Log Home Design Awards - Honorable Mentions

The Log Home Design Contest: Honorable Mentions

Our May 2007 issue featured the winners of our inaugural Log Home Design Awards. But as our editorial staff sifted through the mounds of entries we received in each of our 10 categories, we found that we drooled over more than one plan or coveted more than one architectural detail.

As we struggled to make our final choices, we just couldn’t let some of our “runners up” slide without a nod; hence we have our 10 Honorable Mentions. These fabulous plans are only available here at www.loghome.com. 

Honorable Mention Best Multilevel floorplan: The Blue Ridge by PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes

At first glance, this home doesn’t look like it’s multiple levels. But look closer and you’ll see that it’s full of gradual steps leading to sunken or elevated living spaces. The result is a charming plan full of architectural interest and razor-sharp details.

 

The Highlights

• Designed with entertaining in mind, the kitchen, great room and dining area occupy the bulk of the home and are neatly positioned to take full advantage of each other.

• The kitchen’s dual islands and intimate breakfast nook turn a simple L-shaped kitchen into something special.

• The master suite and secondary bedrooms (each with its own bath) are wisely located on opposite ends of the house and a few steps down from the great room area, achieving maximum privacy. An guest suite lies just a few steps up from the master, offering additional, yet only occasionally used, sleeping space.

• The master suite is a study in creature comforts. From its bedside fireplace to its pair of spacious walk-in closets to the elegant separation of the soaking tub and commode, the owners truly will be pampered.

• Balconies, covered porches and decks round out this exceptional design.

Honorable Mention Best Floorplan Under 2500 square feet: The Hemlock by Summit Handcrafted Log Homes

Square Feet: 2,304

The beauty of this design lies in its ingenuity: Take an almost-square design, rotate it 45 degrees and skew it a little for a truly unique residential experience.

The Highlights

• A deep porch creates the feeling of being in a “room” before you ever enter the front door.

• The entry is large and welcoming, with a powder room strategically tucked into the far corner (a welcome feature that is brimming with privacy).

• The kitchen is open and spacious, but mindful of the work triangle. All the major appliances are within reach easy reach.

• The uniquely shaped great room is delineated from the kitchen only by the dining table. This design is perfect for parties and fosters good communication between the resident chef and guests. An unassuming staircase is tucked to the right of the room, so the lines of sight from the other areas of the home are undisturbed.

• The left side of the house is dedicated to the master suite, which is chock-full of amenities from a spacious walk-in closet to a huge soaking tub to private access to the outdoor deck and hot tub.

• The upper level boasts two large bedrooms, each with a hefty walk-in closet. The rooms share a centrally located bath and loft.

• Storage is in ample supply in this small home. From the closets to the built-in shelving to utilizing the space under the eaves, the design uses every square inch to its advantage.

Most Creative Use of Windows: Honorable Mention: Henry Yorke Mann, Architect

With forethought, windows can be much more than a portal between indoors and out—they can really make an impact in a home’s design.

The Highlights:

• This design uses windows and natural light to its advantage throughout the house, but the lofted bedroom, with its peaked glass roof is an amazing example of the creative ways seemingly traditional building materials can be used.

• Thin bands of glass replace log courses here and there, flooding the small home with natural light and adding a hint of natural, seasonal artwork throughout. 

Best Use of Exterior Space: Honorable Mention: Plan #4016 by Kuhns Bros. Log Homes

By adding decks, patios and usable landscape design, you can add to your homes livable square footage and curb appeal.

The Highlights:

• Strategically placed porches and decks are easy to get to from numerous areas throughout the home, such as the porch accessed by either the great room or master suite, or the deck reachable from either the garage, mudroom or adjoining porch.

• A meticulously landscaped front yard serves multiple purposes. The bricked area is a circular driveway and the water feature can be easily drained and used as a bench.

• The series of outdoor areas boosts the home’s over all living space as well as adding defining elements of charm.

Honorable Mention Best Floorplan Over 2,500 Square Feet: The Summit by Yellowstone Log Homes

Square feet: 4,711

Beautiful touches like arch doorways, loft balconies off every room and covered decks show this design got a little design TLC, to a wonderful result.

Highlights

• Talk about a perfect triangle! This kitchen’s island double sink, range and refrigerator are perfectly spaced for optimal cooking. And the L-shaped island, room for a dinette set and open dining room make this room a great spot for entertaining.
• The open great room with its large hearth dominates the main level, yet there’s still space for more intimate family functions, as well as a secluded office/library, perfect for those who work from home.
• The second floor plays up its loft with a railing overlooking the two-story foyer on one side and great room on the other. And, with five bedrooms and three full baths on the second level, everyone has his or her own space.
• It’s hard not to love such smart design elements as a folding station across from the second-floor combination bath and laundry. And don’t overlook the storage room next to the folding station. You can never have too much storage space.

