TRADITIONAL AND MODERN LOG HOMES – Log homes are designed to compliment their surroundings and become one with the natural elements, and architects, more than ever, are designing homes that not only fit better with their landscapes but take carefully into consideration the environmental impact a home has – making the home more at one with its environment.
In this featured article we’ll be taking a journey though Traditional and Modern Log Home designs and reflect on how modern architecture has influenced how a building marries with the surroundings and provides the occupants with a comfortable, warm, beautiful and functional home.
Traditional meets modern with wood and vast areas of glass in this log home.
In this first example, the home for me, typifies the style of a mixed traditional and modern log home. The whole facade of the building is beautifully pieced together with a well balanced use of timber logs, stone and glass. We are fortunate that glass manufacturing technology has come so far as this now allows the architect to design a building that brings the occupants closer to nature and benefit from the natural views that the site may offer.
The architects, in the example above, have certainly taken full advantage in the use of glass in the central section of the home, which floods the home with natural light and provides for full views over the landscape.
The subtle tones of the timber logs with contrasting green roof provides boldness to the log home design.
The designers of the log home above have been extremely bold with the use of the dark green roofing, in order to make it’s mark on the landscape. However, the subtle tones of the logs and stone are complimented so well with the use of the dark green, not only for the roof but the window surrounds. Again, notice how the architect takes full advantage of the glass at the atrium to allow natural light to flood the home.
A bright, airy feel, through the use of light timbers sets off this imposing log home.
Anyone who appreciates log homes will certainly love the home above. The multi-level roof line with masses of glass allow the home owners to take full advantage of the surrounding views. The home is afforded additional character with the hexagon element to the right in the picture and works wonderfully with the multi-level roof line. I really like the way the upper veranda is supported with huge log beams that blend so well with the magnificent stone work. A home, I am sure, most people would be more than happy to own.
Modern Interior design marries perfectly with the natural elements of the log home.
Taking you inside a modern log home, you can quickly appreciate that, contrary to belief, not all log homes look like the inside of an Elk Lodge. Many log homes today feature very modern and even minimal designs that allows the owners to live in comfort with all the modern conveniences one would expect in a modern home.
The open-plan living space, in the example above, is nothing less than architectural genius. Here the ultra modern is softened by the timbers, of the walls, beams and floors. Note how the contemporary element is achieved through the expert contrast of the timber flooring.
The fireplace here plays an important role, adding warmth, not just through function, but through the materials used and brings the areas together for a very communal feel.
Interior stairwell of a contemporary log home.
Can anyone honestly say that they do not find the above picture, of this contemporary interior? The whole effect is beautifully sublime with the use of pastel earthen colors that contrast dramatically with the deep dark timber flooring and stairs. What is really appealing, for me at least, are the views through the wonderful use of glass and the clever use of lighting in the walls going up the stairwell.
To top off the natural feel the interior designers used a subdued light stone walling from floor to ceiling that is cut into the rendered dry walling. For me this typifies modern contemporary living of clean lines and letting the natural elements of stone, timber and glass say everything about the building.
Interior design producing a light airy and warm feel through the use of natural materials.
Moving forward, through this particular log home, one can appreciate that the contemporary theme of simplicity is carried throughout. The bedroom provides the occupants with such a wonderful feeling to the room with the highly polished dark timber flooring which is perfectly contrasted with the light timber panel walls. The whole room has, in my view, been turned into a work of art with careful consideration on how the coloration is used to create a room that is stunning and relaxing.
Dinning room has all the ambiance of a clean and modern contemporary log home.
Finally, for this particular home, we move to the dinning room, where the interior design carries the theme of simplicity forward. Again the dark timber floors contrast perfectly with the light timber walls and the use of so much glass brings nature into the home. Note the careful use of the dinning room chairs with their high backs mimicking the height of the windows, bringing perfect synergy to the room.
Imposing angular roof line lets this log home make a definitive statement.
With modern technology architects are free to experiment with the shapes of buildings and their roof lines so that each project makes a definitive statement for the owners. The atrium roof line here is prevalent in many homes due to the fact that the angles allow more light to be spread throughout the interior of the home.
