To see more photos of the The do-it-yourself dream · The do-it-yourself dream A Kentucky builder...
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34 . country's best log homes . may 2008 . loghomesnetwork.com DO IT YOURSELF d The do-it-yourself dream A Kentucky builder constructs his own log home By Ronda Mollica ale Williams, 58, has been a custom homebuilder for 30 years in beautiful Western Kentucky. He’s built several homes for himself and his wife Carolyn and likes new challenges. In 2004, Dale was ready for a crowning achievement. “I saw a log magazine that caught my eye and quickly realized my next project would be building with logs,” he says. When he mentioned this to Carolyn, she was hesitant at first. She felt that log homes deserved to be built on a spe- cial property, like a lakeside, hillside, or wooded acreage. So Dale soon found the perfect setting: a verdant 26-acre parcel with a winding driveway and spring- fed pond, conveniently located within 10 miles of Bowling Green. Next, Dale and Carolyn researched different types of log homes and ulti- mately decided to go with half-log on top of 2-by-6 construction. This would allow Dale to easily do all the work himself. While looking for a wood sup- plier, Dale became fast friends with Phil Lakamp, owner of Missouri-based Midwest Wholesale Logs of America. Lakamp offered advice on wood selec- tion and provided building tips to help the Williams’ plan take shape. “It was very exciting to see Dale and Carolyn take on this project and watch the house go from dream to reality,” Lakamp says. “They came to Missouri to see the wood we had and they fell in love with our white pine half-log with Swedish cope profile and saddle notch- ing.” For Williams, the exterior style pro- vided an authentic full-log look without the possible twisting and shrinking that may occur with some logs; the flat 2-by- 10 tongue-and-groove timber for the interior made it easy to decorate and hang cabinets. Dale decided to build a large work- shop on site so he could concentrate on the project. The Williamses also used it as a temporary home. “It wasn’t hard to To see more photos of the Dale Williams home, go to www.loghomesnetwork. com/DaleWilliams
Transcript of To see more photos of the The do-it-yourself dream · The do-it-yourself dream A Kentucky builder...
34 . country's best log homes . may 2008 . loghomesnetwork.com
DO
IT
YO
UR
SE
LF
dThe do-it-yourself dreamA Kentucky builder constructs his own log homeBy Ronda Mollica
ale Williams, 58, has been a custom
homebuilder for 30 years in beautiful
Western Kentucky. He’s built several
homes for himself and his wife Carolyn
and likes new challenges. In 2004, Dale
was ready for a crowning achievement.
“I saw a log magazine that caught my
eye and quickly realized my next project
would be building with logs,” he says.
When he mentioned this to Carolyn,
she was hesitant at fi rst. She felt that log
homes deserved to be built on a spe-
cial property, like a lakeside, hillside, or
wooded acreage. So Dale soon found the
perfect setting: a verdant 26-acre parcel
with a winding driveway and spring-
fed pond, conveniently located within
10 miles of Bowling Green.
Next, Dale and Carolyn researched
different types of log homes and ulti-
mately decided to go with half-log on
top of 2-by-6 construction. This would
allow Dale to easily do all the work
himself. While looking for a wood sup-
plier, Dale became fast friends with
Phil Lakamp, owner of Missouri-based
Midwest Wholesale Logs of America.
Lakamp offered advice on wood selec-
tion and provided building tips to help
the Williams’ plan take shape.
“It was very exciting to see Dale and
Carolyn take on this project and watch
the house go from dream to reality,”
Lakamp says. “They came to Missouri
to see the wood we had and they fell in
love with our white pine half-log with
Swedish cope profi le and saddle notch-
ing.” For Williams, the exterior style pro-
vided an authentic full-log look without
the possible twisting and shrinking that
may occur with some logs; the fl at 2-by-
10 tongue-and-groove timber for the
interior made it easy to decorate and
hang cabinets.
