The Log Home Floor Plan Blog

The exclusive collection, Rustic Luxury Log Cabins & Plans, recently released by Mountain Architects now features three attractive, unique cabin designs complete with luxurious finishes.  Designed for discriminating homeowners who are seeking the best in mountain style living, but in a smaller, more intimate home, this new series offers the perfect blend of warmth, attractive natural materials and high-end finishes.

Released in December 2009 is the Targhee Log Cabin Plan.  With 2,296 square feet of livable space, the Targhee features a three-level design with a master suite on each level.  Unique to this cabin design is a dining space with windows on three sides – perfect for enjoying a great view of the snow covered mountains.  The Targhee also features over 600 square feet in porches and decks making it possible to enjoy the outdoors from every floor of this log cabin retreat. The massive stone fireplace just outside the kitchen area on the main level adds character and warmth to this Appalachian style cabin.

Targhee Log Home Design

November’s design featured a French Country timber frame cabin - the Trian.  This beautiful timber frame cabin home features barreled tile roofing and stone commonly seen in the French Riviera.  For a unique look and feel, Mountain Architects also incorporated beveled edge siding as well as beautifully crafted timber frame braces surrounding the large bowed window just off the great room. The large stone fireplace on the open patio completes the look and feel of this Rustic Luxury Log Cabin home.

With 2,039 square feet on the main level, the Trian timber frame floor plan features an open design with bold timber framing throughout the kitchen, dining room and great room areas. With an additional 227 square feet, the loft area is perfect for a library or small office.

Trian, Rustic Luxury Log Cabin

Mountain Architects kicked off the new Rustic Luxury series in October with the Telluride.  This luxury, single level log cabin home features a unique combination of stone, bark siding, beautifully crafted character logs, glass and milled log walls.

With 1,560 square feet of livable space, the Telluride log cabin creates a sense of warmth and coziness – truly a cabin in the woods.  Its floor plan features a simple layout with vaulted ceilings, dual master suites, and of course, a great room with a view window.

Telluride Log Cabin Home

Stay tuned for Mountain Architects final addition to the Rustic Luxury series.  With the New Year comes the release of Mountain Architects’ best cabin design yet!  See the entire line of Rustic Luxury log cabins at PrecisionCraft.com.

Many considerations go into the design of the perfect log home kitchen. Below are a few things to consider in your one-on-one meeting with your Mountain Architects’ designer.

Architectural Style & Lifestyle
There is no one style of log homes these days.  Buyers are more sophisticated in their choices, beyond the typical Western log home style exterior.  They may choose to live in a French Country, Appalachian or Craftsman style log or timber frame home.  As with the exterior look and feel, architectural style also comes to life inside the home; notably in the layout and design of the kitchen.  A French Country kitchen may, for example, incorporate more refined materials and cabinetry while a Craftsman style kitchen may utilize extensive beam-work.

Along with the architectural style, lifestyle has its role in the layout of the kitchen.  Log homes are traditionally more open and casual in layout; a trait generally reflective of those who enjoy entertaining family and friends.  If entertaining is a top priority, the kitchen will act as more than a place to prepare food. Its layout, style, and accents become a focus of the home itself.  A large island strategically placed, for example, will encourage guests to mingle and share their stories.  In addition, an open layout can create a seamless flow from the kitchen area to the great room; a great way to make all guests feel valued and included.

The art of entertaining will also affect the number and choices of appliances.  A summer barbeque is more easily accomplished if access to the deck or patio from the kitchen is simple.  Or, open the entire kitchen up to an outdoor kitchen / barbeque area with a Nana Wall system. Guests are sure to love the uninterrupted flow to the outside.

The View
Many decide to build their dream log home only after finding a lot with the perfect view.  The kitchen and great room often share the best view by incorporating a good amount of glass in the design. One note to consider, however, is the effect on the layout of the kitchen…a lot of windows can take away from the amount of upper cabinets available which in turn may necessitate a separate pantry for storage.

Orientation to Adjoining Spaces
As stated above, today’s log homes are more casual in nature.  The formal relationship between the living, dining and kitchen has been replaced by an open floor plan that brings the kitchen into the main living experience of the home.  Instead of the kitchen being blocked off from the rest of the living area by walls, the only thing separating it from the living room may be a kitchen island. Therefore, the choice of materials in the kitchen becomes even more important in the overall ambiance of the home.

Layout of Kitchen & Appliances
The more casual outdoor lifestyle that is inherent in log homes distinguishes the design of the kitchen from that in other types of homes.  In addition to the usual work zones for preparation, cooking and clean-up, additional storage or indoor grilling may also be necessary.  Several under-counter refrigerator doors and other specialty appliances may also be added in various locations in the kitchen for the active, casual lifestyle.  It is not unusual for a log home to be in a remote location which may require the addition of a large pantry in the kitchen.  Items such as a wine cooler, indoor grill or freezer may also be added.

