Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i Log and Timber Home Living

Many principles guide me through life, but there’s one motto to which I’ve always subscribed: Expect the worst … that way you’ll be prepared. And, if by good fortune, the worst doesn’t happen, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. You may think that’s pessimistic, and I guess on the surface it is, but when you adopt it as a creed, you find that happy accidents happen all around you. One of my recent serendipitous byproducts was thanks to the pandemic. Though I’ve been a remote worker for nearly a decade, my husband was tied to his Washington, D.C. office, which meant our family lived in one of the metro area’s super-pricey, traffic-nightmare suburbs. However, during those tough days, he, too, started working remotely permanently, and suddenly we found ourselves with a freedom…

Tabletop Zen gardens are a popular, calming addition in living spaces or offices. These tiny, mental oases often incorporate small plants like bonsai trees, stretches of sand that can be “swept” into patterns and small, distinctive pebbles. But what if you want to replicate that look on a larger scale? It is possible to create an expansive garden based entirely on the designs originated by Buddhist monks in the 6th century, complete with shallow reflecting pools and meditative walkways. But you don’t need a ton of space to bring a bit of contemplation into your landscape. These simple strategies will help you find your own Zen. Designate a small Zen space: Scattering elements throughout a larger area without committing to a structured Zen-style look can feel haphazard. Instead, consider a…

Typically, the doghouse is the last place you want to be. A dogtrot however? For many across the eastern United States and well beyond, it’s the best possible structure to find yourself in – and has been for hundreds of years. This historic home style goes by a variety of names (you may know it by possum-trot or dog-run, for example) but is nonetheless an iconic architectural style — the Appalachian cabin. Still a defining feature today, the dogtrot layout is easy to romanticize, but its origins are rooted firmly in function and building technologies available in the 1800s. Featuring an open breezeway flanked by a long room on each side, the layout was incredibly practical — preventing fires and maximizing livable space. “You had one side that was a…

Square Footage: 2,084 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Full, 1 Half “It’s one of our standard designs, but there is no such thing as standard design,” Dorie says. “Everybody has a different lot and different needs.” This Appalachia-inspired plan is prime for customization – it can be expanded, contracted, rotated, modernized and more. With a dining room and kitchen on one side and the primary bedroom on the opposing, it’s easy to see the DNA of the dogtrot layout at play. “Here at our model, it is done with the dovetailed logs with chinking on the outside, so it has that traditional Appalachia look,” Dorie explains. “But the backside has an intersecting roof line that has a wall of glass. So, the front side of it looks very traditional, and the…

There’s no denying – a cozy fire is inherent to the ambiance of a log cabin or timber frame getaway. Whether a sleek fixture paired with soaring timbers or a river-rock-studded hearth set against large logs, some sort of fire feature is a must in a wood home. The idea is simple, and nearly as old as time, but in today’s market, options abound. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure affair: Built-in, insert or freestanding? Wood-burning, gas or electric? Indoors or out (or both!)? Thanks to modern technology, you can even pick the color of your flame. These answers will largely be guided by your property’s unique situation, but to spark your inspiration, we’ve corralled some of the standout designs for today’s homes and lifestyles. Ashley Hearth Products 2,500 sq. ft. Wood-Burning Stove…

IN JACKSON, WYOMING, HISTORIC STRUCTURES ARE EVERYWHERE, from tree-lined streets to steep ski slopes. Sometimes you might even spot them on the highway — quite literally. Loaded up on the back of an oversized trailer, these former cabins, restaurants, shops and more are likely a project of Shacks on Racks and are headed to a new homesite elsewhere. Founded by Esther Judge-Lennox in 2017, Shacks on Racks started with a completely updated 1941 Craftsman home that was going to the trash until Esther had it relocated to her driveway where it sat for 18 months before getting a foundation. “Honestly, I had no plan when I started it; it was out of sadness and desperation. And as it’s gone on, it is mind-blowing to see the amount of trash that…

Holly: We love things that are different and unique, so we love old houses. It all started with an 1862 house that we bought, gutted and redid ourselves. We brought it to life, but we knew it wasn’t going to be our forever house. Ironically, that same love for old houses fed into our decision to build one from scratch; we wanted it to have an old feel. That’s what propelled us to look at a timber frame and tweak it to have a historical-home look. We joke that we built a brand-new, 200-year-old house! We decided to do it entirely ourselves, while both my husband I were working and I was raising four children and homeschooling. We only had nights and weekends, which is why it took so long.…

These days, as you’re shopping for anything from tomatoes to trucks, the term “hybrid” is thrown around … a lot. Now, even modern homes may be categorized as hybrids – especially in the log and timber home space, but what does that mean, exactly? The definition has morphed over time. It could be as simple as contrasting a full-log home with one that’s built with conventional stud walls that are enclosed with applied half-logs. It’s also the complex intertwining of several building systems, such as full logs and timber framing, into one cohesive home. The definition is vague and depends on who is providing it. So let’s begin at the beginning. In a “true” log home or a “true” timber frame home, its components are made up, obviously, of wood.…

DESIGN IS IN THE DETAILS, particularly when it comes to achieving authenticity in such a historically significant vernacular. Here, Mathew Sterchi of StoneMill Log & Timber Homes provides an up-close-and-personal look at some of the defining details — and materials — of Appalachian homes. Dovetail Joints “In my opinion, what really separates the Appalachian-style log cabin from other log cabins across America is the notching system, or your corner system,” proclaims Mathew. “What started out as what we call a V notch, which is characteristic of a German-Scandinavian influence, then evolved into what we now know as your full dovetail. That corner style is really indicative of Appalachian style.” Chinking “You had the evolution from the old chink joint in the 18th century, which was a lot of clay, mud,…

