Eco Timber Frame Articles

Second Time Around

A North Carolina couple loved their first timber home so much, they decided to build another.

A cedar shake roof defines the exterior of the 4,800-square-foot home. Since it's located adjacent to national forest land, the home is often visited by wildlife, including a black bear and a bobcat.

When Chris and Karen Weihs built a timber-frame home several years ago, they knew they had found the perfect style of construction. So perfect, in fact, that the North Carolina couple decided to build another timber home just a mile away from their first one.

The entrance of the home features old barnwood that adds a distinctive flavor. The weathered wood has many color variations and distress marks. The small sign that proclaims "Life artists in residence" reflects the Weihses' desire for a life change.

"We built the same house, only bigger," says Karen. "We loved our first place, but we wanted to have a little more room for family and friends to visit."

The Weihses also wanted to create more of a primary residence. Their first timber home (featured in our Summer 1999 issue) was a place they enjoyed only three months of the year. The couple owned a formal year-round home in Charleston, but they sold it in order to relocate to the town of Cashiers full time. "We discovered we liked this kind of living better," says Karen. "It's so casual, comfortable and easy to entertain. We were ready for a life change."

The living room has a large expanse of space and yet it still feels very cozy. The fireplace was stacked by hand by a local craftsman and his son. One of Karen's paintings is displayed above the mantel.

When a lot in their community became available, Chris and Karen knew it was time to act on their dreams. The 3-1/2 acre site they had been waiting for borders national forest land and offers breathtaking views of the Whiteside Mountains in the Blue Ridge region.

Coming up with a floor plan was simple - the Weihses simply copied the design of their first timber home as much as they could. Working with Mark Wray of Eco Timber Frames in Saluda, North Carolina, they were able to create a design that suited their new site and their lifestyle.

"Chris and Karen basically wanted to take what they had and tweak it a little bit," recalls Mark. "We modified and enlarged their original plan. To accommodate the steep site, we added a full basement. We also added a garage, a covered porch, and increased the kitchen size significantly."

The living room is open to a loft overhead. Karen faux-finished the railing spindles and accented them with rhododendron twigs. The coffee table in the living room is actually an old Santa Fe door with faded paint.

The resulting layout encompasses 4,800 square feet. The front entry leads to the main level, which houses the living room, dining room, kitchen, powder room and master suite. An open floor plan makes the rooms feel even bigger than they are. The basement contains an office and a guest bedroom. The top level has three guest bedrooms, several baths and a painting studio for Karen.

The overall design takes advantage of the vista outside. "When you walk into the home, the view is just in your face," says Karen. "There is lots of glass and light and it is truly breathtaking. It's a real mountain lodge feel."

As with their previous home, the couple contracted Mill Creek to assemble the timber frame. But instead of hiring a firm to build the home, Chris decided to act as his own general contractor. He has become a builder by hobby over the past few years and is currently working on another timber home next door.

Karen loves to sit out on the covered porch, watching the clouds go by. Her father made the Adirondack chairs. A local artist carved the bear sculpture.

The woodwork in the Weihses' home impresses every visitor, according to the owners. The exterior entrance area is decorated with old barnwood, suggesting an old lodge flavor. Inside, Eastern white pine timbers create a dramatic frame. The hand-hewn wood beams measure 12 inches wide in some places and feature beautiful handiwork. "When guests walk in, they are greeted with the fresh smell of wood," says Karen. "Many say it is like a mini-lodge."

Designed by Jim Pepperell of Brevard, the fire-engine red cabinets add a sense of drama to the kitchen. It was essential for Chris to have a large kitchen because he often has cooking demos in his home. Karen painted the bold red chili pepper design onto the center island.

The wood used for the flooring is also noteworthy. Originating from an old tobacco barn, the recycled flooring has many natural distress marks and holes caused by age. Karen and Chris filled the holes with stone and resin to create a distinctive look. "When you look down, you see glimmering stones," explains Karen. "People often ask, 'What is that shine?' We've filled the holes with everything from turquoise to stones from the surrounding environment."

The dining room is reminiscent of a mountain lodge setting. The country table was made by a local craftsman John Warren. The chairs were purchased at Rusticks in Cashiers. Pine paneling and beams add warmth to mealtime.

The owners did the majority of the decorating themselves. Since they had experience from their previous home, Karen says this one was easier. "Decorating a timber-frame house is difficult," she admits. "But we really had fun doing it this time. We were able to incorporate many of the furnishings from our first home and complement them with some newer pieces."

Some of the custom touches in the home include faux-finished stair spindles that Karen designed herself. "They're sort of an earthy green shade with natural twig accents," she says. "The entire house has a green, gold and red color scheme." A professional painter, Karen has developed an eye for detail. Many of her dramatic oil paintings decorate the home, including the picture hanging over the mantel in the living room. "It actually depicts the view out our windows," she says.

This view from the entry into the great room shows off the beauty of the recycled flooring. Salvaged from an old tobacco barn, the pine floor has many natural distress marks and holes caused by age. The Weihses filled in the holes with glimmering stones and resin, giving the floor a special shine. They credit Airdale Woodworks of Murphees Burro for providing the recycled wood.

Chris is also artistic, though his main talent is cooking. A gourmet chef, he was eager to have a kitchen that was big enough to accommodate his needs. Designed by Jim Pepperell of nearby Brevard, the fire-engine red cabinets add a sense of drama. Karen painted the large chili pepper design onto the center island. "My husband does cooking demos in the house, often for charity," says Karen. "So it was important to have a large kitchen space."

Overall, the house feels more balanced than their previous one, according to Karen. "Everything has room, it breathes," she says. "There really is a place for everthing, and it doesn't feel crammed."

Mark is especially pleased with the completed look. "The house really reflects the artistic side of Chris and Karen," he says. "Their home leans in the direction of Mill Creek's 'mountain rustic' look, emphasizing natural stone, branches and wood with elegant upscale touches."

The name the couple gave their home reflects its proximity to nature. Since the property features springs on both sides of the house, they christened it "Two Springs."

The upstairs loft hallway is dressed with colorful blankets that are reproductions of old Indian textiles. Tribal rugs continue the theme and add brilliant color to the abundance of wood.

Local wildlife isn't shy to make its presence known. Karen says a black bear visits their porch regularly, investigating leftovers and birdfeed, and basically making "a big mess."

A somewhat frightening encounter with nature occured not too long after the couple moved in. "Our son was visiting and he left the door open," recalls Karen. "All of a sudden, we had a bobcat come into the house! He ran around a few times and eventually ran out when the dogs scared him away."

Karen's painting studio in the loft provides a sense of serenity and plenty of natural light. When she's not at work in her home, Karen teaches painting courses and displays her artwork in a Charleston gallery.

Despite these unexpected guests, Karen and Chris are pleased with their new timber-frame home. They truly love the sleepy mountain town of Cashiers and are delighted that they were able to find another site in the same area. Every time they come home, they are still awed by their surroundings and the beautiful woodwork inside their home. "When we walk in, we are overwhelmed by the expanse of it," says Karen. "We love to take it all in and the view is amazing. The home really is something different."

With two timber homes under their belt, one can't help but wonder if a third one is in the works. "I wouldn't be surprised if there's another house in the future," says Mark.

"No, no more for us," says Karen, laughing. "This is it!"

An upstairs guest bedroom is enjoyed by visiting family and friends. A built-in window seat provides a cozy nook for reading.

Located in the top corner of the house, this guest bath emphasizes the beauty of the woodwork and offers an interesting use of space. The elegant white pedestal sink adds an unexpected note of romance.