Although Tom and Mariann Nolan owned a vacation log home in Big Sky, Montana, the construction of a new log and timber home taking place nearby several years ago captured their imaginations. With a style reminiscent of the architecture found in Yellowstone National Park, Bear Basin Ranch seemed the perfect retreat. “We visited Bear Basin often during the building stage, and we were impressed with the quality and the architecture,” says Tom Nolan, whose primary home is in California…
When Niles and Ginger Hushka went in search of all they wanted in a timber frame home with an incomparable mountain setting, they got smart—in more ways than one. First, they surrounded themselves with a construction and design team that provided seamless coordination and a depth of experience seldom found in producing their 4,600-square-foot, four-bedroom, 41/2-bath timber frame home in the Aspen Springs development near Bozeman, Montana. Second, they decided that technology would be a watchword for th…
Furniture placement can be tricky with a sloped ceiling, even with a dormer on one side. Placing the bed in the middle of the room makes the space look larger and allows plenty of room to move around. Windows on three sides keep the room airy and bright.
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when regional log availability and building techniques dictated the types of homes that one could build in specific areas of the United States. Round logs were prevalent in the Northeast and in certain Midwestern states while square log homes with dovetail corners dominated in the Appalachian region, including the Virginias and the Carolinas. Adirondack homes were large, but were made from smaller logs that are indigenous t…
When you need to get away from the busy-ness and stress of everyday life, the warmth of a log home and its rustic surroundings can be inviting and comforting. Your ideal retreat could be nestled high in the mountains or settled peacefully along a lakeshore. Wherever your imagination takes you, building your own personal getaway doesn’t have to be a difficult and demanding process. “Vacation homes tend to be joyful projects,” says Jeremy Oury, president of Kibo Group Archite…
This picture-perfect log cabin proves that good things come in small packages. The chinked logs, double dormers, and cedar shake roof all work together in perfect harmony…
While warm temperatures and sunshine are the hallmarks of summer weather, the seasonal care and maintenance of a log or timber home is an ongoing effort. “Your home shelters you and your family,” says Dena Taylor of Great South Log Home Services. “Plus, it was a huge investment. Protect your home and your investment. Don’t neglect it. It will only lead to problems that may be expensive to fix. Be familiar with the exterior of your home. If you notice any changes that appear …
That storybook log home, complete with the storybook look, is attainable—even for those who have to watch every penny. Materials and square footage are two primary drivers of a construction budget, but that unique dream home can become a reality without sacrificing style or comfort. Effectively managing the bottom line requires an evaluation of wants, needs, and personal preference. Consider the investment in living space. Options include scal…
The next several pages feature floorplans from log home companies throughout North America. The floorplans show a mixture of big homes and small, intricate and simple homes … there are myriad styles to choose from. A common room nowadays in a log home is a great room. Here are some ideas to consider when you are designing a great room for your log cabin home. What makes a great room great? “The primary design aspect people typically want to achieve is an open living space between the g…
Half-Mile Farm goes all the way in bringing the warmth and charm of yesteryear together with the finest amenities of today. Amid the splendor of the Appalachian Mountains in Highlands, North Carolina, Half-Mile Farm is the perfect retreat for couples, wedding parties, and travelers who treasure the fine blend of history, modern convenience, and glorious scenery. MossCreek Rustic American Home Design provided expertise to fulfill the vision that brought 19th-century cabins, more than 150 years old, to Hi…
At the age of 13, Sophie Rosenfeld moved with her parents from New York City to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. “My parents, who were natives of Poland, came to the United States in 1960,” explains Sophie, “and lived in a gritty part of New York for 16 years. They yearned to relocate to a tranquil place filled with natural beauty. After some investigating, they chose northern New Hampshire. With its lilac bushes, birch trees, and wondrous mountains, this rural area is very similar to the environme…
