Once upon a time a house was deemed a necessity for protection from natural occurrences, such as the weather or wild animals. It was a simple structure; something that would be built quickly with supplies available in close proximity to the building site. Today a “home” still protects you from the elements and the occasional wild animal, but it has evolved, morphing into a statement about each individual homeowner and his or her personal tastes. Fro…
I recently had a major operation that resulted in several months of recovery in my home. Although I’m in my 50s, after I had surgery I felt like I was 100. I couldn’t walk beyond a few steps, go up or down stairs, or see very well. I slowly recovered and now I’m doing well. During my recovery months I had a glimpse into what life might be like when I’m much older. The experience changed me in many ways, including how I’m going to design my log & timber ho…
You hear a lot of lingo when talking about the environment and building: LEED certification, efficiency, green building, eco-friendly, sustainability. It can be overwhelming! But the simple truth is that making sensible choices in your home’s design can lead to lifelong benefits. A home that’s easy on the environment will also have lower annual operating costs, higher resale value, will consume less energy and water, and be a healthier place to live for years to come. Here are some areas of the interior…
Probably more than any other style of house, a log cabin conjures up a sense of homestead and history, a place in which family can live over decades and generations. Logs, with their organic feeling, exude a sense of a handmade construction and are a huge draw for people who want a long-lasting home. These days, when people decide to build a log home, either as a primary or secondary residence, it is most likely the feeling of timelessness that draws them and resonates. Not all log construction is equal…
Often, homeowners spend so much of their creative energy on floors and fixtures, walls and windows, that ceilings become an afterthought. But ceilings can make a big impact on the overall look and feel of a room. The right ceiling can brighten up a dim space or lend a den-like coziness, depending on the material you choose. Many homeowners are mixing up ceiling materials from room to room, to give each room its own character. “I’ve seen clients use anything from drywall to metal,” sa…
When selecting lights and appliances for their new abodes, many log home owners are taking the “green” route and ferreting out options that are not only more environmentally friendly than the more traditional selections, but that also incur cost savings over time. Some of those savings come in the form of fewer replacements, while others show up as cost reductions on those monthly electricity bills. One of the easiest ways to ensure that the appliances and lighting in your new home are green is b…
When Rob Wrightman sits down to talk with clients about designing and building a new, waterfront log home, one of his first tasks is to explain how such abodes have more than one “face.” Whereas a log home in a more traditional setting usually has one showcase side for passers-by to admire and comment on, the waterfront log home has at least two. “This is a very important point when building on the water,” says Wrightman, CEO a…
Bedrooms 1. Add a fireplace for those frosty winter mornings when you’d rather linger in bed. Consider electric, pellet, or gas options. 2. Make your bedroom a refuge by using plenty of soft surfaces—rugs, curtains, pillows—to ensure peace and quiet. 3. Create a bunkroom for kids with tree-trunk supports and branches throughout to make it feel like they are sleeping in a treehouse! 4. Tuck an office nook behind a sliding barn door or heavy curtains. 5. Buil…
After years of dreaming, you’re finally ready to make your dream home a reality—but between the first steps and the day you walk into your newly finished home, there are myriad options to consider and decisions to make. If you’re like most of us, you have a scrapbook (or the digital equivalent) of ideas and examples of the house of your dreams. Ideally, you’ve also got a realistic budget in mind and a mental list of wants and needs. Now it’s time to put pencil to p…
This home is perfectly oriented toward panoramic views on three sides. A private top floor deck allows the owners to enjoy the beauty of their surroundings. The stone foundation and pillars anchor the home to the ground…
In many homes, the kitchen is the hub of the action—where we start and end our days, where families gather to reconnect over a meal, and where friends are sure to congregate at any gathering. In a log or timber frame home, it’s the natural place to marry a cozy rustic ambience with modern convenience and function. “Trends are driven by a number of things including lifestyle and efficiency,” says Elle H-Millard, industry relations manager and trend specialist for…
Modern is probably not the first decorating style that comes to mind for a log or timber frame home. But what exactly does modern mean? Primarily, it means clean lines and simplicity. Modern décor tends to reflect straight lines and square corners—no ornate curves or corners. The modern home is relatively plain but it looks warm and lived in. One of the keys to a successful melding of home and décor …
