Top 5 Winter Floor Plan Favorites

January 19th, 2012

With this year’s winter snow finally upon most of North America, we thought we would share with you five different floor plans that are perfect for snowy weather conditions. No matter where your personal Winter Wonderland may be, each plan has its own unique features that allow you to interact with your surroundings, even in the coldest of seasons!

Top 5 Log Floor Plans

The Winterpark

Popular for its classic cabin style look, the Winter Park is a plan that utilizes connected living areas and cathedral ceilings to create an open space that is perfect for a mountain getaway. With private balconies and large paned windows angled out toward the surrounding land, it is the perfect design to fully appreciate the wonders of every season from the comforts of your log home.

The Torino

Specifically designed to accommodate even the most avid of skiers, this floor plan features a ski-in ski-out section for easy access as well as a room dedicated to equipment that includes a sauna for warming up after a brisk day of hitting the slopes. With two master suites, a bunk room and open living spaces, this plan has the perfect layout for a secluded weekend skiing or a place for the family to gather from the winter’s cold.

The Hidden Creek

Getting family and friends together for a getaway weekend in the mountains under one roof does not have to be an uncomfortably cramped affair. The Hidden Creek includes multiple bedrooms on every level and open living spaces for a large gathering as well as a massive garage that can include a workshop or place to hold snowmobiles and snow equipment. With a mudroom buffering the garage from the rest of the home, it creates a great transition area from the outdoors to your home’s interior.

The Coeur D’Alene Lodge

Covered decks, a mud room, multiple bedrooms and a pull through driveway are not the only things that make this floor plan the perfect layout for winter conditions. Taking on the feel of a large mountain ski lodge, the Coeur d’Alene allows you to commune with nature as well as keep yourself entertained inside with custom features like a rec room, exercise room and wine cellar.

The Colorado

The Colorado offers a unique concept in timber home living. With three distinct sections, there is a place for everyone. Gather with family and friends in the open spaces of the main level, have plenty of room for company and kids to sleep in the basement and enjoy the seclusion of an entire second floor that is dedicated to your master suite. A mudroom and double-sided fireplace connecting the living room and the porch keep the beauty of the outdoors close at hand all winter long.

Customize any of these plans—Learn How.

The Many Locations of the Crested Butte

December 16th, 2011

PrecisionCraft’s award-winning log and timber home floor plans not only embody quality craftsmanship and unparalleled designs, but are architectural creations that inspire homebuilders across the country and beyond. Mountain Architect’s Crested Butte plan is an exceptional example that has captured the hearts and minds of people in every region of the United States as well as regions throughout the world, and has spurred them to build versions of it that fit their land, style and architectural needs while still retaining the essence of the design that first caught their eye.

The Crested Butte is a hybrid design that mixes log walls, timber, siding, rock, metal and glass. It is a true Mountain-style home design that has inspired many. Here are just a few adaptations that we have built over the course of the last few years:

North Carolina Built on a North Carolina lakeshore, this version of the Crested Butte was built to emphasis the size of the plan. The homeowner chose large handcrafted logs, not typically available in their area, instead of hybrid log and timber construction. The finished product is a western-style log home that is complete with a walk-out basement leading to the lake and an open loft area within, making it a version of the Crested Butte that is one of a kind.

Handcrafted Creste Butte

ColoradoBuilt amongst Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, this adaptation of the Crested Butte is nearly double the square footage of the original, but still remains the most representative of the design’s unique features. The essence of the Crested Butte’s western look and feel is seen in the hybrid style of the home, combining the advantages of the views of the surrounding landscape with stone, siding and wood to make a home that is one of a kind while staying true to the design aspects that so many like about the Crested Butte.

 Colorado Crested Butte

New JerseyWhen people picture homes in New Jersey, they do not typically see a mountain-style home in that imagery. However, the Crested Butte, with its hybrid log and timber framing, fits perfectly into the landscape. The unique addition of a curved piece in the timber trusses that is repeated throughout the length of the home creates a distinct flair to this version of the Crested Butte.