Use of Logs or Timbers in the Kitchen
The use of a log beam, timber ceiling, or vertical log or timber posts in the kitchen adds interest to the design.  Vaulted ceilings utilizing log or timber trusses greatly increase the drama of the space.  For added architectural appeal, vertical logs are often incorporated at the under-counter face of the kitchen island.

Tip: Frequently, clients ask how wall cabinets are installed on a round log wall.  Cabinets are typically hung by way of furring on the face of the log wall which provides a plumb surface for the cabinets to hang from.

Mountain Architects stays at the forefront of the industry with a new design each month. This time, the team introduces their new series, Rustic Luxury Log Cabin Homes & Plans, an exclusive collection featuring attractive, unique designs and luxurious finishes. Designed for discriminating homeowners who are seeking the best in mountain style living, but in a smaller, more intimate home, Rustic Luxury Log Cabins offer the perfect blend of warmth, attractive natural materials and high-end finishes. 

In addition to creating a sense of warmth, Rustic Luxury Log Cabin Homes & Plans provide the perfect design solution for smaller build sites – great design without compromising architectural style and detail. And, if you are looking to build a LEED certified log cabin home, smaller is better! Mountain Architects works with clients to ensure their log cabin homes meet their green building goals. Discover more green home design tips.  

With this announcement comes the release of Mountain Architects’ first design in the new cabin series, the Telluride. This luxury, single level log cabin home features a unique combination of stone, bark siding, beautifully crafted character logs, glass and milled log walls. 

With 1,560 square feet of livable space, the Telluride creates a sense of warmth and coziness – truly a cabin in the woods.  Its floor plan features a simple layout with vaulted ceilings, dual master suites, and of course, a great room with a view window.  View the Telluride Log Cabin Plan.

Stay tuned for more Rustic Luxury Log Cabin designs. A new cabin design will be introduced each month, through January 2009.  Sign up at their web site to receive the Design of the Month.

The team at Mountain Architects have put together a Top 10 list below. Take a look at what they say are the top 10 most important factors to consider when designing custom log homes and timber frame homes:

1. Set a Realistic Turnkey Budget. Establishing a realistic budget at the beginning stages of the home design process is critical. It is equally as important to find an architect that is willing and able to work within your estimated turnkey budget range. Some cost factors you and your architect should consider include:

• Size of Your Home: The size of your log home or timber frame home is probably the biggest cost variable. If the preliminary budget is significantly out of alignment, the first place to look is at the square footage of your log home. Learn more about the layout and size of log homes.
• Complexity of Design: The complexity of a log or timber frame home’s design is probably the least understood factor impacting cost - the more corners, roof ridge lines and roof valleys, the higher the cost. Adding gables, dormers, hips and other architectural styling elements to your log home design increases its complexity, and as a result, the overall cost of your home. On the other hand, a simple rectangular design with one roof ridge line is simpler, and therefore less expensive, to build. See examples of log home design complexity.
• Level of Finishes Selected: The level of finishes that you choose for your log home has a dramatic impact on overall cost. Depending on your turnkey budget, you may select a higher level of finishes. Keep in mind that granite counter tops, Jacuzzi tubs, and wide plank flooring are beautiful amenities, but are more expensive than Formica counters, fiberglass tubs and carpet. See some examples of how home finishes can impact the cost of timber frame or log homes.
• Product Choice: The product you select for your home – milled log, handcrafted log, timber frame, a combination of log and timber, or stick frame with log & timber accents – also has an impact on the overall cost of your home. Work directly with your architect or designer to find the right product for your custom home, one that meets both your aesthetic preferences and budget. Understand product choice in the design process.

2. Know What Exterior Look You Want. Mountain Architects defines seven potential exterior styles for your home: Western Log and Timber, Pacific Northwest, Adirondack, Chalet, Appalachian, Craftsman, or French Country. Study them and other styles noted in the industry and decide which style you like best. Also magazine clippings are a great source for communicating to your architect what style and features you prefer.

3. Consider Your Site / Build Location. The general principle here is to design a log home or timber frame home to fit your build site. Consider the entrance to the site and any views you want to take advantage of. If your site has a slope you will want to consider a basement and if the slope is steep enough, a daylight basement may be in order. Other things that come into play are setback requirements; how much area is available for the house; and if there are any obstructions on the site. These are all factors that your architect should consider in designing your new log home.

4. Familiarize Your Architect with Any CCR’s. If the development you’re building in has published a list of design requirements you should become familiar with them and bring a copy to the meeting with your architect or designer. Of particular importance are any requirements regarding height limit and any submittal timelines.

