The Sequoyah is an oldy but a goody. Oak timber frames aren’t as common or as popular as they used to be. The primary softwoods, eastern white pine, douglas fir, and hemlock, have become more affordable and are easier to work with. But that doesn’t mean that oak can't make a beautiful timber frame. Case and point, the Sequoyah. This frame has a classic queen post and common rafter design, with a slight twist. Some of the higher knee braces have a large natural curve, making each brace unique in dimension and aesthetic. 

The crafting of this distinctive feature required an extraordinary investment of time and immense patience. Our process began with a dedicated search for specific, naturally curved trees, which possess an inherent grace that machine-cut timber cannot replicate. Once identified and carefully felled, these exceptional trees were transformed into thick slabs right in the woods using an Alaskan chainsaw mill. This method was necessary due to the sheer size and weight of the material. Subsequently, each individual slab had to be laboriously hauled out of the woods, one at a time.

This was a painstaking process—a significant expenditure of effort for what ultimately comprised only a handful of structural braces within the frame. However, the finished result made every ounce of labor worthwhile, delivering a spectacular aesthetic payoff.

Our client was particularly captivated by the unique profiles of these braces, affectionately nicknaming some of them "whales tails." This evocative moniker arose from the visual effect created when two of these curved braces were set in opposing positions on a single timber post; the resulting form strikingly resembled the powerful tail of a whale. This stunning detail, which can be clearly observed in the accompanying photographs, is just one small facet of the exceptional character and overall greatness of this timber-frame house.

This frame's timbers stand out, offering a distinct look compared to some of our other frames. We typically apply a boiled linseed oil finish to our residential timber frames, which beautifully highlights the oak's tightly-knit grain. The oil enhances the oak's natural contrast and vibrancy, a key difference from the more common softwoods we use. 

Please scroll through the accompanying photos and gather inspiration for your future timber frame home.