“= errr PUTA Gace) Rao Dire pee [fa Petree. 7g oo ee —}Why Log Homes == Vea ase 3 eeFirst-Rate SECOND HOME A picture-perfect lakeside setting inspires a milled-log home in the Missouri Ozarks. By Roland Sweet | Photos by James Ray Spahn | Styling by Colleen Macomber ‘ike and Mary McClain’s log-home dream began late in life. First came the setting. The couple already owned a small, two-bedroom vacation cottage in an Ozark Moun- tains community on Table Rock Lake, 200 miles from their suburban split lev el home in Leawood, Kansas. It served them well for 12 years, but when the couple decided to get a jump on build: ing their retirement home, they bought an adjoining wooded lot with 100 feet of lake frontage. Only later did they decide on logs. “L had been looking at log-home magazines for years,” Mary says, “and was very in- terested in logs. Mike'san avid hunter andl fisherman, and wehave alot of taxidermy, and Iwanted a place to display that.” She says she'd always thought oflog homes as belonging in mountain settings, “but when started looking atthe magazines T thought, ‘oh my gosh they look beautiful on alake.” ‘They knew a builder, Brad Baird, who ‘years earlier had remodeled their cottage. He also built log homes, and wher he built his own, the McClains admired itand others that Baird and his partner, Rob Hall, had built Baird's ane! Hall'scompany, Timberoe Construction, represents Real Log Home, Vermont manufacturer, which the McClane ‘chose for their home because of their con- fidence in Timberoc. “We'd heard some ‘wonderful things about log homes, but ‘We'd also heard some horror stories shout if they weren't put together right,” Mike says. “We knew Brad and Robbie woulda't letus down.” [Next came the design. The McClains found a floor plan they liked from another Jog-home company. Because copynightlaws ‘2014 ANRUAL BUYER'S QUIDE «106 HOME LIVING + 63prevented Real from using other compa nies’ plans the couple discussed the gen- ceral features they expected, foremost be- inga layoutto capture the lake view. Baird showed them a Real plan for a two-story hhome,but they wanted only the main level because they preferred a very open layout witha tall ceiling for the entire great room, {instead ofthe customary loft, which would lower the ceiling over part ofthe level. "We felt not having a loft would give a more contemporary look," Mary says. “Itwould also keep us from having cottage-like wine lows on the outside that log homes often have witha loft.” ‘The result was a custom design for a home with a free-flowing 2,000-square- foot main Jevel that exposes lake views throughout, It features eastern white pine Jogs milled flaton the top and bottom and se ocareinesen rounded on the exposed sides. The 6-by-$- inch profil has mortise-anc-tenon comers. ‘Thehome sitsovera2000square-footbase- meni, which comprises guest bedrooms, a kitchen, abar and a family room with a masonry fireplace. “Alot of our company thatstays down there tells usta the best view of the lake because it’s below the te line,” Mary says. Construction proceeded smoothly, although when the McClains saw how quickly the shell went up, they assumed theome would take only year to build in- stoad ofthe twoandl ahalfit did. “The good thing was thatsince we owned the cottage next door, we didn’t have to miss out on coming to the lake during construction,” Mary notes. “Plus by being here, Iwas able toseesome things I wanted to change while twas going up, such as cabinets” -POSITE: Two leather conversation Ses erent 9 cozy grouping around the ‘Arkansas moss rock fireplace In the great ‘room. The centerpiece isthe painting on the mantel of two bird dogs. Mike's great ‘aunt paited It in £924, and the McCains hha Kept it for nearly 30 years but never had a place to display it. Mary used it as the Basie for the colors she chose for furnishings. “Realy, the whole house revolves around that painting.” she says. ‘The 26-foot cellng showcases exposed pre-cut log raters. ABOVE: The dining area was originally planned for a bumpout off the great room {shown af lft of photo), but the MeClains designated the bump-out for a sunroom ‘and moved the dining area closer to the Iitchen. The walnut table and contoured ‘hairs wore eratted at the College of the Ozarks by work-study students. The chan ddolier was handmade by one of the many local artisane that the couple commis sioned to do custom furnishings. 2011 ANNUAL BUYER'S GUIDE + L0G HOME LIVING + 68(One improvement during tion occurred when the contractor poured concrete to support thebump-out sunroom, fon the main level. He told the McClains they should consider using the space for a tomado shelter. They made better use ofitasa wine collar. “If there ever isa to nado,” Mike points out, “we can stil use it as shelter —and pass the time there much more enjoyably Because Mike supplies mechanical: system components, he was able to buy upgraded materials wholesale, such as those forthe home's in-floor heating sys tem, For cooling, the home uses a high- velocity system with 75 3-inch vents that eliminate conventional ductwork, which would be hard to ft in the open ceiling. “Having second home roquired plenty of new furniture, which the couple found with the help of udy Sommer, who runs the Bears to Chairs Gallery in Shell Knob. She ordered pieces that Mary found online and also enlisted craftspeople around Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to create many custom pieces. She and Mike agroe these talented. people added artistry to their home that they hadn't counted on The McClainsare stil looking forward toretirement but for now are able! most weekends at their lake place, often joined by their children and four grand hildzen, who use the original vacation home next door. They spend their time fishing, boating, entertaining and mostly relaxing, “Being here revitalizes us, and ithas bro whole family closer to says,adding, “Everst started vacationing here in the 1980s, w ‘knew where we wanted to be, Like many people, we had dreams when we were in ‘ur 20s and 30s, and we've be a6 tho rest of the main love, thanks to the [MeCisine’ decision to forge lft. Tho reomy “Space features custom cabinets and extended tranite countertope that form an island bar, faced with Arkansas moss rock. The waleut bar chairs are from the College of the Ozarks. ‘The tie floor contrasts with the hand-hewn Fickory used forthe living and dining areas. OPPOSITE: The main-loor master bedroom is enveloped by charactersich white pine loss ‘and fog raters. The room is carpeted for ‘ded comfort and enjoys access to a private porch overlooking Table Rock Lake.Nueusiemececss SSS ‘SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,000 LOG COMPANY: Resl Log Homes FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEB RESOURCES ON PAGE 132 Dining Sunroom Area Main Level Lower Level magne 2011 ANNUAL BUYER'S GUIDE + LOG HOME LIVING + 67