Photos courtesy of Style Life Photography
Contributed by Hochstetler Log Homes
Despite plenty of naysayers in his life, Mark Shaffer never let go of his log home dream. After almost purchasing a log home in 1996 and then being talked out of it by family and friends, he kept his vision alive and waited patiently.
Twenty years later he was ready to make the move back to Pennsylvania, where he grew up. The perfect property in the mountains of Somerset County popped up, but it was double the amount he was wanting to pay. He told the realtor to pass along his offer for around half of the asking price, even with the realtor suggesting the sellers wouldn’t accept it. She called him back the next day to ask for proof of funding, and his dream began to come true.
The next step was to find a team to make the vision a reality, and a construction company recommended Hochstetler Log Homes. After a trip to Hochstetler’s facility, he left with a custom design, blueprints ordered, all the colors picked out for the home and the reassurance that this was the company for the job.
The home is a Cape Cod-style, similar to the McKay, but Mark wanted a larger great room off the back of the house with lots of glass. This space is perfect to display his hunting trophies and relax by the wood-burning fireplace. The cathedral ceiling and the large, angled windows bring the outdoors in.
Other highlights of the home are in the layout and the details. The cabinets and floor are made from hickory, which complements the style very well. The primary suite is located on the main floor, while two additional bedrooms, a bath and a loft are located upstairs. Laundry can be found in the breezeway, which leads to the 2-car garage. The total square footage came to 1,755, plus a finished basement for taxidermy work.
Mark’s dream is now reality, and he has been enjoying it for 5 years. When his hunting buddies ask him if he has a man cave, he tells them “his complete log home is his man cave.”
