Peace of Mind: A Tranquil North Carolina Cabin

Even the dogs get it. When Melanie and Rob Palumbo ask their pets if they want to go to the mountains, the black Lab and his shepherd mix pal nearly bound into the car before the sentence is finished. "Auggie and Bailey just love our rustic log retreat," laughs Melanie. Looking at the inviting North Carolina cabin, it’s easy to see why the canine duo is so smitten with the place. Set on the side of a mountain overlooking the Tuckasegee River, the picturesque log home in Cashiers offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, waterfalls and more. "We are big naturalists, and we love the idea that we can sit on our porch and see the meadow, woods, river and wildlife," shares Melanie. "The property is the perfect place to enjoy a hike and the simple serenity of nature."

Located just a few hours’ drive from the couple’s year-round home in Atlanta, the 4,000-square-foot retreat is a great escape from their hectic professional lives. "There are no phones or computers here," says Melanie. "It’s a place where we can put on our blue jeans and flannel shirts, and just go for a hike and enjoy being outdoors." The couple’s dream of a log home was born early — both Rob and Melanie grew up in country settings, and they believed a log house would help recreate the homey flavor that a small-town atmosphere offers. Finding the property was fairly simple — Rob fell in love with the area when he attended a wedding there a decade ago, and he purchased the plot a short time later.

"What I love about the property is that you can look around in any direction and see nothing but nature," says Melanie, describing the 13-acre site. "It is just completely isolated and secluded. A 3-mile gravel driveway meanders up to the house, winding through woodland, a meadow and past a waterfall until you end up in this beautiful canyon where the house is set."

Natural Fit

Choosing a log producer was fairly simple. Both Rob and Melanie were drawn to the handcrafted style, and when they attended a log-home show, they discovered Pacific Log Homes of British Columbia, Canada. The company specializes in custom-built, handcrafted log homes.

Rob had conceptualized a floor plan based on many years of looking through log-home magazines, and he turned over the plan to Pacific’s design department to make it a reality. "We knew exactly what we wanted," recalls Rob. "We wanted an informal, natural setting that would make our guests feel comfortable. We wanted to ensure that the outdoors and the indoors were connected." After Pacific worked with Dirkson Design Services to finalize the blueprints, work began on the home. The log shell was carefully constructed at Pacific’s plant, then disassembled and shipped to the Palumbos’ building site. Pacific sent a crane and a crew (coordinated by local dealers John and Kathy Hutchison of Cashiers) for reassembly. "The project went smoothly, in spite of the steep terrain," recalls Rob. "Building the foundation into the side of a mountain was a bit of a challenge, but the company is accustomed to building houses in similar settings."

Labor of Love

Once the log shell was complete, the Palumbos turned the project over to general contractor Bill Wight, a talented young local builder who has sadly since passed away. "Ours was the last home that Bill was able to build," Melanie shares. "His work is simply beautiful." The logs are large lodgepole pine (16 to 20 inches in diameter) featuring wedge-style corners. Although the woodwork is breathtaking, the most important element of the home is love.

"We wanted to build something that was filled with a lot of love, and we did," Melanie says, fondly remembering the young builder who had become a friend to them. The feeling of warmth and love surrounds all who visit the Palumbo home. "We designed the home with entertaining in mind," says Rob. "We always have visitors, and we wanted to make them feel welcome and comfortable as soon as they walked through the front door." An open floor plan combined with more private niches is the perfect recipe for an inviting ambience.

The kitchen is a natural gathering spot for guests, and its large island encourages friends to pull up a stool for a chat or a drink. The home’s casual decorating style is equally appealing. It combines Craftsman and farmhouse styles, and incorporates a lot of Stickley and leather furniture. Whether they are inside or out, visitors find a sense of inner peace, including Rob and Melanie. "It’s a place where we can decompress and just let go of everything," shares Melanie. "It has something our Atlanta home is missing: tranquility." As they sit outside for a cookout, listening to the frogs and watching their dogs swim in the river, the Palumbos know they have found a small piece of paradise. And if they could talk, their dogs would surely tell you the same thing.

Home Plan Details:

Square Footage: 2,705 (as shown)

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Builder/general contractor: Bill Wight

Dealer: Lakeside Builders, Custom & Log Homes Inc. (828-286-2140; lakeside-builders.com)

Designer: Dirkson Design Services (250-390-4714; dirksondesign.com)

Log producer: Pacific Log Homes Ltd. (800-663-1577; pacificloghomes.com)