Log Home Living – June 2019

64 |^ Best Log & Timber Floor Plans 2019

design for the ages

tip

IF YOU’RE ENTERTAINERS...

If you enjoy entertaining — especially grand gath-

erings — a large open plan that allows guests to

move easily from one area to the next is a perfect

log or timber home design; however, it’s also

essential to provide a sense of intimacy, so that

conversation is comfortable. The type of soirees

you host may lean themselves to certain design

features, like extra-large dining rooms, wine

tasting rooms or elaborate gaming areas. These

design principles will guide you on your way to a

house that puts the “fun” in functional.

Q Incorporate a walkout basement with a wet

bar, wine cellar and media center, and open it

up to a deck or patio to allow for indoor/out-

door entertaining.

Q The kitchen tends to be the hub of any

party, so include an oversized island or long

L-shaped peninsula to encourage friends and

family to gather with a plate of food and a

glass of wine.

Q Keep the dining room close to the kitchen

and provide adequate space for the number

of guests you host most frequently.

Q Walls of windows, especially sliders or

retractable walls, will keep a crowd from

feeling claustrophobic.

9

Storage, Storage and More Storage.

As a nation that likes to accumulate

“stuff,” our homes often feel like

they are bursting at the seams —but

it doesn’t have to be that way. Most

new homeowners, after being in their

home for a year, will tell you if there’s

one thing they’d change about its design

is that they’d incorporate more storage

space. Pinpoint under-utilized areas, like

pantries, bathrooms, lofts, half-walls and

the space beneath the stairs, then explore

options to maximize them.

10

Daylighting. Research shows

that natural light calms our

moods and makes us happier.

It seems fairly obvious, right?

But it’s a little more complicated

than building a log or timber home with

soaring ceilings and lots of windows.

To maximize your sunshine benefi ts, be

sure to site your house on your land with

daylighting in mind, but illuminate with

caution: A southern exposure will give

you the most sunlight, but it could also

increase the temperature inside your

home. As with all of our 10 brilliant tips,

strategic room planning and balance are

the keys to success.

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