Balance of Stone and Timber makes this log home very imposing.
The amount of stone used in the design above makes the building look imposing and strong. The architects use of stone for the chimney stack enforces the boldness of the home which is then softened by the timber facade. Again the extensive use of glass reflects the natural surroundings helping it to blend in.
Interior to this log home uses all the natural materials to full advantage to compliment the scenery beyond.
The interior design above provides for a warm natural look that blends superbly with the outdoors. It’s almost like a cocoon has been created to wrap around the occupants and while the outside, in the winter months, may be cold the warm colors of the interior will always make this home feel cozy and inviting.
Outdoor living in a stunning log home.
The modern, contemporary log home above is simply breathtaking with the use of multi-levels and an incredible outdoor entertainment area. The architects add an imposing box like structure, in the right of the picture, to contrast the sloping roof lines. However this is softened with the use of timber throughout the facade. Lighting a log home requires careful consideration to the grains and colors of the timbers and the architects and designers here have made an outstanding job.
Elevated log home stands majestically in all its splendor.
I can only guess at the brief the architects where given by the owners of this majestic log home, but I would hazard a guess that they wanted something truly imposing but without it being a blot on the landscape. The architects here have achieved total majesty by placing the home on an elevated position and anyone arriving up the driveway would certainly feel a sense of awe. The buildings elevated position allows it to command the landscape but this is subdued through the natural timbers used in the construction.
For me the drive almost feels fortress like with the use of the stone walling and driveway itself and while this is an imposing part of the home, the dwelling itself is not lost in this due to it elevated position.
Traditional log home of heavy set timber logs and stone.
Many of the homes featured here so far have erred on the Modern / Contemporary style, however the roots of a traditional log home firmly sits with the example above. Traditional log homes are made up of heavy set timber logs and stone work, which the building above clearly shows. There is no denying that this is an imposing structure but on that note so is the landscape that surrounds it. The coloration of the deep green roof tiles allows it to blend and create harmony with the forest that envelopes it and has a wonderfully rich appeal that lovers of log homes appreciate.
Log Home Under Construction.
Moving on with the ‘Traditional’ log home I wanted to use the above as a prime example. While you can see this is under construction it clearly shows how heavy set timber logs are used in creating such a beautiful and natural looking home. Take this plot of land and place a modern home of brick and steel and it just would not marry particularly well with its surroundings. I simply adore the ends of the structural timbers that provide sustenance to the building and the roof tiling perfectly contrasts the colors in the timber beams. I suspect, as these timbers whether, the appeal to this log home will become even greater.
Mountain Log Cabin Retreat.
With the log home above you can just see at the bottom of the photograph that this sits right on the water. This log home almost reminds me of a retreat – a place where one could escape the city life during the weekends and do a spot of finishing in the fresh mountain air. There is no denying here that the architects wanted to take full advantage of the views and this is certainly achieved through the use of so much glass.
People might often think that lots of glass would make a building really stand out, but on the contrary, it reflects back its surroundings and therefore makes it blend in to the landscape even better, as well as provide the occupants with incredible amounts of natural light and of course views.
Modern and traditional log home appeal.
The log home above should appeal to both lovers of the traditional log home look and that of the modern contemporary look. This is such a fine example of how an architect is able to bring three elements together – traditional, contemporary and nature.
Once again, the massive use of glass reflects back the landscape allowing the building to blend with nature and provide the owners with the abundance of light and views.
Modern Interior contemporary design meets stunning log home.
In my final example I wanted to step back to the contemporary feel of a modern log home interior. I think the photograph above depicts so well why so many people have fallen in love with log homes over the years. The timbers add such warmth to the interior and produces a karma effect like no other type of home. The use of glass, especially vast amounts of it, really does let nature right into the living spaces, further adding to the appeal.
The whole brief of a log home, whether traditional or modern, is to ensure that mother nature is highly respected for what she is able to achieve and give to any home.
I hope you have enjoyed the examples and the journey through the traditional and modern log homes that are available. My brief here was to share and inspire you with these beautiful log home examples and I’m sure your friends will enjoy them too – so please share this article via your social networks.
Thank you for reading ‘Traditional and Modern Log Homes’.
