The Upside of Downsizing

One timber frame home leads to another

Story by Teresa Wolff
Photos by Rich Frutchey
Published in Timber Homes Illustrated
June 2007

For more than 13 years, Lew and Beverly Carter lived in a timber frame home they built outside Boston. But with three grown children who had places of their own, the Carters decided it was time for a new adventure. They wanted to scale back to a home that would be equally as attractive and comfortable, but with less maintenance. Still, they wanted room for their children and guests and a spot near the ocean.

Starting the Search

The Carters looked at existing homes in the south coast region of Massachusetts. They had a list of must-have features; fireplaces, sunlight, good flow and space to establish both a studio and a workshop. Their search proved fruitless. In the end, they decided to start with a clean slate rather than try to retrofit an already constructed home.

"While we were staying at a bed and breakfast, we noticed the property adjacent to the inn was being cleared," Lew says. "The owner of the B&B told us the land was being developed." The Carters contacted the broker and were soon the proud owners of 1.38 acres adjacent to a harbor that opens on to Buzzards Bay.

The decision to build another timber frame home was easy. "We love being able to see the bones of a house and how it all fits together," Beverly says. "The timber frame allows you to see the beauty of the construction."

Even though they loved their previous timber frame house, they were not entirely happy with the construction process they experienced and some after-construction problems. When the Carters discovered Davis Frame Company, they were impressed with the quality, workmanship and management style the company offered. Soon they met with Steve Petty, an independent sales representative of Davis Frame in West Falmouth, Massachusetts.

"Davis Frame Company uses traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery and wooden pegs to hold the timbers in place. The frame exposed on the inside of the structure, defining the space and the aesthetics of the home," Steve explains. "The curved braces, chamfered edges and clear tung-oil finish have become the signature features of a Davis Frame home."

The Carters chose Manny Silva to build the house. "He had recently completed a timber frame home for some friends of ours and came highly recommended. We were very fortunate," Lew says.

Initially, Lew and Beverly employed an architect but found their needs and his expertise didn't match. They then turned to Steve and Davis Frame to refine the plans to take advantage of the timber frame and adapt the design for efficiency and cost effectiveness.

"We rented a nearby house during the construction and worked closely with the builder on the details once the design had been completed," Beverly says. Lew worked on projects for the home, including a desk, shelving and built-ins. The couple also set about wallpapering some of the rooms.

Completed Project

The 2,760-square-foot main level opens from a hallway with the staircase straight ahead, the living room at the end on the right and on the dining room on the left. The open dining room flows into the kitchen with a walk-in pantry. The kitchen opens to a deck for al fresco dining.

Off the entry hall is a powder room and Beverly's pottery studio. The hallway behind the staircase leads to two guest bedrooms and a bath. On the immediate left of the entry is the study and screened in porch, which were built using conventional stick-frame construction.

At the top of the staircase, on the 675-square-foot second level, is an open office overlooking the living room. The master suite, with its walk-in closet and bath is nearby.

An unfinished basement under the main part of the house includes the laundry room and mechanical equipment for the home. One of the couple's must haves, an above-ground woodworking shop for Lew, was placed adjacent to the two-car garage.

The home includes two back-to-back fireplaces, one in the living room and the other in the study, which the owners report they use nearly every night from October to May. A gas-fueled furnace provides the main source of heat. Baseboard heat was installed in the studio and workshop.

"One of the best decisions we made was to work with a kitchen planner," Beverly says. To start their work with planner Peggy Wannamaker of Blue Hull, Maine, the Carters completed a lengthy description of how they use the kitchen, including what types of food they like to cook and their entertaining patterns. After analyzing their preferences, Peggy offered the Carters three possible kitchen layouts. "They didn't include the type of appliances of cabinets, Beverly says, "just where everything would be located for the smoothest flow."

Peggy and her architect husband suggested the Carters rearrange a few windows and walls to add light and views from all locations in the kitchen area. Given their location and love of boats and sailing, the resulting galley-style kitchen was a natural fit.

"The best part of this was that it was all done online," Beverly says. "We're hoping they'll make a trip at some point to see how successful their work proved to be."

The Carters enjoy cooking "slow food"-those foods that are the antithesis of fast foods, such as fresh fish, fruits and vegetables in season. They selected a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Jenn-Air grill, and a five-burner Dacor stove with an exhaust fan that sets behind the stovetop and is vented outside through a down-draft system. Lew adds the Bosch dishwasher is exceptionally quite-a boon in a home with an open floor plan.

Parting Down

Downsizing proved to be a bit of a challenge for Lew and Beverly because they couldn't fit all their possessions from their previous home in their new timber frame. They sorted through and saved those pieces that had a meaning and sentimental value, such as many of their family antiques and collection of clocks.

"We didn't use an interior decorator because Beverly has a design background and has some very specific likes and dislikes," Lew says. "All of the wall colors were selected to complement our art and existing furniture."

Another positive incident that occurred for the Carters while establishing their new residence was working with Chris and Kathy Tracey and Avant Gardens in North Dartmouth. Chris provided the couple with an overall design for the landscaping and completed the main elements, including all the stone work for the granite steps and walls.

"Our yard is a work in progress," Beverly says. "We are using Chris's blueprint and have completed most of the basic aspects of it. The design allowed us to add to it over time, and since then, we have planted a nine-tree orchard with apple, pear and peach trees." With the assistance of their son, Matthew, their nephews Jacob and Jessie, and a good friend, Lew has built two decks with trellises, a cedar fence on two sides of the property, and a picket fence with an arbor around a small vegetable and flower garden.

Although the home next door to the Carters is no longer a bed and breakfast, its owner has become a close friend to the couple. Also a painter, the owner often teams up with Beverly to host showings of their artistic creations. Beverly markets much of her pottery online, as well.

"When people walk in to the home they are surprised by the interior heights and the post-and-beam construction," Lew says. The home's living spaces, both indoors and out, give the couple plenty of unique areas to enjoy-both personally and professionally. "To be able to live and work in one environment is the best," he says.