Farm Fresh

“After I’ve been away for a few days, I love coming home to the familiar scent of wood”,says Tom Dillon, describing what it’s like walking into the timber frame home he shares with his wife Dee.

This new residence sits on a 40 – acre plot, a former horse farm near Toledo, Ohio. This is where Tom and Dee raised their own brood: five daughters and four sons, now all grown. A gaggle of grand kids came later – and when two of the boys needed bigger homes for their growing families, Tom and Dee accommodated them by splitting up their property. One son moved into the original house; the other built a conventional home. Mom and Dad opted to build the timber frame structure, nestled against a lovely tree – lined portion of the land. “I was worried that moving out of the home we’d built from scratch and lived in for 32 years would be hard,” says Dee. “I felt sure Tom would mourn our old home. – but he hasn’t at all. He says he finds the new place comforting.”

Building Blocks

Tom and Dee selected the “Tecumseh” stock plan from Riverbend Timber Framing, located in Blissfield, Michigan – and the frame for the 3,000 – square – foot home was raised in just under three days.

The way the numbered timbers matched and connected was like seeing a massive Tinker Toy set in action. The home’s fresh-cut oak ‘timbers have a warm honey color, and it was essential to get the frame enclosed as quickly as possible to protect that beautiful hue. Moving efficiently during the winter construction, builder Michael Bassinger of Bassinger Building Company in Lambertville, Michigan, completed the roof just one day after framing. Over the next few weeks, Riverbend installed the company’s own precut structural insulated panels called Insulspan SIPs.

Seal of Approval

Green timbers (those with a naturally high moisture content) are easier to work with during the building phase, but may twist and shrink a bit. For example, a 12-inch green timber can shrink up to one-half inch after construction. However, experienced professionals account for this during design and construction, and it’s never problem.

“Building a timber home is tricky,” says Michael. “You have to allow the frame room to move. The envelope around the house must not be attached to the beams.” To that end, Michael attached all of the home’s trim to drywall, Insulspan panels or flooring-never to the timbers themselves. This leaves the timbers free to pull away as they shrink, and the trim neatly hides any gaps.

One Story Simplicity

While the layout includes a loft with two bedrooms and two full baths for a son and daughter still living at home, the main level holds the master suite, sitting room, kitchen and an additional full bathroom off of the pantry. The big advantage of this flat terrain: accessibility. “After caring for my mother who was wheelchair-bound, it made me appreciate how nice it would be to have a home that’s easy to negotiate,” Dee says, noting that they redesigned the master bedroom to include a walk-in shower.

Country Roads

Tom and Dee love traveling the United States, but they have a special affinity for the eastern seaboard. Drawing inspiration from country homes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, they opted for a bold stone exterior with white grout. The grout used on older homes in the southeastern part of the Keystone State typically included oyster shells. “The color of the grout was important to Tom, and we wanted to make sure we got it right,” says Michael. “We mixed a number of samples until we found the ideal blend.” That turned out to be white mortar blended with gray sand to bring down the bright color. In the great room, the fireplace also boasts beautiful stonework-and an unusually high hearth. “The height makes it easier to actually see and enjoy the fire from other parts of the house,” says Dee. “Plus, the hearth doubles as a comfortable seat.”

The couple decorated the home in a classic country style-primarily with furnishings they already owned, including several beloved Queen Anne chairs. “We went from a large house to this relatively small one, so we had to prioritize when we decided what to keep,” says Dee. To round out the home’s decor, she chose a few new accents, such as a pair of mica sconces that glow along the second-floor catwalk, and also painted the walls a soft gold color. “I’ve seen oak timber homes with white walls that make the wood look extremely gray,” says Dee. “I’ve never understood this, especially when this home is all about warmth.” With some impeccable touches throughout the home, along with the decision to build with timber, the couple has guaranteed a warm aesthetic for years to come.