Sketchup

I used google sketchup to design the frame. It's an amazing free 3D software that a lot of timber framers are using these days. It's not a traditional frame design by any means. Right now it's shaped like a "T". In most 2 story timber frames, the living room has a vaulted ceiling, there is often a loft or open hallway, and the rest of first floor has timber frame joists running overhead at 8 or 9 feet. I wanted to have the entire living area open to the "vaulted ceiling" so it could be seen and enjoyed from the entire living area. So, our one story timber frame (guess you could call it a ranch style home for the farm) is designed with an entry hall (front right of pic), a living room (long wing to the left and the long bottom part of the "t"), a kitchen (where the lines cross in a "t", and a dining room (on the back side of the kitchen). In the future we'll probably add on a bedroom wing to the right of the kitchen. Right now, the bedrooms, and the all important quilting studio, are in the basement.