduces your enjoyment of your home and property, then it’s time to put some no-maintenance landscaping tactics into play. Consider these options: ■ Mulch, mulch and more mulch. Landscaped areas that have flowers, shrubs or even edible plants, benefit greatly…

Today’s exceptional outdoor oases start with seamless transitions from indoors to out. The timber home at left blends wood and steel to support a 20-foot-wide opening to the adjacent patio and nearby fire pit. Using the same stone tile flooring for the living area and patio creates visual continuity, allowing the spaces to flow naturally. In a similar vein, the modern-rustic residence above uses a hydraulic tilt-up glass wall, akin to an old-school garage door, to take the indoor dining area al fresco. If opening up the interior living space to the outdoors isn’t an option, do the next best thing — re-create the great room outdoors. Here, a deep covered porch boasts a full wood-burning fireplace around which the full gamut of casual living furniture congregates. Note the ingenious…

In the town of Delaware, Ohio, the heart of the state, Mike and Joyce Condit’s roots literally run deep. They care for acres of corn, soybeans and the occasional crop of wheat, committing to a way of life that sustains and rewards them. So, when they decided to build a timber-framed home that would express their personalities and welcome future generations of family and friends, they knew they would make it happen on familiar ground. “We wanted a farmhouse that was unique, rustic and special to us — a place where our families could gather and feel right at home,” Joyce explains. “The house is on a 6-acre lot. It’s flat farmland next to our grain setup and farm shop, where the old barn and granary were located. It’s part…

1 Avoid “builder-grade” anything. When you’re building your forever home, it’s tempting to try to keep costs down by selecting low-grade fixtures and finishes now with the intention to upgrade later. Why spend good money after bad? This is the last house you plan to own. Get what you want the first time around. 2 Trim square footage to beef up quality. Smaller homes typically cost less to build and maintain. They also require fewer pieces of furniture. So with these savings, splurge on higher-end materials and topnotch furnishings that will last. 3 Add porches and patios. Not only are they cheap seasonal living spaces, they also give your home’s curb appeal a big boost. Bonus: They protect your exterior from mold, mildew and sun fading 4 Choose timeless over…