Innholdsfortegnelse for June/July 2024 i Log and Timber Home Living

For more than 20 years, I’ve gotten a sneak peek at the most beautiful log and timber frame homes in North America. This issue is no exception — the three homes we feature showcase the craftsmanship and design flexibility you can achieve when heavy wood timbers are your building medium of choice. However, the Hochstetler Log Homes residence, featured on page 56, particularly resonates with me, because I had the privilege of walking through its halls shortly after it was built. It was during the company’s annual Log Cabin Days. The team had just finished it and they were eager to show it off. After touring it, I could see why. No detail was overlooked. It was a showstopper. Fast forward to putting this issue together, something struck me as…

Although an artfully landscaped, expansive garden can be breathtaking, let’s face it: That type of space is also a lot of effort. And while some people find groundskeeping to be a Zen-like experience, for others it’s simply a chore. Fortunately, you can capture that blissful feeling on a much smaller scale — that’s where garden rooms come in. Just like the name implies, this space is often either within a dwelling (for example, a room with large windows within your home), under a covered space (like a four-season porch) or a defined space within your lawn, itself. Filled with a profusion of different plants, flowers and herbs, garden rooms often serve as a bridge between your larger landscape and your log or timber home’s interior. To create your own garden…

WHEN LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS in a new or current home, there are plenty of small changes that can have a huge impact. The Department of Energy offers beginner solutions to becoming energy efficient: • Perform a home energy audit — you can do this yourself or hire a professional.• Caulk, seal and install weatherstripping around your windows and doors.• When replacing appliances, opt for products with the ENERGY STAR® label.• Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent light bulbs.• Automate your thermostat and lighting with smart-home technology. Spend a Little … Save a Lot More If you’re looking for an idea that puts even more cash back in your pocket, consider installing a renewable-energy system, like solar, wind or hydropower. While the upfront price tag…

A five-acre parcel of land, just a stone’s throw from the Mohican State Forest in northern Ohio, had all the ingredients of an ideal getaway — plenty of privacy, a peaceful pond and an abundance of outdoor activities, from hiking and canoeing to skiing and fishing. “It’s like you’re in a world by yourself out here,” says Joseph Hochstetler, sales manager for Hochstetler Log Homes. “There’s no road noise, no traffic, just a quiet, relaxing place.” The only thing the property was lacking? A place to take it all in. Recognizing the potential of the setting, the Hochstetler team swooped up the lot and began making plans to create the perfect log home hideaway. But perfection doesn’t happen overnight. “We came up with an initial design, then went back to…

At first glance, it’s fair to fuse log and timber homes into a singular style. Both genres comprise stunning wood structures with nostalgic appeal and longevity beyond compare — and both come with their own storied histories. But take a closer look, and you’ll find the two construction methods to be quite distinct. Timber framing (sometimes referred to as post-and-beam) dates back far longer than building with logs, yet today’s buyers often misidentify it as log construction, since both use heavy wood components as the load-bearing framework of their respective structures. If it all feels a little unclear, stress not. We’re about to break down the essential elements of each type — their similarities, differences and the choices available to you as you shop for a log or timber home…

One of the best parts of designing your dream log or timber home is the chance to make it truly yours. Even if you start with a stock plan, small tweaks can transform a typical layout into a totally custom design that caters to your life now and in the future. (Chances are, if you’re building a log or timber home, you intend for this to be a forever home.) Here are a few big ideas to keep in mind as you begin shaping the floor plan that will become the log or timber home of your dreams for years to come. 1 FLEX SPACE It’s common practice to identify each room within a floor plan, and while this may help to avoid confusion, it also may restrict how you…

Building a custom home is very much a team sport — this is particularly true if you’d like to save a little money by acting as your own general contractor or project manager. Beyond you and your log or timber provider, there are many key players who will help the final details of your home come to fruition. Hiring and managing subcontractors, from carpenters to electricians, is a skill in itself. If you can master it, it will help you stay on-schedule and on-budget. Here’s how to navigate the world of subcontractors so you can communicate clearly, set expectations and ultimately, successfully create your dream home together. SUBS 101 Almost all subcontractors are small-business owners who are in a competitive arena where it’s difficult to make a living. When work…

