Connecticut Timber Frame Home: In the Meadow

By Teresa L. Wolff

Reprinted from Timber Homes Illustrated

While wandering through his local hardware store, a book about timber frame homes caught Steve Cooney’s eye. As he flipped through the pages, it struck him that this would be the ideal type of structure for the rural Connecticut property he and wife Nancy Eppley owned. The couple had purchased almost 200-acres of farmland in 1999 but had yet to decide what they would build for what their new home. Now, Steve held the answer in his hands.

Set In Motion

Comparing four different timber frame companies, Steve and Nancy discovered a wide variety of quality and price in the packages offered. “Some companies had an outstanding product but the price tag was out of sight,” Steve recalls. “Others had a reasonably priced product but the quality seemed a bit substandard. We choose Davis Frame Company because for just a little bit extra in cost, the quality of the product was exponentially better all around.”

Prior to even beginning construction, Steve and Nancy visited the property frequently to determine the perfect location for the home. After careful consideration of all the angles of the sun and the view, he opted for a hill approximately a quarter mile from the road. First, they built a 3,300-square-foot barn a stone’s throw away from the home site. They finished the barns’ second story, creating a bedroom, office, full bath and galley kitchen that would give the couple a place to live while their home was being built.

Steve and Nancy opted for hybrid construction for their new home. The spaces at the homes’ would be timber-framed and the remaining portions would be enclosed with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

They devised a unique plan for timbers in the master bedroom, which would be located over the garage. “We spent quite a bit of time designing the interior with a flow that would fit our lifestyle,” Steve explains. “When we get up in the morning, the first thing we do is head for the kitchen. It just seemed logical to us to put the master bedroom over the garage with stairs leading directly into the kitchen. We wanted our master bedroom to be timber framed but didn’t want the expense of a timber frame garage. It worked out beautifully,” Steve explains.

Space utilization was also another consideration in the design. The entry vestibule of the 5,000-square-foot home opens to the open core of the home. Here, the living room, dining room and kitchen allow them to entertain large gatherings of family and friends.........Click here to read the rest of the article!

Resources:

Davis Frame Company, (800) 636-0993,

http://www.davisframe.com/

Eppley Building and Design, (973) 636-9499,

http://www.ebandd.com/

Kimmerle Builders Group, (860) 738-1706

LaFond Landscape & Garden, (860) 364-0727