wWisconsin’s Door County _{is an 85-mile-long} of the bay inspired the Nooyens to look for a home design that _{peninsula with Green Bay on one shore and Lake Michigan on} would capture as much of the impressive lookout as possible. the other. The county is probably Wisconsin’s premier vacation ^{At the same time, the Nooyens were on the search for a log} destination, thanks to its many marinas, bike and hiking trails ^{home company that would match their needs.} “^{For some rea-} _{at five state parks, and 300 miles of shoreline for swimming or} son, I thought we would have to go out of state to find the right _{exploring lighthouses.} company,” says Steve. “As it turned out, they were in our own _{The Nooyen family from nearby Green Bay had vacationed in} back yard. We knew they were up to the challenge after seeing the Door County for decades and worked hard to save enough for a ^{impressive homes they had built.}” weekend retreat there. “Although it’s just a half hour away, you ^{Green Bay-based Wisconsin Log Homes put their design} quickly get into the vacation mood as soon as you drive up the ^{team to the test and created a home full of drama and excite-} _peninsula,” _{says Steve Nooyen.} ment — while building on a small, rocky footprint. The final plan _{When it came time to select a lot, Steve and his wife Kristi} revealed an open concept space with loft support posts, hand- _{wanted something on the shoreline of the bay.} “_{We enjoy boating} peeled beams, and log walls offset with Sheetrock and large spans and imagined beachfront property,” Steve says. “We also felt the ^{of glass.} Green Bay side would offer warmer waters and excellent sun- ^{Creating an entrance for the home was a challenge for the} _sets.” team. “This home actually has three fronts — the drive-up view _{When they discovered a unique lot on top of a lakeshore bluff,} to the garage, the main entry porch on the side, and the gables they changed their criteria a bit. Door County consists of erosion ^{overlooking the bluff,}” ^{says Brian Delwiche, designer for Wis-} and glacier-resistant dolomite rock, which means lots of stone ^{consin Log Homes.} “^{Each of these areas required some creative} with dramatic cliffs along the western shore. This bird’s eye view ^{design work to make them appealing from all angles.}”

 

BELOW: Just off the first floor office/sitting room is a covered porch that provides a shaded seat. RIGHT: Built on the edge of a cliff, the Nooyen home was designed with two gable walls covered in glass for an incredible view of the bay. They were still able to build a 60-foot boat dock at the bottom of their elevated home site. OPPOSITE: The great room has 30-foot ceilings with a peaked wall of windows. The 24-foot-tall fireplace is made with a special blend of veneer stones (called Bailey’s Harbor) that matches the local bedrock.

This home and
floor plan was awarded
a 2008 Reader’s Choice
Floor Plan award by LogHomes
Illustrated. Voters commented on
the unusual angled wall layouts,
unconventional floor plan, and
private and all-inclusive
master bedroom on the
second floor.