Log Home Ideas

Over the last couple of months, I’ve showcased several pieces of log furnitures by various companies on here. But maybe you consider yourself a craftsman (or you’d like to learn to become one) and you’d like to learn how to build your own log furniture. I found this book that covers exactly that topic. Overall, the reviews at Amazon are positive:

“For a complete woodworking novice such as myself, this one and only manual on building your own log furniture has proven to be worth its weight in gold. The authors walk you through all stages of log furniture construction–from acquiring the necessary tools, wood, etc., to completing numerous projects, including the ultimate prize: a beautiful log bed.”

“I found this book to be very useful in building my first piece of log furniture. In fact my first project is a log bed (under construction at this time). There are few resources available that teach you how to build log furniture. Dan and Les have written a no nonsense book with detailed information on wood, tools, finishes and etc.”

At $33, the book isn’t exactly cheap, but it does sound like it has a lot of pictures and diagrams:

Build Your Own Log Furniture

If you’re planning to have a garden behind or alongside your log home, you might have fun shopping for appropriate accessories. Aside from the usual tools, a garden stool or bench can give you a place to rest in between diggings. This “Bambi Sitter” seems like the perfect choice for a nature lover. It’s functional (sit on Bambi’s back to take a load off), but it could just stand in the corner as a garden guardian too.

The deer-inspired seat is made from pre-aged pine wood that will develop a handsome silver patina as it ages. It costs $390 from the Conrad Shop.

If you dream of having a log home and you dream of having an indoor swimming pool downstairs, you can have both (properly sealed, logs apparently do fine in rooms made a bit humid by standing water). The Jacques House from the Original Log Cabin Homes company features almost 3,200 square feet of living space, which includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a loft, and room for a pool if you’re willing to take on the extra costs of building one.

The company offers a variety of options, and you can customize your home by selecting your wood type. “Western Red Cedar, Northern White Cedar, Eastern White Pine, and Bald Cypress are the most popular choices.”

You can “tour” the home on the builder’s site. There are pictures of the kitchen, den, living room, and pool.

http://www.logcabinhomes.com/tour_j.html

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

A porch swing is a pleasant way to while away the hours on a warm day. These seats are made to endure outdoor weather, and they can often hold two people, so you can get cozy.

However some folks prefer a rocking motion to a swinging motion. If you and your significant other fall into that camp, you could get something like this Rockdale double rocker, a rocking chair built for two.

Available from the Crows Nest Trading Company, the rocking chair is suitable for outdoor use and, with its wood and wrought iron frame, would fit right in on the porch of a log cabin or home. The seat and back slats are made from reclaimed teak, and they are attached to a black wrought iron frame. The price is $1,200.

Crowns Nest

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

If you want your log home to remind you of the olden days, you can try buying furniture and accessories made from reclaimed wood. Not only does this stuff have a lot of character (instead of the flawless uniform lumber that’s used today, old boards were sawn by hand and many show evidence of nail holes, dents, and scratches from decades of use), but it’s an environmentally friendly way to furnish your home. Items constructed from reclaimed wood can be built without any new trees being felled.

This rustic pot rack is one example of such a product. Made from early 1900s reclaimed barn boards, the pot rack is finished with a natural stain designed to enhance the beauty of the wood. Available from Buffalo Creek Designs, it’s one of several pot racks and coat racks made this way.

http://www.buffalo-creek-designs.com