Recently sold in Stillwater, New Jersey, about an hour outside New York City, is an incredible custom log cabin in the country – though the word “cabin” doesn’t exactly convey the reality of this luxurious residence. Sitting on nearly 25 private acres of equestrian farmland, the home is made from hand-peeled Eastern White Pine logs using the Scandinavian full scribe technique, in which each log is notched to fit together without the use of fasteners like nails and screws.
“Pioneers never dreamed of a log cabin this spacious and luxurious,” says a headline at the Daily Record, and they’re probably right.
“The generously proportioned great room features floor-to-ceiling windows offering pastoral views and a floor-to-ceiling propane gas fireplace constructed of stone, limestone and granite. An open double stairway leads to a loft and the lower level. The great room’s soaring ceiling is brightened by stained-glass lighting fixtures and integrated ambient lighting. French doors open onto a second story deck with a large gable porch.”
“The main floor master suite is a sunlit haven with cathedral ceilings and large display lofts. French doors open to the outside deck. The master bathroom with double French hinged doors leads to a 1,200-pound travertine marble soaking tub with freestanding custom faucet, an antique stained-glass light, dual walk-in closets, a travertine-and-pebble shower with seat and sprays, and a reclaimed copper-and-choke-cherrywood vanity with antler handles and a hand-hammered copper sink.”
The 5,400-square-foot home also features hand-built open log stairways, a walk-in chef’s pantry, a guest suite, three insulated oversized garages, custom wooden doors, Energy Star appliances, six-zone radiant heating beneath the flooring, materials like river-washed marble and floating cork and a passive solar design. That’s barely the half of it. You can read the rest of the details on this unusual home at The Daily Record and see a full gallery at Coldwell Banker.
Now, back to those hand-peeled logs. If you’ve ever wondered just what goes into a process like this, check out the video above. It really reinforces how much craftsmanship and care went into log structures that were entirely handmade, before the days of modern tools and machinery.
