Octagon on a Bluff: New Home Construction
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Bill and Caroline’s site is as tough as they come:
- accessible only by boat
- 40 feet off lake level on a rocky, steep hillside
This design and build project was a great collaboration between Bill, the owner, and Boreal Woodworking. As a retired film maker, Bill has a keen eye for the aesthetic. Our primary objective was a harmonious blend of function and beauty throughout the home.
I met Bill at their island for several 3-4 hour meetings, over the course of many months. We churned out ideas to accomplish our design objectives. Because Bill and I established a solid foundation for working together prior to doing any actual site work, they had great confidence in me and my Boreal Woodworking team of craftsmen.
My crew and I created an octagon design (with a bump out) in keeping with the round theme of the yurts on the property, which Bill and Caroline enjoyed very much. Although Boreal Woodworking did have to remove a few trees from the building site, we carefully peeled and cut those logs to fit into the finished building as visible, structural, log posts and beams. While Bill and Caroline's cabin is only 1100 sq ft, yet it also has 13 roof planes and 11 skylights!
Also, from our woodworking shop, Bill and Caroline ordered:
- a new set of maple raised-panel kitchen cabinets
- countertops for the kitchen
- a set of maple benches
- a table for the breakfast nook adjacent to the kitchen
My crew and I built the project over the course of a fall and spring, because Bill and Caroline did not want work done while they were on the island. I was in daily contact with Bill and Caroline while they were back home, keeping them abreast of progress, and further discussing details that needed to be worked out.
Due to our intensive discussions over design, Bill and I both knew the home design so intimately that building this complex project from afar was relatively easy for Bill and Caroline.
They expressed a sense of amazement at the low stress level they experienced while working with Boreal Woodworking from afar. They credited our solid communication and mutual trust.
I choose Boreal Woodworking because I knew that I could design a complete project with Mike Dietzman during the summer, leave until the following June, and be confident that he would create something beautiful, totally "turn-key" down to the smallest details, and that it would happen on time and within budget.
I have built and renovated quite a few homes in my life, and I cannot stress how rare it is to have a contractor as conscientious and talented as Mike.
- Bill
Ely, MN
Read Bill’s Perspective
Call Michael Dietzman today to see what we can build for you:
218-365-5009