Timber Frame Homes
Fall 2004 |
Annette Stollman
could have angered a few neighbors
when she built her home in the middle of an 8-acre sheep
pasture on Bainbridge Island, Washington. After all, her
neighbors had grown accustomed to the scenic meadow. Instead, the
islanders fell in love with her house, situated carefully across from The
Bloedel Reserve, a
150-acre estate converted to gardens.
Right: The home boasts a cruck-built frame,
a classic method of building
a roof frame that's elaborately constructed with bent timber. |
Island Girl
Story By Lori B. Murray
Photography By Craig Wester
ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON
A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF HOW A HOME'S DESIGN
REALLY CAN REFLECT YOUR LIFE'S PASSION
Left: Unassuming outside, breathtaking inside, Annette's home combines the best
elements of island-cottage life and classic craftsmanship.
|
Annette's passion for weaving is showcased throughout her home,
but she was adamant that great architecture and functional design be the stars. |
“It was important to me that my neighbors continue to enjoy the meadow,”
Annette says. “The house was situated at the side of the property, with
due consideration to retaining the neighbors’ views.” In fact, one
gentleman who has lived in the area for years said he thought the house
made the property even more beautiful. Several others claim it to be the
most attractive house on the island.
Like many timber frame home owners, Annette has a deep appreciation for
superior craftsmanship and design, along with a concern for the environment.
She made it her goal to use as much recycled timber as possible. Judith and
Charles Landau of Timbercraft in Port Townsend, Washington, shared her views.
They also designed and built a previous timber frame home for Annette. “I fell
in love with timber framing while perusing home-design books |
and planning my
first house,” Annette explains. “I love the warm, natural look of wood.”
Pictures tell the story of this treasured home, carefully designed to complement
the lifestyle of its owner. Annette is a spinner and a weaver, and she wanted
a house that reflected her craft. “I love the fact that the house is both
gorgeous and useful,” she says.
“My favorite room is the living space where all my tools
– spinning wheels, looms and a growing fiber collection – are showcased.” Dogs also
are an important part of Annette’s life. She has eight of them, and four are
special-needs rescue dogs from puppy mills. Much of the house was designed with the
canines in mind, including the stained concrete floor.
(See 'Cement Flooring: Rock-Solid Choice') |
`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.`~.
Impeccable Design,
Quality Team
Beyond Annette’s hobbies, she needed her home to be flexible enough to
accommodate the many guests who visit throughout the year. Which meant
that a lot of attention was focused on her kitchen, dining area and great room.
Annette also sleeps in her loft, so two additional bedrooms were created for
overnight visitors.
The home’s L-shaped configuration spills into an English-style garden and
courtyard, which are surrounded by a stone wall. A library was created in a
transition hallway outside the two guest bedrooms, showcased by large windows
that overlook the garden. Light streams into the windows and onto the walls,
only one of the house’s many links to the land and the environment.
The 2,500-square-foot house is based on a similar house designed by California
architect Bernard Maybeck. Judith Landau was the principal designer, but admits
that it was a collaborative effort the included Annette, the builder and Timbercraft
designers. “Annette was responsible for much of the design,” Judith says. “I helped
An open floorplan allows Annette and her guests to enjoy the same aesthetics
of craftsmanship no matter what room they're in. |
Fuctionally good taste: Stairs provide built-in storage areas for Annette's
many crafts and supplies. Also, a wall-painting method known as color-washing
mimics Venetian plaster and adds vitality to the rich wood tones.
get inside her head and flesh out her thoughts.” From design to completion, the
entire process took about 2 ½ years.
Teamwork propelled the completion of this masterpiece in craftsmanship. “Our company
has a design function and a fabrication function, and we install the frame package,”
Judith says, “We work with the contractor and client soon after the schematic designs
are complete.” Such was the case with Annette’s home. Bluefish Builders of Bainbridge
Island joined the team as general contractor.
Since roughly 70 percent of the company’s work is timber frame homes, there was no doubt
that they were the right people for the job. “We had done another house for Timbercraft
in the past, and they appreciated the fact that we pay attention to detail,” says
Bluefish co-owner Andy Constan. “We were flattered when the job was awarded to us,
so we set out to impress the heck out of Charles, Judith and Annette.”
Bluefish co-owner and company founder Gene Knox also was involved in the design
of the home, and his custom features have left their mark on each room. “Gene has
an amazing eye for design, and a lot of what you see in the house was Gene working
closely with Annette and Judith on coming up with outstanding features,” Andy says.
|
<> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> + <> |
Beauty in the Details
The combined expertise of the team made it possible for Annette to
focus on an array of details. The first example is the home’s cruck-built
frame, a classic method of building a roof frame that’s elaborately
constructed with bent timber.
From there, the team accented the stairs and railings with a cutout
pattern often seen in intricate weaving.
Cabinets throughout the house, including
the kitchen are made from cherry wood, and the floors in Annette’s bedroom and
bathroom loft are made from recycled hardwood taken from the old Olympic Hotel in Seattle.
This uncommon attention to detail not only makes the house unique, but is
also a reflection of Annette’s lifestyle.
She admits that she enjoys the comforts
of her home more than anything else, so she wanted her space to be an aesthetic
home-run. The beauty of the wood and superior craftsmanship tie everything together.
Says Judith, “The underlying current of this house is that it’s not a showplace for
crafts, but a demonstration of outstanding craftsmanship. That was Annette’s wish.”
|
Below: Annette wanted to use unique methods and materials in her home,
so for the floors in her loft bedroom and bath, she chose reclaimed hardwood
taken from the old Olympic Hotel in Seattle. The multi-toned wood has a lot of depth.
|
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |
Island beauty: Measuring a little more than 2,500 square feet, Annette Stollman's
home has become an island favorite.
 |
|
|
|
