Better than expected
One of the rewards in my work is when the result of months and sometimes years of customer collaboration turns out even better than we imagined…such is this Craftsman inspired house we are building in Hiawassee, GA. The curb appeal is terrific and when you enter the house you are surprised to see how open and spacious it is. The sight lines pull your eye to the view of the robust stream behind the house. You also sense the progression of space, how the rooms have an order to them, some defined with walls, others with ceiling variations. The bedrooms each have a private porch to step onto and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Another feature is that the house outdoor living spaces are just as inviting and intimate as the interior. Not to big, not to small, it all works.
One more thing, the customer feels the same and has been a pleasure to team with.
Michael Grant, Residential Designer, Owner
What Drives You?
Why do you get up in the morning? What drives you? What causes you to push through despite the challenges of the day? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you are destine to drift aimlessly like a boat drifting without a rudder in the water. Joe Folsom
At Modern Rustic Homes we get up in the morning because we have both a passion and a plan for good design. We have a passion for creating something that inspires those who enjoy what we have created. We push forward despite the challenges of the day to create something that allows us to share this passion with those we are fortunate enough to serve. We won’t stop until we have created a place that brings you passion and a better quality of life. We don’t take our mission lightly and we won’t settle for anything less than a place that quiets you soul and balances your life. We create a lifestyle we call “Modern Rustic Living”. We are Modern Rustic Homes.
We would like to know what drive you? Share your stories with us. Tell us why you get up in the morning.
You also might enjoy the two clips of passion & drive on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ModernRusticLiving
Customer Service or Customer Care
This customer service verses customer care position may seem trivial, but I have noticed that my customers want to know that we care about them first, then the service that follows is elevated to a higher level. In a recent client conversation I realized this and was able to communicate my intention and commitment to caring about my clients concerns.
How is this any different than service. Well think of it this way, I go to my doctor for care, not for service. I want to know that she is looking after my best interest. In this case it is my health and well being. When I care for my client, I am looking out for their best interest. I want their home built correctly, with good craftsmanship and that my “house side manner” is comforting and reassuring.
If I take this doctor care comparison a little further, then think of your new home as designed for health, toxic free, filled with light and supportive of healthy living. It is what I would want, it is what I want for you.
Michael Grant, Designer, Owner, Care Giver…….
Lessons from the Atlanta Log Home Show
Interesting how things seem to balance out. The Atlanta Log and Timber Frame Show this weekend drew a smaller crowd, but they had bigger ideas. Not bigger in scale but bigger in scope. People want a lifestyle that is manageable, honest, and affordable. No more “impressing your neighbors”, but more providing for your family, their safety, security and significance. So why a log or timber frame home? Well what you see is what you get. You can hide poor craftsmanship behind drywall but not in a log home. You know the structural integrity of your home because it is staring you in the face, in a beautiful way. We also want something that is permanent, well crafted, and comfortable. If this resonates with you, then come speak with me. We can create your vision into a home you will be proud of for generations. Michael Grant www.modernrustichomes.com
Mini-Seminar & Model Tour (Sat. Feb. 4th. @ 10:00 AM)
Click anywhere on invitation to be directed to registration page…..
Where else but in America
Where else but in America
Saturday morning I watched four “boxes”, which are what we call systems built housing modules roll into Gilmer County on specially designed flat -bed carriers. Waiting at the job site was a 90 ton crane positioned in place to pick up each box to sit it on the foundation we prepared two weeks before. Prior to this day, we spent many hours with our customer to design, and then specify finishes and fixtures for an 1800 square foot cabin in the woods. With two bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, loft space, laundry room, pantry, large kitchen, vaulted ceilings and an open plan design, this cabin is exactly what the clients wanted. The boxes took eight days of production time to manufacture in our Nationwide Custom Homes Plant in Martinsville, Virginia.
The cabin is called “Mountain Cove”, respecting the natural setting surrounding it. By 9:30 a.m. the first box was prepped to be picked up by the crane and positioned onto the foundation. Fast forward four hours and all four boxes are now assembled.
My clients and I walked through the cabin to check it out. What we saw were floors that were level (I mean level, not just sort’a level), plumb walls, square corners, drywall in place, cabinets, bath fixtures, lighting, electrical, plumbing, duct work, all were where they needed to be. Behind the drywall and paneling was spray foam insulation to provide high performance energy efficiency. Needless to say, I also saw a lot of smiles and nods of approval.
