Merle Magazine Spring 2020 by Merle Inc.

M A G A Z I N E

MOUNTAIN MODERN & traditional lodge

YOU CHOOSE. SPRING 2020

CONTENT

4 8 13 14 15

THE TRADITIONAL LODGE HOME

EMERGENCE OF MOUNTAIN MODERN

MEET MERLE: HEATHER JENSEN BREAKING DOWN MYTHS TRENDING PRODUCTS

Welcome

Letter from the owner

It’s an exciting time to be a custom home builder in Upper Kittitas County. Merle

Inc. is looking forward to a year with significant changes, a larger and deeper organization and a group of new and challenging homes to be completed. In 2020, we’re looking forward to our involvement in a new area of Tumble Creek. The home sites in this recently released division boast lake frontage, golf course frontage and easy access to the Tumble Creek Great House, which promises to be a popular social hub. These home sites also feature phenomenal views of the surrounding mountains. We are already scheduled to complete several homes in this release… not quite like being on vacation – but close! The market continues to call for Mountain Modern architecture. Requests for this style, which amplifies views, the seasons and the vacation feel of this part of the Cascades, have surpassed those for traditional lodge style homes.

TO merle

All in all, the excitement of the marketplace is the most appealing attribute of our building experience. There is nothing like converting our clients’ ideas into a home where the most important results are quality family memories for years to come. - Jeff Schafer

TRADITIONAL LO An important style for Pacific Northwest, the Traditional Lodge elicits images of warm, timbered spaces, grand, solid stone fireplaces and comfortable cabin living. Typical lodge homes have pronounced roof pitches – often as steep as 12:12 – visible and prominent gable ends, obvious, even exaggerated overhangs, and noticeable structural expression. Trim is wide and extensive throughout the exterior and interior of the home. Warm brown tones color exterior siding, often with contrasting trim colors. You’ll see a use of natural and rustic materials throughout the home as well as high, vertical, divided lite windows.

ODGE

A fresh take on Traditional This traditional style continues to have a place in 2020 with contemporary updates. Clients seek more windows to bring natural light to warm interiors. Lighter interior paint palettes give the perception of more open space.

Many Traditional Lodges are visually prominent due to the fact they seek to match the massive panoramas prevalent throughout Upper County. Large angled roofs and extensive overhangs are used to keep snow away from the home. Often you will find the outdoor spaces of a Traditional Lodge to be more structured, or even formal, than itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mountain Modern counterpart. Hip or gable ends may cover a majority of a deck or patio, protecting it from the elements.

Sleek. Spacious. Open. The Mountain Modern home continues to grow in popularity. The chief aim of Mountain Modern design is to connect home and homeowner to the surrounding environment in a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor space. Mountain Modern architecture integrates topography and landscape into the core design of the home. Flat, low pitch roofs keep the focus on sweeping mountain and forest views. “See-through” houses further simply and amplify these views from the interior.

In modern architecture, the tradesperson’s work shows through.

MOUNTAIN MODERN

Mountain modern:

Bringing the outdoors in

From the moment you open the front door, a feeling of spaciousness, light and nature envelop you. Walls of floor-to-ceiling windows allow inhabitants to see through the house to the outdoors, capitalizing on encircling views. Light is a key feature in any Mountain Modern home. Large, full lite windows flood the interior space in light and deliver expansive views. These open interiors transition seamlessly to outdoor living spaces. Uncluttered layouts, clean lines and neutral colors bring the focus to nature. Texture plays a pivotal role in Mountain Modern design. Rather than relying on bold, dark colors like itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rustic counterpart to fill a space, Mountain Modern design emphasizes the use and placement of distinct building materials. A neutral color palette compliments the natural beauty of textures like rough timber, flat steel, chunky stone, polished concrete and smooth glass. These building materials become part of the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decor.

Open interiors transition seamlessly to outdoor living space.

a see-through house

Mountain Modern architecture impacts first impressions. A well designed Mountain Modern home ties the front of the house to the back, draws the outdoors in, and ultimately makes the home appear larger.

Meet merle

HEATHER JENSEN - PROJECT COORDINATOR

How long have you worked at Merle? Four years. How long have you lived in Cle Elum? All my life. Born and raised. What’s your favorite thing about working at Merle? So many things. We have the best team here at Merle; my co-workers are like my extended family. Merle is always growing and evolving to do the next great thing in construction so it’s never dull or boring. It has also given me the opportunity to meet so many people that I’d probably never get the chance to meet. Describe your job. I’m involved in each project from beginning to end, so I’m fortunate that I get to work with all the key players – the homeowner, most of the Merle team and our subcontractors. What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? We just finished a project where we were building what the homeowner was envisioning. It was her “dream home” and to be part of that was so gratifying on many levels. The fact she trusted Merle with her dream was such a compliment. Favorite product or trend? No favorites but it’s fun watching each homeowner bring to the table what they want to see. It’s fun to see things I might not have seen! Life outside of Merle I love spending time with my husband of 22 years and our son. Anything outdoors makes me happy. Hiking, camping, wheeling, fishing…I’m in my happy place. What’s your favorite thing about Kittitas County? Access to the outdoors and that it’s close to the bigger cities if I want a change of pace. Who inspires you? My husband inspires me. His kindness to everyone is humbling. Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? My dog. Words of wisdom: “I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” - Edward Everett Vale

BREAKING DOWN MYTHS Myth: “all builders include outdoor space in their bid” Fact: Few builders will incorporate the complete cost of developing an outdoor living space into their quote. Whether you choose Mountain Modern or Traditional Lodge, when you’re building in Upper Kittitas County, a beautiful outdoor living space will likely be a priority. It’s important to understand how these spaces are planned and their associated costs. In reality, outdoor spaces can quickly increase investment. When building your home, they require the same attention as interior, conditioned spaces. Asking your builder about these costs earlier on may help alleviate surprises down the road.