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…
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…
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 …
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 …
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…
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 …
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…
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…
Seasons come and go. The sun glares and sets. Rain, wind, and winter snow are continuing possibilities. Since the elements take their toll on any structure, consistent maintenance means good looks, savings in time and money, and fewer headaches for the log or timber homeowner. But questions persist as to the best approach. “I like to look at it as being an investment and not a cost,” observes Tony Huddleston, senior vice president of sales and operations at Per…
There’s just something about Jeff and Robyn Call’s log cabin home that makes people—its owners included—pause and take a deep breath as they cross the threshold. “The smell of the wood and the logs literally takes your breath away; it’s the first thing I noticed when we walked into the home eight years ago,” says Robyn, who adds that the couple considered both ground-up building projects and those that were already constructed during their search for the right second home. In the end, they selected a sp…
Bedrooms 1. Add a fireplace for those frosty winter mornings when you’d rather linger in bed. Consider electric, pellet, or gas options. 2. Make your bedroom a refuge by using plenty of soft surfaces—rugs, curtains, pillows—to ensure peace and quiet. 3. Create a bunkroom for kids with tree-trunk supports and branches throughout to make it feel like they are sleeping in a treehouse! 4. Tuck an office nook behind a sliding barn door or heavy curtains. 5. Buil…
After years of dreaming, you’re finally ready to make your dream home a reality—but between the first steps and the day you walk into your newly finished home, there are myriad options to consider and decisions to make. If you’re like most of us, you have a scrapbook (or the digital equivalent) of ideas and examples of the house of your dreams. Ideally, you’ve also got a realistic budget in mind and a mental list of wants and needs. Now it’s time to put pencil to p…