New Jersey Crested Butte

Mediterranean— The Crested Butte is a design that has proven to be so versatile that its western architectural style has reached locations as far away as the Mediterranean. This version uses milled red cedar log walls and timber framing. Expanding the initial design to an impressive 8,000 square feet, this home brings the original look and feel of the Crested Butte to a new height in an exotic location.

Mediterranean Crested Butte

Inspired Living: Blending European Style & Western Tradition

November 18th, 2011

Fernando and Sylvia were a couple with a distinct vision of how they wanted their custom made home to be. Inspired by the European architecture of their native Argentina, they dreamed of building a home out West that reflected and honored their roots. With the discovery of one of PrecisionCraft’s French Country themed floor plans and a meeting with Mountain Architects, the couple’s dream of bridging their European influences with Western style began to unfold. Click on the image below to read about Fernando and Sylvia’s inspired story of a home that brings their past and present together under one magnificent roof.

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Focus on the Garage, Don’t Forget the Design

October 13th, 2011

It takes a lot of time, planning and consideration when you build your first custom log home. When you are investing in a project as big as a new home, you want to be involved on every level of the building process, including the fine detailing in every room. While getting caught up in the excitement of the design process, it can be easy to overlook areas in your home where there is seemingly little designing to do.

The garage is one such room that often gets overlooked, but it too deserves the attention to detail that you give to the rest of your home. While it may seem like just a place to put your vehicles, you will be surprised with what you can actually do with your garage space.  Here are some things to consider when designing your garage.

Above-Garage Living

Installing a living space above the garage is a popular way to create more room for your home without drastically changing your floor plans. This space is great for creating an in-law or guest suite for company, for giving your teen their own space or even for an in-home theater.  With all the possibilities of what you can do with this space, it is important to consider where you would like its entrance be located in relation to the rest of your home. Some people prefer to have the entrance to their living space located in the garage, while others may want an entrance in the garage as well as outside the home.

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Drive-through

It’s not what you think, this does not mean including a fast food restaurant in your building plans. A drive-through garage is set up where there are two vehicle entries to allow for a car to pull through the garage upon entering and leaving instead of having to back out of one door. If you are someone who has snowmobiles or other recreational vehicles, you know how difficult it is to maneuver them in a small space. Having a drive-through garage, or even a “toy” garage for all of your extra vehicles, would eliminate this problem.

Heated Floors

While this may seem like an unnecessary luxury to some, heated floors are a great way to keep your garage warm, especially in colder regions and colder seasons. If you utilize your garage space for more than just storing your vehicle, for instance; you want to add a work bench for tinkering on cars, you need a space for your tools or you were thinking about a recreational area, heated floors would open up the possibility of using your garage year-round.

Mechanical Rooms

garage_3.gifIn larger scale homes, the inclusion of a mechanical room is a serious thing to consider due to the larger quantity of appliances and machines needed to run your home. Drafting your garage design to include space for a mechanical room or even just an area set aside for your furnace, water heater, etc, is something that will be important for the layout and functionality of your garage space.

Special Areas

The possibilities are endless with what you can do with your garage space. For those who live on the green or just love to golf; add a parking space for your golf cart, or if you really love to boat and you have a nice waterfront location; consider adding storage for your boat. If you are a lover of skiing, you know the mess your equipment makes once the snow has melted; adding an area with a drainage piece can eliminate that slushy mess. From adding an area to hide your garbage cans to creating a secure safe for your guns, the design process for your garage can be fun as well as practical.
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Not sure you should include a garage?  Read our Including a Garage? article for help.

Strategies for Designing your Dream Home

September 15th, 2011

Planning your dream home is something you may have been doing for years, probably before you even purchased your land.  Once you have the land and your budget in place you can start to make those dreams of owning your own log or timber home a reality.  The Log Home Council has put together some strategies to help you along your path.  Below are a few experts, please visit the log home council’s article for even more strategies.Log Home Great Room

Create a Digital Scrapbook of Ideas

Visit photo galleries. Start collecting photos of the features you like, for each room in your floor plan. This research will help clearly convey your dream home to an architect.

