We use them for everything from showcasing crystal to storing linens, stacking pots and pans to stowing toiletries. Cabinets are among the most frequently used items in any house, can be a big budget item, and can make or break the look of your kitchen or bath. So it’s no wonder many people have a hard time choosing just the right cabinets! You want cabinets that will enhance the beauty of your home, but they must be durable and easy to care for. You’ll need to consider style, fini…
Although Tom and Mariann Nolan owned a vacation log home in Big Sky, Montana, the construction of a new log and timber home taking place nearby several years ago captured their imaginations. With a style reminiscent of the architecture found in Yellowstone National Park, Bear Basin Ranch seemed the perfect retreat. “We visited Bear Basin often during the building stage, and we were impressed with the quality and the architecture,” says Tom Nolan, whose primary home is in California…
“I don’t know quite how to put it,” reflects Joy Clayton, her southern voice smooth, mellow, rich … like molasses. “The simple truth is that wherever we are, when Ken and I are away, we just can’t wait to get back to our cabin. No place has ever felt so much like home, so right for us.” That single observation speaks volumes. Joy’s husband, Kenneth Clayton, is a Baptist minister; as such he and Joy have relocated and lived in many homes during their 48 years of marriage, including three years of ministr…
In 1977, Pierre Roy was a young man, full of energy, and like many of his generation, he dreamed of going back to the land or at least living in the country. So, after reading an article on log home building kits, he thought, “Why not build a log house?” After all, the article said it was easy. “It was an ideal solution for us because it was affordable and we could do it at our own pace,” he explains. The fact that he had no experience in home construction was not an obstacle in his eyes. Had he known a…
When Niles and Ginger Hushka went in search of all they wanted in a timber frame home with an incomparable mountain setting, they got smart—in more ways than one. First, they surrounded themselves with a construction and design team that provided seamless coordination and a depth of experience seldom found in producing their 4,600-square-foot, four-bedroom, 41/2-bath timber frame home in the Aspen Springs development near Bozeman, Montana. Second, they decided that technology would be a watchword for th…
Furniture placement can be tricky with a sloped ceiling, even with a dormer on one side. Placing the bed in the middle of the room makes the space look larger and allows plenty of room to move around. Windows on three sides keep the room airy and bright.
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when regional log availability and building techniques dictated the types of homes that one could build in specific areas of the United States. Round logs were prevalent in the Northeast and in certain Midwestern states while square log homes with dovetail corners dominated in the Appalachian region, including the Virginias and the Carolinas. Adirondack homes were large, but were made from smaller logs that are indigenous t…
When you need to get away from the busy-ness and stress of everyday life, the warmth of a log home and its rustic surroundings can be inviting and comforting. Your ideal retreat could be nestled high in the mountains or settled peacefully along a lakeshore. Wherever your imagination takes you, building your own personal getaway doesn’t have to be a difficult and demanding process. “Vacation homes tend to be joyful projects,” says Jeremy Oury, president of Kibo Group Archite…
This picture-perfect log cabin proves that good things come in small packages. The chinked logs, double dormers, and cedar shake roof all work together in perfect harmony…
While warm temperatures and sunshine are the hallmarks of summer weather, the seasonal care and maintenance of a log or timber home is an ongoing effort. “Your home shelters you and your family,” says Dena Taylor of Great South Log Home Services. “Plus, it was a huge investment. Protect your home and your investment. Don’t neglect it. It will only lead to problems that may be expensive to fix. Be familiar with the exterior of your home. If you notice any changes that appear …
That storybook log home, complete with the storybook look, is attainable—even for those who have to watch every penny. Materials and square footage are two primary drivers of a construction budget, but that unique dream home can become a reality without sacrificing style or comfort. Effectively managing the bottom line requires an evaluation of wants, needs, and personal preference. Consider the investment in living space. Options include scal…
The next several pages feature floorplans from log home companies throughout North America. The floorplans show a mixture of big homes and small, intricate and simple homes … there are myriad styles to choose from. A common room nowadays in a log home is a great room. Here are some ideas to consider when you are designing a great room for your log cabin home. What makes a great room great? “The primary design aspect people typically want to achieve is an open living space between the g…
