Log Cabin Homes Magazine

The Sum of Its Parts

by Bridget Mccrea | photography Rocky Mountain Log Homes | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, Room-By-Room

One look at DB Ranch and the words “downright breathtaking” are sure to come to mind. Situated on 150 acres of natural, untouched acreage in the Bitterroot Valley region of Montana, the sprawling log cabin home is both inviting and regal at the same time. And at 8,000 square feet, the home has the appearance of a bed and breakfast or lodge. That’s exactly what the owners envisioned when they purchased the home and land back in 1990. The structure was much smaller at the time and took up just 1,000 squar…

Form, Function, and Beauty

by Laura Cleveland | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, How-To

The Arts & Crafts movement began in England, the most industrialized country at the time, in the mid-19th century. The founders believed that industrialization was the cause of most societal problems, beginning with the lowest rung, the workers. At the time, manufactured goods were shoddy in both quality and design. Proponents of Arts & Crafts principles believed that good design leads to a good society and that workers should take pride in the…

A Home Away from Home

by Bridget McCrea | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, Designing, How-To, Maintaining, Planning

You’ve set your sights on your ideal second home, and it’s time to bring your dreams to fruition. You’ve picked the site, purchased the land, and decided that a log home will be the perfect fit. In your mind’s eye you see your friends and family enjoying the home for years to come, frolicking in the lake that it overlooks and exploring the wilderness that surrounds it. To make sure that vision becomes a reality, there are a few steps you’ll want to take during your second h…

Style & Substance

by Laura Stapleton | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, How-To, Planning

Once upon a time a house was deemed a necessity for protection from natural occurrences, such as the weather or wild animals. It was a simple structure; something that would be built quickly with supplies available in close proximity to the building site. Today a “home” still protects you from the elements and the occasional wild animal, but it has evolved, morphing into a statement about each individual homeowner and his or her personal tastes. Fro…

Our Favorite Great Rooms

by Log Cabin Homes Magazine | Jul 9, 2021 | Great rooms, living rooms, dens, Room-By-Room

The perfect symmetry, soaring fireplace, and window grilles give this great room the breathtaking quality of a cathedral. Although it has a wood ceiling and floor and is encased with large logs, the large windows and stucco walls keep it light…

Outdoor Life

by Donna Peak | Jul 9, 2021 | Outdoor Spaces, Room-By-Room

Every year, magazines ranging from Cosmo to Consumer Reports give their lists of what’s “in” and what’s “out.” When it comes to housing, what’s in IS what’s out—outdoor living spaces, that is. As the square footage and footprints of homes continue to shrink in size (see Big Trend: Small Homes on page 16), people are finding innovative ways to maximize their living space, and the concept of the “outdoor room” is at the forefront of the movement. Log home…

Package Deals

by Donna Peak | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To, Planning

Imagine you’re going to the supermarket, and apples are on your shopping list. You love apples and you can’t wait to buy them so you can sink your teeth into one. But when you get to the store, you’re faced with choices. Gala apples are on sale for less than the Fuji variety, but when you compare the two, the latter seem to be fresher, making the Gala seem like less of a deal. Then you spy the Honey Crisp—the most expensive, but also the sweetest, biggest fruit o…

Partners in Building

by Karen Doss Bowman | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To, Planning

Sam and Gale Easter, self-described “loggies,” are enthusiastic about living in the log home of their dreams. But during the planning stages for the house, the couple took time to carefully research log home companies and builders. They were looking for professionals who would not only turn out a quality product, but who also would deal with them fairly and honestly. “The company we chose answered all our questions right up front,” says Gale, now owner o…

Forever Classic

by Esther & Franklin Schmidt | photos by all photos Esther & Franklin Schmidt | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, Designing, How-To, Planning

Probably more than any other style of house, a log cabin conjures up a sense of homestead and history, a place in which family can live over decades and generations. Logs, with their organic feeling, exude a sense of a handmade construction and are a huge draw for people who want a long-lasting home. These days, when people decide to build a log home, either as a primary or secondary residence, it is most likely the feeling of timelessness that draws them and resonates. Not all log construction is equal…

A Flick of the Switch, a Wave of the Wand

by Debra Grahl | photography Roger Wade | styling Debra Grahl | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, Room-By-Room

“To say the house left much to be desired is a huge understatement,” says Sonia, “but the astounding view and setting were unparalleled … our hearts were captured at first sight.” Enough so that she and her husband, Scott, were inspired to purchase the Montana property, fully realizing that ahead of them lay lots of creative planning, building costs, and plain old-fashioned elbow grease. At their primary residence in Texas, Scott’s job as a banker keeps him operating at peak performance at all times. Hi…

Saving Money on Energy Costs in Your Legacy Log Home

by Bridget McCrea | Jul 9, 2021 | Energy Efficiency, Planning

High fuel costs and economic pressures have prompted more homeowners to ferret out ways to save money on the energy costs associated with their homes. To help, the National Association of Home Builders’ Log Homes Council offers these nine simple ways to reduce energy costs, increase comfort, and make your log home a little greener. Use Passive Solar. Site the home to take advantage of the sun. In colder climates, a southern exposure for the family room and kitch…

Green Finishes

by By Karen Doss Bowman | Jul 9, 2021 | How-To, Maintaining, Planning

While all stains and finishes are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “green” stains have exploded onto the market during the past decade, offering an attractive alternative for environmentally conscious homeowners. These water-based products often perform as well as their oilbased counterparts. However, interior designer Stephanie Hintz of Wisconsin Log Homes points out that some oil-based stains also are kind to the earth. “I…