Always Entertaining

Mike and Jill approached Timberframe Carolina with interest in designing and building a timber framed home. They were excited because they had just purchased a large track of land adjacent to Lake James. Mike was exuberant when he visited his first TIMBERPEG® home as he stated his land “demands a house like this!” What about someone’s land would make them believe it ‘demands’ a Timberpeg?

Upon visiting their lot to help site a house and begin design discussions, we soon learned why. The prime building spot was determined to be at the top of a knoll with views overlooking Lake James to the south - a great place for a covered front porch to enjoy the panoramic views from the shade. Behind the house to the north Linville Mountain rises up over the valley below, all of which is national forest land. It was important that the house be designed just right so views of both the lake and mountains could be enjoyed – particularly from the great room. To accomplish this, the great room was designed at the end of the house with three walls of windows open to the views. The wall height was raised to 10’ to maximize glass in the large 24’x 22’ great room with soaring cathedral ceilings. All this glass certainly brings the outdoors inside.

As you approach the house, you are greeted by several natural welcoming features that assist in blending the home to its setting. Over the entry to the front porch is an arched king post truss soon to be inscribed with a phrase describing the territory and nearby creeks. Since the timber frame creates such a relaxing and beautiful environment, Mike and Jill desired that their whole front porch be timber framed. This type of porch not only blends with the setting but creates a natural transition from outdoors to the timber framing on the inside.

The timber framed porch ceiling with its wide 8” tongue and grove decking is supported by timbered porch posts that mimic nearby trees - blending with the environment. Anchoring these posts to the land are large native stone columns. As Mike desired from the beginning, this two tiered front porch allows many a neighbor to enjoy the shade, views and hospitality for years to come. With such a great front porch, Mike and Jill are Always Entertaining.

To the rear of the house, a large sunroom was designed to capture the views of the mountains. Jill considered a deck but really wanted to enjoy the views year-round so they decided to heat the room and add lots of windows. They even added a small wood stove resting on a large bolder to add interest and ‘ground’ the stove.