During the 32 years that Ellis Nunn has been designing luxury log and timber homes he’s seen many different design trends come and go. A member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architects Registration Board (NCARB), Nunn is president of Ellis Nunn & Associates Architecture in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Nunn’s firm specializes in high-end mountain-style and log home architecture. Over the last three decades Nunn has designed over 300 log homes. A leader in t…
While some economists continue to lament that one of the longest recessions in U.S. history persists, signs of recovery and a return to economic vitality are surely coming around. Despite a lingering concern for the future, those looking for the log home of a lifetime can take heart. Somewhat ironically, there may never be a better time to buy. The reasons for this sudden surge of opportunity are varied; however, the most dramatic lies in the price of money, the funding that makes a log home purchase po…
When you first build your log home, you’re thinking about how it will fulfill your family’s current needs. After years of living in the home, as your children and grandchildren grow up, you begin to build a history of cherished memories around it. Then, you may begin to think of your home differently. It’s not just as a place to sleep and eat anymore, but much more. It has become a building block for your children and their children’s future. It’s the place where family gathers for holidays and vacation…
Imagine your log or timber home is a canvas to showcase the natural beauty of logs. Handcrafted log homes take that beauty a step farther by showcasing the unique variations in each individual log while honoring the timeless craftsmanship that goes into the building process. What Makes a Home Handcrafted? In a handcrafted log home, each log has been hand peeled, notched and fitted to the log below using traditional hand tools like axes and draw knives, as well as modern tools like …
Control Moisture Controlling moisture also is important. But the house needs to breathe to allow excess moisture to escape. Seider recommends controlling this factor with good HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) equipment. Grant also installs a growing number of encapsulated crawl spaces—a method of sealing off the crawl space from the ground and outside air by lining the area with a high-performance vapor barrier. This process not only eliminates moisture, mold, and mildew, but also impro…
For many people, retirement means escaping the 8-to-5 grind and living life the way they want to. As your life evolves, your needs change. That’s particularly true of your housing needs. If building a log home is part of your retirement dream, there are ways to make sure that your place will age as gracefully as you do throughout your golden years. Size Matters Many homeowners consider trading down to a smaller home once they reach their 50s or 60s. D…
We all know that as we age, our needs change. That minivan that allowed you to shuttle kids to soccer practice isn’t all that practical when you have just one or two passengers, while a lightweight commuter car might not be the best choice for family weekends in the mountains. What we need in our home as we move through phases of life is no different, and many of us would like to live in our own homes for as long as possible. That’s why it is advisable to work with a home design pr…
Q: If I have an existing log home mortgage, how can I determine whether refinancing is a good idea? A: Generally, if a borrower can save one percent on their interest rate it is worth paying the closing costs to refinance. Some lenders have options for “no closing cost” refinances, and borrowers may pay a slightly higher rate for that. Consider the amount of time you will continue to own the home. If you are going to be there long-term, pay the closing costs. I…
If there’s one thing that homeowners have learned from TV shows like Property Brothers, Fixer Upper, and Extreme Makeover, it’s that infusing rustic appeal into a new or existing home helps to create a warm, inviting atmosphere where people enjoy hanging out. From exposed ceiling beams to wide-plank floors to shiplap, the types of materials used to create this effect have proliferated over the last few years, making the end goal that much more attainable. Because they assume several di…
An entrepreneurial couple creates a breathtaking lakefront getaway home through steely determination.