Are Designs Copyrighted?

While dreaming is free, home designs may not be. Floorplans may be copyrighted. Any restrictions on duplicating plans are usually stated with the plans, on the website or at the beginning of the printed publication in which the plans appear.

Questions to Ask Yourself 

As you peruse designs, start to ask yourself some basic questions.
• What type of design do we want: single-story ranch, 1-1/2 story, split-level, two-story?
• How many square feet will we need?
• How many bedrooms do we want?
• How many baths?
• Do we need any special areas for our hobbies or toys?
• How about a home theater, a custom kitchen or exercise room?
• How much storage space will we need?

Break it Down by Area

• Make sure your floor plan includes activity areas for the following:
• Work Areas: home office, kitchen, laundry, pantry
• Sleeping Areas: bedrooms, bathrooms
• Living Areas: living room, dining room, family room, guest bath
• Storage Areas: basement, garage, out-buildings

Start a ‘Rather’ List

Create a “rather” list, i.e. “I’d rather have this, rather than that.” This will help establish priorities as you work on your design and budget.

Top three “must have these” features in my dream log home:
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Top three “these would be neat to have” features in my dream log home:
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Top three “love these, but my lender will likely disapprove” features in my log home:
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Inspired Living: Jackson Hole Haven

August 18th, 2011

The McKinney’s log home inspiration came at a very young age, spurred by the work of artisans and laborers who’d gone before him, and a love for the landscape of the American West.  Decades later the dream of his own log home hadn’t faded, so McKinney followed it to a parcel of land with a view of the Grand Tetons, then a meeting with Mountain Architects, to start making the dream come true.  Follow the link to read about Jim’s journey and see pictures of his dream home realized.  Inspired Living: Jackson Hole Haven - A Custom Handcrafted Log Home.

Inspired Living: A Custom Handcrafted Log Home

Designing Your Master Suite

July 21st, 2011

It used to be that your bedroom was just a place you went when it was time to go to sleep. Today, a master suite can be so much more, and making the most of your master suite means considering everything from traffic patterns and closet space, to maximizing your views. Here are some things to think about when planning your master suite:

A Space for Everything
If the master suite is a place you’d like to spend time awake as well as asleep, consider a sitting area. This could be within the bedroom itself, perhaps set up within a bay or prow window, or an adjacent room that can be closed off with French doors - especially helpful if one of you is a night owl and the other is an early-to-bed type. Either way, a sitting area with a couple of comfy chairs will offer a relaxing place to read or enjoy your morning coffee.

Master bedroom with sitting area

A Room with a View
Maximizing the beautiful views of your property isn’t just for great rooms. Work with your architect to ensure you’re making the most of the views from within your suite. Consider including a balcony or adding private deck access. Be creative with the size, placement and shape of your master bedroom windows in order to capitalize on the exterior landscape, while being flexible enough to ensure privacy.

Master bedroom outdoor living

Buffer Zone
If your master suite will be adjacent to a more public area, consider configuring the space so the bathroom sits between it and your sleeping chamber. That way, activity in the great room or traffic in the entry won’t intrude on your sanctuary.

Master bathroom between rooms

Copious Closets
Are you willing to share a closet, or do you prefer one all your own? Even a luxuriously large walk-in can feel crowded if two people are using it at the same time - especially if one is running late. Double closets can eliminate congestion and allow each occupant to maintain his or her own storage style. If you’re sticking with a single closet, consider two doors, one at each end, to reduce traffic tie-ups.

Master bedroom dual closets

Atmosphere
Certainly decorating choices will affect the room’s ambiance, but architectural features need to be chosen and configured early on. A fireplace is a great bedroom element that can take up a whole-wall and serve as a focal point, or be tucked into a corner, offering the romance of a roaring fire and an efficient use of space. Built-in cabinetry is a striking feature that adds color, texture, and provides storage space that eliminates the need for an additional dresser, chest or bookcase.

