Linda and Mike Katskee
Lure of the Lake

A Nebraska couple cherishes the tranquility of the Missouri Ozarks

Linda and Mike Katskee have enjoyed vacationing at Table Rock Lake, near Branson, Missouri, for more than 15 years. Not long ago, while exploring the area, they turned down a road they had never traveled before. They happened upon a vacant lot, approximately one-third of an acre, with a spectacular view of the lake. “We knew it would be perfect for a log home,” Mike says. “I’m kind of an impulse buyer, and we set the wheels in motion immediately and found out who the owner was. We purchased the property shortly thereafter.”

While researching log-home companies, Linda and Mike toured several log homes in the Timbers Resort and Lodge that had been built by Rob Hall and Brad Baird of Timberoc Construction, who also represent Real Log Homes. They chose to go with that company because they were impressed with the look and tight fit of the homes, some of which were 15 years old, and felt comfortable knowing Rob and Brad would be close in case there was any concern with the construction.

Mike and Linda already had a design in mind and presented Brad and Rob with a photo they found in a magazine of a home they admired and asked them to build it. The builders were quick to point out that the home in the photo was a design copyrighted by another log-home company and that duplicating it would create legal problems. “Within two hours, a set of drawings was available that were unique and incorporated all of the Katskees’ ideas,” Brad explains. “It was amazing.”

Because the lot was situated 150 feet above the lake, the Katskees were able to build closer to the water than if they were at lake level and still be within the Army Corps of Engineers’ guidelines. The 4,800-square-foot home was designed to take advantage of the lake views and allow the couple to accommodate overnight guests with sufficient space to entertain large groups.

On the main level, the foyer opens to the living room, with the kitchen and dining area to the right. A laundry room is tucked behind the kitchen. To the left of the living room is the master bedroom and bath, complete with a Jacuzzi tub, separate shower and walk-in closet. A second guest bedroom and full-sized bath is decorated in a patriotic theme with red, white and blue accessories and whimsical Americana prints by Charles Wysock.

The loft contains two separate seating areas, one furnished with a bench to store linens and the other with a queen-sized sofa bed. Two additional bedrooms and one bath are found on this level.

A bonus room over the three-car garage is equipped with two sets of bunk beds, couches and a love seat. It’s the only room without a view of the lake. The oversized garage below has sufficient space for not only their automobile, but also their bass boat and car. A crawlspace under the home provides access to plumbing and heating systems. To augment the heat generated by the manufactured-stone, wood-burning fireplace with Heatolator insert in the great room, the home is equipped with a forced-air heat pump.

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