Fashioning LIfestyles and Living Spaces With Western Flair
by Rae Hamilton Photography by James Ray Spahn
A Slice of Paradise
-a charming log cabin sets the stage for one couple's private retreat
It’s a common notion that strikes
most folks at one time or another—the desire to pull up stakes, head for somewhere rugged and beautiful, and find a
quiet spot to settle down in. And for northern California dwellers David and Susan Semas, nothing said “heaven” quite
like the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The Semas’ found the perfect land—34 acres in the shadow of snow-covered
Job’s Peak in Nevada—however their vision of creating a “private agricultural
preserve” that integrated harmoniously with the surrounding wilderness would
take several years to realize.
The couple’s master plan for the preserve, dubbed the Buffalo Creek Ranch,
calls for 25 acres of open space that includes a five-acre apple orchard; stands of
peach, pear, cherry, apricot and walnut trees; a sprawling vineyard; a horse pasture;
five acres of wild life habitat; and water features that include multiple
ponds, waterfalls, and streams. But first they had to create the charming log
cabin that would serve as the center of the property, and allow them to enjoy the
land while they oversaw construction of the ranch.
David did a lot of research before deciding to work with
Knoxville, Tennessee-based StoneMill Log Homes. The company
uses 6-by-12-inch Canadian western hemlock logs, in a dovetail-
corner; square-log style, to create what vice president of
sales and marketing Mathew Sterchi calls a “unique
Appalachian mountain” profile. “David knew exactly what he
wanted,” says Sterchi. “He came to us because he knew we specialized
in this specific type of log home.”
Sit a Spell: The cabin's front porch provides a perfect
perch from which to survey the landscape,including a small pond formed by the confluence of Little Barber Creek and Sheridan Creek, which flows from Lake Tahoe.
The cabin’s small-yet-sophisticated design lives larger than
its 700 square feet. Using the company’s Summerhill plan as a
starting point, the Semas’ worked with the StoneMill design
team to incorporate their own ideas into the plan, and ultimately
ended up with a custom-built cabin. The couple chose to have
the outside surfaces hand hewn to give the appearance of age,
while the other three surfaces of the log courses are milled. And
for super strength, the builders used all-thread steel to bolt the
home to the foundation, attach each log to the next, and secure
it to the green standing-seam metal roof.
The decision to use the steel involved practical considerations.
“In the winter, we routinely see 70- to 80-mile-per-hour
winds,” explains David. “Above the timber line, it’s not unusual
for winds to approach 150 miles per hour. The steel keeps the
cabin together.”
For the interior, the couple settled on triple-pane windows
and French doors, allowing the best possible views of the stunning
landscape surrounding the cabin. Other than the Canadian
hemlock used for the shell, much of the wood used in the home
is locally forested. The kitchen cabinets are crafted in knotty
alder, the doors opening to the laundry room are Douglas fir, and
the porch and posts are all constructed from other native timbers.
The stonework for the fireplace and chimney is made of
local granite.
Now that the ranch is complete, David and Susan will use the
cabin as a guesthouse, but it clearly still has a very important
place in their hearts. “It’s the perfect cabin,” Susan says. “Family
members and friends from out of town love to stay here. We are
blessed to have such a heavenly place to share with others.”
Cutting costs in the kitchen
Simple solutions for getting the look you want for less
A.Whether you’re computer savvy or not, it’s easy to compare prices and find some great deals on the Web. Especially on smaller homewares like lighting (which won’t cost too much to ship), you can find discounts with the double-click of a mouse. We found a monorail lighting kit similar to the one shown here online for $300—a savings of about $500 compared to retail.
B. A quick way to update an older kitchen
is with touches of stainless steel. To
achieve this look at a fraction of the cost, purchase a stainless steel appliqué or paint that can be used on lower-priced white or black appliances.
C.The appeal of granite countertops can’t
be denied—their rugged finish looks great in almost any home. To achieve this look, take a look at laminate countertops. The material has come a long way in the past few years. Manufacturers now offer reasonably
priced collections that mimic the look of
granite and other rocks. Both WilsonArt
and Formica also offer finishes that replicate the texture of polished rock.
D.A simple project for do-it-yourselfers is
staining your cabinetry. You can buy unfinished cabinets online and have them shipped directly to your home. Hanging
cabinetry is a bit trickier, but it’s a fairly
straightforward project that can be tackled on your own.
E. Forget about hardwood floors in your
kitchen. Because of moisture issues, a simulated wood laminate will stand up better over time (and also save you a bundle). By choosing a laminate flooring over hardwood, you can reduce your total cost by as much as $5 per square foot. Plus, if you’re
so inclined, you can install a glueless laminate yourself.
