Log Cabin Homes Magazine

Log & Timber Homes From Coast to Coast: Midwest

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

The Midwest, America’s heartland, has everything from open plains to rolling hills and mountains. There are numerous lakes and rivers and acres of pristine forest. Early settlers built log cabins and timber frames using the abundant resources at hand. Today you’ll find everything from an ultra-modern timber frame to a traditional log cabin, built to suit an individual owner’s personal style. In the Midwest it is common to find homes that appear remote but have easy access to large and mid-size cities. T…

Floorplan Considerations

by Laura Stapleton | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To, Planning

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…

Four Tips for Greening Your Great Room

by By Donna Peak | photos by Roger Wade | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, Great rooms, living rooms, dens, How-To, Room-By-Room

These days everyone’s favorite color seems to be “green.” In a log cabin, there’s no better place to showcase the benefits and the beauty of this eco-minded hue better than the great room. Whether your goal is to protect Mother Earth, save some cash on your monthly electric bill, or ensure your home has that natural, rustic touch, these four fantastic options will take your family’s everyday living space from good to great. Reclaimed Wood Think you can’t do…

The Language of Milled Log Homes

by Jennifer Donahue | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To, Planning

There is a lot of specific terminology involved with log and timber frame homes. Sometimes it feels like a whole new language! From different building styles to joinery, it helps to know just what you’re talking about. Often, you’ll hear references made to “milled” logs or “milled log homes”. What makes a log home milled, and how is it different from other log homes? “A milled log home uses logs that are put through a saw mill or planer and cut&…

Interior and Exterior Lighting

by Scarlett Barger | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, How-To

An effective lighting plan adds beauty, comfort, and warmth to your home while accommodating the tasks of daily life. Balancing efficient light with rustic ambiance requires careful planning, but the results are worth it. Since log and timber homes have unique lighting needs, it’s important to seek advice from a lighting designer with experience. You could ask your home builder for recommendations or locate a Certified Lighting Consultant through the American Lighting Ass…

The Most Popular Log Home Floorplans

by Jennifer Donahue | Jul 9, 2021 | How-To, Planning

Sometimes the hardest part of building a home is figuring out where to start. That’s where ready-to-purchase (or stock) home plans can help. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic Adirondack, a quaint carriage house, a spacious timber frame lodge, or a cozy traditional log cabin, selecting a good floorplan can help ensure you’ve got all the important features in one package. There are a dizzying array of floorplans available, from spacious estates to intimate cottag…

A View from the Top

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

Many people dream about a relaxing getaway, and for log home enthusiasts, a home in the mountains may be the ideal choice. Not only do the mountains offer breathtaking views, but often they offer exciting glimpses of wildlife and proximity to outdoor activities such as skiing or hiking. “A mountain home is a place that’s laid back and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” says Sarah Smith, marketing coordinator at Blue Ridge…

Staying Put

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

John and Cindy Fitzmartin had long been impressed with the warmth and ambience of a wooden house. “Ever since watching Little House on the Prairie,” admits Cindy, “I have always considered a rustic cabin charming and inviting, cozy and warm. When John and I were searching for retirement property here in Tennessee, we came across some vintage log homes in the countryside and determined that we would build one, a new one, for ourselves.” The couple was planning to relocate from California to Tennessee bec…

Alternatives to Wood

by Laura Cleveland | Jul 9, 2021 | Energy Efficiency, How-To

Gas Gas fireplaces are designed to burn either natural gas or propane. They emit very little pollution, need little maintenance, and can be installed almost anywhere, especially in a new home. Gas fireplaces have BTU ratings that measure how much heat is produced by the hour. They are also rated by fuel efficiency; that is, the amount of fuel consumed to generate heat and attain the ideal BTU. Direct-vent and top-vent gas fireplaces have an efficiency rating of 40 to 80 percent, meaning that, at …

Custom Rustic Style

by Debra Grahl | All photos: PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes, Roger Wade | Jul 9, 2021 | How-To, Planning

True to its name, M.T.N. Architects has been designing custom high-end mountain-style homes since 1990. With an emphasis on log and timber frame design, the firm works one on one with each client to create a unique, luxurious, one-of-a-kind home. Their clientele and projects span from East Coast to West, in the USA, Canada, and abroad. Lead designer Celeste Raygosa shares her ideas and experiences in the log and timber design arena. How long have you been with M.T.N. Architects, Celeste, and what about …

Head for the Hills!

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

More than a decade ago, spanning 2005 and 2006, an impressive build was taking place on rugged terrain some 35 miles north of Vernal, Utah. A local couple, Craig and Sharon Hart, had commissioned Montana Log Homes of Kalispell and general contractor Mark Feltch to build them a 2,800-square-foot handcrafted full-log ranch house on their 20-acre parcel in Utah’s Diamond Mountain region. “The log work on our end went smoothly,” recalls Brad Neu, owner of Montana Log Homes. “The Hart house is a custom floor…

The Lay of the Land

by Mike Haskew | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To, Planning

The adventure of building a log or timber home begins with an idea. Then comes the challenge of making the dream a reality, and the list of items to be completed is long. Among the first and most critical elements in the journey is the selection of a building site. The characteristics of the land are the keys to the building process and to the long-term enjoyment of one of life’s greatest investments. Consider the fact that the to…