If money were no object, which posh amenities would be on your wish list? These are some of the things that Jim and I have always talked about including in our dream home. They would definitely be on our list: Radiant heat flooring - Jim scoffs at the idea and says, "Who needs it? It's too expensive." (In the winter, he'll thank me for it!) Dog-friendly bath space - I've always longed for a dog tub & shower system for large dogs. Ideally, it would have low steps or a ramp for the … [Read more...]
Are Skylight Windows A Good Investment? Don’t They All Leak At Some Point?
Everyone enjoys walking into (or working in) a kitchen that has good natural lighting. The same is true when sitting in a cozy family room. The light of the sun seems to bring the outside in for a nice warm feeling. Likewise, the drama of a morning sunbeam shining down into a grand foyer through a skylight placed high up to emphasize the curved stairway ascending to the next level also makes a great impression when guests enter your home. Just the same, a couple of skylights strategically … [Read more...]
Photos & Ideas For Creating Unique Window Art Inside Your Home
Earlier, I gave a few examples of what makes windowsill decor truly "art" and not just "a storage shelf" for placing everyday items. Here's another example of how I intend to display interesting items in unusual ways along the windowsills of our new log home... For starters, I love to incorporate natural rocks and stones into pieces of art and home decor. I've done that for years. Now, taking this idea to the next level, I plan on adding a few simple stones with words of … [Read more...]
Window Art: Fun Ways To Display Interesting Items On Your Windowsills
I'm always on the hunt for creative and colorful examples of windowsill art -- as inspiration for my own windows inside our soon-to-be-built log home. In my opinion, windowsill art goes beyond the typical kitchen windowsill displays that you commonly see. You know, the kind of shelf-like displays that take shape more by default (where the kitchen windowsill simply becomes the most convenient place to store certain items) rather than on purpose. In my new log home, I plan to create fun (yet … [Read more...]
Looking For Green Log Home Products & Building Supplies?
Finalists for the "Green Log Awards" were recently announced. The GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards were created in response to the growing demand for green building solutions. The goal of the awards is to locate and shine a spotlight on those companies and individuals who are enabling healthier homes and lifestyles. -- GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle AwardsWhat this means for people like you and me is... a great list of environmentally-friendly log home products and suppliers!So, … [Read more...]
Should You Buy A Direct Buy Membership? Is There A Catch?
Those are questions I've asked myself over and over -- practically every time I see the commercial for DirectBuy on TV. Jim says we should try it. I'm more hesitant. … [Read more...]
How Log Home Windows & Porches Increase Energy Efficiency
Here's how Low-E windows and porches work together to utilize passive solar energy in log homes... … [Read more...]
Matt and Melissa’s Honest Abe Log Home
The final home on our tour of log homes was Matt and Melissa's. Their home was actually completed a couple of years ago, but they enjoy having visitors and sharing log home stories with others. That's why they choose to participate in Honest Abe's Annual Tour of Homes each year. BONUS: Melissa's dad was on hand to explain how he did all of the "finishing work" in this log home. (He does really nice work, too!) See some examples below... … [Read more...]
Matt and April’s Timber Frame Home
The first home we visited on the Honest Abe Fall Tour of Homes was Matt and April's log home. Their timber frame home is currently under construction, and is set among the beautiful fields and rolling hills of Middle Tennessee. Matt and April were a lot of fun to chat with. See highlights below... … [Read more...]
