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.

There’s just no limit to the accessories out there for log cabin owners. Of course, you have to be into the rustic wilderness-saluting items to dig something like this Black Bear Lodge toilet bowl cleaner and brush holder. It’s certainly not for everyone. It is, however, a way to hide a toilet brush in plain sight.

The brush holder is disguised as a cute little bear that is holding its nose and hugging a tree stump. It’s designed to make scrubbing the potty more “bearable” (I swear I stole that joke from the product description…. it’s not mine. Really…).

The bear brush is available from Amazon for $22:

Black Bear Lodge Toilet Brush Set

What rustic log home would be complete without rustic knick-knacks? Here’s one that is actually functional. This Western-style napkin holder can adorn your table where everybody can grab a wipe when they need one, or it could sit on your desk in your home office as a letter organizer. (That’s what the folks over at AJ Treasures say anyway…. I don’t know, does anyone actually get letters any more in this e-mail age?)

Regardless, the die-cut-metal, stag-and-tree holder only costs $4.50, so it’s one rustic accessory that won’t break the bank.

AJ Treasures

While there are plenty of log homes and cabins up in the mountains, log dwellings are popular in lakeside and seaside locations too. If you’ve got a fisherman (or fisherwoman) in the family, and you’d like to decorate your home with some related decor, you could have fun choosing light switch plates that reflect the family’s tastes.

These jumping fish plates from Fishin’ Online will certainly put you in the mood to go out and toss a line in the lake. The hand-crafted, hand-painted plates start at $26, and you can get them for whatever kind of switches are on your walls.

Fishin’ Online

Hanging wall-mounted items like shelves can be a bit of a pain when you’re dealing with log walls, but if you’ve got a few flat walls in your home, you might try some rustic wood shelves as a way to display items. Little shelves like these can be a fun way to keep knickknacks, small pieces of art, and valuable treasures on display but out of the way of passersby. Place them high enough and you don’t have to worry about the kids fumbling around and breaking your favorite items.

These particular shelves are made from recycled railroad ties, so if environmentally furnishings are important to you, you’ll like the fact that these are from reclaimed wood. They have been polished and waxed so they have a handsome sheen. The shelves are available from Velocity Art and Design in small, medium, and large sizes. Prices range from $36 to $96.

The fireplace is yet another place you can accessorize your home with that wilderness touch so characteristic of log dwellings. Antlers seem to be a prerequisite for log home ownership; at least that’s the impression you get if you pick up any of the industry magazines and browse through all the advertisers offering antler ware. If you embrace the idea that there’s no such thing as too many antler accessories in the home, then this fireplace tool set might be for you.

The 38″ tall and 13″ wide 5-piece set includes a shovel, a brush, a poker, tongs, and a stand to hold it all. Antlers make up the top and the base. The tool set is $235 from Northwest Metal Designs.

http://www.nwmetaldesigns.com

Thanks to the dark brown shade of logs, log homes tend to be a little darker inside than traditional stick built homes, which frequently have walls painted in light, reflective colors. Even copious windows can’t always make up for the feeling that you just need a little more light inside. That’s okay because it’s an excuse to buy all sorts of fun lamps that accent log home living.

Take this little squirrel lamp for example. With it’s 15 watt bulb, it’s not going to give off a lot of light, but it might make a fun night lite to keep on in the bathroom or perhaps in the kitchen, so you don’t stub anything important when you’re roaming around looking for midnight snacks. The lamp has deep amber-hued glass and resin and is finished for the “realistic look of antique bronze.” It’s available from the National Wildlife Foundation for just under $40.

National Wildlife Foundation Store