WANT TO TAKE curb appeal to the next level? At loghome.com/exterior-lighting, find out how the right lighting plan can showcase your home’s beauty and boost safety. ENERGY EFFICIENCY STARTS with your home’s design. Learn how passive-solar strategies can help you optimize your home’s energy use at timberhomeliving.com/passive-solar. VISIT cabinlife.com/sturgeon-river-cabin to peek inside an eclectic A-frame escape on Michigan’s Sturgeon River that offers all the nostalgia and fun of a summer weekend spent on the water. @LogAndTimberHomeLiving TOUR A COZY STONE & TIMBER COTTAGE at youtube.com/@logandtimberhomeliving, where we post an array of one-of-a-kind homes, expert advice, must-watch L&T videos and more. Connect with us on social media and sign up for our newsletters! Find all your favorite annual Special Interest Publications and digital editions, and subscribe to Log & Timber Home…

When you’re building a custom home, whether it’s built from logs, timbers, bricks or concrete, it’s common knowledge that you’ll have to manage costs. Yet this can be a big stumbling block for people. You know you have to do it, but how do you do it? Imagine your budget as a bucket of money (it’s not an uncommon visualization, but it’s an effective one). Whether it’s a large bucket containing a million dollars or a smaller one with a few hundred thousand, there’s still a finite amount of money in it, and at various milestones in the project, your contractor will hand you sizable bills that you’ll have to pay from it. It’s essential to manage costs so that by the time you reach the end of the build,…

For the Outdoor Enthusiasts Custom built-ins can elevate a mudroom from an average transitional space to an equally elegant and efficient point of entry and exit for homes in the mountains, where different seasons call for different boots — from skiing to hiking. For the Pet Lovers Otherwise unused “dead space” in your home can be retrofitted with custom features for furry family members. Think: unused square footage under the stairs could become a “room” for the dog or the empty void under cabinets can house built-in, retractable trays for food and water bowls. For the Green Thumb Patios and covered porches can be fully enclosed to create a greenhouse or four-season room for year-round gardening pleasure. See page 14 to learn how! See the floor plan that goes with…

To some, the description for Jane Atherton’s Courtenay, British Columbia, rental cabin might sound more like the start of a storybook than an Airbnb listing. At the cedar cabin, christened “The Beach Chalet” and perched right on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island, eagles, humpback whales, horses, seals and sea lions are not uncommon sights. Deer and bunnies are responsible for the only “rush hour” you will experience there, and a private rocky beach provides a peek into colorful tidal pools. It’s easy to see how Jane, a professional interior designer, was swayed by a friend to move there. “One of my best friends moved to the area before me. She sent me real estate listings by email practically every day to entice me to move closer to her,” Jane…

There are those who see reality for what it is. And then there are those who see it for what it could be. When Todd and Audrey Bear came across a 56-acre property in eastern Pennsylvania with a 1980s-era ranch house, they instantly saw the possibilities. The setting — a creek and plenty of privacy — won them over, but the structure was far from their dream home. “It was well-built, but it couldn’t have been more boring — just a basic, all-brick rectangle,” says Audrey. For 15 years, the couple lived in the house, dreaming of the forever home they could one day build on the property. They longed for soaring cathedral ceilings, a dreamy entertaining space and loads of natural materials. Fittingly, it was Christmas Day when their…

It’s important to know your role in the building process, which will affect financing and your budget, as well as a wide range of responsibilities. Labor accounts for up to 40 percent of the cost of a new home, so you may be able to save some money by performing some of it yourself, if (and only if) you have the time and expertise to do it well. Keep in mind that if you’re obtaining financing, your lender may not approve the loan if a qualified, licensed builder is not at the helm, due to the risk factor. All things being equal, you have three basic building options: professionally built, owner-contractor or owner-builder. PROFESSIONALLY BUILT In choosing this path, you’ll be responsible for choosing the design but then you will…

