Articles By:

Lynnette Walczak

We've gone through the entire process of designing and planning every single detail of our dream log home! We have the blueprints... and the land... and the contractor... and the goal for our log cabin home to be our retirement home. Before you build (or buy) a log home, I have a slew of helpful tips for you -- to plan, design, build, decorate, and maintain your very own rustic modern log home. When I'm not fine-tuning the log home of my dreams, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I’ve written nearly 300 articles for current and future log home owners on this site! Many of them have over 50K shares.

Who’s Nashville Log Home Is That On CMT’s ‘Gone Country’?

No, the log home mansion featured on CMT's Gone Country is NOT John Rich's house. It's part of Barbara Mandrell's former estate in Nashville.

FREE Subscription To Log Homes Illustrated Magazine

I wrote earlier about how you can get a free 1-year subscription to Log Home Living magazine. I've already received mine, and I enjoy that magazine VERY much. Good news... now, you can get a free subscription to Log Homes Illustrated, too! Here's how.

Now Is NOT A Good Time To Get A Log Home Construction Loan

This past Fall was a very difficult time for us to try & get a log home construction loan to build our new log home. There were several reasons for this -- all spelled out here.

Log Home Pedestal Sink Shaped Like A Log

If you're looking for a wooden or log sink for your log home, here are some pictures of unique bathroom sinks -- including pedestal sinks -- for log cabins.

Where We Are Now On This Log Home Roller Coaster Ride…

No, we haven't secured our log home loan yet. But the good news is... time is on our side. Because the mortgage rates have already come down since our previous closing date in October of 2007, and they are projected to drop even more in the coming months.

How To Decorate With Simple, Rustic Christmas Decorations Inside Your Log Home

Jim and I are both eager to decorate our new log home with very simple -- and very rustic -- holiday decorations next year. The plan is to start simple. Keep it rustic. Not 'country' just rustic... lots of rusted metal... rough edges... wrought iron... tin... you get the idea.

Why We Decided Against Composite Decking For Our Log Home

After a lot of research and homework, we've actually decided AGAINST using composite decking at this time. It wasn't an easy decision. Far from it. In fact, we were honestly looking forward to trying it. But the cons outweighed the pros at this point in time. Here's why...

Log Home Matchups: Online Polls About Log Homes

Log homes vs other types of homes... Here are some online polls you can participate in to share your thoughts on log cabins and log homes.

Log Cabin Homes Adorned With Holiday Lights & Christmas Decorations

There's just something about the warm glow of lights -- like candles & holiday lights -- as they shine against the backdrop of a log home that gives me the warm fuzzies. It takes me back to the day of Ma & Pa Ingalls -- when life was different.Plus, I've always been more fond of natural light than harsh bright lights inside the home. Enjoy these simple photos of log homes decorated for the holidays...

GE, GE Profile & Kenmore Microwave Oven Recall

Yesterday's recall of 92,000 wall microwave oven units includes GE, GE Profile, and Kenmore microwave ovens. Anyone who has one of these microwave ovens should stop using it immediately. GE and Sears are offering either a free repair or a significant rebate on a new microwave oven. Here's the scoop...

Tips When Shopping For A Dishwasher (Psst… Kenmore Rocks!)

Tips for dishwasher shopping. Plus, the top 5 dishwashers that did best in tests and reviews...

See What Different Tile Choices Would Look Like On Your Bathroom Or Kitchen Floors

This free online program lets you see what various tile floors would look like -- BEFORE you go to pick out your tile in the stores!

Getting The Lay Of The Land… Surveying The Property

Of the 5 acres we own, there is only one tiny little spot where the home can actually go. The rest will be hilly trails and a forest of thick trees lining the creeks. So, to ease our mind, and clarify for all involved -- including the bank, the County, and ourselves -- we asked the surveyor to come back out and re-survey it again for us.

Question About Staggered Shake Shingle Siding

A question: 'We are in the beginning stages of building our log home and seriously thinking of using Staggered Shake Shingle Vinyl Siding on the second story. Our reasoning for doing so was the maintenance of the home. Have you heard or have you seen any log homes which have done the same?'

The Exterior Doors We Chose For Our Log Home

We recently picked out 7 exterior doors for our new log home. Here are the ones we selected...

Exterior Doors: Should You Buy Paint Grade Or Stain Grade Doors?

It didn't make sense to me why our decision to paint vs stain the exterior doors couldn't be made after-the-fact -- after we had installed the doors -- and why it would affect the price of the doors anyway. But after a conversation with a contractor about this, I learned that we should always say we want a stain-grade door, rather than a paint-grade door. Here's why...

Picture Frames Made From Sticks And Twigs

There are actually LOTS of different ways that you can make your own rustic photo frame... using twigs. Here are a few examples, to give you some ideas...

Should You Buy A Direct Buy Membership? Is There A Catch?

We've thought about joining the Direct Buy membership club for some time now. But I recently heard from a reputable source a whole 'nother take on DirectBuy. I found this QUITE interesting...

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