Concept to Completion: A New Cabin
Started on Labor Day, Moved In by Christmas

Since the sale of their farm 30 years ago, Jerry Fay and his father have owned a small left-over parcel of land near the tiny village of Starlight, Pennsylvania. In the summer of 2005, Jerry needed to reinvest the profits from a recent real estate transaction, and he decided to use that money to build a cabin on the property.

Jeff Flowers sat down and discussed Jerry's needs and wants, which included a loft, a wood-burning fireplace, high-end fixtures, and the ability to close down the cabin completely during the winter months.

Jeff also gathered the local government information and restrictions, and discovered that the village code states that no structures can be built on property of less than 2 acres. Jerry's lot is 1.75 acres. Over the 2005 Labor Day Weekend, Jeff attended the township meeting to acquire a building clearance. He showed the townhip the property layout, and used Jerry's family's 30-year ownership to make a case for a variance. After a special hearing, Jerry was granted clearance to build.

The entire design was completed by Columbus Day. The cabin would have a 2,000-square-foot interior, combined with a two-car detached garage delivered to the property. By Columbus Day, the builders were pouring the foundation for both the cabin and the garage.

Symphony Interiors became the liaison between Jerry and the architects, builder, and subcontractors. Jeff Flowers managed the material choices, and was present at the groundbreaking, when the materials arrived, and at other major milestones in the project.

Thanksgiving Weekend: Jeff drove a 24’ cargo truck, filled with all the real property and initial starter furnishings, from Atlanta to Pennsylvania. These pieces included: hardwood flooring, plumbing and electrical fixtures, a wood burning stove, kitchen and laundry appliances, imported tile for the baths, fieldstone for the hearth, and furniture for the bedroom, dining room, living room and kitchen. At this point, the exterior of the house was complete and secure.

Although Jerry's upgrades to some fixtures and appliances caused the budget to be tight by the end of the project, Jeff was able to make compromises that would not sacrifice the style or flow of the cabin's interior. One answer: replace expensive balusters on the stair railing with inexpensive rebar. The rebar adds a rustic touch, supports the railing, and saved Jerry enough money to stay within budget.

Christmas Day: Jerry and Jeff flew up to the site. “I had the joy of unlocking the door and welcoming them into their Christmas gift: a new 2,000-square-foot log cabin,” says Jeff Flowers.

After going to dinner at the local inn, Jeff helped Jerry and his father set up house, and everyone enjoyed a week in the Catskills of Pennsylvania over the Christmas/New Year's Holidays.