We in the log and timber home industry sometimes forget that terminology we use on a daily basis may be new to those who are just starting to investigate their dream of owning a mountain style home – or even those who have been looking around for years.  This week we take a second to define some of the more common vocabulary terms you might see as you gather information.

Log or Timber Trusses

A truss can be either a functional brace to hold up part of your structure, or a decorative element which brings character to your log homes. In most cases, it is both. Truss styles include: Arched King Post, Scissor, Arched Queen Post, Hammer Beam, Barrel Truss and a Standard King Post.  Learn more about Trusses.

Turnkey

Turnkey cost refers to the total cost to build your log home or timber home, not including land or site improvements.  The term turnkey originated with the idea of the homeowner “turning the key” in the front door and walking into their completed home. Turnkey

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Are you dreaming of a white Christmas minus the snow? Outdoor Lighting Perspectives can create one for you with our professional holiday lighting displays.

Are you looking for a way to make your holidays bright? There is nothing as thrilling as the first evening you throw the switch to turn on your outdoor holiday lighting display. The scene evokes magic and warm feelings of the season no matter what age you are. Young and old alike marvel in the beauty and fantasy that comes into play with a professionally designed and installed Christmas light display.

Outdoor lighting Perspectives is renowned for creating commercial and residential holiday lighting displays that have the capability to leave you breathless, and now we offer lighted LED holiday wreaths to further engage the senses.

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The renowned label for classical music Deutsche Grammophon has moved in its new Berlin head office, created by Pott Architects, in the premises of the parent company Universal Music Germany in the Spreespeicher at Berlin East Harbour. On a net rentable area of 1.500 square meters Pott Architects has created a creative working environment with flexible communication- and interaction- areas, where the brand presents itself between innovation and tradition.

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Popular house plans : floor plans and residential designs that are in favor with people.  Why: because these popular designs meet the functional needs and objectives of the house buying sector of the economy.

Rand Soellner architect has many approaches to the design of his clients houses.  One of the most popular at present is his Forest Meadow Series of house plans.  And here, you can see the conceptual arrangement of this popular plan.

The actual floor plans are available for viewing at the architects home office and you are welcome to visit, if you are seriously considering engaging Soellner to design your house.  The plan also has versions with an attached or semi-detached garage, connected to the house through what Soellner calls a Bridge which can be just that or a covered connector, or an interior part of the house with separate laundry room, larger walk-in pantry, hobby space, home office with a view, mud room and other features.  The garage is often at an angle to the side, offering 1, 2, 3 or more vehicle bays, depending on your needs and wishes.

Also, the plans to this house can be enlarged on the right and the left, to accommodate more bedrooms and bathrooms on the main floor, if desired, or enlargements to the Master Suite, Kitchen and Living areas.  Soellner does have different versions of varying widths to accommodate different needs.

To the rear is Soellners popular trademark Outdoor Living Room, separated from the equally famous Sleeping Porch by an outdoor fireplace.  Large views are available from the rear porch to your beautiful land.  Quite often Soellner locates a Summer Kitchen within the Outdoor Living Room and an Outdoor Dining space so that you can grill your dinner outside, but under cover and enjoy your views in an outdoor setting protected from rain, snow and pests, as the rear porch is covered and screened.  If you prefer a partially open porch, that can be accomplished as well.  That is one of the most popular features of these house plans: their infinite flexibility to become what you want them to be.

A Front Porch greets guests, and they walk into the Foyer.  Across the Foyer is a coat closet and to the side, a Powder Room.  The huge Gourmet Kitchen features a simple large layout with huge central island, open to the Great Room beyond.  The Dining and Hearth Room are interchangeable, as is the Fireplace.  The Fireplace can be where shown on the outer wall, or placed between the Dining/Great Room and the Master Bedroom 1.  There can also be a fireplace in the Master Bedroom.  Windows abound everywhere along the exterior walls, and especially large doors with transoms are along the rear wall facing the porch views, to give you a billboards worth of grand views!  And this is all accomplished economically.  Meet with the architect to find out how these popular house plans can be modified for you.  No one is the same.  You and your family are unique.  That is why this flexible set of house plans was conceived: to allow the architect to revise the basic good bones to be tailored to your special requirements.

Here is a typical front view of the popular Forest Meadow, in a wider version and with the house plans reversed to accommodate this particular clients site.  You can just barely see the bridge between the main house and the garage.  And there you are on the Front Porch, greeting a guest who has just driven up to your house for a supper party.

Of course, there can be an entire lower level, a walkout basement if you like, and/or an upper level as well with Loft, Library and other spaces and rooms.  Either the bottom level or upper level can have secondary bedrooms and bathrooms, Family Room, Mud Room, Kitchenette, Bar, closets, Utility Room, outdoor Patios/Decks, outdoor living porches and outdoor fireplaces.  It is your choice.

The Architect, Rand Soellner can adjust these popular house plans to suit your needs and site requirements.  Give him a call at 1-828-269-9046

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Water use can often increase up to 50% during the summer months, and a large part of that number is due to watering plants and lawns!

Some of the things you can do to reduce the amount of water you use is to water your plants in the morning when its cooler, so water loss through evaporation is far less.

Sprinklers can spread water unevenly, so check around the garden to determine what the moisture levels are around your lawn. Also, soaker hoses can be attached to a spigot to distribute water more efficiently than sprinklers.

Consider filling your garden with water-wise plants instead of exotics. Use local flora to beautify your garden. It’s more natural, and it will save water.

Consider an investment in a rain barrel. That way, you aren’t using tap water to water your plants. Rai

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