Because of the tremendous views, windows were a must. The main window in the living room provides an all-encompassing view and is itself a dramatic contribution to the home's appearance. In fact, the Milewskis even added a sunroom, which the orginal plans did not have. "We probably put more money into windows than the average home," Paul notes, "but it was worth it."

Because the home was a custom design, Paul and Tania strived to make every feature just the way they wanted. They had a particularly good time designing secret passages for their son's and daughters' bedrooms. "It was a great experience for the whole family, especially seeing the outcome of all our ideas," Paul notes.

The result of their efforts was a home with 2,200 square feet on the main level and another 800 square feet in the loft. They left they basement unfinished, although they placed the home in the hillside knowing they wanted a walkout basement. Their plan is to finish it with a Southwest theme.

The Milewskis asked David, who had built his own home, if he would build theirs, but he was too busy. He referred them to Brown and Stahmer of Fort Collins. They worked directly with Milt Brown.

To provide logs for the project, the Milewskis turned to Log Knowledge of LaPorte, Colorado, whom they knew by reputation. The handcrafter provided lodgepole pine logs that averaged 14 to 15 inches in diameter.

The most dramatic use of logs occurs on the exterior. Coming off the great room is a wide overhang for the roof, but once the couple saw the home being built they felt it needed some support, if not structurally then at least to satisfy the eye. They came up with the idea of adding three tall log columns, which echo the deck supporters and the log columns at the front entry. The tallest log is roughly 40 feet.