When Tony and Paula Shannon first laid eyes on the lakeside lot they now call home, Paula saw it for what it was — a wooded, overgrown thicket languishing from decades of neglect. But, in his mind’s eye, Tony could see through the tangle of trees and brush to the land’s true potential. Past the dense vegetation lay the promise of premium lakeside living on the shores of Georgia’s highly sought-after Lake Lanier. “No one else was even bothering to look at it,” Tony recalls. “We had to wait months until wintertime to even get down into the property,” adds Paula.
Their patience paid off. Once they were able to navigate the terrain, the couple loved what they saw: sweeping views of the water and a gentle slope to the shore. Yet there were plenty of hurdles to clear. An out-of-use well on the property, which had once serviced surrounding homes, was separately deeded to an unknown owner. “It was located right in the middle of the lot, and you couldn’t build within 100 feet of the well,” says Tony. After some internet sleuthing, the Shannons tracked down the owner, who was more than happy to surrender the deed.
Still placing the “sold” sign on the lot, nearly a decade after the couple had originally begun their property search, was just the start of a new chapter in their quest. “We went all over the U.S. looking at timber frame companies, from Missouri to Tennessee to Georgia,” says Tony. Then, after a fortuitous meeting at a log home show, the Shannons finally found the perfect partner — Bruce Bode, owner of Heavy Timber Truss & Frame — to design their dream home. The couple considered various construction styles but ultimately chose a structural timber frame, won over by the superior energy efficiency, easy long-term maintenance routine and rustic look of the wood. “We didn’t want the house to look like a typical neighborhood house,” explains Paula. “We wanted it to feel like it was on the lake.”
Paula, Tony and Bruce spent three years perfecting the 6,400-square-foot floor plan, which utilizes Douglas fir throughout the interiors and weather resistant cypress on the exterior. Throughout the process, visions of bright and spacious interiors, abundant outdoor living areas and, above all, maximized water vistas drove the design, which includes a wall of glass along the lake side of the home that opens out onto spacious covered porches and open-air decking. “We went through several iterations to get it exactly right, especially when it came to capitalizing on those sight lines to Lake Lanier,” explains Bruce.
Once their timbers were delivered, a new challenge came in the form of an unavoidable last-minute change in builders and, with it, a costly learning curve on structural insulated panels (SIPs) installation.
“What was supposed to take weeks turned into three months,” sighs Tony, “and with a crane on the property at $125 an hour.” Still, the addition of the SIPs was worth the investment, as they keep all three levels of the home comfortable year-round, an especially important feature during Georgia’s muggy summer months and cool winters. “It’s a very energy-efficient home. It has 6-inch-thick walls and a 12-inch-thick roof,” Tony shares.
The home’s comfort factor extends throughout the interiors as well — a testament to the Shannons’ people-first philosophy.
“We wanted it to be really laid back, a place where everyone could walk in, kick off their shoes and relax,” explains Paula. “We aren’t really fancy people, so we didn’t want anything that you couldn’t touch or feel comfortable around.” For example, the couple opted for durable luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring and hard-working fabrics throughout the main gathering areas. “So people can come in from the lake, and if they’re dripping you don’t have to worry about it,” Paula says.
Their mindfulness that their new home would play host to a steady stream of family and friends who visit for long weekends and holidays is reflected throughout the design, which effortlessly accommodates a crowd. “We’ve had 35 people here at once, and with everyone milling around and the doors open to the deck, it doesn’t feel crowded at all,” Paula shares.
The timber framing lends to the open-concept design, which seamlessly integrates the kitchen, living and dining area and is perfect for entertaining. A sprawling sectional adjacent to the wall of windows and a cozy fireplace invite lingering conversations, while the double islands in the kitchen encourage gathering. The multiple outdoor seating areas, including a private space on the upstairs level, accessible from the pair of guest rooms, are a siren song for the Shannons and all their guests to enjoy the lake views and scenic wooded surroundings.
By design, the house is also set to convert to a full-time retirement residence in the future, with the primary suite on the main floor and the inclusion of handicap accessibility features throughout, including an elevator that spans all three floors. “It was important the house worked as well for two as it does for twenty,” affirms Tony.
The timber framing, itself, plays an essential part in imparting a sense of coziness fit for two despite the home’s generous size. Eastern white pine tongue-and-groove ceilings; Douglas fir posts and trim; and five mortise-and-tenon trusses spanning the main floor emanate a feeling of warmth that invites rest. On quiet weekends, when they’re not hosting a crowd, the couple often enjoys a glass of wine and afternoon views of the lake before heading out for a scenic boat ride to the nearby marina for dinner. “It’s a slower pace of life here,” Paula says. “It truly is so comfortable and relaxing.”
Home Details
Square footage: 6,400
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 4 full, 1 half
Timber Frame Provider/Designer: Heavy Timber Truss & Frame
