from rough to buff - sentinel construction

A Big Valley log cabin goes from homestead towell-bred and becomes one family’s Forever Home.

FROM ROUGHTO BUFF

FROM ROUGHTO BUFF

WWSH&G|Spring 2008|www.WSHomeAndGarden.com Copyright © WestSound Home & Garden Magazine/Wet Apple Media, Inc.

WSH&G|Spring 2008|www.WSHomeAndGarden.com Copyright © WestSound Home & Garden Magazine/Wet Apple Media, Inc.

Two years ago, when Ansara and TracyPatterson and their two young daughtersmoved to the rough and ready log cabinon 22 acres in the heart of Poulsbo’s BigValley, friends teased them about theirnew “Green Acres” lifestyle. Far frombeing offended, the family purchasedcattle, goats, and horses, and planted avegetable garden. As their first Christmasapproached, they donned overalls andposed with the cows for a tongue-in-cheek holiday photocard.

“Some of our friends say they feel likethey need a passport to visit us out here,”Ansara said. “But we are definitelygrowing into the place.”

Patterson Park, as the family has dubbedtheir farm, includes a seven-stall horsebarn, riding arena, henhouse, acres offenced pasture, and two ponds. Thepastoral setting is a little piece of vintageAmericana. In fact, it was the land andlocale the Pattersons first fell in love with.

“At night, the only sign of civilization wesee is the light from the riding arena downthe road,” Tracy said. “There’s always ablue heron in the pond, and once an owlflew right over our heads.”

However, Green Acre references aside,with mice in the cupboards and araccoon that calmly strolled into thekitchen at dinnertime, living in their new

home often felt more like “Where the WildThings Are.” The final straw came onenight when a bat dive-bombed Ansaraand Tracy in bed. The Pattersons knew itwas time for a change.

A Change for the Better“The original house was a log cabin

built 30 years ago,” Ansara said. “It wasdark and cave-like, with low ceilings anda fireplace that took up a whole wall,overwhelming the room.”

The family’s first step was to find ageneral contractor with the skill andpatience to reinvent the cramped andrustic log home. The Pattersons choseSentinel Construction and Consulting, a

In every issue, WestSound Home & Garden selects oneexceptional home as its featured Forever Home. A Forever Homeholds the heart and soul of the family who lives within. There maybe luxury, but the real essence of a Forever Home is personalexpression and a sense of belonging. It’s the difference betweena house and a home.

T E X T BY W E N DY T W E T E N P H O T O G R A P H Y BY T O M W O LT J E R


Kingston-based company they foundthrough the Home Builders’ Association ofKitsap County.

“We got the best builder ever,” Tracysaid. “The crew worked here in allweather for more than a year. They’rebasically family now.”

Sentinel President David Godboltrecounts the challenges that lay ahead:“The home was built from site logs, and itwasn’t built well, certainly not to industriallog home standards. There weresignificant structural problems. The jobhad so many changes and challenges; itstarted out fairly simple, but before longwe brought in architect Wayne Lamont.”

Structural ChallengesA full staging system was required to

support the roof during the replacementof the undersized ridge beam. This majorstructural surgery prompted cosmeticimprovements to the front wall with theinclusion of new windows and ahandsome Craftsman front door. Next, thebuilders fashioned a cantilevered, 45-foot-long steel beam to lift the home inorder to add a basement.

“It was pretty amazing,” Godbolt said.“You could move the whole house just bypushing the beam with your hand.”

Once the new foundation was in place,a good portion of the floor system had to

be rebuilt. Finally, one entire log wall wasremoved to make room for the addition ofa dining room and a new west wingmaster suite. A large entertainment deckwas also added.

At this point, the footprint of the househad increased from 1,900 to 5,000 squarefeet, and three dump truck loads of oldstructural logs had been hauled away.The remaining log walls were “corn-blasted” and rechinked. The old rockfireplace was removed. It was time to startplanning the interior detail.

Northwest NuanceThe radical remodel transformed the

home from country cabin to luxury lodge. �

Now, facing the overwhelming task ofcreating the interior from scratch, thePattersons enlisted the talents of designerand colorist Connie Lamont. With herguidance, they decided to bring the loghome style a bit closer to home.

