Built in the shape of a T, this modest cabin manages to do a lot with just a little. Open-beam ceilings, two master bedroom suites, nooks, big-windowed bays, and logs of decks earned it Home Magazine's "Best Little House" award.

Resting like a nest amongst the birch and aspen trees, this hand-notched cabin was built with standing-dead lodgepole pines (not a single living tree was sacrificed). Wedged between the river on one side and the majestic Teton mountain range on the other, this cabin is pure paradise.

Anything this tiny retreat lacks in size is more than compensated for by the inclusion of full-log gable ends, massive double trusses, a masonry fireplace, cathedral ceilings, and large picture windows. Such are the things of which log cabin dreams are made! None of these features were inexpensive, but the practical scale of the house made them all possible.

The kitchen island doubles as a dining-room table in this compact design. Log siding on the island front fits well with the cabin decor. To the right, a log ladder leads to the sleeping loft - a special pleasure for any kid who can turn the upward climb into a pirate-ship adventure. A door behind the island on the left side of the kitchen leads to a bathroom shared with the living area and bedroom next door.

Window seats in the bedroom afford more than just a cozy nook to nap or read. Deep, under-seat drawers help offset the storage dilemma that can develop in a small home. Recessed cans in the bay ceiling provide a direct source of light for quiet time activities like reading or needlework.

Wraparound decks make this little cabin seem twice as big. All told, the decks encompass more than 1,ooo square feet of seasonal living space. With four outside entrances, these exterior spaces are truly an integral part of the design.

(Photos by Mark Bryant)