Master bedroom with a fireplace

Bath Time
As with closets, master bathrooms can make or break your morning. Consider which features, such as double sinks, a separate tub and shower or closet access from the bathroom might help the room function more smoothly for both of you. And don’t forget the views here, too - if your master bath has one or more exterior walls, work with your architect to incorporate natural light and scenery to make your master bath an oasis for body and spirit.

Master Bathroom

You spend too much time in the bedroom to let your master suite be an afterthought, so when planning your dream log home, be sure to tell your architect about your suite dreams.

The Creekside Says “Mountain Style” Loud & Clear

June 15th, 2011

Creekside Timber Home

A home’s mix of exterior finish materials and varied, rambling rooflines are two of the attributes that announce “mountain style” at first glance.  Mountain Architects’ new design, the Creekside timber home, says it loud and clear with a mix of stacked stone, wood siding, timber accents and metal roofing that recalls the old west.  This timber frame home is also a natural fit for a sloped lot, following the lines of the land as if it was part of the mountain itself.

The Creekside’s clever design accommodates generous living areas, a home office and spacious guest accommodations all in 2,521 square feet.  Its ceilings are higher than is typical, increasing the interiors’ volume and natural light and resulting in an open, airy feeling.  The open air itself is accessible on both sides of the house thanks to 636 square feet of patio and covered decks.

The Creekside’s great room features heavy timber trusses that flank the stone fireplace and enhance the view from the room’s wall of windows.  The seamless flow of the main living areas makes the Creekside an easy place to entertain, while its more private wing offers a quiet retreat for work or rest. Downstairs, the walkout lower level offers a suite with two bedrooms, laundry, a full bath and its own entrance.

The Creekside is a great example of a timber home plan that accommodates all of life’s activities in less than 3,000 square feet.  Its flexible lower level can be configured to your family’s needs as well as the topography of your land, and its foot print of just 41 by 61 feet allows you to take advantage of that breathtaking site that just happens to be narrow.  When planning your log or timber home, look for an architect who can design your dream home to meet the requirements of both your lot and your lifestyle.

Focus on Mudrooms: Bring on the Mud (Room)

May 19th, 2011

Their name may be “mud,” but mud rooms should not be dismissed like the dirt beneath your feet.  When planning a new log or timber home, including a mud room may turn out to be one of your smartest design decisions.  Here are some things to consider when planning your mud room:

Placement.  Yes, your mud room should be adjacent to a well used, informal entryway, but what if you have more than one of those?  If aLaundry/Mud Room walk-out basement is part of your log home plan, consider a mud room on the lower level in addition to one on the main floor.

Plumbing.  If your mud room shares a wall with the kitchen or laundry room, incorporating a small bathroom - or at least a sink - is a great way to ensure that dirt, pollen, and irritants like poison ivy are left at the door.  Accessible plumbing also facilitates perks like a dog washing station or potting area.

Flooring.  Perhaps the most important finish choice for a mud room is the flooring.  Durable and easy-to-clean should be your floor-shopping mantra, and eschew any material that becomes slippery when wet.  Rubber flooring is a great choice for mud rooms, and some homeowners swear by indoor-outdoor carpet.  In a rustic log home or log cabin, natural stone or matte-finish tile are serviceable choices that may also fit the home’s décor.  If your mud room will use the same highly polished wood or tile as the kitchen, consider a rubber anti-fatigue mat to keep the area slip-free.

Seating.  A place to sit down and take off boots is a must.  A bench is a great solution and can do double duty if there’s room underneath to keep those boots out of the way.

Storage.  A combination of open and closed storage spaces allow easy access to shoes, for example, while providing a hiding place for seasonal items behind closed doors.  Lockers or open cubbies are popular storage choices that allow each family member to have his or her own space.  Wall-mounted hooks are great for frequently used items that need to be grabbed on the run.

Schedules.  Since the mud room usually serves as a family’s main entrance to the house, it’s a great place to keep the calendar.  A bulletin board or white board is also a great way to keep everyone “in the loop” as they come and go.

