Floor Plan: The New England Vacation Getaway

Written by Janice Brewster

With a hectic day-to-day life, Nicole and Stephen were looking to build a vacation getaway that was easy to reach but felt far, far away. They found acreage on a lake in New England and knew it would be a wonderful spot to gather friends and family together.

Why a log home:

The couple contacted MossCreek in Knoxville, Tennessee, to help them create a rustic dream home. MossCreek provided antique log veneer for the exterior, which company president Allen Halcomb says makes the new home look like it has always been there. “The use of log, or any wood material that it stained, relaxes the home into a feeling of an older, simpler era,” he says.

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Most important features:

The couple wanted to take full advantage of the property’s lake views. They wanted a home that was large enough to accommodate groups of guests, but one that still felt informal and comfortable; never pretentious. They envisioned a lodge that would welcome guests in comfort after active days of snow skiing or time spent on the water.

The Lowdown

While it offers a tranquil water view, the couple’s site presented challenges for the home’s design. Steep and rocky terrain called for terraces to be cut into the grade. Keeping the home to just one main floor and a lower walk-out level nestled it into the site. “We used varying ceiling heights to denote each area specifically,” Allen explains. “The great room has its tall cathedral ceiling, and then the lower, flat- beamed ceilings of the dining room and kitchen area generate an intimate feel.”

The Inside Scoop

Designed with hosting vacationing friends and family in mind, the home provides a variety of areas to suit that objective.

• Private spaces: The generous master suite with a fireplace and adjacent office serves as a retreat for the owners when they need a break from hosting. Guest rooms in the lower level have their own outdoor access through sliding glass doors.
• Gathering spaces:  The great room, oversized breakfast bar, large screen porch and lower-level recreation room provide plenty of seating for big groups.
• Functional spaces:  A large mudroom offers storage for ski equipment. A bar in the lower level makes serving refreshments easy. A laundry room on each level helps make quick work of sheets and towels.

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