The Winners of Our 2020 Readers' Choice Contest

During the design phase, great care was taken to ensure that the Douglas fir timbers would be centered in the great room. Here, they also accentuate the stacked stone fireplace.

 In a departure from convention, the kitchen takes up just a small corner of the expansive great room. An oversized pantry provides the necessary storage and tucks it out of sight.

As the owner of Texas Timber Frames, Len had the freedom to experiment in his home. The 10-by-10-inch timbers he chose are slightly larger than the norm and create a dramatic effect.

 The partially covered rear deck offers plenty of space for grilling out or just gathering to enjoy nature, rain or shine. The space below the deck provides enough sheltered storage for a winter’s worth of firewood.

   Despite an open layout and soaring ceilings, an abundance of wood — from the round log walls and the Ponderosa pine posts to the hickory flooring and Douglas fir tongue-and-groove — ensure the home’s kitchen and dining room feel cozy.

 The great room’s floor-to-ceiling wood-burning fireplace — a must for the homeowners — serves as the centerpiece of the homey space. Adirondack and Southwestern-style furnishings fill the space, from the rough-hewn side chairs and tables to the leather patterned sofa.

An ideal perch for relaxing with a book, the open loft is also home to the owner’s hammered dulcimer.