Here we are taking a “squirrely” tree sapling and creating an entry handrail for this log cabin. The “lumps and bumps” will be kept intact to create visual interest. The “y” shaped or “forked” log adds character to this simple, small log cabin design.

This is the view from the walkout basement as we were installing the sub-floor. My husband and twin sons are placing the boards on a 45° angle to create added texture to the plain sheetrock walls of the basement. We used a large diameter, whole log as a supporting girder with 3x8 cants of white pine lumber as exposed framing members.

I designed this kitchen as separate pieces of furniture with a plate rack, stove hood, drawer dishwasher (right of sink), trash compactor, recycling bins, potato drawers, pantries and open storage, evoking a period style setting. There are built-in knife racks, silverware organizers, spice racks, oversized drawers and pullout drawers for easy access. The mixes of wood and weathered, painted surfaces create the look of being built overtime.

This small carbon footprint cabin feels much larger than the drawings and photos appear. The living room and dinning room each seat 8 very comfortably, along with another miniature table for children that seats 4. Just outside the triple bank of windows is a covered porch that has an additonal dinning table that seats 10, children’s table that seats 4, and outdoor lounge area that seats another 8 adults. The main floor entertains a lot of guest for great summer parties.

This outdoor covered porch is one of 4 large covered porches this home has. The "laughing crow" sits on the rail as we try to finish this project. The home is also our design center where we are perched on top of a mountain that overlooks the most incredible valley views across to the Adirondack Mountains.

As we were building “Laughing Crow” there were different documentary and TV crews that filmed the progress. At this stage we were forming the walls for the basement with a 24’ x 26’ footprint. The walls were foam sheet panels created by Thermal Foams Inc. The foam panels went up in one day and the concrete pour took 4 hours. The insulated foam panels were the most impressive system!

Here we go with the bears again........this one is over 9 feet tall with a bear cub at the base. You should see the one in my outhouse or the 4 foot bear sitting at my dining table on the porch.

There are my twin boys again, building yet another house for their favorite contractor mom. Here the twins are installing one of the floor-joists that extends out onto a covered porch and over an intersecting girder that is supported by an upright log column.