From the cover story of the 10th anniversary special of “Log Home Design Ideas”; Scott Moran spent a decade running an ambulance service he owned, overseeing 140 employees and dealing with 911 emergencies. After life in the rescue-and recovery business, he says" 'the serenity of a log home in the country has great appeal." And so does their home. The sprawling gabled residence is set on 70 acres in rural Cambridge, Wisconsin, a 15-minute drive east of Madison. Moran sold the ambulance business in 1993 and invested a solid year of his time building the home he and his wife, Tonna, long imagined. "Ever since I was a teenager I always dreamed of owning a log home, and my wife had the same aspiration." While the couple followed their hearts, they didn't let emotions get in the way of their decisions. Even though Moran had a long history of building experience, he spent seven years "doing my due diligence" prior to breaking ground. He toured mills, interviewed contractors, spoke with Iog home owners and researched log home manufacturers. In the end, the Moran’s settled on Wisconsin Log Homes. In fact, Scott was so impressed with the company; when he was asked to be a dealer he joined the team. Today Scott is now a National Authorized Wisconsin Log Home Dealer for Wisconsin Log Homes. Moran not only does sales but also design/build. "It was a big change in occupation, but it's something I absolutely love. Never have I enjoyed anything this much," he says. “Being able to help people make good decisions and reach their dream on an organized path is very rewarding for me. Some of my best friends today are people I first met as home clients”.

The Moran home is a custom 3900 square foot plan with thermal log construction that features 8" white pine logs with saddlenotch corners. Moran liked the beefy designs offered by Wisconsin Log Homes which employs a full-time in-house design department and drafting department. “ Having extensive building experience I really was impressed with the detailed engineering approach taken by Wisconsin Log Homes.” The logs for the Moran home, like other Wisconsin logs, are part of a system that insures tight fits and has a 2” x6” hybrid core wall system that provides very high insulation values compared to a all traditional system. They were also shaped with a drawknife, resulting in a more traditional and rustic look and one that exposes the heart wood which better holds the stain and color. Moran particularly liked Wisconsin Log Homes' use of heartwood, but it was the thermal log system that won him over. “The super insulated 6" thick inner core walls are unique. The core is airtight and draft-free, and once the home is done, there's never a settling issue. It truly is the best of both worlds. Essentially you’re eliminating the bulk of the maintenance concerns that are part of a solid log structure.”

The Moran’s four-bedroom, five-bath home is situated on a hill. The first thing you see is the front-canopied porch, which most agree sets an impressive tone for the whole house. The owner’s bedroom wing is on the main floor. The owner’s suite is well thought-out, well laid-out and all-inclusive. Amenities include his-and-hers closets, a study and a bathroom with side-by-side shower heads. Upstairs, pair of bedrooms each with their own bath and separated by a dramatic loft overlooking the foyer and Great Room. In the basement is a fourth bedroom, client meeting/planning area and office. An open floor plan was important to the family, but it was designed within certain limits. "Some homes are so open and the rooms so cavernous there's not enough definition between the rooms," Moran explains. "You feel like you're in a museum." The couple wanted a comfortable and cozy design, but with large families wanted they lay out airy enough to entertain 20 to 50 + people and still allow for plenty of elbow room. They worked with an interior decorator which is also a service offered by the company. "We didn't want rooms with furniture nobody uses that is just for show," Moran says. The plan worked. It doesn't have you feeling like you're in a furniture store. The house looks inviting and comfortable. Moran jokes; “when visitors come, they don't always want to leave.” That's the sense of serenity and peacefulness this house provides. When designing the floor plan, the Moran’s also thought long term. They considered how they could make use of the space once they become empty nesters.

"We built the house with the idea that when the day of an empty nest comes, the bedrooms could be used as a bed and breakfast. Then we would be able to give people a taste of log home living," Scott says. Commercial-grade kitchen appliances worked into the equation - a justifiable bonus since both Scott and Tonna enjoy cooking. Moran says the location lends itself to a B&B business plan. The village of Cambridge in south-central Wisconsin is home to NASCAR racer Matt Kenseth and his fan club headquarters as well as Rowe Pottery, a favorite with out-of-towners. "There are a lot of neat attractions for a small community," Moran points out. Though the prospect of converting the home into a bed and breakfast is still some years off.

When it came to his own property, homeowner Scott Moran put his money where his mulch was. Moran transformed his 70-acre parcel into a dramatic landscape that earned him grand prize in a regional home improvement competition. Then again, as owner of a landscaping firm specializing in wildlife enhancement, Moran might have had an edge over the competition. The green-thumb authority says landscaping a log home requires special considerations. Shrubbery should be placed far enough from the home - an extra foot or two further than a conventional home - so rain and moisture won't splash up onto the logs. Adequate spacing also maximizes sunlight and air circulation between the greenery and the foundation. Stone and mulch both work well for healthy flora and each has its advantage. Stone represents a one-time upfront cost, and if logs are high enough off the ground, makes good sense. However, stone creates a bigger splash factor. Mulch, bark or shredded, requires more maintenance but won't splash up against the foundation like stone. If using mulch, buy only clean organic material. "Ground-up mulch from tree services is inexpensive but often from diseased wood and can harbor insects as well as transfer harmful pathogens to healthy plant ," Moran says. "Not a good idea. Pure organic cypress and cedars are good choices”