February 2016 Blog Posts (27)

Whether your dream log home will cling to the ski slopes or nestle in the woods, you'll want looks and functionality in its design. And, because most likely you'll be doing this only once, you'll want to go about planning and building a log home in the best possible way right off the bat.

This Wisconsin half-log home delivers full-log satisfaction on 10.5 acres with 300…

Getting the look you want with something repurposed rather than buying new.

By Julie Kuczynski

Making use of old materials in building is nothing new, but when it comes to building or renovating your cabin or cottage, it can be especially important to create the right look and feel in a space so it speaks to your personality, traditions and heritage.

Reclaimed materials can help provide just the right atmosphere you are looking for at your place, and…

Most of us try to avoid paying a huge amount for electricity every month, but an inefficient home could be costing you far more than you realize. For first time homeowners, finding a way to fix this problem can be difficult. You need to know where energy is escaping and how to implement effective solutions. Here are some hacks all new homeowners should know to help reduce electricity bills and make paying for all your needs more manageable.…

This post originally posted on loghome.com!

When you’re building a new home, there are so many items to select, you will literally make hundreds of decisions as you go through the process. Having a firm idea of your budget is critical. Enlisting the aid of a designer or architect will make the process of narrowing choices easier and help ensure you get the most for your money.

Logs aside, some of…

This post was originally posted on loghome.com!

When you’re building a new home, there are so many items to select, you will literally make hundreds of decisions as you go through the process. Having a firm idea of your budget is critical. Enlisting the aid of a designer or architect will make the process of narrowing choices easier and help ensure you get the most for your…

For most people, equity in their home constitutes more than half of their net worth. Unsurprisingly, this causes many people to view home renovation as a means to add value to the house. If you are unsure what renovations and investments will really add value, consider a few of the below.



Update the Kitchen

While many rooms in the house are largely…

This story was originally posted on loghome.com

Your driveway is literally your road to log home dream fulfillment. Ensure you’re on solid ground during construction and beyond.

By Donna Peak

Your driveway. Digging it is the first step in your log home construction journey and…

This post was originally posted on loghome.com

As the thermostat drops, nothing can replace the permeating warmth of sitting hearth side in your custom wood home — and who says you can’t bring that same comfort outside? For instant ideas and inspiration for your outdoor hearth, check out seven of our favorites. Plus, you can click on each photo…

From decorating your fireplace to keeping it clean and safe, this assortment of hot hearth-related products is sure to get you fired up about winter weather.

This post was originally posted on loghome.com

Stone Faced

Give your fireplace distinctive style…

Old Man Winter is on the doorstep. Is it ok to start construction on your log home?

Photo courtesy of True North Log Homes You’ve got your design finalized and you’re chomping at the bit to build. But it’s not spring. You’re outside of the construction sweet spot. Will the weather cooperate? Should you start or wait?

A winter build is not off limits. The key…

Photos courtesy of Complex Magazine

For one reason or another, log cabins featured in movies are frequently set as a backdrop for horror films - perhaps it's the secluded, dark locations at which cabins are often built, or the chilling notion that the characters are miles from any other humans (and usually in a remote wooded area with a suddenly dead dial tone) that make the lore of log cabins so perfect for this genre.

But scary movies aren't the only ones that…

Some of our favorite evenings have included opening a bottle of wine, throwing some steaks on the grill, and listening to a little music on our deck while watching the sun go down. That got us thinking: what is the ultimate log home play list? Is it songs about nature? Freedom from modern life’s hectic pace? Or is it simply music that celebrates the comfort of a loving…

Want to save money on your monthly utility bills? These 9 retrofits will help improve your log home's energy efficiency.

In new log home construction, builders are continuously adapting their practices to meet the latest energy code requirements and ensure that the homes they build comply. But what about existing log homes? If you’ve been in your home for five or more…

Even if you'd describe your getaway as “small-ish,” you can still craft it into a comfortable, efficient retreat. To keep your space from feeling cramped, follow these key techniques for creating the illusion of never-ending space. (Now if we could just figure out how to create the never-ending weekend …)

1.…

Shed-antler chandeliers are highly sought-after log home light fixtures. Though they look fantastic anywhere, the great room is where most owners seek to hang them. Choosing the right size for the space, however, isn’t always as easy as the decision to buy one. And though there are formulas to calculate size, be careful: These formulas likely were developed…

America is fortunate to have abundant land that’s ideal for log homes. If you’re still looking for some scenic site to build yours, here are a few out-of-the-way gems. They’re no strangers to log homes, possibly because the folks who do live there know a good thing when they see it.

Here are some general features of the six overlooked log-home locations. Land prices tend to be favorable, but they vary greatly, even within one county. If you can’t find anything you want to buy in your…

America is fortunate to have abundant land that’s ideal for log homes. If you’re still looking for some scenic site to build yours, here are a few out-of-the-way gems. They’re no strangers to log homes, possibly because the folks who do live there know a good thing when they see it.

Here are some general features of the six overlooked log-home locations. Land prices tend to be favorable, but they vary greatly, even within one county. If you can’t find anything you want to buy in your…

When you’re building a new home, there are so many items to select, you will literally make hundreds of decisions as you go through the process. Having a firm idea of your budget is critical. Enlisting the aid of a designer or architect will make the process of narrowing choices easier and help ensure you get the most for your…

The thrill of the hunt – foraging among bins, baskets and barrels in search of treasure – draws us to these places.

Story by Linda Kast

Photos by Ray Kast

You might call it junk. Someone else might call it vintage. Another might call it repurposed. Some may even call it antique. I just call it cool. I love to scavenge amongst a trove of…

When people say, “They don’t make them like they used to,” they usually mean that the craftsmanship of the past is superior to the craftsmanship of today. This might be true of automobiles and vacuum cleaners, but it doesn’t apply to your home electrical system. If your home is over 40 years old, there’s a good chance your electrical system isn’t capable of handling…