Reclaimed wood is the star in this home, from the warm floors to the mantel to the vertical siding on the walls. In contrast to the sleek surroundings, the homeowners were not afraid to go bold with the carpet, ottoman, and comfortable wing chairs.
Stay & Relax
Randy and Janelle Lang wanted something more permanent. Their time in the wooded surroundings of a cluster of chain lakes was hardly ever enough to completely satisfy. The forests and woodlands of northern Wisconsin sometimes seem to have that effect. “We had a small cabin on a small lake in the area for many years and were up just about every weekend,” reflects Randy. “After retirement we decided to move here since we were at the cabin as much as at home.” The decision to move required some planning, a…
A Picture of Grandeur
It’s been about 10 years since Micky and Reneé Harrison read an article about The Rio Grande Club in South Fork, Colorado, where Renee had vacationed with one of her friends about 47 years earlier. After deciding that South Fork would be a fun place to visit, the married couple was pleased to see that the area hadn’t changed much, with the exception of The Rainbow Grocery’s relocation from the “fork” in the river to its current home. “South Fork was exactly what we were looking for: a cool climate to pl…
Built to Last
When Alice Royer and her husband John had the opportunity to buy back the 212-acre farm that had belonged to Alice’s family all but 10 years since the U.S. Civil War, the couple jumped at the chance. Alice has vivid memories of spending time on the farm during her childhood, when it was her grandparents’ home, so the land became a piece of family heritage she hoped to share and pass on to her two children, who are now adults. In 2008, the family built a log home on the property, giving them regular week…
You’ll Be Floored!
Selecting flooring for your log or timber frame home is a big decision, and not just because it’s a big-budget item. Flooring makes a major impact on the overall look and feel of your home. There are more choices than ever on the flooring market, so it pays to do a little bit of research before making a final selection. It also makes sense to rely on the expertise of your log home builder and interior designer, who have experience with different materials and can steer you in the right dir…
Sweet Dreams Are Made of This
Trees are the perfect choice for a child’s bedroom in a log or timber home. They can be used just for decoration or function as a cool way to climb into bunk beds. Note the corrugated tin ceiling and the clever built-in cubbyholes at the head of each bed in the righthand photo.
Online Exclusives
When it comes to a finish for your log home, you have a choice between a film-building finish that lies on top of the wood and a penetrating finish that soaks into the wood. Although the film-building finish can last longer initially, Sjoerd Bos, vice president of Sansin Corporation in Ontario, Canada, prefers the penetrating finish for a couple of reasons. First, it is much easier to apply and maintain—you just wash, clean, and reapply. Second, a…
Log Home Withstands April Tornado Strike
Kimball I. Maull feared the worst when he learned Deltaville, VA, was struck by a tornado on April 16, 2011. Maull owns a vacation home there, right along the Chesapeake Bay. As he rushed to the typically quiet coastal community the next day, news reports revealed the tornado’s path traveled from Fishing Bay to the Rappahannock River—and directly over his 10-acre estate. “The tornado destroyed three homes directly across the creek from my property, as well as a nearby church,” says Maull, a trauma…
Whirlwind Romance
John and Andi Gladstein aren’t kidding when they say they can literally ski in and out of the door of their log cabin home in Big Sky, Montana. Nestled perfectly into a mountainside in Moonlight Basin, and flocked by several thousand acres of raw, beautiful land, the 850-square-foot cottage provides a regular respite for the Gladsteins, who reside in California. “When we get up here, we either put on our skis or hiking boots—depending on the season—and get out into the wild,” s…
Fabulous Facelift
Ken Miller acquired property and built a Town & Country Cedar Home nearly 20 years ago. Later, when he married Julie Krenn, the couple stayed squarely put. “There was a fleeting moment,” says Ken, “when we considered starting over from scratch, but after all that had gone into developing this place, the horse stables, riding arena and guest house, it made a whole lot more sense to stay here and make some improvements.” Why look for greener pastures? The setting—170 acres of rolling countryside just …
Designing for Curb Appeal
Whether you’re building a cozy cabin, a modest retreat, or a big family getaway, the exterior of your home makes a memorable impression that gives people a sense of what to expect inside. “It sets the tone for the whole house,” says Cassandra Christensen, interior designer and project coordinator for Wisconsin Log Homes in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Curb appeal is important to a home’s resale value, too—prospective buyers may decide whether they even want to look inside based …
Blessings Reaped
“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…