A Michigan couple favored log siding — until they got a look at real logs.
by Teresa L. Wolff | Photos by Roger Wade Edit
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| Evan and Terri Dufendach’s handcrafted log home is set in a wooded, secluded area near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Built by Evan, with help from Dennis Carpenter of Sawmill Creek Woodworking, it has attached three-car and five-car garages, a finished walkout level and a 40-by-80 storage barn. |
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| A bridge made of white oak logs and planking over a dry creek bed leads to the red oak front door. |
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| Handcrafted red pine logs, bolstered by stonework, a custom door and two 22-foot log beams supporting the king-post porch truss create a rustic look. |
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| The tapering staircase, which builder Dennis Carpenter crafted from a cherry tree on the property, incorporates the tree’s natural contours, as well as its distinctive irregularities in the handrail and spindles. Skylights in the purlin-and-gable roof system illuminate the loft. |
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| Dane Bjork helped Evan select all the stones used in the interior of their home from a local quarry and then turned them into works of art, notably the wood-burning fireplace, which extends 22 feet to the peak of the great room ceiling. Comfortable, upholstered furnishings are paired with treasured antiques for a casual look. |
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| Handcrafted red pine logs, a genuine fieldstone fireplace, the cherry log staircase and mantel, and antique heart pine flooring combine to create a natural setting in the great room. Valley rafters give the pine tongue-and-groove ceiling a more finished look. The lower level of the pine-trimmed windows open to allow for airflow through the home. Evan crafted the rustic fireplace screen. |
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| In the roomy, open kitchen, a horse trough serves as a vent hood. The floor had to be reinforced to support the natural stone island and breakfast bar. Evan and Terri choose antique heart pine for the flooring on the main level. |
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| Homeowner Evan Dufendach added distinctive touches, including a washtub chandelier in the dining room that illuminates the custom walnut table and hickory chairs. |
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| Skylights in the cathedral ceiling provide natural illumination for the master bedroom, which features a custom-built four-poster bed made from the gnarliest wood the furniture maker could find. |
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| Arched red pine logs create a doorless opening between the master bedroom and bath. The apron-front sink fits beautifully with the distressed custom-built, furniture-style knotty pine cabinets and granite countertops. |
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| Evan and Terri renovated an 1893 L. Wolff Mfg. tub with brass feet and a mahogany ring around the cast iron body for their master bathroom. |
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| Hundred-year-old Douglas fir beams from an old manufacturing plant form the structural support for the home and enhance the finished lower-level rec room. A third wood-burning fireplace is the focal point. |
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| Logs add a decorative touch to the main-level laundry room, which also has whitewashed pine cabinets and golden granite countertops. The homeowners added white and green pigments in the stain to prevent the logs and ceiling from yellowing over time. |
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| Handcrafted red pine timbers support the back porch. The posts were squared in case the homeowners decided to add screens later. Terri selected weather-resistant teak furniture for comfort and durability. |
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| For both structural and cost reasons, the homeowners opted to use cultured stone for the exterior. Since the property slopes 40 feet into a ravine, a stone path was necessary for access to the lower pond. |
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| The site’s gentle slope is ideal for showcasing Terri’s green thumb. Perennials and wildflowers enhance what nature has already provided. |
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| Main Level | Lower Level | |
| Click floor plan images to see a larger view. | ||
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| Main Level | Lower Level | |
| Click floor plan images to see a larger view. | ||
| Back: Michigan Log Home |
I loved the photos and the log house. These photo were the first photos I’ve viewed that gave me a real sense of viewing an actual log home. Thanks. Through viewing your photos I now know for sure I want a log home.