Hybrid homes offer exciting options for folks like Laird and Natalie Wilson, who want to complement their lifestyle and location. When the day came to put their ideas on paper, it became clear that Laird had always dreamed of a log home, while Natalie wanted clean contemporary lines.
Hybrids make it possible to mix styles, combining an elegant log exterior with a lighter contemporary interior that exude lots of natural colors and textures.
Hybrid construction offers homeowners more design freedom, but requires upfront planning and good communication. Choosing a team experienced in hybrid's many nuances ensures a smooth shift from log, timber, stone, glass or other accents.
After months of research, the Wilsons returned to Wisconsin Log Homes, Inc. of Green Bay to create their cutting-edge home. "Offering custom architectural services, full service interior design and construction gives our clients peace of mind," says company founder David Janczak.
"A well-coordinated project between owner, designer, builder and interior designer can truly capture the owner's vision," he adds. "Careful consideration of your lifestyle is crucial to your overall satisfaction. Our team works to design spaces around the way you live."
Consider traffic patterns in public spaces like great rooms, dining rooms and kitchens. Think about practical and aesthetic furniture placement in relation to your focal points such as windows, fireplaces and media centers. Do you prefer single or multiple entrances to these spaces?
If this is where you plan to spend your retirement years, consider including 3-foot doors, first-floor master suites, large walk-in showers, and elevators. If space permits, think about a plan with two master suites - one on each floor. They make great guest rooms.
Thoughtfully designed open floor plans that maximize space and living patterns, and include proper sightlines, window design and volumetric will make a small home feel larger. Ample storage space and traffic flow also make everyday living more enjoyable.
"We built the home so that our extended family and friends could also use it as their getaway," says Laird. "There is usually someone here every weekend of the summer and much of the winter. At this stage in our lives, having the family come together is important and this becomes everyone's destination."
The team at Wisconsin Log Homes helped the couple discover that the Thermal-Log building system, plaster, stone and lots of glass can easily be combined to create an aesthetically pleasing hybrid home beyond what they had imagined.
"We were so pleased. The design team was able to incorporate all of our wants, needs and desires into our home," says Laird. "They really listened and gave us great advice. The Internet meetings with 3-D drawings are unbelievable. Right before your eyes they can transform your plan."
"The overall look of this home turned out better than we ever imagined," Natalie says. "Not only does it meet our design expectations, but it gives our family the much-needed place to unwind, and much of this comes from the soothing space that we all carefully created." Their only regret is that they didn't begin to build their dream home sooner.
If you're seeking a hybrid lifestyle, start by obtaining the Wisconsin Log Homes planning guide, filled with more than 100 photos, plans and ideas. From there you can dream up your personalized hybrid home and discuss the best way to get it built. Wisconsin Log Homes' team can be reached by calling (800) 678-9107 or visiting www.wisconsinloghomes.com.
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