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…

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…

Beauty and Function

by Diane Hintz | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, How-To, Planning

I recently had a major operation that resulted in several months of recovery in my home. Although I’m in my 50s, after I had surgery I felt like I was 100. I couldn’t walk beyond a few steps, go up or down stairs, or see very well. I slowly recovered and now I’m doing well. During my recovery months I had a glimpse into what life might be like when I’m much older. The experience changed me in many ways, including how I’m going to design my log & timber ho…

Easy on the Environment

by Jennifer Donahue | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, Energy Efficiency, How-To, Planning

You hear a lot of lingo when talking about the environment and building: LEED certification, efficiency, green building, eco-friendly, sustainability. It can be overwhelming! But the simple truth is that making sensible choices in your home’s design can lead to lifelong benefits. A home that’s easy on the environment will also have lower annual operating costs, higher resale value, will consume less energy and water, and be a healthier place to live for years to come. Here are some areas of the interior…

Simple Complexity

by Debra Grahl | All photos: Norris Architecture/Roger Wade | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, How-To, Planning, Room-By-Room

Brad Norris graduated with a degree in architecture from Auburn University 25 years ago. His early career began with collaborating on projects in Greece, then he returned to the States, making Nashville, Tennessee his home for over two decades. Starting his own firm, Norris Architecture, in 2003, Brad, in his own words, creates “environments that utilize the primary principles of design: utility, durability, and beauty, to produce end results that reflect the unique character of each client.” Norris’s e…