Meridian, ID – October 8, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — When the McCarthys of Atlanta decided to create a lakeside retreat from their busy life in the city, they knew they wanted their new getaway to echo the rustic elegance of the Great Camps that were constructed in the Adirondacks. In the 1930s, William West Durant combined a number of design styles—including large timbers, stone and handcrafted accents—to create compounds of elegant cabins on the shores of lakes in upstate New York. Scores of New Yorkers experienced the wilderness with all the comforts of civilization for the very first time.
But how do you successfully blend modern construction methods, Adirondack style and Southern hospitality? To make this very personal vision a reality, the McCarthys turned to Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft Log and Timber Homes (Meridian, ID). The result is this month’s featured home at loghomes.org, the official website of the Log Homes Council, which is part of the National Association of Home Builders. The featured home includes detailed floor plans and a gallery of photos of the home.
The McCarthys started with an existing floor plan among the PrecisionCraft’s many designs, called the Rimrock. The family was drawn to the original plan’s general layout. With the help of Mountain Architects, the McCarthys converted what was originally a log design into something new. What was originally conceived as a milled log home was reconfigured into a handcrafted post and beam home. Using log post and beam construction, large handcrafted timbers make for soaring ceilings within the interior. With this style of construction, the McCarthy’s were rewarded with sweeping views of the lake and natural light pouring through large expanses of windows. On the exterior they incorporated rock, rustic siding and shingles, which enabled the home to fit organically into the landscape.
Building on the side of a hill, just up from the lake, meant that Mountain Architects had to make some changes to the design to match the slope. The best solution was to add a daylight basement. The basement was a source of low-cost square footage that provided the family of four with lots of room to relax and play. The basement now houses a foosball table, pinball machine, shuffle board and cozy lounge furniture. Plus, there was room to add a screened-in porch, perfect for making memories during family gatherings.
PrecisionCraft and Mountain Architects have crafted custom log homes across the United States, including log, timber frame, and post and beam design styles.
Members of the Log Homes Council routinely make dream homes a reality for homebuyers. The council is also an association of the most reputable log home companies in the United States, Canada and beyond. While hundreds of companies offer log and timber homes, less than 60 qualify for membership in the Log Homes Council. What sets these companies apart? They offer peace of mind to consumers. Membership requirements offer safeguards, including:
• Abiding by a strict code of ethics
• Grading their logs and timbers by third party agencies to ensure quality
• Providing construction manuals to ensure homes are built to meet building codes
• Contributing to scientific studies that advance log building technologies
• Offering FREE information to consumers
“This means when you buy from an LHC member, it guarantees you are getting the quality materials that will stand the test of time,” says Jim Murphy, chairman of the Log Homes Council, and a log home manufacturer from Mauston, WI. Much of the LHC’s knowledge is on display on the association’s website, www.loghomes.org.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL: The Log Homes Council, part of the National Association of Home Builders, is comprised of manufacturers of log homes. These companies have adopted membership rules that protect consumers during the buying and building process. The council also offers an online Buyer’s Guide, to help consumers make their dream home a reality.
ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 175,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as “the voice of the housing industry,” NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country.
About Mountain Architects:
As a premiere designer of custom log homes and timber frame homes, Mountain Architects is the log and timber frame industry’s most honored and respected architectural firm. With numerous awards and 20 years of design excellence, Mountain Architects creates inspiring designs that match each client’s unique lifestyle, architectural preference and building location.
About PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame:
From construction drawings to materials selection to an exclusive builder bidding process named BidRightSM, PrecisionCraft negotiates on behalf of its clients, ensuring best price, highest quality and accountability from all parties involved. For every client, PrecisionCraft’s Total Home Solution® guarantees optimal pricing and superior quality. For more information on designing and building custom mountain homes, please visit PrecisionCraft’s Log Home Design Center at PrecisionCraft.com or call 800-729-1320.
