Close and Far Away
Jeff’s longtime dream of a log home began to come together when he and Emily attended a Log and Timber Home Show in Columbus about 10 years ago, while they were still searching for land.
At the show, they met the team at Hochstetler Log Homes, who connected them with a real estate agent to help with their property search. “We wanted a place far enough away from the hubbub of daily life, but not so far away that we couldn’t get to it easily,” Jeff says. The agent helped them find a 49-acre fully wooded property featuring caves, waterfalls and elevation changes in Athens County, Ohio, less than two hours from their house in Columbus.
Building the Team
The couple agrees they like to take their time making decisions, but this approach has led to happy results in their custom home. Their favorable impression of Hochstetler Log Homes at the home show they attended made choosing them to supply their log package easy. “From the start, we had a really good feeling about it,” Jeff says. Emily recalls that after visiting two or three other log home companies, “you could tell there was a significant difference in quality with Hochstetler.”
They chose Samuel Mast of Cedar Creek Cabins in Londonderry, Ohio, to build their three-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot home.
Cozy, With a Side of Whimsy
In addition to an open layout, the Allisons wanted the home to have a back porch and a large fireplace. Their design ultimately included a double-sided wood-burning fireplace that warms both the great room and the large covered porch. Their home also offers an open kitchen and a first-floor primary suite. Upstairs, two bedrooms open onto a loft seating area.
To create a warm, cozy feel, they chose a darker stain for the logs on the interior. Reclaimed wood flooring throughout brings rustic character that’s echoed in the home’s custom kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, handcrafted locally by Eicher Woodworking.
They chose concrete for the perimeter counters in the kitchen, inspired by concrete counters they discovered at a Parade of Homes show in Columbus. “We liked the look,” Emily says, “and we were OK with the blemishes that we knew would come with it.” The large center island is topped with granite and provides space for casual seating.
With a vision of future grandchildren who might enjoy the home, the Allisons added a whimsical “secret” space behind a sliding barn door in the loft. Outdoors, they installed a curving slide off the deck. It started a family tradition that anyone visiting the home for the first time has to slide down it.
Favorite Spaces
The Allisons say their experience with Hochstetler Log Homes and their builder was terrific. “They were great all the way through.”
Now that it’s finished, the couple’s getaway provides plenty of special times and places. “I really do like baking in the kitchen,” Emily says, “and sitting in front of the fireplace or out on the porch.” Jeff appreciates the loft for reading and the screened porch’s view of deer and other wildlife. The finished lower level is a spot for gathering when their adult children visit. Jeff plans to use the workshop space in the garage to build furniture for the home.
While they’re not hunters, they are in the process of building an archery range for practice on the site. “We’re nature lovers,” Jeff says. “We enjoy hiking around the property.”
The getaway they’ve created is a haven for relaxation, Emily says. “When we’re here, you feel like you’re truly away from life and on vacation.”
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