2013 Readers' Choice Awards – Runners-Up

Best Home Under 2,500 Square Feet, Runner-Up: Woodhouse

Oak timbering, a unique open floor plan and a breathtaking location make this Riverbend Timber Framing home special. A number of gathering spaces, paired with more intimate areas like the master bedroom, make the home incredibly versatile and functional for large groups or smaller gatherings.

 

“The beams at the landing repeat the curved theme of the entryway with a gentle radius cutout underneath," explains Jake Lappan, designer on this Riverbend Timber Framing project. "That curve is repeated in the wide trusses spanning the 1,400-square- foot room.” A massive stone chimney flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors creates an extended “prow” and offers a dramatic composition to the space.

We love the idea of indoor/outdoor spaces, which is exactly what makes this outdoor area by PrecisionCraft so appealing. This spacious dining area is positioned on the deck area, while a cozy fireplace is tucked inside a screened-in porch, complete with wraparound seating.

 

One of the best benefits of building a timber frame is that your home can look absolutely any way you'd like it. This kitchen by Appalachian Antique Hardwoods, for example, combnies a beautiful mix of materials and finishes, from the mustard walls to the stone-sided island, effectively creating a modern kitchen that still feels warm and rustic.

Stairs are a critical piece in the design of a home as they typically set the tone for the style of the entire house. This curved stairway from New Energy Works Timberframers not only serves as a transition piece from the home's private to public areas, but it's also a true work of art and focal point for the entire home.

"In this home, we created a slider barn door, which we consider to be a functioning piece of primitive art," says George Klemens, owner of Timberbuilt.

While it may have an unassuming name, Walnut is not an understated wood. With rich, chocolate used and complex grain patterns, it makes for a unique flooring choice. Carlisle Wide Plank Floors handcrafts their walnut planks like the ones shown here, which feature eye-catching lengths in this rustic kitchen.