Rustic Chic
Prepare for impact: Modern style defines elegant timber homes
John and Lore Wagner planned on building a log home, but ended up with a European-influenced chalet that encompasses a hybrid of materials and designs.
How’d that happen?
“We changed our tack, and what we really like is the timber frame, European look. Lore had some books that had a lot of good ideas in them, and Town & Country said, ‘We’d like to do that for you,’” recalled John.
The couple had selected the site in Cross village — at the top of Michigan near where the peninsulas meet — and chosen Town & Country as their builder, in part because of the firm’s reputation for its stunning log homes.
After changing their vision of their ideal seasonal residence, the Wagners narrowed in on stucco, cedar shake and stone, with no log in sight. “They drafted up some ideas for us and some sketches,and we really liked what we saw,” John said.
Unique features abound, thanks in part to the Wagners’ hands-on approach. They toured the mill at
Town & Country during the design of their home, for instance, and requested a custom-made hammer beam truss system, rather than a more typical king truss. They also wanted to incorporate timber elements into their hybrid design.
“Given the fact that we were using Town & Country, we knew we were going to use some cedar, so we chose cedar shake with the stucco and stone,” Lore said. “All of the homes we’ve had have used the same Tudor, European style because we love it so much.
“We decided with the cottage we had to do it on a much smaller scale. And it just came together. The designer who worked on the project hit the nail on the head. There were very few changes on the elevation.”
When the home was completed in 2001, it was a trendsetter in its mix of materials and European styling in this stretch of Michigan known for Victorian cottages and modern estates.
“Everyone who has stayed here has commented on the home,” Lore said.
Added John, “It’s obvious it’s been generating a little bit of interest for Town & Country, and that’s a compliment to the fact they did such a good job and that it was such an attractive design in the first place.”
Rustic, Refined & Redesigned
Eight-plus years after the Wagner project, Town & Country continues to perfect its approach in building rustically elegant, timber-style homes. How the trusses are designed and configured in a house plays a key role in its look and feel.
“Timber trusses add a lot of visual impact for a project,” said Michelle Kruzel, on-staff architect with Town & Country. “The designs can vary from the very simple to the complex. Unique, custom designs are always a fun challenge for our design team.”
Kruzel said many clients are drawn to a timber-style home in lieu of log because the additions of timber elements help create a more refined, yet rustic look.
“Frequently, our clients choose to use timber structural elements in the foyer or great room, while using timber accents throughout the balance of the home. This helps stay within a homeowner’s budget while still creating the ambiance of a timber-framed home,” Kruzel noted. “Mixing materials and construction methods are very commonplace and allow our clients to get the ‘best of both worlds.”
The desired look and ambiance of timber-style homes is not limited to Michigan’s wooded and shoreline communities.
Jim Stults, a Town & Country director with Hunter Custom Homes in Flagstaff, Ariz., pointed to his successful Pine Canyon Model as an example of how the rustic elegance of timber is preferred in all regions of the U.S.
His design is characterized by exposed timber beams, natural wood ceilings and a rustic mountain look without the use of whole log construction that can involve more maintenance and less flexibility for electrical runs and displaying artwork, he said. 
“This design is popular in mountainous areas of the U.S. The uniqueness is that most homes do not have structural timber elements with exposed timber trusses, as this home boasts,” Stults said.
One particular home in Arizona includes a bevy of other elements that emanate an upscale, comfortable feel: wine cellar, steam shower, upper and lower decks and patio, three-car garage with work room, central vacuum system, reclaimed hardwood floors, breakfast bar, fireplace in the great room and master suite and an open floor plan that leaves plenty of room for the homeowners’ children and grandchildren, Stults added.
Creating a space to accommodate their family was also an important component for the Wagners along the shore of Lake Michigan. While they’ve been comfortable the last few years in the 2,500 square-foot, 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home, they are currently finishing the lower level to add two bedrooms, great room and bath.
“It’s a perfect getaway for us,” Lore said. “if we’re not up there for a while, we crave getting back.”