Feng shui is a 3000 year old discipline that suggests ways to arrange various spaces so that the people living inside those spaces will prosper -- both healthwise and financially.

The great thing about feng shui is that it really works! How? It teaches you how to arrange everything in your home in such a way as to have a lovely energy flow that is positive rather than negative. The effects of that are priceless.

I've been using the principles of feng shui for years in my own home, and have seen drastic changes in the feel of my home when I stick to those principles.

Here's how to incorporate feng shui in the rooms of your log home...

Travertine is a type of limestone. It is also called calcium carbonate.

Travertine is created when minerals have dissolved in the ground water and then get moved by natural springs and rivers above ground. It is taken from quarries in large blocks and then cut down into smaller blocks.

It has been used for thousands of years in Italy and Turkey, and today Travertine used all over the world for flooring, countertops, backsplashes, and other surfaces where tile is preferred.

photo credit: mikeandanna

Travertine Colors & Styles

Travertine comes in a variety of colors from ivory, to beige, to reddish brown, and even gold -- depending on how much iron is present. It also comes in different finishes such as polished, matte, brushed, or tumbled.

Polished Travertine resembles marble, and brushed or tumbled Travertine has a more antiqued look.

Travertine is easier to cut and shape than many other stones, and because of this, it has become a favorite for many people, including home builders.

Following are some of the pro's and con's of using Travertine tile in your home...

There will come a time when you have to purchase new furniture.

Over time, sofas wear out beyond repair. And slipcovers cannot hold together a failing frame. Chairs will give way. And tables will be damaged beyond repair.

Sure, you could always buy used furniture on consignment, or find free furniture on sites such as freecycle. But sometimes, you just want new.

As difficult as it is to part with your money (especially in this economy), there are some ways that you can buy new furniture without breaking the bank.

Here are 7 furniture buying tips that I learned firsthand recently when I went furniture shopping...

Log siding homes have been around for a long time, it's just that most people want the solid log wall system if they really like log homes. 

Typically, log siding is a 1-inch material that is the same species of wood as your logs. That way, wherever you use the log siding, it matches perfectly with the logs. 

The best part: log siding is not very expensive, especially when you consider that you can install it yourself!

Following are some tips for working with log siding, plus lots of fun ways to use log siding in other projects around the house...

Copper has been around since... well the Copper Ages.  Around 4,000 BC, during the Eneolithic period, man first began making metal tools. Since those early times, uses for copper has continued to grow.

In the realm of household plumbing, copper pipe is highly desirable. For one, it doesn't react to water. Also, rust and corrosion are not an issue.

At room temperatures, exposure to oxygen creates a very slow chemical reaction leaving a brown/black deposit of copper oxide over the surface. Outdoor exposure will slowly allow a layer of copper carbonate to build up giving copper that nice mellow green layer.

In both cases, this isn't corrosion but rather a protective layer called patina. When it comes to antiques and other copper products like sinks and plumbing fixtures, patina is something that we try hard not to disturb or diminish.

In fact, here are formulas for adding patina to copper surfaces.

One thing's for sure, copper sinks have become very popular in households these days.

Here's what to look for and how to care for a copper sink...

I love idea of painting log walls. I really like color and am not afraid of putting it anywhere.

I have seen several log home companies displaying homes that have a painted exterior color.

For example, the pale green home with white trim that is pictured here is from Heritage Log Homes. Beautiful, don't you think? (Here are the plans.) 

If you're thinking about painting interior log walls or the exterior of your log home, there are a few things to consider first...

The number and placement of bathroom doors is one thing that many people tend to overlook -- until it's too late.

Of course, it's also important to consider the actual style of doors used in a bathroom, for instance... pocket doors.

I've learned a few things about the style and placement of bathroom doors that might save you some headaches later on -- especially if you're able to address these things before you build.