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Top 10 Most Read Articles of 2011

29 December 2011, 10:50 am

Another year has come and gone at PrecisionCraft and for the log homes blog that means another year of articles written to inform, excite and inspire you and your log home project. With weekly posts ranging in topics from building tips to floor plans, we have collected a list of this year’s most popular articles for you to enjoy once more.

  1. Exterior Finishes: Your Log Home’s First Impression
  2. Building on Land with a Slope
  3. Interior Stain for Log Homes
  4. Selecting Cabinets for your Custom Home
  5. Stock or Custom Floor Plans
  6. Interior Design vs. Decorating
  7. 10 Kitchen Design Considerations
  8. How Long ‘Til My Log Home Is Built?
  9. Purchasing Land
  10. Making Educated Price Comparisons
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Filed under Construction, Design & Floor Plans, Home Finishes, Land Buying Tips, Maintenance & Protection. Tagged , , , , , , ,
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A Project Manager’s Perspective

22 December 2011, 12:28 pm

Being a company with over twenty years of experience in the log and timber home industry, we not only have a long track record of designing our client’s homes based on unique quality and craftsmanship, but we also have had plenty of partnerships with these clients actually building their log homes. With each home stacked, memories have been made for both the clients and the PrecisionCraft crew members. We sat down with Phil, one of our Project Managers, to have him tell us what it is like to be a part of the experience of someone’s dream home coming to life right before their eyes.

Phil, Project Manager

Timber Frame StructureEvery timber installation is unique and exciting in its own way. Even taking into account my personal impressions of our stunning home designs and the beautiful project sites I get to visit all around the country and beyond, it is the people who make each project’s log and timber installation memorable for me. It is quite a feeling to realize what a large role you are playing in the final stages of bringing someone’s home to life. Their homes weren’t just planned overnight, they were dreams molded with time and careful planning to make a log and timber home perfectly suited to their exact specifications. Being a part of that moment when these dreams and planning take physical form and witnessing a dream holder finally putting their own two hands on what they created, is something very special.

While I have been a part of many of these moments, there is one in particular that stands out for me. Kelly and Marie’s project site was located on a steep bluff overlooking a pristine valley floor in a mountainous region of Idaho. Now, in the home’s finished state, I would love to be sitting with them next to a burning fire Timber Frame Home Exteriorbehind picture windows, warmly taking in their view of the pristine and snow covered valley floor, but during the timber installation that particularly snowy December, we were completely exposed to the elements. The days were long, cold and wet with hard worked hours, but when we rigged the crane straps and lifted those beautiful log walls into place, I no longer felt the cold and wind-driven snow. At that moment, I was and will ever be a critical part of that family’s dream coming into reality.

From the time of my first stack with PrecisionCraft and Mountain Architects to today, I can proudly say that I have played a key role in bringing dreams like Kelly and Marie’s to reality from Alaska to Florida, everywhere in between and even overseas.

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A Fresh Look at Our Favorite Floor Plans

8 December 2011, 5:23 pm

In the past we have interviewed several dedicated members of our team and asked which of PrecisionCraft’s log and timber home floor plans were their favorites. So this time we thought we would get an opinion from Andrew, one of our Project Managers who works intimately with architects, clients and the actual designs, on which floor plans he liked best and why.

“While I think most of Mountain Architect’s floor plans are unparalleled when it comes to their unique creativity, these five plans really stand out to me.”

Truckee Log Home Rendering
The Truckee— I like the Truckee because of its large handcrafted log post and beam design that creates a lodge feel that would fit perfectly on a lakeside or in a woodland area. It has a rustic and impressive presence, yet is the perfect size for someone looking for a smaller space.
Silver Springs Floor Plan Rendering

Silver Springs— The rustic cedar siding and corrugated metal roof of the Silver Springs has a flair that transports me back in time. It makes me feel as if this unique homestead has been apart of the landscape for years.
Eagle's Nest Floor Plan RenderingEagles Nest— With more than 1,100 square feet of deck space and ample views, the Eagles Nest is a creative hybrid log and timber home design that makes you want to spend a weekend outdoors, watching the wildlife with family and friends.
Rockpoint Floor Plan RenderingRockpoint— What really draws me in with the Rockpoint plan is its deep connection with nature. Its exceptional lines compliment the functional floor plan and I can picture this home nestled along a mountain side or overlooking a skiing village.
Caribou Handcrafted Log Home RenderingCaribou—The Caribou plan captures all of the elements of a rustic home; from the large handcrafted logs to the stone work. This single level log home style emanates functionality as well as intimacy. I can see why it has inspired homes across the country.
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Kitchen Design Checklist

1 December 2011, 5:50 pm

Today, kitchen space is a primary concern when building a new home; kitchens are more than just a prep area for a meal, they are a gathering place for family and friends for dining and social occasions. With that in mind, there are several components in your kitchen to think about as you and your designer layout the space. Here are a few questions that will help to guide your planning so that your kitchen space is a functional part of your custom log home as well as a reflection of your personality.

How Do You Want to Display Things?

The cabinetry in your kitchen can be designed to display as well as to conceal. For those super organizers out there, open shelving is a great option that works in both contemporary and country style homes. Open shelving is also great for displaying china or other items with sentimental value. For those wanting to conceal the clutter in their kitchen, closed cabinets is a great traditional way to do so. The combination of open and closed shelving is another option that will add a completely different feel to the space.

Do You Need Additional Sinks or Counter Space?

If you are like many and you never seem to have an empty sink when it comes time to make a meal, you might consider adding an island with a vegetable sink; this will open up more counter space as well as give you an extra sink for cooking. If you have a household that entertains often, consider adding a bar sink fixture to an island instead.

How Do You Want Your Kitchen to Interact with the Main Living Space?

For those in the stages of building their log or timber home, considering the flow of your main living space is crucial. If you would prefer your kitchen remained separate from the great room, dining room, entry, ect, then a closed layout would work best for your home. If you want your kitchen to flow with the rest of the space, keeping the room open would be the best solution. Speak with your architects on how best to layout your open or closed kitchen.

Do You Have Enough Light to Function in Your Kitchen?

When designing your kitchen, consider the window placement in the room as well as what section of the house you build it on. If you prefer natural light, make sure your kitchen is positioned where it will receive the maximum amount of light. Including a skylight would also help to brighten up the space and keep it functional.

What is Your Task versus Accent Lighting Ratio?

While accent lighting is a great way to highlight architectural features and artistic décor throughout your home, in the kitchen area the task to accent lighting ratio should be kept at 80% for task lighting and 20% for accent lighting to ensure that your kitchen remains truly functional.

Have You Thought About Countertop Materials?

Between granite, look-a-likes and other materials, there are many options for your countertops. Take time to consider how much time and money you want to invest in the product and its cleaning and maintenance. Speaking with a professional interior designer will help you to weigh the pros and cons of each to find a material that is best suited for your log home’s kitchen.

These are just a few questions we think are necessary to ask yourself when designing your kitchen. For more information and tips for designing, please visit the National Kitchen and Bath Association website: http://www.nkba.org/Learn/Homeowners/Articles.aspx

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