Log Home Ideas

I’m not quite sure where the deer-antlers-embedded-in-furniture trend came from, but they do seem to make an appearance in a lot of rustic and log pieces. What if you want a more modern theme for your home though? Just because you’re living in a log home doesn’t mean you have to go with rustic furniture.

This solid cast aluminum coat rack has a modern feel, while it pays homage to the deer antler pieces. In this case, the antlers aren’t real though. Imported from Amsterdam, the rack costs $75 from Lekker.

Whether you’ve got a home made out of logs or just a regular abode, a hanging planter can do a lot to perk up the patio or deck area, or even improve the view out a window. Since this basket is self-watering, it can reduce watering chores (perfect if you’ve got a vacation home that you’re using infrequently or as a rental, and you can’t come by every day to keep it pretty):

“A patented dual-action wick system (capillary mat plus evaporation grill) distributes water from a 1-quart reservoir so your plants are never dry, never overwatered. Convenient refill hole is located at the bottom, so you don’t need a ladder to water your basket.”

The baskets are available from the Gardeners’ Supply Store for $12.95 a piece. Get a whole set without spending a fortune.

Self-Watering Hanging Basket

If you’re looking for rustic furniture made from natural elements, you can’t get any closer to sitting on the real deal than this arm chair from the Twig Shoppe. Hand-made from Mountain Laurel, the chair measures 56T X 28W X 24D and can be purchased for $475 (you do have to pick it up in person–in Maine–though so don’t ask about shipping on this one). Here’s a bit more on the piece, from the artist:

“All joinery is coped so one section wraps around another. The seat and back were made from a heavy split Hornbeam branch. No stain was used on this piece, just two coats of clear shellac. If you have a special corner this would be perfect!”

More information at the Twig Shoppe.

If you’ve got a log home and want to give your kids a fun playhouse in the backyard, why not continue the log theme there? True, this play house from Little Colorado isn’t made out of actual logs but it is at least made out of wood and finished with a non-toxic Danish oil (you can also paint or wallpaper the flat walls, something that can be a challenge with real logs).

You can get the play house for under $400 at Amazon:

Log Cabin Play House

Here’s this week’s rustic log-cabin/home-appropriate eBay find: pine cone shower hooks.

Yes, now you can bring the great outdoors (or at least hand-painted resin replicas of the great outdoors) into your bathroom. A nice touch for that authentic log cabin feel, doncha think? Though one does wonder what kind of shower curtain goes with pine cone hooks…. something woodsy, no doubt.

If you like rustic furniture, you can do your whole bedroom in log or pine furnishings, from bed to side tables to dressers. This dresser goes beyond rustic with its antler drawer handles.

Made from pine, the piece measures 48 ½H x 24D x 41W and costs just under $1,000. (Hey, you didn’t think antlers came cheap, did you?) Part of the “Mountain Series,” the dresser is available from Great Lakes Rustics.