Log Cabin Homes Magazine

Small Luxuries

by Karen Doss Bowman, photography Joseph Hilliard | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, Room-By-Room

When Brenda and Charlie O’Daniels moved away from their longtime residence in Hillsborough County, Florida, after retirement, they longed for wide open spaces where they could watch the sunset every night and their pet horses and donkeys could roam freely. But they didn’t want the burden of maintaining an expansive home for just the two of them. By choosing a small-scale home, the couple was able to create a cozy design that incorporates high-end details often reserved for larger luxury homes. “We …

Purchasing Lights & Appliances

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

When selecting lights and appliances for their new abodes, many log home owners are taking the “green” route and ferreting out options that are not only more environmentally friendly than the more traditional selections, but that also incur cost savings over time. Some of those savings come in the form of fewer replacements, while others show up as cost reductions on those monthly electricity bills. One of the easiest ways to ensure that the appliances and lighting in your new home are green is b…

Living is Easy on the Water

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

When Rob Wrightman sits down to talk with clients about designing and building a new, waterfront log home, one of his first tasks is to explain how such abodes have more than one “face.” Whereas a log home in a more traditional setting usually has one showcase side for passers-by to admire and comment on, the waterfront log home has at least two. “This is a very important point when building on the water,” says Wrightman, CEO a…

Purchase Your Land

by By Tracy M. Ruff | Jul 9, 2021 | How-To, Planning

For Fred and Natasha Ruckel of New York City, the dream of owning a log cabin began one day when they were driving down the interstate. “Natasha and I saw a log model home off the highway,” Fred recalls. “She said that she had always wanted to have one, and so did I.” With floorplans completed and log package purchased, they bought land that offered great scenery and a perfect spot to site the home. But, this is where the dream ended and the reality took over. “We had cleared…

Love at First Draft

by Karen Doss Bowman | photos Heidi Long | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, Room-By-Room

Childhood memories of family vacations to the western states inspired Jim McKinney to build his dream log home in Jackson, Wyoming, surrounded by panoramic views of the Grand Teton Mountains. When he began planning the home more than five years ago, he personalized every element of the design and décor, using a mix of new and old materials to create an eclectic retreat for relaxing with family and friends. “I wanted this house to look 100 years old when you come in, so we have rusti…

The Best Things Come in Small Packages

by Log Cabin Homes Magazine | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, Exteriors, Room-By-Room

Small log and timber homes display the same creativity and attention to detail as larger homes. Whether the home is all log, reclaimed wood, timber frame, or a hybrid, each has a unique personality. It was love at first sight when we discovered the enchanting home at right. It is a red cedar timber frame perched on a rustic stone foundation; the walls are cordwood construction in which debarked logs of varying dimensions are laid cros…

Worth the Wait

by Karen Doss Bowman | photography Wisconsin Log Homes | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, Room-By-Room

As a little girl growing up in Merrill, Wisconsin, Sue OKray recalls frequent overnight visits with her great aunt who lived in a small log cottage. Those fond memories—and later taking her husband Tom along for visits—inspired the OKrays’ dream of living in their own log home. “I always felt really safe and comfortable at my aunt’s cottage,” Sue says. “When I started taking my husband there, we both just had a great feeling—we loved the log home.” As for Tom, “I like the…

Eagle’s Cove

by Debra Grahl | Photography Roger Wade | Styling Debra Grahl | Jul 9, 2021 | Entire Home, Room-By-Room

At the turn of this century, Greg Bain, a second-generation custom homebuilder, embarked with his wife, Clare LaMeres, on a mission to find the finest location on Flathead Lake to build their dream home. No stone would go unturned in their quest to discover the piece of Montana waterfront land that would meet their stringent requirements. Greg and Clare wanted a location that felt secluded and private, preferably an “end of the road” spot, near shopping and conveniences. They also wanted a …

Sold!

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

If you’re like most log home enthusiasts, you’ve invested months—even years—researching, designing, and planning your log home. And unless you’re a first-time homebuyer or have exceptionally deep pockets, you will have to sell your existing house to get the down payment for your log home. You should have a plan in place for selling your current home that’s just as well thought out as your log home plan of attack. Where Do You Begin? First, decide whether you want to enlist the services of a real e…

Our Favorite Kitchens

by Log Cabin Homes Magazine | Jul 9, 2021 | Kitchens, Room-By-Room

The first feature that stands out in this kitchen is the large island with prep sink and the natural wood bar top placed perpendicular to it. The wood ties the countertop to the overhead beams and cabinetry. Note that the island cabinets are painted distressed wood while the rest are natural. The large stone arch over the stove accommodates the range hood as well as two display shelves. The tile behind the stove complements the cream-colored …

Build Your Log Home

by By Tracy M. Ruff | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To

By this point, you have checked off many of the steps toward living in your log home. Buy land. Check. Purchase log package. Check. Hire builder. Check. The next item to mark off your list is perhaps the most exciting: Build your log home. “Once you start construction,” says Michael Morrison, vice president of Suwannee River Construction Company in Wellborn, Florida, “the clock starts ticking and you need to stick to your plan, because prior planning prevents poor performance.” The following steps outli…

Home Away from Home

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

One would never assume that the country cabin belonging to Mike and Clarice Cryder is a “second” home. It’s lived in, inhabited to the point of comfort akin to a favorite bathrobe and pair of slippers. The mudroom (a spacious slate-floored closet with custom cabinetry) harbors every sort of weather garment and footwear a person could want or, more importantly, need in the mountainous terrain of Red Lodge, Montana. “Our primary residence is in Billings,” says Clarice, “but Mike and I take every opportuni…