Category
Designing

Going Green

The New Face of FLOR Most of us are familiar with FLOR tiles and think of them as being bright solid colors—not exactly ideal for a log home. But FLOR products have come a long way since the company was established in 2003. Now the eco-friendly tiles are available in a wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns—everything from cow hide to Navajo designs to rustic textures.  The 19.7-inch square carpet tiles are easy to install with the company’s unique, nontoxic FLORdots—no glue or nails needed…

THINGS WE LOVE For Your Log or Timber Home

Fun & Fantasy In a time when everyone, even children, is glued to their phones or tablets, it’s great to see products that inspire kids to play on their own or with a friend or sibling. Everyone needs a bed, but why not go for a fun and funky piece of furniture that your kids will love? The Low Tree House Cabin Bed (left) is made in Denmark of solid knot-free pine and treated with water-based pigments, wax, and lacquer. The personalized storage drawer and pull- out trundle bed make it very practical…

Designing a Kitchen That Delights

Many people say the kitchen is the heart of a home. Memories are made in kitchens, from a peaceful morning cup of coffee with the sunrise peeking through the curtains, to sneaking a taste of mom’s legendary beef stew, or hours spent decorating holiday cookies together. And you can always count on a crowd in the kitchen at any party! When it’s time for you to plan your dream home, designing the kitchen can be delightful—or daunting. There are many design aspects to consider, and alm…

In Living Color

If you love color and decorating with bright pillows and rugs is not enough for you, there are numerous ways to bring accents to the more permanent parts of your home. Wood and stone are beautiful on their own, and adding a complementary or contrasting color brings both to life in a new way. Outdoors, a colorful door leads visitors into your home and painted trim calls attention to rooflines and the home’s structure. A painted interior wall will enhance your logs & timbers and give a room a focal po…

Things We LOVE For Your Log Home

The Clay’s the Thing Clayworks Studio/Gallery has been practicing the art and craft of architectural ceramics in Austin, Texas, for over 30 years. Established by John and Chris Gray in 1978, the studio is known for custom architectural work, including historic tile restoration and large-scale seals and murals. Everything is made and fired on the premises, beginning with the task of clay mixing. Sconces are shaped by hand, tiles are individually cut and stamped, and plaques are inscribed by hand. Artisan…

­Kitchen Trends

What’s popular today may look dated in a year or two, but there are a number of current kitchen trends that will stand the test of time. You can never go wrong with white subway tile. In this case, the tiles look hand made and the grout is charcoal gray. The black window trim and upper cabinet on the left contrast with the whitewashed oak lower cabinets, the gray quartz countertops, and the light floors. The industrial open shelving provides a lot of storage. The pops of blue on the …

Eco-Friendly Furniture Part 2

LEATHER Most of us would not think of leather as being eco-friendly. There is no certification for organic leather at this time, but there are green elements to leather. It is sustainable and can last a lifetime; it’s easy to clean, durable, recyclable, and biodegradable.   As with fabrics, you need to know where the leather comes from and how it is processed. Did the animals die of natural causes? Is the leather a by-product of the beef industry? Were the animals raised and slaughtered humanely? W…

Out of This World

If you want to bring an essence of Europe to your log or timber frame home, inspired by your heritage, travels, or just wishful thinking, Old World style may work perfectly for you. Old World style is influenced by many different places, from England to France to Italy and the Mediterranean. Your Old World style can take its inspiration from the sunny climates of Tuscany or the coast of Spain, or can take a more northern approach influenced by a French farmhouse or chateau, even a Bavarian hunting lodge…

Defining Your Style with Area Rugs

Area rugs are the magicians of decorating. They have the ability to completely transform a space, adding style, color, texture, and pattern to complement your home. Your choice of area rugs defines your style and announces it to your guests. If you decide you need a change, they are readily available in the marketplace. Area rugs come in just about every decorating style, from Arts & Crafts to Western/Native American to contemporary. You can go a more traditional route with a cla…

The Light Stuff

Warm reading light in a cozy den, bright task light over kitchen counters, strategically placed walkway lights along a garden path: lighting is one area of your home where having the right plan in place can make all the difference. One of the things we love about log and timber homes is the way the designs showcase the natural beauty of wood. Properly planned lighting design can help highlight, not hide, that beauty. “Lighting should not dictate …

You’ll Be Floored!

Selecting flooring for your log or timber frame home is a big decision, and not just because it’s a big-budget item. Flooring makes a major impact on the overall look and feel of your home. There are more choices than ever on the flooring market, so it pays to do a little bit of research before making a final selection. It also makes sense to rely on the expertise of your log home builder and interior designer, who have experience with different materials and can steer you in the right dir…