The mud room may turn out to be the most-used - and hardest working - area in the house, so a little advanced planning will pay off in the long run.

A New Post and Beam Design - The Huntington

April 14th, 2011

When we’re dreaming and doodling a log home into existence, most of us focus on things like floor plan and traffic flow, log style and guest accommodations.  But you’re sure to want livable outdoor spaces, too, so planning for them early is a smart move that will help you get the most out of your dream log home.

Post and Beam Log Home, The HungintonThe newly released Huntington post and beam log home plan from Mountain Architects is a great example of a home with clever, comfortable outdoor living areas.  On the first floor of this handcrafted post and beam home, the great room’s dramatic glass wall opens to more than 200 square feet of covered patio, allowing indoor activity to spill outside without having to contend with the beating sun or rain.  A second covered patio is conveniently placed outside the kitchen.  Designed as a dedicated barbeque area, this patio is also large enough that the cook can have some company. 

Don’t forget the second story when you’re planning your outdoor spaces.  The gem of the Huntington plan is the second story covered balcony.  Placed at the corner of the house, it capitalizes on the view due to both its height and its two open walls, while the two solid walls offer protection from the wind. Adding to the considerable romance of the balcony is its stone fireplace, which allows the space to serve as a three-season outdoor room.

When making your log home plans, consider where you might want to step outside.  Would a private patio off the master bedroom enhance your mornings?  Perhaps an outdoor extension of the dining room would facilitate the al fresco dinners you love.  Planning for outdoor spaces early on will help you maximize living space – and the enjoyment of your log home.

A Beautiful Hybrid Design

March 24th, 2011

Do you like the look of log homes? What about timber frame? If designed properly, a hybrid log and timber home can provide a unique look that you just can’t get with only log or just timber.

Upland RetreatOne great example of this hybrid log-and-timber approach is the Upland Retreat, a 2,260 sq. ft. home that offers nearly as much outdoor living space thanks to its 1,996 sq. ft. of decks and patios. The design combines rustic handcrafted logs and custom timber trusses. Its unique nature is evident even before you get inside. Four entryways, including the large covered patio, all feature timber trusses, supported by natural-profile logs. A combination of timber and stacked stone are seen on the patio. Inside, timber trusses and purlins are featured in the second-story bedrooms and the dramatic, vaulted great room. Whether log or timber, the wood elements of the Upland Retreat create beautiful frames for the expanses of glass that offer stunning views from every room.

When planning your log home, consider including timber framing to help express your unique version of mountain style. Visit our floor plan gallery for more examples of these dramatic hybrid log and timber homes.

Favorite Log Home Plans

February 25th, 2011

We wanted to showcase some of our log home plans and asked Darci, who’s been with PrecisionCraft for 6 years, what some of her favorite designs were. Here are the plans she choose and what she had to say about them.

“We have so many great plans, so it was hard to choose just a few.  I like plans of all sizes, so here are my favorite designs in each square foot range.”

Top 5 Log Floor PlansThe Cumberland - I like the Cumberland because it has a smaller foot print and would be perfect for a second home or retirement home.  It makes me feel like it has been in its surroundings for many years with its rustic and oversized handcrafted logs.

The Saratoga - Although the Saratoga looks large in the rendering, the actual square footage is less than 2,500 sq. ft.  The vaulted ceilings, shed dormers and the extensive covered porch give the home a grander feel.  I can envision the homeowners enjoying each season from that wrap-around porch. 

The Prairie Hill - To me, the main draw of the Prairie Hill floor plan is it’s large master on the main level which includes a den and private deck.  There is also a large covered porch which surrounds the great room, and that is always nice.

The Big Sky - The Big Sky’s large foyer makes a statement as soon as you walk in the door. As one of our larger plans, the Big Sky does not waste any space.  Interesting angles, like the hexagonal space that houses the Nook, keep the plan flowing from one space to the other.

