The log home is as deeply rooted in Americana as the trees they were built from. Our cultural influences, from Honest Abe to the Clampetts, have left us helpless not to imagine what life would be like living in a little woodlands cabin, snuggled up next to a pot-bellied stove in plaid flannel blankets sipping cider from a tin cup to a lullaby of pepaw's rocking chair creaking on the porch. While the liberating concept of off-the-grid living amidst nature is certainly heartwarming, the lack of places to charge your iPhone 6, not to mention midnight walks to the outhouse, are less than romantic.
These modern, Hudson Valley timber homes are the perfect compromise, coupling modern convenience with the soul of a slower, simpler time. Scroll down for some of our favorite rusticated dream homes that match the pace of your lifestyle, from traditional to truly cutting edge.
MILLBROOK | 127 Brush Hill Road | $2,800,000
Adventurously classy, this hilltop log lodge sits atop 30+ acres of prime Millbrook hunt country (as if the stag mounts weren't dead giveaway—no pun intended). An open living room forms the heart of the home, with a soaring two-story stacked stone fireplace, wood beam cathedral ceiling and towering windows framing sweeping views of the Taconic mountains. Natural elements like stacked stone and tobacco oak floors invite nature indoors, while a wine cellar, home gym and tour de force chef's kitchen make bold statements that this is a home infused with true taste. Outdoor terraces, a sauna and pizza oven round out the luxe life checklist. If only Davy Crockett could see this place.
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POUND RIDGE | 79 Indian Hill Road | $1,575,000
Alright, so this isn't the timber home you're looking for—but don't move along! This LEED-certified BluHome-designed "Breezehouse" is the cutting edge of sustainable living, built like its primal ancestors from enviro-healthy materials with the most modern innovations. A sleek, minimalist design drenched in natural light, the buyer will have the chance to choose the custom finishing to fully personalize this new home in scenic Pound Ridge. The wisdoms of close-to-nature living with a chic, modern twist.
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BREWSTER | 80 Big Elm Road | $4,900,000
Like Walden Nouveau, this oasis bordering conservation lands, reached via quarter-mile-long gated driveway, is a private wilderness of woodlands, mystery and a 10-acre, spring-fed clearwater lake. The main residence is not an inch short of spectacular, constructed of Florida cypress with an open large floor plan affording water views from every room. Wander nature trails, engage your inner bookworm by keeping toasty in the fireplace-equipped library, or dive into a spacious indoor pool. More recent additions include a designer kitchen with Lacanche range and a 1-bedroom guest house/studio, an 1840s antique barn with chestnut beams awaits whatever your imagination has in store. There's also a 3,000 gallon gravity fed water reserve system and 300,000 BTU outdoor wood furnace. The property in its entirety comprises 134+ acres of forest and meadow. Queue the swooning.
MAHOPAC | 36 Somerset Road | $628,888
Picture yourself on the porch swing, watching birds and noshing on trail mix. This lovely log home flanks the Putnam/Westchester border, balancing commuter's convenience with relaxing seclusion on 9.6 acres. Soaring wood-beamed ceilings, paneling and a stone fireplace provide the quintessential timber home ambiance. Bonus points for bathroom and impressive energy efficiency.
COLD SPRING | 341 East Mountain Road | $419,000
Look familiar? You've probably built it out of Lincoln Logs. This Cold Sprint classic is the textbook timber home, exuding the authentic feel of a woodsy pioneer abode with the reassuring durability of modern (1987) construction methods. A full lower level opens via a cozy under-porch to an equally kitschy backyard, adorned with a quirky relics and an above-ground pool. At 1,152 square feet, it's the perfect weekend home to escape the city, and still larger than the average full-sized Manhattan apartment. The town is one of the hottest Hudson Valley destinations for Brooklyn "creative class" expats, looking to trade water tower views for inspiring mountain vistas in a region deeply rooted in the art community. Get lost strolling the streets of Cold Spring village, filled with galleries, unique shopping and adorable eating to be enjoyed year-round.
