What’s the first thing you think of when someone mentions the phrase “waterfront property”? Does it conjure up images of a quiet, glassy lake tucked high in the mountains? Maybe it makes you think of a busy, babbling river, providing a constant, soothing soundtrack to daily life. Or perhaps the pounding surf and aroma of salty air that only an oceanfront parcel of land can bring? Landmark Builders/photo by Heidi A. Long Waterfront living means something different to everyone, j…
The successful search for a good builder is a key component of your log and timber homebuilding journey. Choosing the right builder to make your dream home a reality is nothing short of essential. One way to find log and timber homebuilders is to reach out to your log home producer. Chances are good that their experience and recommendations will get the builder selection process going in the right direction. “If you are working with a log home manufacturer’s representative, this woul…
Nobody likes to vacuum, but we all have to do it from time to time. However, most homeowners would agree that vacuuming is child’s play compared to dealing with a broken appliance, a drafty window, or a stained countertop. While the vacuuming may be a fact of life, the other chores on this list don’t have to be—at least when it comes to your new log home. The secret is keeping an eye out for easy maintenance when planning and designing many of the home’s interior features. To help wi…
The wants and needs of log and timber home purchasers vary widely, and dealers respond to individual preferences with everything from a basic package with finishes left at the buyer’s discretion to complete turnkey projects. “We know that ‘one size does not fit all,’ explains Robert Lambert of Natural Element Homes in Athens, Tennessee. “In fact, we never deliver a home that is exactly like any other home we have ever done. There is always some degree of customization, either to th…
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…
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…