Square Footage: 2,423 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Full, 1 Half This plan’s got classic style with modern perks. A long front porch, a centered front door and gabled dormers give this cabin serious curb appeal, not to mention an air of traditional authenticity. On the side, an adjoining office wing made from SIPs and stone with a timber frame roof system supports the modern, work-from-home lifestyle but looks like it was added on over time. Out back, a sunroom, porch and bumped-out breakfast nook cement the sit-and-stay-a-while lifestyle.…

Caribou Ridge Nederland, Colorado Just off the scenic Peak-to-Peak Highway that stretches through some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in Colorado’s Rockies, Caribou Ridge is a new community showcasing mountain-modern timber frame design, with both custom home sites and ready-to-build designs available. Situated between popular hiking and skiing destinations, this is the place to be for adventure and architecture lovers. Learn more: caribouridgehomes.com Cloudland Station Chickamauga, Georgia Nestled in the history-rich foothills of northwestern Georgia, classic, rustic architecture comes together to fulfill this master-planned community’s mission of “beautiful, healthy and connected living.” A variety of neighborhoods offers distinct experiences and stylings, many of which could be a natural fit for a rustic log or timber-framed cabin or cottage. Learn more: cloudlandstation.com Suncadia Cle Elum, Washington At Suncadia, a Washington…

Innovation and exploration drive great ideas, and the details of daily living are no exception. One approach that’s gaining attention is the way we share our spaces. Creating compounds or adding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to a property make the most of available land and other resources while providing some tangible benefits, including support, savings and a source of passive income. The creation of a “compound,” where family or friends may occupy homes that share land and other infrastructure, might arise from a desire to live more closely and cooperatively, to facilitate starting or growing a business or to capitalize on the financial benefits. Building or adding an ADU can bring some of the same advantages into focus, generating revenue from a tenant, drawing families closer together and enhancing…

1: Ambient Lighting Provides overall brightness and is the foundation of a lighting plan. Fixtures: Chandeliers, ceiling- or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lights 2: Task Lighting Provides additional lighting to perform specific jobs. Fixtures: Directed track lights, pendants, under-cabinet fixtures and portable floor and desk lamps 3: Accent Lighting Provides visual interest to highlighted areas. Fixtures: Directional can lights, spotlights, sconces, puck lights, rope/ribbon lights and candles See the home that goes with this kitchen, p. 44 With this understanding of function in mind, use the following questions to determine what might need an update in your own space: Is my lighting strategic? Successful lighting design is all about matching the perfect light source to the intended function in the right place. Identify the spots you want to emphasize,…

1. True to the Appalachian style, the 12-by-8-inch western hemlock logs have a hewn finish, adding texture to tradition. 2. Built with Tennessee fieldstone in warm shades of brown, gray and gold, the fireplace is the room’s dominant feature. 3. Wide bands of white chinking not only infuse the space with Southern-style character, they also make the home weather-tight. 4. Throughout the room, table lamps in all sizes and motifs supply a soft glow to the cozy quarters. 5. Reclaimed heart pine beams from an old distillery were given new purpose as flooring through the space.…

Covered porches, stone fireplaces and large closets … it’s easy to see why the Prestwick has become one of StoneMill’s most popular plans. A contemporary interpretation of a dogtrot layout, this plan is made for modern entertaining with a large foyer, a formal living room and not one, not two, but three fireplaces throughout. Mathew notes a popular customization for the Prestwick is the addition of a home office, ideally completely covered in stone. “We also do a lot of extended outdoor living spaces that flow out off the living room and have double-sided fireplaces and outdoor kitchens,” he adds. Square Footage: 3,294 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Full, 1 Half…

Log Provider: Kalispell Montana Log Homes With log walls as stunning as those in this Vail, Colorado, home, you might find it hard to close your eyes. A long day of mountain adventures should help, not to mention plush bedrooms like this suite. Out-fitted in hallmarks of Southwestern decor like Navajo rugs and Pendleton blankets, it’s the perfect place to wind down for some rest and relaxation before another day on the slopes (or rivers or trails…). Here’s how to bring the same look to your retreat: Shop these looks and more by scanning the QR code!…

For 17 years, the setting was idyllic. Frank and Betsy Pitcher enjoyed the lifestyle of their getaway, a log home refuge nestled in the Willamette Valley of north-western Oregon. The Cascade Mountains towered in the distance, and the McKenzie River quietly flowed past the serene setting. Then, tragedy struck. On Labor Day 2020, the Holiday Farm Fire raged. The home that the Pitchers had built on just over two acres of paradise was suddenly a charred remnant … burned to the ground. “The fire encompassed nearly 175,000 acres,” remembers Betsy, “It was thought to have started when 70-mile-per-hour winds blew a branch onto an energized power line about 4 miles east of our property. A high percentage of the damage was to forested and wilderness area with about 550 to…

You want a gorgeous wood home more than a kid wants a full-size chocolate bar in his Halloween goody bag, but maybe you’re feeling a little spooked by the size of your wish list. In the end, what you really want is a place that feels homey, but also has that “wow” factor. According to Hochstetler Log Homes architect and engineer, Steve Lykins, that is the object of the design game: to create the aesthetic experience, which has two distinct components, orientation and surprise. “Orientation is achieved by first creating a feeling of familiarity or comfort,” he says, “then comes the surprise — something unfamiliar or out of the ordinary.” When crafting a home, there are many “tricks” a designer can use to “treat” their clients to both comfort and…