7 Ways to Add Individuality to Your Timber Home

Nobody wants a cookie-cutter house. Choosing a timber frame or post-and-beam structure puts your new home squarely into “above average” territory. Still, there are always ways to make a timber-framed house even more special and unique.

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Not a Full Deck

Decks are lovely and make outdoor living feel like an extension of the indoors. But, for a bit of Old-World charm and that pleasant crunching sound when you walk, consider a pea-gravel patio. The overall effect is casual and charming, especially when you add string lights and a table covered with a crisp white cloth. This type of outdoor space is a DIYer’s dream, and unlike a wood deck, maintenance is almost non-existent. Rake it if you want a more level surface and add another layer of gravel on occasion to refresh the color.

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The New Hearth

A fireplace is lovely, but honestly, who doesn’t spend more time looking at the TV? Why not create a “hearth” effect for the media wall? New England Design Elements lined one section of wall with stone, added a floating shelf and mounted a flat screen to create a focal point — even without a fire. You could follow suit and use any type of textural material. Bricks, cultured stone or tile are all possibilities. Add storage or lighting, if you like, and make sure to plan for the necessary outlets and wiring before building begins.

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Look Up

White ceilings are good for bouncing light around, but they can be yawn-inducing. Is there a place in your new home where you’d like to turn up the drama? Pick a deep color for the ceiling. A glossy finish will reflect light. New England Design Elements chose a Caribbean blue for this seating area. Hesitant to make such a bold move? Ask a designer to help you choose a color, or stick with a small area, like a powder room, first.

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Sleep Tight

Loft spaces are perfect for timber homes, but sometimes aren’t used to their full potential. Building cabinet beds into the walls of a loft (or bonus room or finished lower level) makes good use of square footage. A favorite of kids and adults, these snug mini-retreats can take on any style. These bunks by Land’s End Development are cabin-y to the core, but you could go for a coastal, contemporary or Scandinavian look. Add a reading light, a USB outlet and a fluffy duvet, and you’ll have a bed that every guest wants.

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Stainless, Schmainless

Sure, stainless is a classic, but does it make your heart sing? If you’re looking for something a bit more eye-catching for your kitchen, hunt down colored appliances. Choose a range and hood in deep blue (like this one from Viking), red, green or even canary yellow. Or search for a stand-out refrigerator. You’ll find them on the market in almost every hue. Want to really personalize your space? Consider this: All your appliances do not have to match. Try letting one appliance take the lead and the others act as back-up singers.

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Fired Up

A traditional Japanese form of preserving wood and making it fireproof (Shou Sugi Ban) calls for burning the exterior face of Japanese cypress boards to a char, then brushing them and applying oil. The process creates interior paneling or exterior siding with a striking, very dark finish. Suppliers like Pioneer Millworks are offering materials treated by burning that result in dark finishes, along with other colors and textures, too. You can find a similar look from producers that use chemicals to alter the wood if you prefer.

Photo: Loren Nelson Photography

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Powder Power

The powder room might just be the one spot that gets your guests’ full, undivided attention. Why not make this space a bit over the top? One way is to wallpaper or tile the walls — or at least the one wall behind the mirror. This opalescent mosaic from New Ravenna swirls like water or wood grain. Fancy something a bit louder? Bold, geometric black-and-white tiles are everywhere. Or you could choose another color combination that makes you smile every time you step in to powder your nose.

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