The Log Home Floor Plan Blog

As the year comes to a close, everyone here at PrecisionCraft reflects on all of the amazing log and timber home projects we have been able to work on this year. For our in-house architectural firm, M.T.N Architects, each home they’ve drawn leaves them with a unique memory. We sat down with our designers and had them each tell us about of the projects that resonated with them and why. Here are the 2012 projects they chose.

 Colorado Timber Frame

Version of the Tahoe

This timber frame home, inspired by the unique floor plan and prominent view-facing elevation of the Tahoe concept, is set to be built in Trinidad in 2013. Tim, M.T.N designer for the project, chose this as one of his favorites for the year not only for the breathtaking location, but for the unique circumstances. “The home is being built by a very close group of friends that have built a business together and now want a vacation ranch home together so that their families can all utilize it.” Tim said. This 6,500 square foot home features specialty spaces like; bunk rooms for all of the families’ children and four master suites on the second level.

Connecticut Timber Frame

Original Laurette Chateau

When we asked Scott what project stood out for him, he spoke of one located in Connecticut that is currently in the design process. He chose this home for its open floor plan and the visibility of the timber frame structure from the home’s entrance. With 100 acres of property to build on, this family hopes to retain the french country themes of the  Laurette Chateau, while creating a floor plan that fits their need for spaces like a carriage house attached to the garage.

California Handcrafted

Version of the Peaks Lodge

The rugged look of the Adirondack-style Peaks Lodge is what spurred the design of this California handcrafted log home design. Matt, the in-house designer for this project, selected it as one of his favorites for the year due to the design challenge it presented and the passion of the homeowners. Despite the restrictive guidelines set forth by their development, Matt worked hard with his clients to achieve the exact plan they had been dreaming of, which included almost 1,000 additional square feet for extra bedrooms and specialty rooms.

Oregon Timber Frame

Custom Timber Frame Design

An eclectic mix of architectural styles and an Oceanside location are what Design Manager, Celeste believes makes this custom timber frame project one the most unique of the year. Designed for a couple residing in London, the house will be built a stone’s-throw away from Oregon’s coastal waters. Due to its narrow lot, the project’s designer worked with the clients to develop a floor plan that accommodates the lot dimensions and would still include the layout they wished to see in the home. One-of-a-kind elements were also included to the design, like a spiral staircase that leads from the garage to an Art attic, and a lighthouse that powers the home’s ventilation.

To see other projects that are on the boards, visit the M.T.N Architects website.

A traditional theme in mountain-style homes is the focus on central gathering spaces. Great rooms, kitchens and dining rooms blend to create spacious, open floor plans for groups of all sizes to come together. While these spaces are very common within log and timber homes, here are a few examples of unique rooms that you may not expect to find in the average log home.

Exercise Room

From lap pools to saunas to personal gyms, the inclusion of dedicated exercise spaces are becoming more common.  People who build homes in the mountains tend to have an  active lifestyle. By including spaces for an indoor lap pool in the winter or a sauna to sit in after a long day of skiing, their mountain-style home allows them to bring their passion for exercise into every season, no matter their location.

Animal Rooms

Birds, Cats and Dogs, oh my! By designing rooms for animals of all shapes and sizes, families are able to incorporate their love for their furry friend into their home.  One such client dedicated a room to her parrots, including a central drain and an old vault cage door in the design. Another client, tired of dog paws across the floor, added doggy doors and showers in the mud room to create a buffer between the home and the outdoor dirt.

Secret Rooms

Building a new home should be an exciting and creative process. With all of the freedom to customize your log home, why not add private spaces of your own? We’ve created plans with secret playrooms in the back of children’s closet, studies behind swinging bookcases and even safe rooms for added precaution. There is no limit to the rooms we can include in your home to fit your unique lifestyle.

Building a home of log or timber creates a structure that is uniquely characterized by its product. While wood homes are seemingly easy to point out, this does not mean that they all look the same. Architectural style, layout and customization all play parts in distinguishing one log home from another. Here are a few styles of architecture that help define the different appearances your wood home can portray.

