The Designing Women

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Comment by Shelley S 1 day ago

Good afternoon Ladies! This afternoon I was shopping on the net and found another website full of really good deals! Looks like everything's on sale: 1cabinfurniture.com Check it out!!

Comment by Donna Peak on July 21, 2008 at 5:04pm

That's awesome Shelley. Let me also ask, what resources do you use when you're exploring green options. Are they web sites that you like? How do you educate yourself?

Comment by Shelley on July 21, 2008 at 4:11pm

Donna - This is such a great question! Being a nature lover and very concerned about my planet - I thought a lot about how I could do my part. We are in the beginning stages but did choose energy star appliances which should equal a good savings for us later on. We're thinking about "green furniture" for the loft - furniture that has been made from recycled wood. Also looking at using rain barrels to collect rain water for our landscape. Hoping to hear other people's ideas / suggestions of ways to go green!

Comment by Donna Peak on July 21, 2008 at 3:41pm

Welcome to Shelly S and Joan!
I've got another question for the group: What do you think of the "green" (for lack of a better word) movement? Is incorporating environmentally friendly design and construction important to you (and if so, how important)? What are you doing (or have you done) to go green?

Comment by Rita and Joe Hickey on July 21, 2008 at 9:39am

You know Shelley S., it is a great idea to begin finding those treasures now. When I lived in New Jersey, I had a saddle and and an Indian blanket over one end of a church pew that we refinished. Special finds from our trips to Montana were incorporated with the mission style furniture we had. Some people would say "what are you doing with a saddle in your house"? Well, to me it was just natural to have it there. When we finally moved to Mt., visitors would ask if we outfitted our home with local stores and artisans. I would chuckle and say "No, we brought all this from our home in New Jersey"! They were pretty surpised! That saddle and blanket now are over a beam in our great room and looks really cool. Picking up those items as you go helps you realize what you really want. Makes the dream more tanglible now. Cheers!

Comment by Shelley S on July 20, 2008 at 3:32pm

Hi all! I'm a new member of Designing Women. I agree with everything said here so far. Even though my husband and I are not yet lucky enough to be living in our dream log home (hopefully in two years), I'm already looking for the perfect treasures at the best bargain prices. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

Comment by Donna Peak on July 17, 2008 at 2:40pm

Hi Shelia! Welcome to the Design Women forum and thanks for the stellar advice! You're so right - when you own a log home, everyone wants to come over (and we wouldn't want it any other way, right?), so it helps to design your house to accommodate that. And you're spot on about keeping tabs on the sun. The wrong solar angle can really ruin a room, not to mention increase your AC bills.

Comment by Sheila on July 17, 2008 at 2:11pm

Hi All. A fireplace comes to mind immediately as something a log home MUST have, but like many of you, I find it hard to name only one thing. It really depends on how you use your home. A primary residence is decidedly different from a vacation home. We built our first log home in 1990 and our second, and current, in 2004. I think you will always look back and want to change something. I must say, in this home I upgraded my kitchen appliances and absolutely LOVE my double wall oven. Log homes tend to become a place where people like to hang out and you end up entertaining A LOT, so having the extra oven is priceless. Lots of fixed glass is great too. It helps bring the outdoors in and provides light until it is completely dark outside. Just make sure when planning your home you consider where the sun sets. You wouldn't want a wall of glass across from your TV in the afternoon.

Comment by Shelley on July 9, 2008 at 10:51am

Donna - your question got me thinking about what design features I thought I could personally do without - I agree w/ Anne that it is personal to each owner and what I might like/dislike may be a must have/not have for someone else. For our particular log home (as it's a second home for us) - in the interest of saving money and utilizing the space - it wasn't important to have long winding hallways, dormers in the loft and a master bath in our bedroom - we have 2 full bathrooms for the "public" to use. However - in our next log home (when we get closer to retirement) - I think I'll want to pamper myself with some of these items!

Comment by Anne on June 30, 2008 at 7:56am

OOPS - sorry about the there/their errors. Maybe I need a grammar room in my cabin:)

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