The Allegheny - The Allegheny is another one with a large master suite, however; this one includes a private screened in porch which I think a lot of people will enjoy.   Although you can’t see it from the rendered elevation, there is a large deck which  stretches around the back elevation and includes a sun room.  This plan, which is our larges conceptual log home plan, includes three levels with a full basement including a family room & guest suite.

Designing Your Home to a Budget

January 27th, 2011

What is your budget for your custom home?
When you answer this question what do you include?  Each stage of your project typically has its own price tag.  Stages include: the purchase of your land, improvements to the land (i.e. septic, roads, utilities), the design process, materials, construction, finishes and landscaping. Although you can attach a price to each stage, don’t get caught without a complete understanding of your total cost and a how each piece fits into that cost.

Land Purchase and Improvements
In almost any project, the cost of your land (and any site improvements that need to be made) is separate from everything else that will go into the production of your home. Unless you are getting your land and your home from a development, your custom home builder will not factor the cost of the land into any bids they provide.  Knowing that cost is separate, many ask the question “Should I buy my land before or after I have a design?.”  There are certainly advantages to buying land ahead of time, for instance, you can pay for the land and use that equity to help finance your building project.  Also if you invest in the land a few years prior to building, you may have more money to allocate to the home itself.  There are however some issues that can arise if you purchase before you have a design ready.  If the land you are looking at is in a difficult location to reach, you may have unexpected transportation costs.  If the land is steeply sloped or odd shaped, you may have to compromise your ideal layout for one that fits better on your property.

The Design Process
The most important stage in the creation of your custom wood home is the design process. It is during the design phase where you and your architect will set the size of your home, the complexity of the design, and the type of materials that will be used.  Each of these design aspects (size, complexity and materials) will have varying affects on your home’s final cost.  As an example, let’s say that Jim and Jill start the design process looking to build a 2,500 sq.ft. log and timber hybrid with lots of roof lines and gables and unique trusses.  Their architect takes all of their desires into account along with their complete budget for the completion of their home (or turnkey budget) and goes to work.  Through the course of the design process their architect is not only working on the design but looking at the costs along the way.  He gets in contact and recommends some changes to the design.  He tells them that the turnkey cost is going to be more than their budget and provides options for their project. If they want to stay on budget they will either need to reduce the size to about 2,100 sq.ft., remove some of the complexity in the roofline, or reduce some of the timber frame materials.  Jim and Jill talk about their options and decide to get rid of some of the size, which will also reduce the roof lines enough to get within their budget.  They now have a home design they love, at a price that they can afford to build.

Materials
A common mistake buyers of timber and log homes make is to key in on the price of a materials package, instead of looking at the complete price of an actual home.  Many log producers will quote the price of their package (which could include just the wood or all the materials to create a dry-in shell).  There is nothing wrong with that, however, if the package price is the only number you have to go by, it requires more work to determine exactly how much your completed home will cost.  The log and timber materials could be from 15% to 50% of the total cost of your custom home.  This is why it is very difficult to try and allocate a specific portion of your budget to the logs out of context.  It is better to use the amount of log and timber that works best for your design and your budget as a whole.  Always think in terms of your complete house, not just a log or timber shell cost.

Construction
The delivery and stack of your logs does not end in a completed house.  Someone will need to construct the rest of your home, including the electrical, plumbing, roof, masonry etc.  If you concentrated on the cost of your log or timber shell and did not leave enough money for the actual construction, you could be in trouble.  This all goes back to making sure that your architect prepared you and your design for this stage of the project.

Finishes and Landscaping
Will you have hardwood floors or carpet in your custom home?  Do you prefer a basic electric stove or something more sophisticated?  What kind of landscaping will need to be completed once your home is done? If your architect has done their job, you will have money set aside in your budget to cover the level of finishes (both interior and exterior) that you planned for during the design process.

Just remember, if you are always looking at the entire custom home building process, you can have more confidence in your ability to meet your budget goals each step of the way as well as overall.  It is absolutely imperative that you choose an architect / company who thinks and acts this way too.

