The rustic charm of a log home is ideally suited to a natural garden that is in harmony with the surrounding environment. Creating a garden that not only adds beauty to the landscape but is also gentle on the earth is easy and inexpensive if you keep a few important principles in mind. Why Eco-Friendly? Homeowners are choosing environmentally sustainable gardening practices for a variety of reasons. “In some cases local and national government regulations are forcing a reduction in water and p…
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…
There are so many decisions involved in building a home. But when you’re building a log home, a few special considerations come into play, too. Of all the aspects you have to consider, hiring the right builder is probably THE most important decision you will make. Keep the following five points in mind as you start shopping for a builder who will transform your log package into a perfect log home. Fact or Fiction? Price should not be the deciding factor in your builder selection . Fact. Although se…
When Barry Ivey and Lany Sherman sit down to design a log home these days, some of their customers’ first concerns fall under the “environmentally conscious” category. Looking to incorporate green elements into their homes, both new owners and those looking to retrofit existing structures are concerned about site sustainability, environmentally friendly materials and construction methods, and water and energy efficiency. “We’re seeing a strong desire for environmentally …
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…
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…
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 …
Going green is easy these days, especially when you are building a new home. With the cost of fossil fuels increasing annually and the damage they cause the environment more evident every day, it’s a good time to reduce your carbon footprint, save some money on utilities, and make your living environment comfortable and healthy. Adding an alternative energy system to a log home is no more difficult than installing a standard HVAC system, but it does require a different set of skills and equipment….
Reclaimed wood is the star in this home, from the warm floors to the mantel to the vertical siding on the walls. In contrast to the sleek surroundings, the homeowners were not afraid to go bold with the carpet, ottoman, and comfortable wing chairs.
The maintenance of a log, timber frame, or hybrid home is a saga of planning and vigilance that begins even before the structure is completed. These homes are regularly conceived, planned, and constructed with maintenance in mind. Further, maintenance involves the exterior and interior of the main structure and any outbuildings, as well as the planned landscaping and any vegetation that is indigenous to the lot or acreage where the home is located. Antic…
ACCORDING TO THE EPA, the indoor air quality of a typical home can be three times more polluted than outdoor air and can be incredibly dangerous to our health. Over the past decade, government regulations have been put into effect to combat this, and are likely to get stricter, not more lenient. Sjoerd Bos, vice president of Sansin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of stains, sealants, and coatings, says, “I expect tougher VOC limits and, in certain states like Calif…
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…