When Dave Shaw and his family set out to design their dream cabin, they had years of experience as guests in vacation rental cabins to draw from. Now, their dream-cabin-come-true proves you don’t need a big house to live large. Here’s their story. Dave: We’ve owned this little slice of heaven in the gorgeous Hocking Hills region of southeast Ohio since 2015. We purchased the land with the dream of someday building a cozy little log cabin on it to use as a family getaway until retirement, when it could become a fulltime home. When we bought the property back then, it was pure luck. I mean, nobody had any idea this area was going to take off like it did. But the area is really, really special. When you…

1. Flow is the name of the game, and the kitchen is a study in streamlined efficiency, placing the refrigerator, sink and stove in a shallow scalene triangle. 2. In a deliberate move to achieve continuity, the materials the owners chose here and throughout the home are close in tonal value and color. 3. A “Luna Drift” granite slab tops the expansive alder-wood island with steel inlays, creating a focal point that’s natural and sophisticated, with a hint of industrial flair. 4. A rugged alcove, encased in the home’s signature element, Chief Cliff deep-creek stone, is host to the professional-grade Thermador range. A vein-cut travertine backsplash lightens the heaviness of the space. 5. A pair of delicate iron pendants balance the room’s rougher design elements. 6. The hardwood floor blends…

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It’s postcard perfection. Glittering water laps against shores surrounded by bucolic scenery, wooded glens and rolling vineyards; all dotted with enchanting historic towns. This is New York State’s Finger Lakes region. Tiny farm stands perched along lazy country lanes offer up their specialties – maple treats, grapes, baked goods, eggs and fresh-picked produce. Out here, farm life mingles with lake life, making for a unique culture. Along Canandaigua Lake, one house perfectly captures this special blend. Artfully merging the farmhouse aesthetic with classic lake house design, the home elevates both styles. White clapboard siding and stone lend a fresh-on-the-farm feel, while timber beams offer warmth and a connection to the region’s wooded landscape. The home’s L-shaped footprint is a strategic shape for the deep, narrow property to ensure lake views…

Whether you plan to finance your log or timber home or pay cash, it’s important to establish a sound budget and convey it to your design/build team. If you’re unsure about what you can afford, use an online mortgage estimator tool to help calculate a monthly principal and interest. (You’ll find one at loghome.com/mortgage-calculator and timberhomeliving.com/mortgage-calculator.) To prevent surprises or deal with unforeseen overages (they almost always come up), set your working budget slightly less than the maximum calculated, and hold back 15 to 20 percent as a contingency. Then start contacting lenders experienced with financing log and timber homes to start the loan process, beginning with pre-qualification. Later, once you’ve finalized your design, you can work with your builder and lender to obtain your actual loan. HOW MUCH HOME…

TRUSSES ARE THE STAR of the show in timber frame homes, and your timber frame provider will help you decide the details of what type, size and positioning is right for your project. To get you started, we’ve created a high-level view of how trusses can dramatically affect the aesthetic of your home. ◼ A KING POST TRUSS with straight knee braces fits a rustic, barn vibe thanks to its straightforward design with simple lines. For added softness, try incorporating curved braces.◼ For an elegant approach, consider the more intricate QUEEN POST TRUSS. The rectangle within the triangle adds a little shot of drama.◼ To create uninterrupted views to an end-wall window display, an ornate HAMMERBEAM TRUSS fits the bill, due to its central opening. Ideal for large great rooms,…

Shopping for a log or timber home package can be feel overwhelming at times — after all, these homes are beyond many people’s everyday experience. But it’s also supposed to be fun! We’ve drilled down to some key questions you should contemplate in the purchase process so you can feel confident and excited about moving forward with a provider of your choice. 1. Are you comfortable with the log or timber home representative that you are working with? Here are some warning signs: ◼ Can’t answer specific questions about products or pricing; has to consult supervisor or someone else◼ Fails to keep appointments or return phone calls◼ Doesn’t keep promises◼ Pressures you for a deposit or purchase agreement◼ Fails to thoroughly explain procedures and terms◼ Sales effort is directed toward…