Once upon a time, long ago (in a faraway place) there was the Great Room. Architecturally immense, this centrally located gathering space existed in medieval castles, palaces, and villas throughout the “civilized” world, but not in your typical home. The great room concept did not become popular in the New World (USA) until the 20th century, beginning to trend in the 1950s and 1960s, gathering momentum in the 1970s and 80s, and becoming a common home feature by …
Nestled in the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania lies a 23-acre tract of land where Marita Avante and Walter Zimmermann decided to create an oasis, a home that would provide serenity and rejuvenation from Walter’s workdays in the energy industry amid the bustle of Jersey City, New Jersey. The Harmonia Garden Home allows Marita and Walter to display personal tastes while designing residential space that is true to the tenets of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda (MSV) architectural and planning principles. Al…
Choosing a log and timber home is the first step down the path toward eco-friendly living. Wood is a renewable resource. Sustainability is a key component, and while the choice of a primary building material is an excellent starting point it opens the door to an enhanced environmental awareness and lifestyle. “Keep life cycle in mind,” explains Josh Beasley, president of Honest Abe Log Homes, Inc. “Log and timber homes are naturally eco-friendly, which to many may sound absurd on the surface. However, w…
In 2002, Allen and Terri Johnson purchased a circa 1937 log cabin on the banks of Wilson Creek, a wild and scenic riverway in the Collettsville, North Carolina, area. “We spent six years completely restoring and remodeling the place,” says Terri. “That’s what initially brought us to Collettsville.” The couple sold the little cabin in 2008 and began looking for some acreage in the general vicinity. “Allen and I had come to love the region, with its mountains, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls,” says Terri,…
In November 2010, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that the median size of new home construction continued to decline during the latter half of the decade, peaking at 2,268 square feet in 2006 and settling to an even 2,100 square feet in 2009. According to the report, a similar trend occurred in the early 1980s, when interest rates climbed to astronomical heights, but this reduction in square footage was only temporary. The 1990s saw t…
When Aurora and John Oliveira decided that they were going to purchase a log home, they wanted more than just a room with a view. Immediately, there was an understanding that glorious mountain vistas should be enjoyed from virtually every vantage point in the home. When they began their search, the Oliveiras knew one thing. “We wanted to have a log home, and a must was to have spectacular views,” explains John. “We purchased our home in 2011 and must have looked at every single log home within a 60-mile…
Artistic architectural elements, a spectacular view, or even classic décor elements can combine to create a home of unspeakable beauty and functionality. But one element knits it all together: the floorplan. Whether the floorplan is selected from a design book or created as a one-of-a-kind design by a homeowner and architect team, it tells a story about a family and how they live in a home. “When considering your floorplan, think about your personal preference in regard to style. …
Tile has been transforming living spaces, both interior and exterior, since ancient times. Simple, functional clay tiles were in use more than 7,000 years ago in what is now known as the Holy Land. Early Egyptians were the first to use glazed tile to enhance their architecture. Tile making eventually made its way to Europe, notably to Spain and the Low Countries, via Persia and North Africa. The Spanish conquistadors brought decorative tile to Colonial America…
It was an old Forest Service cabin, one that at some point had served its useful purpose and been abandoned, more or less. John Anderson picked it up for a song. His winning bid was $150, and that was 40 years ago. “To my surprise, it was the winning bid,” John remembers. “My brother and I disassembled the cabin and moved it onto the building site. I had a friend who helped me with the foundation, and then my brother and I restacked the logs. We built a barn-style roof to accommodate a little more headr…
The ravages of time take their toll on the exterior of a log or timber home. Although the wear of weather and climate are inevitable, finding the appropriate stain and finish combination preserves and protects the integrity of exposed wood surfaces while maintaining the good look that is so essential to the enjoyment of the home. Choosing the right stain and finish involves an assessment of several factors, including climate, weather pattern, manufacturer warranties, application, …
Are you looking for a unique bathtub for your master suite? High-tech audio that blends with your décor? A fire pit that enhances your property? We did a little shopping for things we think will complement your logs. The Clay’s the Thing Clayworks Studio/Gallery has been practicing the art and craft of architectural ceramics in Austin, Texas, for over 30 years. Established by John and Chris Gray in 1978, the studio is known for custom architectural work, including historic tile restoration and large-sca…
Natural light pours into this great room from all directions, showing off the log walls and staircase. Windows in the open loft add more light at the ceiling level. The white cabinets in the open kitchen make the great room look even more spacious. The reclaimed wood beams in the ceiling and on the walls and the gorgeous natural stonework contrast beautifully with the more contemporary …
