September 2016 Blog Posts (31)

The fall season is a common time to begin prepping the home for storms and harsh weather that is expected to arrive during the colder months of the year. The windows are one of the most important features of the home that protects the interior setting from environmental elements, making it important to use a quality product that is built to last. When…

Tom Cruise's log home mansion in Telluride, Colorado is still for sale - at a hefty $59 million price tag. Cruise's log home first went on the market way back in the fall of 2014.

Tom Cruise's log home in Telluride has been for sale since before we shared some photos of his and other celebrity log…

Breathtaking realism and painstaking detail are the trademarks that separate woodcarver Lueb Popoff’s work from the pack.

Master woodcarver Lueb Popoff’s birds of prey are so realistic, they’re often mistaken for the real thing.[/caption]

Is that a bear traipsing through the yard? Or a red-tailed hawk swooping in to seize its prey? Look a little closer, because Lueb Popoff’s ultra-realistic…

When you have children, you likely hear about the things that they want in their bedroom. They might want a simple design, of they might want something extravagant that features pictures on the wall and a creative bed. There are a few ideas that you can use when it comes to designing a child's room that are sure to bring smiles and sweet dreams.

Pirates…

Whether your house is big or small, sometimes you just want to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Your backyard can be a great place for relaxing and entertaining, especially if you put some work into upgrading it. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a lot to create a better backyard when you implement some of these ideas. Turn your yard into a getaway without paying for a vacation!…

Selecting the floor coverings in a home is among the most challenging aspects of design planning. Here's a summary of your primary flooring options.

Selecting the floor coverings and finishes in a home is among the most challenging aspects of design planning. Where you may limit types and styles of other building materials through the home, flooring dares you to mix and match,…

Your family living room is the heart and soul of your home. It serves as both a refuge from the outside world and a space to entertain guests, which can sometimes make it difficult to decorate in a way that feels authentic to your family. The suggestions below should help you strike that balance between a relaxing atmosphere and a space that feels charming and attractive enough to invite the neighbors over for coffee. …

After immigrating to the United States when he was 15, a Brazilian man’s path leads him to the ultimate American Dream — building a log home in California’s sunny Sierra Nevadas.

In his most famous and beloved poem, Robert Frost recommended taking the road less traveled. Victor Mendes went one step further and took one not yet created.

Born in Brazil, Victor and his family came to…

It never fails. Fall hits and annoying pests start to invade your home. At the end of spring into the start of fall, you notice only a few insects in your home. These are scouter bugs that look for secure spots for their nests to spend the winter. To make matters worse, if these bugs are in your home, there's a good chance that it's the “safe” place they're…

The Fall Foliage Prediction Map for 2016 is here!

The 2016 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changing of the leaves. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool, courtesy of SmokyMountains.com, is meant to help travelers better time their trips to have the best opportunity of catching peak color each year.…

Need help fixing wood floors in your log home? With a little know-how, you can silence faulty floorboards, repair minor damage and restore a wood floor to its former glory.

Part of the charm of an old wood floor lies in its minor imperfections: the familiar creak of a floorboard; a gentle undulation in the hall; the gouge mark so ancient that the scar has a patina. Any older log home can be…

Everything you need to know about trouble-free window treatments for log homes to enhance (and protect) your log home's interior.

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, window treatments for log homes came with limited options—namely curtains, curtains and more curtains. But the times they are a changing.

Today's window treatments all come in all shapes and sizes, including…

Frigid winter weather can cause your household plumbing pipes to freeze, and in some cases, burst. Protecting your home's pipes from winter's icy grip is something you should think about before the cold winter winds blow. The following tips will help you safeguard your pipes from freezing and also guide you as to the best solutions to consider after the…

When it comes to log home energy efficiency, what are the best ways to save money on your monthly utility bills? These 9 retrofits will help to not only cut down on your monthly costs, but also keep you warmer during the cold months.

In new log home construction, builders are continuously ad

apting 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…

It's important to stay on top of home repairs in order to save money and hassle down the road. This is definitely true of your plumbing. Watch for these seven signs you need to update your plumbing in order to feel confident you are investing your money in needed repairs in a timely manner.



1. Yellow or Brown Water



Colored water…

Your log home floor plan is the roadmap to your new home, and you’re in the driver’s seat. Get ready to start the engine with these tips.

Everyone knows your home's floor plan should reflect the way you live. So how do you match the vague notion of lifestyle with a black-and-white blueprint? Easy. Chip away at that obscurity by outlining the specifics, such as how you live and…

Building a home is an excellent opportunity to make certain your log home design suits your family's needs. Here's how to start.

If your current house wasn't built expressly for your family, you know all too well what it's like to "make do"— living in a design planned without regard for your specific needs. Without even realizing it, you probably are wasting…

Think ahead before breaking ground and you can avoid costly mistakes. Here are 4 tips to help you build a better log home, plus a bit of info about how to save your property's trees during construction.

Properly orient your home on your building lot.

To build a better log home, consider not only how each room takes in views, but also the sun’s path and prevailing winds. Also, make sure the location of your well and septic system doesn’t prevent you…

Finding leaks or moisture can be the most alarming indication of roof damage. Log home owners often neglect their roof, and it can be the most expensive type of home repair. You should always examine your roof following any severe weather. You can also save yourself costly repairs by checking your roof for these common issues and performing regular…