New log home features unique kitchen island

Roger and Debbie Loxterman didn’t just want any old kitchen island in their brand new log cabin home. They wanted a conversation piece. More than that, they wanted a work of art.

Enter two skilled craftsman, Bill Latimer and Dave Wilson, who volunteered to build a special island for them at their specifications. Actually they’d been helping all along with the construction of the Loxterman’s log home on the northwest side of Gallatin.

All parties agreed they’d be building more than just a piece of furniture. The island would be the central place for family and friends to gather. “They’re going to live here,” said Dave. “They’ll eat, talk, work around this one piece.”

Dave and Bill didn’t have a blueprint to go by, but Debbie had cut out a general shape of what she wanted from a cardboard packing box. They used that to build and expand the design on.

“We discussed it for a week before we even got started,” said Bill.

Then they began to look through the pile of red pine wood scraps. It was a meticulous inspection as Bill and Dave hand-picked the pieces, checking the integrity and stability of each. “We cut a lot of wood just to look at the grain,” said Dave.

Dave and Bill worked well together, except for an occasional spat when one’s tape measure was a hair’s width different than the other, or when the lead from one’s pencil wasn’t exactly the same thickness as the other. When a practical joker mixed up the wood pieces they had laid out, it barely caused a delay. “Our mind was in it so much, we could look at it and tell what went where,” Bill said.

The construction of the kitchen island marked the finishing touches of the Loxterman’s two-story log home, which has taken about a year to build. The red pine logs were shipped from New York. Being a ‘kit’ might make it sound easy to put together. From those who know, it wasn’t.

“I’ve heard it said a couple can’t build a house without filing for divorce, but we haven’t filed yet,” Debbie joked. “We didn’t have an argument once. We worked it all out.”

The island took Dave and Bill about eight weeks to construct. It was built in six sections. Each board was individually cut. There are 140 boards on the counter top itself and the top is intricately flared and inlaid. Even the knots are placed strategically. Roger smoothed the top with lots of sanding and varnish.

“I’d put Debbie on the top and push her across,” he said. “When she finally slid off the end, I knew it was finished.”

The island is also functional. It has many drawers and deep storage space and a removable cutting board. The cabinets around the kitchen are made of red pine, too, and were also built with the help of Dave and Bill.

When the island was finished, the Loxtermans received a lot of comments and compliments on the unique piece. Enough that Dave and Bill would be willing to custom build somebody an island if they’re not in any hurry.

“We could probably build one nice piece a year,” said Dave. “We might be talked into two.”

Bill said each piece would be one-of-a-kind. “The customer would decide the style they wanted, how big they want it, and what type logs. And what to do as far as making it functional.”

Because of Bill and Dave’s pride in their work and the individual attention they’re willing to give it, the end product would be of a far higher quality than any factory machine could turn out. And since they’re willing to work with the customer, the final piece would be individualized and personal.

“It’s more special to us than anybody else,” Roger said.