Western Log and Timber

This style of log home is what we like to call a true mountain-style home due to the typically large-scaled elements used in the design. The lodge-like charm of a western log and timber home includes large picture windows to take advantage of the vistas provided by their sprawling landscapes. The Big Sky is one such design concept that includes massive handcrafted log walls and trusses along with stone and glass to create the classic lodge appeal.

Adirondack

The Adirondack style of building originates from a rugged architectural style that began within the Adirondack Mountains. Distinguished by their rustic appearance, Adirondacks promote a natural look that is organic within its location. With lower pitch roofs, rough detailing of log and twig and stone foundations; these plans are both imaginative and comfortable. The Ticonderoga is a popular floor plan concept in this style due to its rustic appeal. While not as heavy or imposing as the Western Log and Timber style, the Ticonderoga is built with the unique character of a classic Adirondack, including twig designs in the porch and truss system.

French Country

In contrast to the mountain-esque appeal of the Western Log and Timber style and Adirondack style, the architecture of a French Country wood home is reminiscent of a traditional countryside estate. Known for their narrow overhangs, smaller windows and stone accents, these log or timber homes fit right into their surroundings while still retaining a stately presence. The Beaumont design concept features all of the attributes of French Country architecture, including smaller curved windows and custom truss work. The square log walls and timber frame accents create a provincial feel against the subtle pitch of the roof.

To explore more examples of these log home styles and others such as: Appalachian, Chalet, Craftsman and Northwest, visit the PrecisionCraft Floor Plans page.

Mark and Crystal were an Oregon couple who wanted to build a winter home that would accommodate their cold-weather hobbies. Inspired by the natural beauty of their Mt. Hood location and the idea of living sustainably, they wanted their home to be a winter escape that could still maintain consistent temperatures throughout the year. With the help of PrecisionCraft Log and Timber Homes and its architectural firm, Mountain Architects, the couple was able to build a stunning winter retreat that became the first true log home to receive a LEED Platinum Certification. Read Mark and Crystal’s inspired living story of how they made their winter home super-efficient as well as tailored to their needs.

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.

A Vermont couple works with PrecisionCraft Log Homes and Mountain Architects to design a customized version of the Cedar Falls log home plan. This beautiful log home features an extended stone & log accented prow as well as a double-sided fireplace that warms the great room and the deck. It is a grand welcome home in Vermont!

See more Log Home Pictures & Designs at Facebook!

This custom log home, recognized in Country’s Best 2009 Design Awards, features a gourmet kitchen. Here are the features that make this kitchen truly a work of art:

• Seamless boundary between the indoor and outdoor living space.
• Opening, glass wall that lets the outside in.
• A convenient large pantry featuring an oven stack.
• Open design with the kitchen flowing effortlessly to the dining area.
• Two, separate sinks and work areas.
• Butler’s area.
• Expansive pantry storage positioned behind the appliances.
• Custom interior design elements include: a concrete sink laden with pebbles, stucco walls, and tile murals.
• Knotty alder cabinets.
• Kitchen island finished with barn wood siding.
• Cedar logs walls.

View our collection of log home kitchens at our Facebook Page or at our Log Home Kitchen Photo Gallery at www.PrecisionCraft.com!

A North Carolina couple falls in love with PrecisionCraft’s award-winning Crested Butte floor plan. Modified to fit their land and architectural style, this handcrafted log home meets their every need. A true second home retreat.

Crested Butte Floor Plan | Modified with Handcrafted Logs

Mountain Architects – Custom Mountain Homes

Custom Designed Handcrafted Log Home | North Carolina

Waterfront Log Home with Expansive Great Room Windows

Reminiscent of the old-style cabins of our American forefathers, this Appalachian style home features beaver tooth corners, long, covered porches, warm hued stone and rustic, metal roofing. Based on the Blue Ridge floor plan, this home is a stunning mountain home retreat in Colorado. Traveling to every client’s build site, PrecisionCraft’s professional stacking crew installs the log and timber structure on the foundation. From fabrication to installation, PrecisionCraft ensures top quality and excellent structural engineering value.

