Award Winning Timber Frame Home - Cornerstone Awards 2006

Inspired by the 18th century timber frame home where they had raised their children in upstate New York, this couple always knew they wanted their retirement home to be a timber frame. They also dreamed of living in a beautiful location and found a piece of land in North Carolina over looking Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Mountains, where children and grandchildren loved to visit. Finally settled into their dream retirement home, and grateful for where they now live, the homeowners have named this home "Tusen Takk," which is Norwegian for "a thousand thanks."

A timber framed front entry porch welcomes visitors into the home and opens to the foyer, which includes a coat closet and small lavatory to the right, a loft above, and a staircase, which leads to both the second and basement floors. Beyond the staircase you enter the cathedral great room where the eastern white pine timber frame and king post trusses are grandly displayed. A wall of windows directly ahead frames views of the mountains and Lake Lure in the distance. Patio doors to the left of the great room lead out to a deck. Custom designed built-ins allow the homeowners to display keepsakes and books and the loft above creates a very open feel for the entire house.

To the left when entering the home are an open kitchen and the dining room, which includes a window seat with custom built-in bookshelves. The kitchen, which also shares the views out the back of the home, has granite counters and central island with a deep sink and sitting stools. The laundry/mudroom and pantry are located just off the kitchen. An exterior covered breezeway leads out to the garage. On the opposite side of the home, down a short hallway are a computer area and the master bedroom and bathroom.

Upstairs a loft overlooks both the entry and the great room. Three more bedrooms are also located on the second level. Two of the bedrooms enjoy views of the lake and mountains and the third bedroom, especially designed for young grandchildren, includes a loft where they enjoy climbing the ladder to their own private play area.

Because of the extremely sloping site, the owners were also able to include a large walkout basement with another bedroom and bath. A sauna, family room, activity room, and an additional workshop, which the husband uses to repair his antique clocks, are also located on the lower level. This home not only includes the beauty of the timber frame that the homeowners so enjoyed in their previous home, but now has all of the modern amenities of a new home. It is something to be truly thankful for.