As one who has designed and built a log home, I understand that the process of of gathering the information for designing a log home can be extensive (along with exciting). Log home enthusiast, like myself, are quick to learn that Loghome.com is a very valuable resource that will assist in the information gathering process for a log home design. A recent newsletter, with great design information, that Loghome.com sent to their subscibers included 21 secrets of creating the perfect (log) home. (The log home newsletter is free to subscibers at Loghome.com). The design ideas that were included in the newsletter were submitted by the Log Home Design editorial staff. 1.Consider Context- The log home needs to look like it belongs in the location. A steep rocky location, consider steep roof pitches and exposed rock work versus a house in the open plain, consider hipped roof with wide pitches that are broad and shallow. 2.Design lifestyle rooms- Depending on the area your log home is located design a lifestyle room that is a one of a kind. For example in ski area, a ski room, hunting area, sportsman paradise, moose theme, bear theme, etc. 3.More curves and angles- Plan rooms in your log home that are round, angled, and gentle curves to add pizazz. Work with your architect to capture the shapes and lines in your landscape when designing your log home. 4.Open it up- Design you log home with an open floor plan. The layout is casual and family oriented and at the same gives you the chance to showcase your beautiful logwork. 5.A Call For Concrete- Concrete is now being used for flooring and countertops. A fresh alternative to granite. (Granite is still the top choice of designers for countertops with quartz as the second choice.) 6.Material Montage- Combining several different materials and textures when designing your log home. Mix wood (logs) with stainless steel, soapstone, and tile with flooring, fireplace surrounds, and countertops. 7.History Revisited- Using recycled logs and reclaimed lumber in structural components of your log home, flooring, and cabinets. Cork is also showing a renewed interest. 8.Window Shopping- Consider windows that look old, period recreation with a modern day features another trend is European style windows or styles that slide, crank open, or tilt in. 9.Keep it to scale- With the large open spaces in a log cabin remember to use comparatively oversized interior furnishings. This includes oversized light fixtures, wide flooring, and larger furniture. 10.True Colors- Allow the interior colors reflect the outdoors. Warm reds, browns, and greens to complement the log home wood tones along with neutral colors that are inspired by the snowy mountain peeks seen outside. 11.Pattern Play- Use three or less patterns in a room. Intersperse solids with one small scale, one medium scale, and one large scale pattern. Mixing patterns works well when a common theme is used. 12.Texture Talk- Use heavy textures in furnishing featuring bark and upholstery with hair on hides. Fabric textures consider distressed leather or suede, or chenille. 13.The heat is on- Hot tub, steam sauna, or steam shower blend into log homes very well. 14.Toasty towels- with a towel warmer. 15.Bottle Room- From wine cellar to wine refrigerator or coolers. 16.Pull up a stool- to an outdoor teak bar. 17.Star Search- with a high tech computer aided telescope that can locate stars, moons, and planets. 18.Pick a theme- outside to complement the log home such as wildflowers and native ground cover or woodland garden sprouting shrubs. 19.Go for grasses- and avoid the aggressive spreading kind and consider grass that maintains its color in winter producing shades of gold, pale green and copper. 20.Wood and stone- Stone and natural wood to add character to landscaping. Rustic wooden fences, wood chip paths, or cross cut round logs as stepping stones. 21.Multitasking plants- Plants that look good year round like evergreen shrubs, variegated yuccas, groundcovers and perennials. Shrubs that have colorful bark,like red twig dogwood.
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