Mountain, Rustic and Lake Style Design Elements

Design Elements of the Mountain, Rustic & Lake Style House

7 Exterior Elements that define the Mountain, Lake and Rustic Style House.

1. 1 - Simple low slope roof shapes blending into more dominant steep slope gable forms, often with shed or gable dormers.
2. 2 - Cedar shake, slate and Architectural shingle roofs, with wide eaves and overhangs to protect the house from the environment. Roof pitches range from 4/12 up to 12/12.
3. 3 - Exterior siding materials are cedar shake, vertical board on board or board and batten and any number of styles of horizontal siding.
4. 4 - Timber columns and beams, knee braces and gable brackets, often with contrasting stain or paint colors.
5. 5 - Accent color on window sashes of large multiple unit windows and doors.
6. 6 - Wide functional front and rear porches and terraces, with timber beams, columns and wood ceilings.
7. 7 - Stacked stone foundation with piers for columns and railings.

Natural wood shake, slate roofing and Architectural shingles often cover both gentle and steep sloped porch roofs and shed or gable dormers. Copper or metal roof accents also appear on these elements. Functional roof brackets, knee braces and gable vents add appropriate details.

Natural exterior materials typically clad the exterior of these homes, whether cedar shake, horizontal lap siding, log edge siding, or vertical board-and-batten. Timber columns and beams often provide contrasting framing.Stains highlight the natural color and grain of the wood, varied from wood species to species even on the same house to express the beauty of their character. Maintenance of these houses has become an increasingly critical area of focus, and the vast improvement of paint products able to withstand the harsh weather environments and the wood loving insects, has allowed these advanced paint products to be widely used.

Contrasting color window sashes accentuate wide trim details of large glass openings. Varied window size and grid patterns are employed, with grids primarily in the top sash. Wide trim, both simple flat and more elaborate profiles and window details complement the background simplicity. Garage doors might have a carriage door appearance, with tall lower panels and either glass or solid top panels. Non-functional door hinge and handle accents are common.

Roomy rear porches, and screened rear porches, often boast large stone fireplaces and timber mantles. Stone flooring materials are common, as are specialty wood decking and man-made decking substitute materials. This has become an especially important as many new, advanced products are becoming available. These low maintenance materials are replacing exotic hardwoods and helping sustainability efforts.

Stone foundations were used initially and continued for an extended period of time, but brick became an easy substitute as the remote areas became more easily accessible and the general character of communities began merge with the feel of more suburban developments. Easy weekend getaways, commuting to work and even work from home offices continue to contribute to a less rustic feel and a more refined mountain lake character.

7 Interior Elements that define the Mountain, Lake and Rustic Style House.

1. 1 - Wall painted in complementary or contrasting colors, with a tall wainscot often utilized, or stained wood walls.
2. 2 - Wide plank, T&G wood flooring in multiple and random widths, sanded, stained and/or finished with polyurethane, with matte or minimal sheen finish
3. 3 - A large fireplace and long exterior views are typical focal points in the main living area.
4. 4 - Ceilings of varying height highlight the space. Taller and/or vaulted ceilings bring added interest and excitement to the main living spaces.
5. 5 - Simple wide trim detailed with a backband or profile trim, both stained and painted. More detailed door and window trim, paneled doors and period hardware are often found.
6. 6 - Kitchen cabinetry with clean-line paneled or board/board doors and open storage shelves. Paint, stain and combination of both, as well as the “used and old" look to accent certain elements cover the spectrum of finish and style.
7. 7 - Wood accents, stained or painted, with wood columns, beams, wood ceilings and walls, and occasional floor level changes providing space delineation and transition.

Mountain, Lake and Rustic house interiors tend to be cozy, casual, comfortable and inviting. Advancements in building products, finishes and technology have made the current house more comfortable and durable with lower maintenance. The interior focus becomes blending functional creature comforts, technology and new materials with the more rustic, casual elements and original materials and details.

The “natural" theme comes indoors with painted walls, utilizing complementary colors and materials, with stained or painted doors and windows, base and ceiling trim, and wood walls, with tall wainscot detailing also used frequently. Wood beams and wood ceiling details are common, paneled wood doors, simple built-in cabinetry and storage along with the eye-catching countertops and tile backsplashes.

Refined, dressed wood is used extensively as an accent material, and can be found in wide plank tongue and groove flooring, both site sanded and finished and manufactured pre- finished, doors, timber and built-up ceiling beams and wood ceilings, fireplace mantels and focal pieces of furniture quality cabinetry. Rough sawn wood also shows up if a more rustic character is desired.

Alternative finishes are utilized for reclaimed and distressed floors. The continued advances in manufactured flooring allows the use of many varied and aesthetic appearances over concrete slabs, greatly increasing the flooring material options in lower level walkout spaces. Stained and textured concrete is another interesting finish for floors, both interior and exterior.

A large, open common area is standard, with a fireplace with stacked natural stone finish and a timber or stone slab mantle on one wall, and the view wall with large expanses of glass occupying one or more remaining walls. The fireplace may be flanked by furniture style or built-in cabinetry to hold technology components, oversized tv and collectible display pieces.

Wide use of tile or wood in the kitchen and tile in mudroom areas are found, with patterned colorful tile backsplash and counter tops. Beautiful floor and accent tile is often found in baths hi-lighted by walk-in tile showers.

Here are some examples of Mountain, Rustic & Lake Style House Plans
from the Donald Gardner design portfolio.

Or, click to see all of our Mountain, Rustic and Lake Style House plans!

Below are various links to manufacturers of products and materials you might want to consider for your Mountain, Rustic or Lake style house.

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Appalachian Antique Hardwoods	Barkhouse Siding	Progress Lighting




Mountain Laurel Handrail	Eldorado Stone