5. Consider Your Lifestyle. How you intend to live in your custom log home or timber frame home will have a huge impact on its design. For example, questions of how many family members you have, if you plan to entertain, and if you participate in outdoor activities will determine the number and type of spaces within the house.

6. Establish the Main Use for Your Home. The design of a permanent, full time residence will be substantially different than that of a second home in the mountains. This is an important aspect to consider in your initial conversations with your architect or designer.

7. Decide How Many Levels You Want in Your Home. This has to do with the Exterior Look of the house and whether the client wants a basement which could be dictated due to site parameters. This can also involve segregation of spaces, available area on site, the slope of the site, orientation of the site, and of course, your budget.

8. Decide How Many Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Specialty Rooms You Need. Deciding how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and specialty rooms your want to include in your new home requires consideration of your budget, lifestyle, and the available area on your build site. The prime consideration here for you and your architect is your budget.

9. Consider Exterior Amenities. As you think about your lifestyle you should determine what features you will want to incorporate into the exterior landscape of your home. Items such as decks, patios, a spa, outbuildings and water features will greatly enhance how the house will fit your needs. You will want to take these items into account when addressing your budget of course.

10. Garage. Another huge budget item is a garage if it is to be included in the design. You will want to discuss the size and number of vehicles to be housed in the garage. Also of importance is the relationship of the garage (attached or detached) to the house and access in and out of the garage to and from the street.

See this article and more at LandWatch - Land for Sale.

PrecisionCraft’s newest log home floor plan is here! This month, Mountain Architects releases a single level design with lots of interest.

The inspiration for the Shenandoah log home floor plan comes from the cozy log cabin ideal of yesteryear. Even though this design is a single level with only 2,136 sq.ft., the plan is open and has an abundance of character. From the handcrafted log columns in the picture window to the extensive use of vaulted ceilings lined with log rafters, this plan is designed to turn heads.

With the Shenandoah log home plan, entertaining guests outside is an effortless adventure. Designed with over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor living space and a rustic stone fireplace, guests will feel right at home.

Every new floor plan, like the Shenandoah, is professionally rendered to help clients envision what the exterior of their homes will look like. Each new design is based on past experiences with clients, Mountain Architects’ own unique log & timber home vision, and the latest trends in the log home industry. The ultimate goal is simply to inspire.

As rendered, the Shenandoah shows how a combination of materials – square milled log, handcrafted log, glass, & stone – can be used together in the design of any home. If a client prefers a rustic handcrafted log home or a full timber frame home, the Shenandoah can be designed with any product in mind. In addition, the Shenandoah can be customized in size and layout. PrecisionCraft’s log home plans are simply starting points for many clients.

As drawn, the estimated turnkey cost of the Shenandoah is $500,000. This estimate reflects average construction costs generated by 3rd party, national data. With customization, the Shenandoah may turnkey at more or less taking into consideration a client’s build location, build site conditions, and design modifications.

Get more details on the Shenandoah Log Home Plan or view PrecisionCraft’s log home floor plan gallery.

Ready to make your getaway to a pristine log or timber home retreat? It won’t cost you a penny to immerse yourself in the latest in world class log home design from Mountain Architects, the log and timber home industry leaders.

This month’s unique French Country log home design, the Hickory Falls, features a hipped roof design, a custom timber frame truss at the entryway, and an impressive use of different materials. The latest design from the team at PrecisionCraft and Mountain Architects illustrates how a combination of materials – log, timber, stucco, stone, and glass can come together and create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

This log home design is also unique in its layout. The Hickory Falls’ floor plan features:

•Beautiful courtyard adjacent to the home’s entryway and living area
•Second floor balcony in the rear of the home
•Impressive studio space above the garage
•Master suite with outdoor fireplace
•Large mud room/laundry room

When designing custom homes – especially log & timber hybrid homes, it is essential to recruit an experienced architect; a designer who has an in-depth understanding of the properties and behaviors of log and timber connections. It is also important to have unlimited, direct access to your designer throughout the entire design process — from idea to the final home.

Each month, the team at Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft Log Homes work to create a plan that reflects architectural styling elements that are new, unique, or simply inspirational. Recognizing that design is the first and most important step in bringing clients’ visions to life, PrecisionCraft’s monthly designs give clients the perfect place to find what elements and styles best describe their own unique lifestyles and visions.

You will find PrecisionCraft’s exclusive log home and timber frame home designs, like the Hickory Falls, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Cascades, the Klamath Mountains, the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians. Although PrecisionCraft is based in Idaho, you will find their log homes throughout the United States - from California to North Carolina, PrecisionCraft’s Total Home Solution™ makes the way.