Designing / BuildingHome & Garden

One way to use this is as an 'idea list'... to help you weigh out the pro's and con's of various bathroom features in order to ultimately determine your own 'wants' and 'needs' list for your own master bathroom. Another way you could use this list is to think of these things as some of the most often overlooked items in master bathrooms.

the folks at Heart Pine Reserve 'reclaim' old wood and make it new again. Their current reclamation project is the Old Taylor Distillery in Woodford County, Kentucky. Check out their rustic hardwood floors!

DIY designer, Amy Dewers is writing a log cabin blog called Blog Cabin. It's an interactive site that includes lots of opportunities for YOU to help her design and build a log cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. You design it. DIY builds it. You could win it!

We recently attended the Log & Timber Home Show in Nashville. What follows is a summary of what we had HOPED to see at the show, and what we actually saw at this log home show. See why log home shows are great for the the person who is just starting to explore the concept of buying or building a log home -- and maybe not so great for those who are farther along in the process.

I'd always admired what I call 'barn-looking' garage doors -- you know, with the criss-crossed wooden slats that give a door that rustic, barn-like look. But I figured they were either a pipe dream, because they'd be too expensive, or that Jim wouldn't like them. But after seeing the doors available from The Great Northern Door Company, we're pretty sure we're going this route now!

It makes sense that your covered bridge resemble your dwelling. So if you have to cross water on your property -- and you have a log home -- perhaps you'll want something like this.

I have to admit that I kind of enjoy non-traditional, outside-the-box types of yard art. Especially if it makes you smile whenever you pass by it. Case in point: This porch pig... and this plump & friendly pig statue... and these colorful swans... Or, what about a garden gnome???

My favorite toilet paper holder for the bathroom -- especially in a log home bathroom. Baskets and logs go hand-in-hand. And Peterboro baskets are the BEST!

Here's a growing list of the reasons that I look forward to moving OUT of a 'traditional home' in a 'traditional subdivision' and INTO a non-traditional home -- a log home -- in a non-traditional setting -- on a lake.

If, like me, you enjoy flipping through old home design & decorating magazines -- even some women's magazines -- for their wealth of ideas, as well as time- and money-saving facts... then listen up!

The Log and Timber Home Show is taking place at the Nashville Convention Center on Commerce Street downtown Nashville Tennessee February 16-18, 2007. Here's what you can expect...

Want to buy your loved one something special 'for the house'? Here's a fun & creative way to surprise your loved one with your very 'special' gift on that very special day. See how to package your 'special' gift... in a way that only a devoted homebuilder who loves you dearly could appreciate!

Here are some garage tips that might come in handy when designing your garage bays, choosing your garage doors & openers, and laying out the storage space in your new home -- both inside and outside. One thing's for sure: You want to be able to accommodate your families growing needs. By including adequate space in your new garage, you could alleviate a lot of headaches later!

Here are some little-known facts about log homes, including a number of log home trends that are affecting the housing market today. Wondering what's going on in the log home industry these days... check here first!

When we bought our property on Dale Hollow Lake, we wondered just how much snow would fall in that area during the winter months. Dale Hollow Lake is a couple hours north of Nashville, and a tad east -- it's fairly close to 'the plateau'. So yesterday morning, we hopped in the car to check out the freshly fallen snow on our property.

Here are lots of pictures of log home bathrooms that can be used to get design & decorating ideas for your own new or soon-to-be remodeled bathroom, including toilets, bathtubs, jacuzzi tubs, showers, sinks, cabinets and shelves, windows... and other things.

Two flooring ideas seen on the CBS Early Show seem very easy to do, and they're relatively inexpensive, too! If you're on a budget, and you can't afford solid hardwood flooring or thick plush carpet at this time... these DIY options will have everyone fooled. Check out these tips from Danny Lipford, host of Today's Homeowner.

The following log home pictures will show you various ways to enhance your log home with natural stone.