Category
Designing

The New Norm

The professional consensus on current primary home trends, from differing regions of the country, includes cost-consciousness, sustainability, practicality, and a better-than-ever educated client. These are the overarching trends that will likely be around forever, becoming, as architect Shawn Leatherwood says, “the new norm.” “It’s a strange time right now,” suggests Leatherwood. “Prospective clients seem to be doing plenty of tire kicking before hi…

Space Planning 101

Photo by Heidi Long My husband likes to joke that I’m picking up space-planning skills from him. For as long as I’ve known him he has been a wizard at packing a suitcase so that everything fits, loading the car trunk for a vacation with room to spare, and arranging furniture in a room for the most efficient use of space. The truth is, I’ve come to realize that sometimes there really is a “right” way to do things! Space planning is arguably the most important part of the home design process. Ideally, you…

High Country Homage

More than a century ago, celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright initiated the Prairie Style. A departure from the residential architecture of old Europe that had been widespread in the United States, it was distinctly American and featured bold horizontal lines. Wright’s influence on modern architecture remains strong, and in southwestern Montana near the city of Bozeman a tribute to his legacy rises in splendor next to a quiet pond with majestic vistas of the Bridger Mountains in the distance. The own…

A Cabin in the Woods

A log home is a beautiful complement to any setting, no matter if it’s poised out in the middle of a wide-open prairie or hugging the shoreline of a lake or ocean. But there’s just something irresistible about a cabin in the woods. Nestled among the trees, a log cabin home or weekend camp against a deeply wooded backdrop just seems at ease and, well, right.  When designing and building your dream woodland log cabin home, there are a few factor…

A Little Bit Country…

When you think of country style do you imagine large, overstuffed furniture, a riot of floral prints, and accessories on every surface? Those were the signature elements of country decorating decades ago, but the style has come a long way. Modern country style evokes warmth, comfort, welcome, and a connection with your personal history and that of the area you live in. Country décor can wander in many different directions: farmhouse, coastal, cabin, barn cottage, Am…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…