For Nan, building a log home wasn’t a spontaneous decision. It was a dream more than 35 years in the making.
Long before she and her husband ever owned land in Colorado, they would drive past the display homes at Gastineau Log Homes while traveling between college and home during their years at the University of Missouri. Every time they passed by, they said the same thing:
“Someday, we’re going to have a log home.”
Decades later, that “someday” became a reality in the small mountain town of Red Cliff, where Nan and her family built a custom Juliana log home tucked beside a creek, surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and dark skies filled with stars.
But getting there wasn’t simple.
From tearing down a failing 1908 home to managing construction from nearly 1,000 miles away, Nan’s experience offers valuable insight for anyone considering building a second home, especially in a remote location.
Sometimes the Best Renovation Is Starting Over
Nan and her husband originally purchased an older home in Colorado with plans to renovate it. With Nan’s extensive background restoring historic homes in the St. Louis area, they believed they could preserve the structure.
For two years, they worked with architects, engineers, and contractors trying to save it.
Then reality set in.
After gutting the home, they discovered severe rot throughout the structure, including failing sill plates and inconsistent framing dating back to 1908. At one point, the fireplace literally detached from the side of the house.
That was the turning point.
Instead of continuing to pour time and money into an unstable structure, they made the difficult but ultimately rewarding decision to tear it down and start fresh.
For many homeowners, that’s an important lesson:
Sometimes building new creates less stress, more efficiency, and a better long-term investment than trying to rescue a structure beyond repair.
Choosing the Right Home Plan Is Often Emotional
When Nan and her husband visited Gastineau, the decision came quickly.
They walked through several models, explored layouts, and almost immediately connected with the Juliana plan.
“It was a gut feeling,” Nan explained. “When I walked into that house, it just felt right.”
That emotional connection matters more than many people realize. Floor plans can look beautiful on paper, but living in a home is about how it feels.
For Nan’s family, the Juliana offered:
- Open gathering spaces
- Warm architectural character
- Room for a growing family
- A design that fit mountain living naturally
From there, the process became about customization.
Smart Customizations Make a Home Work for Real Life
Nan’s family modified the standard Juliana design to better support how they actually use the home.
Some of their biggest customizations included:
A Large Bunk Room Above the Garage
To accommodate children, grandchildren, and guests, they added a spacious bunk room above the garage with four queen beds that can sleep up to eight people.
The result is a flexible family space that functions almost like a lodge-style retreat.
Raising the Roofline for More Headroom
Because several family members are over 6’2”, they adjusted the rear roofline to create full standing height in the loft and upstairs areas.
That small design decision dramatically improved comfort and functionality.
Blending Drywall and Wood
While the main level maintains the full warmth of a traditional log home, portions of the second floor use drywall strategically while still preserving exposed wood ceilings, trim, beams, and flooring.
The result is a home that feels warm and authentic without overwhelming the space visually.
Open Stair Design
Instead of enclosing the staircase, they opened it up using thick timber treads and black metal balusters.
Now the area underneath the stairs has become a favorite “campsite” hideout for the grandkids.
Building Long Distance Requires Communication and Planning
One of the biggest challenges of the project was distance.
Their Colorado home sits roughly 950 miles from their primary residence in Missouri.
Nan says the hardest part wasn’t necessarily the drive. It was learning how to manage a complex construction project remotely.
Her advice?
1. Be Overly Proactive Early
Nan admitted one of her biggest lessons was realizing that detailed notes and emails weren’t enough.
Construction terminology varies. Communication styles vary. Even when intentions are good, misunderstandings happen.
Her recommendation is simple:
- Meet in person whenever possible
- Walk through plans directly with contractors
- Review electrical layouts onsite
- Discuss plumbing and lighting face-to-face
“It’s much easier to do it right the first time than redo it later.”
2. Visit the Jobsite More Than You Think You Need To
Looking back, Nan wishes she had visited every 6–8 weeks during construction.
Even brief visits help:
- Catch misunderstandings early
- Build relationships with contractors
- Maintain project momentum
- Reduce stress and uncertainty
3. Expect Problems Without Panicking
Construction always involves surprises.
Nan emphasized the importance of staying flexible and understanding that every challenge has a solution.
That mindset shift helps reduce frustration and keeps the process enjoyable.
Log Homes Create a Feeling You Can’t Easily Explain
One of the most powerful parts of Nan’s story is how she describes life inside the home itself.
According to her, the experience is fundamentally different from living in a conventional house.
As the family drives toward Colorado, she says their stress begins disappearing mile by mile.
Then they arrive.
“And once we’re at the house,” she said, “it’s like you flatline. It’s just peace.”
She describes the interior glow of wood walls and timber ceilings as calming in a way drywall simply isn’t.
The family leaves windows open to hear the creek flowing behind the house. At night, because Red Cliff is a designated dark sky town, the stars become part of the experience too.
No harsh exterior lights.
No city glow.
Just silence, mountains, and sky.
For many homeowners, that emotional experience is exactly why they choose log homes in the first place.
Practical Advice for Managing a Second Home
Nan also shared several practical systems that help them manage the home remotely.
Smart Home Technology
They installed:
- Ring cameras
- Remote thermostat controls
- Water leak sensors
- Smart lock systems
These tools allow them to monitor the home from nearly 1,000 miles away.
Winter Protection
Because Colorado winters can be severe, they:
- Lower interior temperatures to 55°
- Shut off water lines
- Monitor radiant heat remotely
- Reduce water heater temperatures
- Use leak detection systems under sinks and appliances
These simple precautions create peace of mind while reducing utility costs.
Designing for the Environment Matters
Building in the mountains required thoughtful engineering solutions.
Because the home sits in a floodplain, the foundation includes flood vents that allow water to pass safely underneath the structure if needed.
The home also features:
- A utility bunker below the structure
- Protected utility routing for freezing temperatures
- Elevated construction above flood levels
- Radiant floor heating with multiple zones
These aren’t flashy features, but they’re the kinds of details that make mountain homes durable for the long haul.
The Home Became Part of the Family Legacy
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the conversation came when Nan explained the name of their home:
Casa Sarisa, meaning “House of Cherries.”
The name connects to their family heritage and reflects the deeper purpose of the home itself.
This wasn’t just a vacation property.
It became the gathering place for children, grandchildren, traditions, memories, and future generations.
That’s ultimately what many people are truly building when they create a log home.
Not just walls and beams.
A place where family life happens.
Final Takeaways for Anyone Considering Building a Log Home
Nan’s experience offers several valuable lessons for future homeowners:
- Trust your instincts when choosing a floor plan
- Communicate early and often during construction
- Visit the jobsite whenever possible
- Plan for your future family needs, not just today
- Embrace smart technology for second-home management
- Expect challenges, but don’t let them overshadow the experience
- Focus on creating a home that feels peaceful and personal
Most importantly, her story is a reminder that meaningful homes rarely happen overnight.
Sometimes they begin as a dream decades earlier.
And sometimes, after years of waiting, they become the place your entire family never wants to leave.
