Exposed beams are usually associated with barns, but they offer a beautiful addition to contemporary homes. Wooden beams can give these homes a rustic look or a clean, modern one, depending on the design and color of wood that’s used. A great example of the clever use of exposed beams in contemporary architecture is the Cabin on Lake Wenatchee, designed by Gelotte Hommas.
This contemporary lake house is filled with wooden beams in several rooms, giving the home an overall rustic and warm look that blends well with the rest of the interior features. The kitchen, living room, dining room and bedrooms all have different styles of wooden beam designs. In areas with lofty ceilings, including the living room, these beams are highlighted by sunlight that comes in through small rectangular windows up near the ceiling. In areas with lower ceilings, including the bedrooms, these beams create a cozy look and feel.
The Cabin on Lake Wenatchee features a few different styles of exposed beams. Some areas have a traditional exposed beam design that includes several beams slanted up toward the ceiling with other beams hanging over the room horizontally at regular intervals. Rooms with flat ceilings feature a simple exposed beam design, where the beams stretch horizontally across entire ceilings made of wood. The home also has several other wood features, including staircases, wood walls and wood furniture, that help accentuate the exposed beams.
Wooden beams can be used in other ways as well, such as in chevron-style patterns for a striking appearance. They can also be painted white to give homes a more streamlined, airy look.
Interested in using wooden beams for added warmth in your contemporary architecture? Contact Gelotte Hommas to schedule a consultation, and visit us online to see our portfolio of unique and contemporary projects.