(ARA) - What are “hybrid” log and timber homes and how do you get from dreams to a great home?

Across the country, people have fallen in love with the visual characteristics of log and timber homes. However, in the 21st century, their idea of housing utopia doesn’t necessarily require that all “hidden” elements be true to the craft of log or timber construction. As a result, the hybrid home, which incorporates the wisdom of modern construction with log and timber accents, has become a popular choice to achieve the same visual impact.

Hybrid homes offer exciting options for people, like Laird and Natalie Wilson, who want to complement their lifestyle and location. When the day came to put their ideas on paper, the Wilsons realized each had their own vision. Laird had always dreamed of a log home, while Natalie wanted clean contemporary lines.

Hybrids make it possible to mix styles, combining an elegant log exterior with a lighter contemporary interior that exude lots of natural colors and textures.

A hybrid home offers homeowners more design freedom, but requires upfront planning and good communication. Choosing the right team who is experienced with the many nuances ensures a smooth shift from log, timber, stone, glass or other accents.

After months of research, the Wilsons returned to Wisconsin Log Homes, Inc. of Green Bay, Wisc. to create their cutting-edge home. “Offering custom architectural services, full service interior design and construction gives our clients peace of mind,” says company founder David Janczak.

“A well-coordinated project between owner, designer, builder and interior designer can truly capture the owner’s vision,” says Janczak. “Careful consideration of your lifestyle is crucial to your overall satisfaction. Our team works to design spaces around the way you live.”

Consider traffic patterns in public spaces like great rooms, dining rooms and kitchens. Think about practical and aesthetic furniture placement in relation to your focal points such as windows, fireplaces and media centers. Do you prefer one way or multiple entrances to these spaces?

If this is where you plan to spend your retirement years, consider including 3-foot doors, first floor master suites, large walk-in showers, and elevators. If space permits, think about a plan with two master suites - one on each floor. They make great guest rooms.

Thoughtfully designed open floorplans that maximize space and living patterns, and include proper sightlines, window design and volumetric will make a small home feel larger. Ample storage space and traffic flow also makes everyday living more enjoyable.

“We built the home so that our extended family and friends could also use it as their getaway,” says Laird. ”There is usually someone here every weekend of the summer and much of the winter. At this stage in our lives, having the family come together is important and this becomes everyone’s destination.”

The team at Wisconsin Log Homes helped the couple discover that the Thermal-Log building system, plaster, stone and lots of glass can easily be combined to create a totally aesthetic hybrid home beyond what they had imagined.

“We were so pleased; the design team was able to incorporate all of our wants, needs and desires into our home,” says Laird. “They really listened and gave us great advice. The Internet meetings with 3-D drawings are unbelievable. Right before your eyes they can transform your plan.”

“The overall look of this home turned out better than we ever imagined,” Natalie says. “ Not only does it meet our design expectations, but it gives our family the much-needed place to unwind, and much of this comes from the soothing space that we all carefully created.” Their only regret is that they didn’t begin to build their dream home sooner.

If you’re seeking a hybrid lifestyle start by obtaining the Wisconsin Log Homes planning guide filled with more than 100 photos, plans and ideas. From there, they can create your personalized hybrid home, and discuss the best way to get it built. Their helpful team can be reached by calling (800) 678-9107, or visit their website at www.wisconsinloghomes.com.

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