Honorable Mention Most Creative Staircase Design: Totems by Henry Yorke Mann Architecture

Conjuring up images of a ropes course, this innovative staircase makes use of the little space allotted for the steps by breaking up the treads into two different footholds.

Highlights

• The total square footage of this home is less than 500 square feet, so space is at a premium. This design makes the most of every square foot.
• In such a small space, the designers could have erected a ladder and called it a day, but instead the result is both practical and visually stunning.

Honorable Mention Most Creative Kitchen Design: Port Angeles by Murray Arnott Design

We know it’s hip to be square, but this modern design makes good use of curves and rounded edges.

Highlights

• Kudos for the innovative shape of the kitchen, essentially a pie piece, that allows for beautiful views.
• This floorplan is about as open as they come, since it’s connected to the eating area and across from the living room without any barriers in the way.
• The unusual shape of the kitchen island and its granite counter makes for a stunning design that affords ample counter space, as well.

Honorable Mention Most Creative Master Bedroom: The Brown Residence by Hearthstone Homes

It’s true; bigger sometimes is better.  And this master bedroom design is here to prove it, with it’s simple bedroom and spectacular bathroom design.

The Highlights:

• Smart window and door placement in the main bedroom provides the perfect place to put a sizeable bed that faces a bank of windows for enjoying the view outside.
• The wraparound porch surrounds the master suite and can be accessed from a door from the bedroom, instantly creating a private outdoor area.
• Larger than the bedroom, the master bath comes complete with four closets, which line the perimeter of the room and provide plenty of  storage space.
• Two window seats add a touch of comfortable style to an otherwise functional space. Plus, if built with cushioned lids, windows seats can serve as storage areas for extra towels or an out-of-sight laundry hamper.
• Designed for two who value their own space, the bathroom comes with two toilets and two vanities—and both in their own sections of the room, which are divided by a wall and space-saving pocket doors.
• With the tub in one section and the shower in the other, couples can enjoy their privacy or both use the larger section of the bathroom, thanks to its ample square footage.

Honorable Mention Most Create Bathroom Design: Schweizer by Wisconsin Log Homes

With smart design and space to spare, this cleverly designed bathroom boasts all the must-have necessities and a few surprise details to maximize comfort and functionality.

The Highlights:

• An oversized tub and spacious shower are positioned in the center of the bathroom, utilizing otherwise wasted floor space. This design also frees up the surrounding wall space for extra-long his-and-hers countertops.
• Two separate toilet spaces are tucked alongside one of the two walk-in closets, making use of small corner spaces that would otherwise be wasted.
• A small room connects the bathroom to an upstairs office space. The room provides plenty of space for a refrigerator and coffee maker so you won’t have to run downstairs to grab a snack while you’re working or a cup of coffee while you’re getting ready in the morning.

Honorable Mention Best Single-Level Floorplan: Livingston Manor by Beaver Mountain

A classic ranch-style floorplan starts out simply, but packs in special spaces and smart design details to create a unique, free-flowing space.

The Highlights:

• A no-nonsense entryway immediately leads you into the open dining/living/kitchen area, which is perfect for entertaining lots of people, since everyone can be in different areas, but still interact, thanks to the free-flowing design.
• A spacious office is located in the main area of the home, but is sectioned off with walls and French doors, providing a place to get work done without having to be too far from the action.
• A hallway between the 2-car garage and kitchen area is lined with a half bath and walk-in pantry. By locating these two spaces here, groceries never have to be lugged into the house and a bathroom provides a place to freshen up before entering the main house. Plus, a door closes off this rear-entry area, keeping messes out of sight.
• Special spaces, like the shop in the garage and the sitting room in the bedroom section of the home, add unique private places to enjoy hobbies or some simple quiet time.
• The well-placed laundry room—located off the back deck and near all three bedrooms—gives people a place to shed outdoor gear and toss it directly in the laundry. This prime location also means you won’t have to haul clothes back-and-forth through the house.
• The master bedroom suite is situated off the side of the deck, helping to keep the area private and quieter than if it were located off the main living area. A large walk-in closet and bathroom, which has countertops lining the perimeters, provides ample space for two.
• An extra-wide back deck, creates plenty of space for outdoor tables, chairs—anything to help enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.