For Pete and Trish DeSocio, the second time’s a charm. Within two years of building their dream vacation log home in Henry, Tennessee, the DeSocios had sold it and moved into an expanded version of the same house in nearby Paris. The DeSocios, whose primary home is in Newburgh, Indiana, weren’t looking to relocate their vacation spot. But when a realtor contacted the couple to see if they’d be interested in looking at the substantially larger Paris property, they decided to che…
People choose to build off-grid homes for a variety of reasons. Some are committed to reducing their impact on the planet, while others are interested in a simpler way of life. And some have no choice—the remoteness of their property makes building an off-grid home the only option. For David Jakubowski and his family, a number of factors contributed to their decision to build an off-grid log cabin on their 82-acre Vermont vacation property. “First was our love of nat…
They met and married in college, one pursuing a degree in interior design and the other in architecture. “Step by step, our life evolved,” says Josette. “Degrees were achieved, kids came along, and everything fell into place. We both applied for professorships at Knoxville, got accepted, and made our home there.” As the saying goes, the rest is history. This couple’s is a rich one, laced with great memories of their teaching years, travels abroad with family and students, the arrival of grandchil…
For what feels like an eternity they’ll watch a storm roll in, approaching from the mountains to the southwest. Suddenly it begins to pick up force and speed, descending through the sweeping valley where they reside. “And when it hits,” says homeowner Bart Butzer, “Betsy and I relish every moment of it!” Designed and built to withstand Montana’s extreme weather systems, the Triple B Ranch house is equipped with numerous lightning rods, constructed with reclaimed materials that have already proven their …
The essence of the hybrid home lies in cooperative construction methods, perhaps both log and timberframe, incorporating varied elements both in materials utilized and the home’s comprehensive theme. Creativity comes to the forefront in hybrid construction, allowing the homeowner to blend such elements as wood, stone, and concrete while achieving a captivating fusion of décor elements. In short, a hybrid home provides the palette for the ultimate in inventive and original vision. On a sprawling 147-acre…
The dream of owning a second home is far from dead. Signs of the housing market’s resuscitation are visible around the country, with certain areas emerging as the hottest spots (and best real estate investments) you can make. With interest rates still incredibly low (5.25 percent for a 30-year fixed, as reported by Wells Fargo [www.wellsfargo.com] at the time of publication) and excellent builders still available and eager to work, these could be your best conditions for getting that…
When Dallas couple Jennifer and Robert Quinn began taking their family on annual camping excursions two decades ago, they explored various areas throughout the Southwest—particularly Colorado. On one occasion, they happened to drive through Lake City, Colorado, a small town nestled in the San Juan Mountains. “It was just like driving through a fairy tale,” Jennifer says. “We fell in love with it.” The couple began dreaming about and planning to build a log home in Lake City as they continued makin…
Just a few minutes from the Bozeman, Montana, airport, the Rocky Mountains rise toward the heavens. A drive along the Gallatin River leads to a captivating log home that fulfills a lifelong desire for its owner, blending the beauty of the Mountain West with modern convenience and sweet serenity. “I wanted to create a home where our large family and other families with us could all be in one room,” relates the homeowner. “The house is centered around a great room on the main floor with dining room, kitch…
Do you want your vacation getaway home to be an exact duplicate of your main home? Of course not! Your leisure life is far more relaxed and free than your everyday life so you’ll want that to be reflected in your home away from home. Perhaps you are attracted to a different architectural and decorative style that you’d like to explore. Go a bit more sleek and modern or maybe indulge your love for a rustic, natural feel. If the colors used in your main home are neutral, take a chance …
Bill and Mary Elder’s desire to build a log home percolated over a number of years. “When our children were young,” says Mary, “we owned a small log cabin about a half hour away from our Fredericktown home. It was perfect for weekend getaways and gave Bill some necessary down time from his busy medical practice.” As the Elder children grew up and became more involved in school activities, cabin time was less frequent. “We were reluctant to sell it,” says Bill, “so we rented it out for a while, then even…
“Initially, we were looking for bare lake frontage to build a log cabin on,” begin Wisconsin homeowners Jamie and Karen Geschke. “However, finding a great lakefront lot without an existing home proved to be impossible.” Then a realtor friend, Erik Johnson, showed the couple a property on Lake Kaubashine that was coming on the market, and it was love at first sight: sand beach, pristine water, not much boat traffic, and bordered on one side by state-owned land. There was a modest house on the property, b…
“Our client chose full logs for their family house,” says Dennis Davis, project manager for RJ Dailey Construction, “believing the aesthetics would make the proper statement about family and farm values: strong, stable and, most of all, enduring.” RJ Dailey builds only custom residences and estates, says Davis, “but up until now only in California, where our company is based.” It was an honor and a pleasure for the company to be selected as the general contractor for a log home on a family farm in Illin…
