Butt swells on cedar logs make for a nice stable pedestal.  Even better when you mate two together and make a nice base as well.  Attached to a root ball of concrete, of course. 

When left to our own devices, this is the sort of thing we do on our personal projects.

Not much to say, other than three layers are better than two.

Timber structures go hand in hand with golf clubs.

Everybody needs a grilling porch overlooking a lake in Whistler.

Turned yellow cedar logs at various angles, acting as cantilever masts to support decorative metal panels on an Ontario college campus.  Adjustability of these base connections is critical in making sure this all fits. 

When you have this view, living indoors and out meld together.

When building in termite prone regions (like Costa Rica), putting your post bottoms in a moat of oil to keep termites from crawling up the timbers isn't that far fetched.

20' plus keyed beam cantilever

Great bracketry on this BC residence.

A barn from the outside, a concert piano hall from the inside.