Creating A Farmhouse Chic Masterpiece
Creating A Farmhouse Chic Masterpiece

Heart and Soul

Log homes come in many styles, shapes, and sizes. Some are quite humble, others very luxurious. This home, which measures 84 feet x 32 feet, is certainly in the category crème de la crème. It is harmonious and elegant in design, sophisticated in a rustic way, and equipped with amenities that are not often found in a country home, such as an elevator and a fireplace on each floor. And its detached garage is so big and fancy it could easily be mistaken for a country cabin. Built in 2011 near the town of M…

Four Good Reasons

ACCORDING TO THE EPA, the indoor air quality of a typical home can be three times more polluted than outdoor air and can be incredibly dangerous to our health. Over the past decade, government regulations have been put into effect to combat this, and are likely to get stricter, not more lenient. Sjoerd Bos, vice president of Sansin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of stains, sealants, and coatings, says, “I expect tougher VOC limits and, in certain states like Calif…

A Rare Discovery

Nestled on an Idaho lake located about 15 miles from the Canadian border, Robert Delsman’s customized timber home truly is his castle. After years of enduring long lines of traffic and congested cities in California, this nature lover moved into his brand new 4,740-square-foot home on Priest Lake in 2013. Since then, he’s enjoyed the tranquility, lake activities, and even the volunteer firefighting opportunity he’s been able to take advantage of as an area resident. Surrounded by the natural beauty of n…

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…

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 …

Snap, Crackle, and Pop!

Fire has descended through the ages of mankind from a necessity for survival to a luxury of comfort and ambience. The earliest shelters were equipped with wood-burning pits, fireplaces, or stoves for cooking and heating. While fireplaces may still serve those primary functions in some households, the majority are designed and installed for pure enjoyment, with an added benefit as a secondary heat…

Today’s Financing Options

Whether you are interested in building the log or timber home you have always wanted or purchasing an existing home, financing is often the most challenging aspect of the experience. The landscape for borrowers and lenders appears to be continually changing, particularly in the wake of the prolonged recession that gripped the global economy for years. But don’t despair! Financing is available for both construction and purchases. Interest rates are reasonable and remain stead…

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 …