This is a 90's gambrel roof log cabin that was never properly sealed and is rotting in one place and never finished. Thus, the 6 hardy boards covering areas with no logs. As you can see, it resembles a trailer home because it's long (60'), narrow (20'), and not very tall (about 18'). To make matters worse, the former owner placed the septic tank about 6' from the front door!
The dilemma is how to make this lacklustre exterior something worthy to look at? Our neighbors are $1M+ homes but we aren't tearing this down for awhile (unless we build a new garage with living space above, but idk what kind of style I ultimately want yet). In the meantime, the logs can be covered in limestone, cedar shingles, or board and batten. Windows will be wood double hung with muntins in either a 57in. or 72in length. The roof cannot be cedar due to rising costs but can be an asphalt shingle or metal 5v crimp. The front door can be either a solid wood craftsman 3 light single panel or a 9 light single panel all wood door. (We already have the doors and majority of the windows.)
No major reconfiguring will be done, but we can possibly have a bump out somewhere, as well as a small porch, pergola, or anything to give depth to this long and flat exterior.
I'm all over the board with the overall look because I'd like to have a timeless look such as quaint cedar shingle (or even stucco) Dutch colonial or a grey limestone. I also like the trends of the modern farmhouses. The property has 2 wooded acres but around the house it's relatively cleared with a few trees in the front that block the left and middle. Those trees could be cut down and have a retaining wall installed if the grade needed to be at the first floor height (left side of door) if french doors and a porch would make it look better. Landscaping will be needed and suggestions are certainly welcome.
This home is in desperate need of an infusion of character! And I'm having a hard time narrowing it down so I'm curious what fresh eyes see and think. Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts!
***Btw, if a floor plan helps: left side of the cabin is 1.5 story great room until the small window on left side of front door (22x20). The front door will step into an 8' wide entry housing the 4' wide stairs and a coat closet. At the midline of cabin on the right, will possibly be the dining area 10x20, then a 10x20 kitchen. At the very end, either a walk in pantry or side entry/mudroom in the back corner, and an office or laundry room facing the front in the corner. This could be vice versa too. Upstairs, 2 bedrooms and a bath. No garage and a blank canvas in the backyard. A half basement with laundry currently down there. I might see if I can figure out how to post a sketch of the possible floorplan.***