Trumansburg Timber Frame Update

Okay. Okay. I know I've been remiss in updating the blog on the timber frame home that my folks are building on Cayuga Lake. I'm succumbing to the pressure and here are photos and a description of the home which is now, I guess, about 2 or 3 weeks away from completion.

If you were following this blog previously, this should be a familiar shot. Two big differences from the last time: 1) the second garage is now finished forming an "autocourt" in the front of the house and providing dad with four garage stalls to store his toys; 2) the home is painted a sage green which took a bit of getting used to (especially coupled with the cinnamon-colored windows) but is now growing on everyone. Aside from final grading, landscaping, and outdoor items like the fireplace adjacent to the deck, the exterior is funamentally finished.

On the left (north) side of the house is the florida room and one of three large retaining walls that surround the home and help manage the relatively significant water issue. Quite a bit of planning and work went in to managing the water that flows down the twin hogbacks, through a complex culvert system under the house, and out to the lake during a heavy rain.

Remember the photo on the left? The dock was about 100 years old -- and looked it! The photo on the right shows the same dock as it looks today. My kids and I have enjoyed quite a few evenings diving off this new dock this summer! The plan is to build a post and beam beach house and boat lift to the right (south) of the dock next summer.

The orange (actually "warm terra cotta") takes a bit of getting used to but we're convinced the room will feel right when furnished. The doug fir timber frame turned out gorgous after a number of polyurethane coats with 220 grit sandings in between -- it's like furniture! The woodburning fireplace facade is covered with StoneCraft cultured stone and the floor is finished with a custom installed and finished white oak.

The kitchen as dad installs appliances (microwave / range hood sitting on the counter). The floor is a 12x12 tile that looks like slate (but much tougher and easier to keep clean). Cabinets are maple. Counter is granite. The light fixtures over the counter look like they came out of a lighthouse!

This photo is taken standing in the great room and shooting toward the front door which can barely be seen through the treads of the stairs. The timber frame stairs are being finished "as we speak." To the left is the library which boasts gorgeous cherry panelling, a small wood burning fireplace, and a 2-story mezanine. The curved panelling in front of the step ladder hides a dry bar.

The next update should be the finished home.