If you thought barn doors, reclaimed wood wall coverings, and open-beam ceilings were only the domain of rural log cabin homes, think again. It’s 2018 and pretty much everyone from the single-family homeowner to the loft dweller to the apartment renter wants these and other rustic elements blended into their abodes. Driven by TV personalities like Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper, who uses whitewashed shiplap and barn doors in any area of the house where she sees fit, this tre…
There’s no question why people are drawn to building on rural property, especially log and timber home owners. What “rural” means can vary depending on who you ask. One person might just mean “not urban” while others might be talking about dense forests or farmland. But most agree on some shared benefits: no two pieces of property are alike, there’s room to spread out without bumping into your neighbor, and you can be miles from the has…
Log homes and fireplaces go together like horses and carriages, to misquote a vintage song. More often than not, the fireplace is the focal point of the home and the primary gathering spot for family and friends. There’s nothing better than sitting in front of a crackling fire and inhaling that wonderful wood smoke. While you are enjoying the warmth and beauty of the fire, the heat in the rest of your home is being sucked up the chimney along with your ha…
Since the economic downturn of 2008 has persisted for more than three years, the log home lending landscape has been altered in numerous ways. Or has it? The days of easy money, 100 percent financing, and repayment terms that could best be described as liberal are essentially over. Although for many those were considered the good times, current market conditions signal, more than anything else, a return to the basic principles of purchasing real estate. Qualified purchasers can still re…
Researching Log Homes 1. How can I tour an existing log home? Many dealers have model homes that they are happy to show off. Check listings for log home dealers in your area and contact a few of them. If they don’t have models available for touring, they may be willing to contact satisfied customers who would welcome you for a quick walkthrough. 2. Who finances log homes? Surprisingly, there are numerous institutions that will finance your log home, and it has be…
Fifteen years ago, the United States was on the cusp of an unprecedented economic era. The country’s budget was balanced; the economy was booming, thanks in large part to the rise of the technology/dot-com sector; stock prices soared; personal disposable income was flowing and consumers spent it freely. Luxury cars, grand homes, you name it—the United States was rich, and we wanted everyone to know it. Then, in 2001, tragedy struck as we watched the most horrific terrorist…
Planning the work and then working the plan is good advice in any situation, but during the construction of a log or timber home these are words to live by. Before the floorplan comes the site plan, which is the document from which everything else about the log or timber home and the surrounding property is shaped, even at times the square footage of the home itself. Understanding the priority of the site plan and the need for a thorough review of the plan can save homeown…
Jerry Locati believes the sky is the limit when it comes to evolving trends in architecture and interior design. Perhaps that’s why his designs are boundless. With a Masters of Architecture degree from Montana State University, and an architecture internship spent gaining experience and professional skills, Jerry Locati establ…
When it comes to majestic mountains paired with unique woodland beauty, Montana’s Bitterroot Valley doesn’t need much help. Guarded by the rounded, lightly forested Sapphire Mountain range to the east, the glacial, rugged Bitterroot Range to the west, and canopied by a crystal-clear sky, this low-lying gem is awash in natural beauty. Yet, in 1996, the region’s lush surroundings got a definite boost—the Stock Farm community was born. Actually, Stock Farm can trace its roots back to 1888, when coppe…
Nothing sets a cozy, romantic mood like the crackle of a fire in the fireplace. The smell, the warmth and the glow can make a house feel like home. But for heating purposes, are fireplaces or stoves an environmentally-sound choice? The answer depends on the fireplace or stove you choose, the fuel you use and how you operate it. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces can lose as much as 90 percent of their heat through the chimney, making them less than ideal as a primary heat source. Luckily, today t…
Outdoor spaces 1. Consider putting a small swimming pool in a screened-in porch; you can enjoy a refreshing swim while still being protected from the sun. 2. Think about creating outdoor space up high for a different perspective on your property. Perfect for stargazing! 3. Add a fireplace to a covered deck for an outdoor room you’ll enjoy even on the chilliest nights. 4. Add a ceiling fan to your screened porch or covered deck to keep air moving when you can’t c…
1. Allow light and air into your bathroom with plenty of windows. If privacy is an issue, add frosting or attractive window treatments. 2. Use a pedestal sink in a small space. You may lose some storage, but your floor space will look much bigger. 3. Get creative with fixtures. A slender tree with extending branches is a natural choice for hanging towels. 4. Use an antique wooden ladder instead of a towel bar. 5. Choose a copp…
