Krista and Bret Nicholson's "dream home" was an authentic log home. Their search for the perfect home eventually took them to British Columbia, to Markus DeHaas, a log handcrafter with Cascade Handcrafted Log Homes.

The first step was custom designing the layout (they needed enough room for four children) and selecting red cedar logs native to B.C. To make sure they had the right kind and size of logs for the home, DeHaas actually assembled the home in B.C.

After the home was initially built, it had to be disassembled and loaded onto a logging truck for the long trip to Indiana. The basement was prepared for the logs to arrive Monday.

Since Monday, DeHaas and carpenters from Joe Bowman Carpentry, Middlebury, have worked with a crane to move the logs from the truck to the structure. By Thursday, most of the main logs had been laid, and it was easy to see the home taking shape. The log portion of the home will be completed this weekend, then it will take an additional four weeks to place a conventional roof on the home.

The logs also provide the inside walls. With only the logs separating the inside from the outside, they must fit together snugly. Many of the logs have attractive root flares at the ends. Across the front porch are five large log posts. Small spindle logs make up the railing used around the outside of the house.

The home is made up of three levels: a lower walk-out level with bedrooms and a recreation area; the main level contains the master suite, kitchen and dining area, and a great room with a large window; and the unique loft that opens over the great room, with two more bedrooms and a sitting area.

Outside the main level are two covered porches, off the master bedroom and off the dining area, and a wooden deck.

The public is welcome to visit out the home at the corner of CRs 200W and 300N. Take U.S. 30W, 1/2-mile west of Sofamor Danek to CR 200W, go north a short distance to CR 300N. The house sits on the northeast corner. [[In-content Ad]]