Log & Timber; Photographer: David Sundberg/Esto
For a long time, rooms like at-home movie theaters, spas and many other “hobby” spaces were something you saw on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” or MTV’s “Cribs,” not in the average neighborhood house. Then, in 2020, everyone began rethinking how we live in our homes and how they could better serve our interests and lifestyles.
Take for example Tod Parmeter, the co-owner of Golden Eagle Log & Timber Homes. When he set out to design and build his forever home, ensuring the home supported his family’s lifestyle was top of mind: “We love to watch movies and work out, and we couldn’t go out to a movie or use our gym memberships during COVID-19, so we decided to make sure we could enjoy the movies and working out at home,” he explains.
Log and timber homes, almost always personalized to some degree and often situated in destination locales, are prime candidates for such optimizations. Tod notes that covered outdoor spaces top the list of client-requested “lifestyle” spaces, followed by golf simulator rooms, indoor pistol ranges, safe rooms, music rooms and dedicated gaming rooms.
Perhaps your dream home is located along a creek, and you plan to spend your days tying flies (when not out casting them). A space like golf-pro Nick Faldo’s fly room (pictured above) would fulfill that dream. Or maybe years of annual ski trips have you sketching up plans for a home on the slopes, where a ski-in/ski-out design would make every day as good as the best powder days.
Keep reading to see how other homeowners and log and timber providers have created houses of all sizes to suit not just their styles but their lifestyles.
For the renaissance man… The Forever Home by Golden Eagle Log & Timber Homes
Photo courtesy of Golden Eagle Log & Timber Homes
Square Footage: 3,685 (7,703 with optional lower level)
Bedrooms: 2 or 3
Bathrooms: 2 or 3
With a work bench area, multiple dedicated pet spaces, a gym, a home theater, a reading area and a pistol range, this plan has something for everyone, even four-legged family members. “Our pets are a big part of our family,” says Tod. He explains the “pupartment” is mostly for feeding, watering and occasionally sequestering, such as when a repairman is over. It connects to a shaded and secure outdoor area for bathroom breaks. “We had envisioned how nice it would be for our dogs to take care of business when they desired without us needing to let them out. Now, they have access to a covered and fenced dog run and potty area 24/7.” As for the two-legged residents, they have round-the-clock entertainment without ever leaving home.
For the hunter… The Wilkes Home by Tomahawk Log & Country Homes
Photo by Glenn Sanderson
Square Footage: 6,700
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4 full, 1 half
With an open layout and a footprint that takes advantage of a sloped property, this floor plan boasts some of the classic hallmarks of traditional log or timber design. But take a closer look, and you’ll see how special spaces give it one-of-a-kind flair, personalized for the way the owners live. A full bar between the entry and kitchen makes hosting a breeze – a priority for the family it was originally designed for. A “hunter’s lair” and display room on the main level and gun room on the lower offers storage and space to showcase trophies for outdoorsmen, while another wet bar and wine room on the lower level — adjacent to the rec room — offer something for fans of the great indoors.
For the skier… The Hall Project by OakBridge Timber Framing
Photo by Kris Miller
Square Footage: 6,066
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 4 full, 2 half
Dreamed up for a property where ski slopes are a mere 200 feet from the front door, this design embraces location and lifestyle to the fullest. “Mountain rustic” was the aesthetic vision and “room to share” was at the top of the owners’ wish list, resulting in a spacious and stylish design with features that fuse fun and function, like the side entry with ski lockers in the breezeway leading to the garage. With outdoor spaces on the first two levels and a bonus room as well as a kids’ room on the top level, this design’s ready to not just house, but entertain, a crowd.
For the artist… The Sturgeon by 1867 Confederation Log & Timber Frame
Courtesy of 1867 Confederation Log & Timber Frame
Square Footage: 2,251
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 3
Proving you don’t have to have a ton of square feet to support your favorite pastimes, this practically sized plan makes space for a paint studio between the garage and home’s main living spaces. This artist’s haven is private and out of the way, but still convenient. It even has easy access to a shared bathroom with the adjoining mudroom, so the mess never has to leave the studio. An optional workshop adds another roughly 700 square feet of additional space for hobbies above the garage.
Little Details, Big Difference
Just because you’ve already built your own log or timber home doesn’t mean you can’t optimize your place for the lifestyle you want. Take a look at these three approachable ways you can update your place to enhance your hobbies and interests — without building a whole new house:
- For the Outdoor Enthusiasts: Custom built-ins can elevate a mudroom from an average transitional space to an equally elegant and efficient point of entry and exit for homes in the mountains, where different seasons call for different boots — from skiing to hiking.
- For the Pet Lovers: Otherwise unused “dead space” in your home can be retrofitted with custom features for furry family members. Think: unused square footage under the stairs could become a “room” for the dog or the empty void under cabinets can house built-in, retractable trays for food and water bowls.
- For the Green Thumb: Patios and covered porches can be fully enclosed to create a greenhouse or four-season room for year-round gardening pleasure.
The Good Life…Now for Rent
If you’re building your home based on the local lifestyle, it’s likely is that your destination is one others are interested in as well… whether a ski lodge or a beachside cabin. Renting out all or part of your home (even just part-time!) can be a savvy way to make a little extra income until you’re ready to live in your dream getaway full-time.
Nikki Watson, a Dallas-based interior designer and founder of The Design Quad, has extensive expertise in vacation rental design; as part of her interior design work, Nikki works with property owners to help them elevate their rental properties to not only attract more guests but create memorable, meaningful experiences for those guests. Here are her top tips for lifestyle-minded design when it comes to vacation rentals:
Don’t make guests play hide and seek.
“One simple thing I’ve noticed in vacation rental design that makes a huge impact is open shelving. Guests don’t want to hunt for dishware, and the easier it is to find, the better their experience. Being aware of this small tweak when planning kitchens can also actually save owners money.”
Give ‘em ways to get active.
“Game rooms are always a plus, but a new trend that seems to be on the rise in the design world are workout rooms and yoga studios. Fitness rooms are trending heavily in recent years and it’s spilling into the vacation rental market. Furthermore, pickleball courts are a major trend! I have a designer friend doing a custom ranch in southwest Texas, and they have hired a professional pickleball player to give lessons as part of the guest experience. Next level.”
Don’t skimp on storage.
“Be thoughtful about the differences in rental/living. Rentals don’t need as much storage space because people don’t live there but once they move in, they are going to want storage space to spare. Thinking of that up front is key.”