Over the next 30 days we added the porches, completed the exterior siding, and mended the mating walls. The painting has just been finished and the result is terrific.
This is America at its best, figuring out a way to do something better and doing it. It is our mission at www.modernrustichomes.com to provide a better solution for our clients. Allow us to show you what we can do that is a better solution for your housing needs.
Michael Grant
Communion
I continue to look for ways to distinguish my business and align myself with like minded people and to provide a service that is above and beyond. At the same time I must keep the cash flowing, satisfy demanding schedules, work within projected budgets and continue to win new business.
The most rewarding way for me to differentiate, to reinvent, to stay relevant is through a process of engaging my client for inspiration. Over the years I have been privileged to have many clients that “get it” and we have become creative partners in the proces of designing their home. It is like communion in that there is a spiritual connection that results in an inspired solution.
Should we have the opportunity to create together, I will do my best to be your design partner, learning from you and guiding decisions that represent the home that represents who you are, what you are about and how you choose to live. To make the end result look good is the easy part.
Oh and by the way, the end of the project is just a beginning for a lifetime of friendship.
Michael Grant, Design Partner
What is Craftsman Style Architecture
One of the most popular architectural styles requested today is Craftsman. Craftsman architecture became popular in the early 1900′s and was developed by architects and residential designers such the Greene brothers in Southern California, Sylvanus Marston, Arthur and Alfred Heineman as well as many anonymous architects. Also called Bungalows, this style of architecture takes much of it’s classical proportions from Greek temples, Japanese and Swiss houses and has blended these design influences into a house the creates intimate spaces inside and out. This is done by the prevalent use of jerkinhead and shed dormers, entrance porches, courtyards, and gardens to manipulate the spaces.
The spin we have put on this style is to use a mix of rustic materials typically found in mountain homes such as poplar bark, fletch board, logs, rough sawn planks and heavy timbers. Add stone accents and you now have a unique look and feel. The following plans are examples of the rustic craftsman look that we have built for some of our clients.
Fire Fly Cabin Buckhead Cabin Raspberry Cabin Largemouth Lodge Smallmouth Lodge
Meet The Modern Rustic Homes Team
OK… this is our first attempt at creating a video, so while it may not be perfect, it does give a good overview of who we are and what we do. Please enjoy and try not to laugh……
Also check us out on Facebook
Made In America
In the past few months I have participated in three regional trade shows and I began to hear the same two questions from a variety of people. “How much of your products are made in America?” and “Are you American owned?” It seems a new awareness has surfaced with our customers as to the importance of doing business with American owned companies and American made products. On a personal level, I share the same interest and concern.
A good question deserves a good answer. So I spoke with Gilbert Phillips, our Operations Manager with Jim Barna Log and Timber Homes. Gilbert has been with us for many years and sources materials and supplies from a wide variety of vendors. This is what he reported back;
Our logs, rafters and beams primarily come from North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia
Yellow pine rafters and beams are from Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia
Architectural Glu Lams, (engineered structural lumber) comes from Mississippi
Tongue and groove paneling is milled in North Carolina
Dimension lumber comes from North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana.
Windows and doors, Tennessee, Kentucky, Minnesota, Pennsylvania
Rail materials, Alabama and Michigan
Flooring, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky
We also purchase a wide variety of wood finish products, insulation, both foam and fiberglass, gasket materials, adhesives, sealants, etc. that are made in Illinois, Georgia, West Virginia, Nevada, California, and Florida
We also have the distinction of being the only “distributor” owned log and timber frame manufacturer in the United States. Because we are on the front line with our customers we provide valuable insight into our production processes and our ongoing quality improvement. During the past three years, we have added new products, floor plans and services to better accommodate our customers’ expectations.
Another thought came to mind. We ship internationally. So we actually are exporting materials instead of importing materials. We do what we can to tilt the balance of trade in our direction.
We appreciate our customers’ confidence and the trust they place in us. Your business is a privilege and we thank you for it.
Michael Grant, Architectural Designer/Realter
Modern Rustic Homes & Barna Log Homes
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
Modern Rustic Living Team
Ellijay, GA
