Log Homes Council Features Navajo Floor Plan by Honest Abe Log Homes

During the month of August, 2010, the Log Homes Council, who’s parent organization is the National Association of Home Builders, is featuring a beautiful timber frame house by Honest Abe Log Homes. Honest Abe, a member and supporter of the council, is best known for designing, manufacturing and building log homes and cabins. However, this timber frame home demonstrates the diversity within the company’s line of products, and the variety available within the wood home industry overall.

This particular floor plan is no stranger to Honest Abe’s portfolio of log home and timber frame designs. The Navajo has been within the company’s line up for over fifteen years, yet still captures attention by so many log home enthusiasts. “The plan is modest, yet has so much to offer,” comments Fred Kendall, Design Manager at Honest Abe. “One wing of the timber frame home features the master bedroom and bath, while the other is split into two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. The center has an open design within the great room, which is overlooked by a loft. The kitchen is spacious and open to its surroundings.” All of this is available in an area just over 1,800 square feet without a basement.

As with most plans Honest Abe Log Homes offers, the Navajo featured in the Log Council’s article has undergone modifications as directed by the customers. Rick and Betty Blair of Apple Orchard Mountain Homes decided to construct a ‘spec’ timber frame home in The Preserve at Beach Mountain located in Hayesville, North Carolina. “The property has such a beautiful view of the mountains,” noted Betty. “So, Rick and I added more deck and porch area than called for on the original design. We also added a gazebo, which creates an outstanding outdoor living area to take in the views.” Due to the slope of the property, they added an angled corner entry as well as a walk-out basement. “A finished basement is a great way to add on affordable living area,” suggested Rick.

The Navajo is a great example of the flexibility in creative design available when constructing with timber frame or log. Imagination and budget really are the limits. Honest Abe’s timber frame construction takes customization to another level. Since the walls are constructed with posts, beams and prefabricated panels, the exterior of the home can be covered with a variety of products. Of course, Honest Abe manufactures log siding that can be applied to give the appearance of log, but some customers choose to use cedar siding, brick, stone and even vinyl siding. Rick and Betty Blair chose to use log siding for the exterior walls on the main level, while covering the gable-end walls and dormers with cedar shake siding. The walk-out basement features a manufactured stone application. All of this combined really expresses a mountain home feel with definitive craftsman style accents.