Dale decided to build a large work-
shop on site so he could concentrate on
the project. The Williamses also used it
as a temporary home. “It wasn’t hard to
To see more photos of the Dale Williams home, go to www.loghomesnetwork.
com/DaleWilliams
loghomesnetwork.com . may 2008 . country's best log homes . 35
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live in this setting, even if we were
in a workshop,” says Carolyn. “We
could take all the time we needed
to get the project done, without
long trips back and forth to our
other home.”
They started the home in June
2004 and, by fall 2007, only had a
few small areas left. Ninety-four-
pound Carolyn even helped by
cleaning, staining, and fi nishing
all the floors and other wood-
work. “We are now in the process
of moving into the home and look
forward to having guests over to
enjoy it with us,” says Dale.
Dale’s artistic nature allowed
him to adjust the home dur-
ing construction. “The building
process wasn’t difficult, but as
time went on, I kept adding and
expanding my ideas such as fi nish-
ing the lower level, enhancing the
kitchen, and creating a park-like
outdoor area with gardens, water,
and expansive porches,” says Dale.
“I also built our fi replace from an
older fi replace I dismantled dur-
ing a recent home remodel.”
The three-tiered 8,700-square-
foot-home has five bedrooms,
four full bathrooms, and 2.5 baths.
It has a 100-foot porch on one side
and a 50-foot porch on the other.
The best spot to watch wildlife is
from the 16-by-24-foot deck built
alongside a man-made stream
that spills into the natural pond
at the bottom of the hill. Deer,
turkey, and a wide variety of birds
are attracted to the watering hole,
making it a popular photo spot.
“We were on the Parade of
Homes recently and won an award
for best kitchen cabinets and best
outdoor living area,” says Carolyn.
36 . country's best log homes . may 2008 . loghomesnetwork.com
• One-Coat Penetrating Treatment • Controls Mold, Decay and Rot •Will Never Crack or Peel • Vigorous Water Repellancy •No lapping or brushmarks • Detergent and Water Clean-up •Controls Warping, Cupping and Splitting •Toxic to Termites and Powderpost Beetles •EPA REGISTERED
WOODGUARD IS DESIGNED FOR
LOG HOMES, WOOD SIDING, SHINGLE ROOFS & FENCES
Carpenter Bee Product Available
VOC compliant in all statesWoodguard is a registered trademark of IBC Manufacturing Company®
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Start building log furniture and railing today. We have everything you will need from tools to building materials. Call for a free brochureor to order a demo dvd on how to build log beds $9.95 + Shipping and handling. Gift certifi cates available.
406-886-2500
www.bosworthtools.com
www.bosworthtools.com
loghomesnetwork.com . may 2008 . country's best log homes . 37
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“We had more than 1,500 visitors and
received many lovely comments about
the home and location. We heard over
and over that we should develop this
into a bed-and-breakfast.”
Whatever the future holds, the Wil-
liams are thrilled to see how the fruits
of their labor turned out. �
To see more of the Dale Williams do-it-your-self home, go to:www.loghomesnetwork.com/DaleWilliams
OPEN TO BELOW
OPEN TO BELOW
SITTING AREA
STORAGE
STORAGE STORAGE
WIC
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
STORAGE
ELEV.
DN
DEN
BEDROOM LIVING ROOM
FOYER
DINING ROOMMASTER BEDROOM
SUN ROOM
BEDROOM
ELEV.
BATH
DECK
DN
UP
GARAGE
STORAGE
EXCERSIZE ROOM
MECH.
OFFICEBEDROOM
DOG ROOM
ELEV.
UP
WIC
SEWROOM
Floor plan
Second fl oor
First fl oor
Basement
RESOURCESSquare footage: 8,700# Bedrooms: 4# Bathrooms: 2.5Log supplier: Midwest Wholesale Log Supply (For free information, circle 75 on the Reader Service card between pages 18-19 or visit www.wholesalelogsofamerica.com)
