Article by Michelle Heslop. Photos by Jody Beck.
Like simple sketches on a paper napkin, this contemporary post and beam fusion began with layout plans in pencil on graph paper. Drawing inspiration from their respective childhood homes, the couple envisioned building a modern log home that merged the rustic nature of a log cabin with modern function and design. Living in a detached family home in downtown Victoria, the couple found the ideal wooded lot that captured the essence they had imagined for their post and beam home. Half a year and four erasers later, they created their dream floor plan and contacted Artisan Log Homes to generate a log package, Streamline Architects to create a design and Todd Martin from Knot-in-a-Box for the construction management and build.
Set on a beautifully wooded private lot, the couple fell in love with the idyllic property with ocean glimpses and a backyard bordering on 25 acres of Garry oak park. “It had a lot of natural beauty and privacy, while still just minutes away from all amenities,” says the owner. At 2185 square-feet, the result is a rustic contemporary home boasting four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a light-filled loft, a legal conforming in-law suite and garage.
Known for his resourcefulness, Martin used milled wood felled from the build site for all the interior finishing materials like trim, baseboards and the gorgeous ceilings. “The wood from our property was milled by an entrepreneur in Sooke, then Kiln-dried and cut tongue-and-groove by Bavarian Cabinetry in Mill Bay,” adds the owner. Adding warmth and character to the log home, engineered European walnut flooring with a natural oil finish was used throughout the main floor.
Martin adds that “at our first site meeting, I learned that the homeowners were expecting their first child. This news directed material choices including low-VOC products used throughout the home. A zero-VOC product, Sansin wood sealer (repels water while still allowing the wood to breathe), was used on all the interior logs with low-VOC paints. We used local cedar on the exterior siding and treated it with an all-natural, non-toxic product that only requires one application in its lifetime. The roof is a 50-year galvalume metal.”
“The sheer size and weight of the posts and beams made for a lot of extra structural engineering, everything was super-sized from beams to concrete footings and foundation.
The striking twenty-foot ceilings on the main floor deliver an airy mountain chalet feel and create a versatile loft space upstairs.
“The post and beam design is a split ridge beam that allowed us to center the wood burning fireplace between two massive feature posts and send the fireplace vent through the center of the roof.”
The floating wood and steel staircase (which was originally going to be a ladder to the loft) was designed by Knot-in-a-box and manufactured by Wallace Welding, a father and son team.
To remain budget-conscious, Martin and the owners took a unique approach to the kitchen design and bought an entire deconstructed kitchen for $5000. “The kitchen was only a couple years old and most of the appliances still had stickers on them,” states Martin.
The salvaged countertops went into the suite kitchen while the main floor countertops are adorned in naturally veined Cambria Quartz. Grey glass tile backsplash reflects natural light and maintains the contemporary feel of the home. Like framed landscape paintings, the windows create a dialogue with the home’s verdant surroundings.
“We love the feeling of being both inside and outside at the same time. The forest views and character in the logs really bring nature inside. The Pacific Energy Summit Series wood stove and staircase centred in the heart of our home is our favourite spot. The Knot-in-a-Box team has been exceptional to work with; they exceeded every expectation and helped us build our dream home on time and on budget. They are genuinely good people with a lot of heart, ingenuity and talent.”
