First Place, Canadian Region
Wayne Doucette
Arcadia, Nova Scotia

They say a man's house is his castle. Wayne Doucette's house fits that mold more than most. Wayne was inspired to create his 5,000-square-foot home after a visit to some re-created 15th and 16th century French fortresses in Louisbourg and Port Royal. He liked old barns a lot, too. With all those ideas swirling around in his mind, Wayne started raffling through home design books until he found the one he wanted to build.

Wayne had more than enough experience to do the job. He bought his Wood-Mizer LT30 sawmill from the company's main office in Indianapolis in 1986. (This was before Wood-Mizer's Canada-East branch came along). He drove all the way home to Nova Scotia, and began cutting immediately, and estimates he's well over the one million board foot mark.

Through the years, Wayne built homes for his friends. Then it was time he built his own dream dwelling with his powerful tool.

First, Wayne, his wife, his three sons, and an army of friends, had to build a roadway to the building site. Once that was accomplished, they built a barn. Before he started work on the house, Wayne purchased some of the best Douglas fir logs he could find. Spruce was also used in the creation of the home.

Eight years later, Wayne and his family finally moved into their home, and he wants to credit friends with the long hours they spent helping out.

"One does not go through life easily without help, and I certainly had my share, and for that I am grateful."

For the 5,000-square-foot home, barn, and a small shed, Wayne estimates he saved between between $200,000- $300,000!

Wayne's local community is also impressed with the home, so much so that Canadian Television did a 10-minute segment on him and his amazing handiwork.

Even Wayne is sometimes overwhelmed by the finished project.

"We built this house entirely ourselves and with the occasional hired hand, and every piece of wood in it passed through my Wood-Mizer."

Wayne has since lent his mill to friends. One of those friends just completed his own log home. It's Wayne's way of sharing a dream that began 17 years ago.

"Words cannot express the satisfaction from such a project. I am so glad I made that phone call back in the summer of 1986."