Blue Ridge Log Home Plan | A Custom Log Home Design by PrecisionCraft

Appalachian Log Home in Colorado | Luxury Living & Log Homes

A Mountain House Designed by PrecisionCraft Log Homes

Many people spend years searching hundreds of different log home & timber frame floor plans; ones that showcase a specific style, layout, or size. For this Idaho couple, their search focused on finding a floor plan that would complement their build location.

In their pursuit for a floor plan that would highlight their one-of-a-kind view, Kelly and Marie fell in love with Mountain Architects’ Laurette Chateau timber frame home plan. The couple felt that the massive timber window “framed their view like a picture” while the large wraparound deck and multiple patios made outdoor living easy. See pictures of this finished timber frame home below:

Timber Frame House | Inspired by the Laurette Chateau Plan

~Custom timber frame home design by Mountain Architects

Custom Timber Frame Bar with Steel-Brushed Barn Wood

~Distinguished mountain architecture & design

Timber Frame Great Room: Custom Timber Frame Trusses

~State-of-the-art log & timber manufacturing techniques ensure top structural value for your home.

Timber Frame Home Designed for a Beautiful, Mountain View

~Learn more about the custom log home design process.

Amid the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, this log home is a variation of PrecisionCraft’s most popular plan and rendering – the Caribou Log Home Plan. This Pennsylvania home was modified to include a basement and to accommodate a sloping lot. Still under construction, this custom log home incorporates distinctive stone work, milled logs, character logs, and expansive windows. Truly a natural wonder!

Log Home in Pennsylvania Inspired by the Caribou Log Home Plan

Wood Design, A Classic Log Home – Custom Log Home Design

View more pictures of this log home on Facebook and see the process unfold from design through construction: http://www.facebook.com/#/album.php?aid=142758&id=75290931938&ref=mf 

Classic Log Homes & Lakeside Living

Moose, pronghorn antelope, wolves, osprey and more enjoy the great watering hole found on the shores of Henry’s Lake. Mesmerized by theater-like views of the surrounding wildlife, Doug and Kristin make it a daily endeavor to enjoy the great outdoors from their home in the mountains. Several outdoor seating areas, private balconies, an expansive deck off the main level, and magnificent walls of glass surrender beautiful, uninterrupted views of the lake and mountains. With intimate living spaces and abundant views out, Doug and Kristin have redefined lakefront living with a beautiful log home.

Even with its focus on the outdoors, Doug and Kristin’s log home is completely functional. The master bedroom is located on the main level of the home and each guest bedroom features its own full bath and private access to the outdoors.  Fashioned with a Western, rustic décor, Doug and Kristin’s cabin retreat is adorned with Navajo blankets, heavy wood furniture and custom designed, antler lighting.

Doug and Kristen’s home was inspired by PrecisionCraft’s Tahoe log home plan.

Spectacular View from the Log Home Great Room

This dreamy cabin, built at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho, represents the classic, rugged beauty of Idaho’s backcountry. Complimented with modern styling, this log and timber frame cabin is truly a marvel inside and out.

Snow-Covered Log Cabin Home: Entry
Created by the award-winning team PrecisionCraft Homes & Timber Frame and sister company, Mountain Architects, the snow covered retreat, named the Eagle’s Nest, has created quite the “buzz” in the log home community winning awards from the Building Systems Councils and many accolades from log cabin enthusiasts worldwide.

The Eagle’s Nest log home plan boasts a unique design, driven by a unique build site. “The sloping lot nestled against the mountainside at Tamarack Resort demanded a design that was long and narrow,” says designer Matt Franklin, who works at Mountain Architects. “Though the design is intricate with various angles and bump outs, there are few steps in the roofline and limited level changes, making the home work beautifully with its surroundings.”