Designing Great Rooms with a View

December 23rd, 2010

One of the most important spaces in your timber or log home design will be your great room. Not only is the layout significant, but you should also understand how your great room will interact with the outdoors.  Most log homes are built in beautiful settings; some overlook lakes while others take in the surrounding forest.  Many  log home designs also include patios or decks that extend directly from the great room itself.  Therefore it is necessary to explore all aspects of your great room’s design, in order to get the most out of the total space.
Detail of Winter Park Floor Plan - PrecisionCraftA Traditional Log Home Prow

You have probably seen a number of log homes with a similar design to the Winter Park, pictured left.  The great room vaults in a triangular manner with trapezoidal windows and glass doors providing the magnificent open view.  This idea is very popular for a reason.  It provides a nice open space, which often has a loft above it, and lets everyone take in the incredible views.

Detail of the Dakota Floor Plan - PrecisionCraft

A Timber Frame Variation

This timber frame home example, the Dakota, also has a vaulted great room with a wall of windows.  In this instance, the design goes beyond the triangular forms of a traditional prow by including angles that replicate those found through the rest of the design.  The custom timber frame trusses which span from the entry through the great room, extend out to the great room patio where square timbers frame the glass windows.

Modern Glass Walls

The Shenandoah concept, below, bucks the trend in vaulted great rooms.  However, this single story plan is still able to create a unique great room space through the use of glass walls. With handcrafted character logs as corner posts, the Shenandoah’s great room has a full glass wall with two half glass walls to each side.  When relaxing in the cozy living area, the outdoors are not just viewable, they seem to be a part of the entire space.

Detail of the Shenadoah Floor Plan - PrecisionCraft

For anyone who wants to make an impression with the design of their great room, the classic glass prow, while still amazing, is not the only way to create an amazing space.  Visit our floor plan gallery for more great room design ideas.

How to Get the Design You Want

December 2nd, 2010

How do you get the design you want? There are many answers to that question, but today we are going to focus on how to modify an existing floor plan idea or concept into a plan that has a layout which works for your family, is constructed from the materials that you prefer, and fits into your budget range.

In the Beginning. . . 

If you are going to modify an existing plan.  First you have to find the plan to work from.  There are three basic elements to your timber or  log home design: layout, architectural look, and the product (log or timber) used to construct it.  Try to find a design that meets your basic needs or desires in one or more of these categories.  The best option is to find  designs that come close to your needs in all three areas, even if you have to find three different plans.  If you can show your architect the type of layout, choice of material,  and a basic style preference, the design process will progress quickly.

Layout

Blue Ridge Layout ExampleModifying the layout of a log home design depends on the quality of your architectural firm.  A custom home is not the same as a log cabin kit plan.  Let’s assume you are working with a group that is capable of making any kind of update you want.  If you have a layout that is close or contains the basic footprint of what you are looking for, modifying that plan to fit your exact needs is easy.  Below is an example of how a client of ours modified our Blue Ridge Floor Plan Concept.

Learn more about Adjusting the Layout of any Log Home Floor Plan.

Product Selection

The look of your home and the cost to build it will be greatly affected by the type of log or timber you choose as construction materials.  Do you prefer log, timber or a combination?  Do you like handcrafted or milled logs?  If you find a layout or style of home you like, that design can be redesigned using the product combination you prefer.  This is important to understand when you are searching through all of the floor plans.  For instance, don’t neglect a section of plans just because there were originally designed as timber instead of log. Here is an example of how a plan can be redesigned.  View more product options.

Blue Ridge Layout Example

Complexity of Architectural Design

Most people think about the size of a plan and many understand that handcrafted logs, for instance, look differently and cost more than milled logs.  Complexity of design, however, is a concept that the majority of custom home builders don’t think about right off.  Complexity can be seen, but not easily articulated.  Comparing a rendering which shows multiple roof lines, angled sections and lots of corners has a different look and feel than a home with four walls and a single roof line.  Learn more about complexity of timber and log home designs.

Log Home Complexity Example

Your Final Design

By better understanding what you prefer, what is possible, and how these changes affect your final home and it’s cost, you will be much more likely to get the design you really want.