Custom homes have a special feel, an aura all their own, a made to order sense of precision. Many people wonder what makes a "custom home" custom. To customize a plan is not custom home design. Generating a specific design based on the client's needs, wants and budget, as well as fitting this design to the site around trees and boulders, not forcing the plan, creates a custom home. Reflecting the lifestyle of a client produces unique and useful spaces, such as a music room for your teenage son who just recently started playing drums, a working pantry, or a homework station that has interior windows that allow mom and dad to see what the computer is searching for. Have you always wanted a larder, a back porch or a cloak room with a locker for each family member? Maybe a library in the sleeping area, a dance floor in the basement and wheelchair access into all the rooms. These are but a few of the many amenities that have launched Wiseman-Keller Design Corp. into Colorado's premier "custom" specialist.
 
Form following function brings custom design influences such as an "art wall," or grandma's hutch in that perfect setting, or maybe your own outdoor kitchen, just like some of the TV cooks often have.

For over 18 years, Jeff Jake and Patricia Keller Wiseman, a husband and wife design team in Woodland Park, Colorado, have been incorporating such "custom" features for every client and site they work with. They have been involved in designing some of the most attractive buildings, not only in their backyard (the Pikes Peak region), but all over the U.S., including projects in North Dakota, Lake Superior, and on Oahu, Hawaii.

One of W KD's most recent projects took a lot of creativity. The client requested some special spaces that W KD had never before been asked to consider in a home design.

The client required special needs for their tropical birds, their many feline friends and, of course, the dogs. These dogs and cats are not just friends, but friends who were in need of a home ...and love ...and attention, items that were not given to them by their former two leggers. They are mostly pets left out in the streets to fend for themselves, or simply left behind. Now they are to have a warm, secure and friendly home not far from the Continental Divide. They will each have their own fenced kennel with lots of friends close by, plenty to eat and lots of room to play. These four leggers even have their own lounge room to relax in and watch the hawks soar high above, a wash room with their own laundry facilities, and a bathtub and dishwasher for their feeding bowls. The kennels each have their own floor drain to the dogs' septic system, and a hot water hose tap so cleaning can be accomplished with hot water. The Cat Room will be home to many felines, with south facing windows and a view. Of course, they have a feeding station and a sink for ease of preparing meals.

The tropical birds also have a great place to sing their songs a two stage aviary with hot water misters built into the walls. They need lots of humidity, sun and room to roam. So W KD designed an area that allows the owner to roll the cages to the outside south deck for cleaning, via large Pella French doors. The three-room combination allows the birds to have a quiet, humid, glassed in home and anteroom for socializing and playing.

The two leggers have some nice places to socialize and play, too. The gourmet kitchen is appointed with Viking appliances, including gas fired and electric ovens, a downdraft range top, an ice maker, two sinks, granite countertops, a fireplace and a large walk in working pantry, ready for crock pot cooking and enough space for a year's supply of food and drink. There is also a project room that is designed for quilting, with cabinets for storage and sky lights above that flood the room with sunshine.

Above the kitchen/hearth area, you'll notice huge spruce log beams from Utah that give the vaulted space a cozy ambiance. Beyond is the dining room and great room, with a massive river rock fireplace and TV/stereo niche with bookcases on either side. The room is open and airy and includes a star gazer's loft that allows the southern light to warm the golden wood floors.
The lower level is simply serene. Large log handrails lead one to the media room, equipped with state-of-the art components set into a ledge rock wall with a fireplace, elegantly lit with halogen down lights. The galley kitchen allows guests to have a late night snack or to make popcorn during intermission. One wing is dedicated to guest suites, an exercise studio and guest laundry. The other wing is used for a bunk room (for the grandkids), library and private office and computer room. A two way fireplace warms the library and office.

This home is an example of Wiseman-Keller Design's classic mountain style of ranch architecture, including massive hand hewn log supports, log beams, natural rock, and porches for year round outdoor living. Designing your dream home takes teamwork, and the owner must be a team member. Many times a single suggestion during the design stage can save more during construction than the cost of the planners' fees. You should start collecting your sketches or magazine clippings which reflect your personal tastes and desires.

If you would like to have a dream home planned,  contact  Jeff or Pat. W KD also provides consultation for home construction, siting your home, construction supervision, exterior or interior renderings and gourmet kitchens. Members of the Canadian/American Log Builders Association International have helped them meet the ever growing needs of the log industry.
When it's your time to build, or you need fresh new ideas, for your home, call Jeff Jake or Patricia Keller at Wiseman Keller Design Corp.

2. First Impressions:
Log Home Design Ideas

3. Dreaming of a "Custom Home":
Colorado Front Range/Western Slope Builder/Architect

4. 15 Secrets of Small Home Design: 
Log Home Design Ideas, November 2003

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