Eagle’s Nest Log Home: Custom Designed for Narrow Build Site

The intricate design of the Eagle’s Nest makes this home a true, dream cabin showcase. With an open layout, private sleeping quarters and a cozy outdoor living area, the Eagle’s Nest, according to respected team at Log Home Living, “turns the familiar log home tune into a chorus of hallelujahs.”

The layout of the Eagle’s Nest is not the only distinguishing feature inspiring the singing of hallelujahs. Artfully designed timber frame trusses and heavily adzed, square log walls are complimented with the elegance of modern finishes making this home the only one of its kind.

The kitchen comes to life with its custom, knotty alder cabinets. Distressed and glazed, the euro style cabinets magnify the warm hue of the timbers and compliment the granite counter-tops and travertine backslash.

Custom Log Cabin Home: Kitchen

Beautiful hardwood floors, manufactured from wood salvaged from an old bridge in Utah line the kitchen, dining room and great room. The entry, mud room and powder room boast heated slate tile flooring with custom tile rugs.

The two-sided, wood burning fireplace adds to the cabin appeal with its cozy charm. Enjoyed from the great room or the outdoor living area, the fireplace commands attention with its natural stone quarried in Montana.

Log Home Great Room: Featuring Handcrafted Timbers and Square, Milled Log Walls

Recognized for its focus on mountain style architecture, the award winning team at PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame and Mountain Architects has custom designed thousands of log homes and cabins worldwide bringing them to life using the industry’s only Design Build Best Cost program.

Charlie and Lauren realized their mountain style home amid the beautiful scenery and quiet comfort of Lake Pend Oreille. Known as Idaho’s most magnificent lake, Lake Pend Oreille is one of the few places worthy of this brilliantly crafted timber frame cabin; it is simply breathtaking with its glass prow design and cathedral ceilings.

With entertainment at the heart of their home’s design, Charlie and Lauren Bisbee worked with PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame and sister company, Mountain Architects to create a home perfect for hosting guests.  The indoor pool, complete with a waterfall, cozy movie theater and artfully designed bar make entertaining easy and fun. With a little extra planning and careful thought, Mountain Architects was able to create a design that would function to entertain while also create an environment conducive to enjoying the great outdoors and finding time to relax.

Timber Frame House: Designed to Entertain

Although larger in size than a traditional cabin, Charlie and Lauren’s timber frame home is their cabin retreat; a place where they can come together with family and friends. With an open design, the kitchen allows the couple to interact with their guests, creating a spirit of togetherness. The great room also invites its guests in with a large stone fireplace and comfortable seating area. Venetian plastered walls, mocha colored timbers and warm stucco hues add character and also create an ambiance that is pleasant and welcoming.

Timber Frame Home Kitchen: Open Design

When family and friends are not the focus, the reading area in the loft is an ideal place to cozy up with a good book or simply enjoy a splendid view of the majestic lake, perfectly framed by a custom, arched barrel truss. In addition, the home’s multiple decks provide ample opportunity for enjoying the great outdoors.

Loft Features Custom Timber Frame: A Unique Arched Barrel Truss

Often times, couples like Charlie and Lauren fall in love with a company because of a particular log home plan, design, or a company’s distinctive architectural focus. Other times, couples are passionate about the building process looking for the safest path to realize their dream home. Together, PrecisionCraft and Mountain Architects provide the best of both worlds. This artistic duo has the reputation of bringing award-winning log home designs to life using the industry’s only complete Design Build program, saving clients time, effort, and money. Learn more at www.PrecisionCraft.com.

PrecisionCraft’s Wood River Log Home Plan features a unique combination of log and timber frame. This customized version takes shape at a beautiful build site in Alberta, Canada.

Rear View: Wood River Log Home Floor Plan Constructed in Alberta, Canada

Front View: Wood River Log Home Plan Built in Alberta, Canada

Great Room Features Breathtaking Timber Frame Trusses