Home Design
Brian's collection of Western art is showcased in the hallway that transitioned the great room to the stairs leading to the loft and lower level. Pioneer's Alaskan staggered-tail support posts and beams with exposed roots lend an organic feel to the home. Brian sourced the bark beetle killed pine from Hester's, a local sawmill, which his crew from Mountain Log Homes of Colorado then fashioned all of the 'beefy' railings to fit the feel of a large-diameter log home.
Karen hung the wrought iron chandelier from the notched detail in the archway separating the dining room and great room to add to the visual appeal of the space. The detail in the chairs matched those in the cherry wood table, even though they were purchased separately at a great savings. The amber Venetian blow glass shades set the tone for the lighting theme in the great room. Wool rugs from Pakistan protect the African cherry hardwood floor, which reflects a soft red hue onto the lightly colored drywall.
This beautiful custom pine door by Platte Valley Woodworks in Fort Collins, Colorado is your first glimpse of how the Wrays incorporated arched entryways and pass-throughs to give the home added architectural appeal. The arch leading from the entry to the great room mimics the one between the great room and dining area. Karen relates the one-piece combination travertine, granite, and marble medallion was easier to install than using small mosaic pieces. Alder baseboards and trim add an additional touch of elegance.
Textured pumpkin-color walls form a warm and cozy backdrop for the second story master bedroom suite. Sliding French doors allow access to their private balcony without impinging on valuable interior room space. The large ridge beam contributes both structural stability and beauty to the second story stick-frame built home.
Built-in alder wood bookcases in the loft office/sitting room contribute to the functionality and beauty of the space as they feature file drawers in the lower center section. This is a quiet space for the homeowners' to enjoy a view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains through the expanse of windows in the upper gable end. The saddles are from Brian's family ranch nearby. He loves showing guests the genuine Pony Express mail bag that has been handed down through the generations.
In the early days when the country was being settled, the pioneers frequently transported the furnishings they had brought from the old country to their homesteads in the West. Pairing reproduction French country chairs with those covered with natural cowhide in the seating area of the great room reminds Karen of how the original Rocky Mountain log cabins must have been furnished. The Native American carving was a gift from her parents and traveled with a truck load of golf carts from South Carolina to its new home in Colorado.
Medium-texture mocha drywall sets the stage for the neutral palate in the master bath. The homeowners selected 16-inch travertine floor tiles and 12-inch tiles for the walls. The marble tiles in the tub surround match those used for the countertop. The see-through fireplace offers extra comfort on cold Rocky Mountain winter nights. Tom Charles of Cutting Edge Woodworking in Leadville, Colorado handcrafted all of the cabinets in the home.
Medium-texture mocha drywall sets the stage for the neutral palate in the master bath. The homeowners selected 16-inch travertine floor tiles and 12-inch tiles for the walls. The marble tiles in the tub surround match those used for the countertop. The see-through fireplace offers extra comfort on cold Rocky Mountain winter nights. Tom Charles of Cutting Edge Woodworking in Leadville, Colorado handcrafted all of the cabinets in the home.
Large diameter handcrafted pine posts and beams from Pioneer Log Homes of British Columbia add visual drama to the centrally located kitchen. Retaining the natural length of the support beam allowed them to extend the loft and add a sitting area. Karen selected a burgundy stain for the custom-built knotty alder cabinets and added deep green crown molding and tongue-and-grove around the island to complement the brown logs and African cherry hardwood floor. Gray and white granite countertops, installed by Jim Stover of Breckenridge, Colorado, brighten the space by reflecting the illumination from the hanging pendant lights. Jim also fashioned the mountain-shaped backsplash.
A carved eagle keeps a watchful eye at the end of the ridge beam extending from under the roof eaves partially covering the 1200-square feet of common deck, which is accessible from both the dining room and the main level guest suite. Brian used spruce for the facia and soffits as it is very insect-resistant and less costly than ever-increasingly scarce cedar. Twin shed dormers on either side of the pitched roof increase the amount of living space in the loft master bedroom and bath and are finished with board-on-board waned-edge milled bark beetle killed Lodgepole pine. The roof contributes to the Built-green aspect of the home as it was full-wrapped with Grace Ice & Water Shield® by Grace Construction Products prior to applying 40-year asphalt shingles. Pavers forming the lower patio are set in sand to increase the absorption of precipitation back into the ground.
Set in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, this handcrafted structure by Pioneer Log Homes of British Columbia is the permanent residence for Brian and Karen Wray. As a whimsical touch, Pioneer carved bear paws into the posts supporting the front porch. The home is Green certified due to features such crushed rock around the perimeter of the house, which allows the snow pack to drain back into the aquifer. The owners added a metal grate in the Brazilian Ipe hardwood step leading to the front door so snow would fall through and not create a hazard for their guest.
Handcrafted, large diameter logs, hand-peeled, scribed, and notched using Pioneer's Slicked Norwegian Wedge Notch, give the corners on the exterior of this home by Pioneer Log Homes of British Columbia a unique and distinctive feel. Brazilian Ipe provides dense, weather-resistant deck flooring, critical in a climate that averages 300 inches of snow per year and brilliant, sunny days. Karen chose a bar-height patio set so they could enjoy the spectacular views of the Gore and Ten Mile mountain ranges in Colorado.