“We wanted a very Northwest feel,”Tracy said. “We brought the outside inwith greens and natural colors. Thekitchen granite inspired it all.”

In a sophisticated moss green, thisboldly patterned slab granite adds asylvan allure to a great room in whichwood is king: Brazilian cherry floors, pinetongue-and-groove ceiling, cherrycabinetry, exposed beams, and clear firtrim. The kitchen takes center stage in thegreat room (which features a highceiling), reflecting the Pattersons’enjoyment of cooking, entertaining, andhosting family gatherings. A bar withseating for five invites guests to relax andwatch the show. A second bar is set highfor serving, reminiscent of a roadsidediner. Appliances include a commercialdual-fuel Wolf range and double ovens �

“Patterson Park” has a setting reminiscent ofyesteryear.

The Patterson family — Tracy, Asara anddaughters Naya and Cayenne, share theirfarm with goats, horses and cattle.

WSH&G|Spring 2008 Copyright © WestSoundHome & Garden Magazine/Wet Apple Media, Inc.www.WSHomeAndGarden.com


(“We had double ovens in our last houseand we’ll never go back,” Ansara said).The cabinets take advantage of every inchof space with the latest pullout systems.

Just off the kitchen, the living room boastsa new fireplace with a secret: The robustriver rock is actually synthetic, saving onweight and further structural support. Onemassive log left over from the remodel wassplit to serve as a hearth mantel.

At the other side of the kitchen, the newdining area is large enough toaccommodate a crowd. A custom buffet ishandy for serving and storing china,crystal, and vintage wines.

“We completely opened up this part ofthe house,” Tracy said. “We love all thespace and the windows and the light.Now there are views to everywhere.”

The Pattersons replaced every light inthe house with understated fixtures andrecessed cans. (“We didn’t want anythingtoo frou-frou,” Tracy explained). Themoose antler chandelier that once hungin the living room is now the pièce derésistance of a covered front porch worthyof a modern-day cattle baron.

Hardworking Bonus RoomsDesigned as an in-home theater, the

newly-added basement is equipped withblack-out blinds, surround sound, highdefinition projector, 80-inch high-defscreen and reclining theater seats(complete with cupholders). A destinationfor family movie nights and Xboxcompetitions, the room is a favorite of thePatterson girls, Naya, 6, and Cayenne, 3.

“The girls went crazy for the mediaroom,” Tracy said. “They watched a Barbiemovie and thought it was cooler than goingout to a movie. They did ask for popcorn.”

At the top of the house, an awkward loftwas converted to a craft room. Under-eave space, previously wasted, wasoutfitted with cubbies deep enough forrolls of wrapping paper and tall enoughfor stacks of photo albums. Here is thatcoveted space for creative messes thatdon’t need to be tidied up whenevercompany calls. Also committed toconvenience, the king-sized mud room isa grand storage and laundry center thatincludes a dedicated dog room with built-in shower, plastic laminate walls, and

access to a fenced run for the family’sthree dogs.

Forethought, creativity and “fielddecisions” made as the remodelprogressed turned a rustic outpost into

the Pattersons’ country dream. As Tracysaid: “At the end of the day, when we feedthe animals and pick food from thegarden, that’s when we know we madethe right decision.” �


FOREVER HOME FEATURES OFPATTERSON PARK

• Faux river rock fireplace: indistinguishable from the realthing, much lighter weight

• Electric outlets on the fireplace mantel

• Electric outlets at the eaves for holiday lights

• Wheelchair access ramp

• Storage: creative use of every extra nook and cranny

• Entertainment deck with kitchenette, hot tub and outdoorfireplace

• Electric awning over a west-facing wall of windows

• Electric shades on south-facing skylights

• Theater room with high-def projector and screen,surround sound and theater chairs

• Flat screen TVs wall-mounted in every bedroom

• Tile-patterned vinyl on bathroom floors looks like the realthing with the addition of a vinyl “grout” strip

• Dedicated dog room with concrete floors, automaticwaterer, hot and cold shower, plastic laminate walls,Plexiglas door protector, and doggy door to fenced run.

from rough to buff - sentinel construction

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