Saturday, May 17, 2008

Who typically buys a log home?

I've been discussing a foray into becoming a log home dealer because I have such a passion for these type of homes. To me, it represents a return to nature and a simplistic lifestyle. My friends and family have seen the pictures and/or visited and they do think it's beautiful and admire the craftsmanship. One of my friends asked me last week "well who buys a log home?" As of 2006, there were more than 500,000 log homes in the United States. I did some additional research and found out that there are two growing groups that purchases these type of homes - baby boomers (not me) and nature lovers (now that's me and Greg!) To me it makes sense, the baby boomers have already saved their money for retirement and look to these homes either as a second home or a permanent residence. They can entertain their kids and grandkids as well as outfit these homes with the latest conveniences. The nature lovers can appreciate what the log home represents and perhaps (and I'm just guessing here from my own experience) it exemplifies a path towards "green living" and becomes the center of their outdoor recreation and nature activities. I had contacted the Log Home Council - www.loghomes.org and it's been about 4 years since they have put out any detailed log home statistical reports - but they did confirm the "baby boomer" and "nature lover" profile. They usually put out a report in conjunction with Log Home Living magazine. They couldn't confirm when the next report would come out but I would personally hope it became an annual one as this seems to be a growing industry.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Door to the log cabin



















Here is the side entrance to our log cabin (log home now!) I'm looking at the door we went with (it met our budget at the time) and I'm already making plans to replace it - maybe a carved wood door. Check out these doors at Rich Door http://www.richdoor.com/ . There's just so many laws when you own a log cabin -You have to mount a deer head on one of your walls, have a cozy fireplace, a carved wood door, rocks and the list goes on. But that's another post....

Monday, May 12, 2008

Staining the cabinets


















I've been looking at the rustic pine cabinets for the past several weeks just thinking something is missing. Greg and I had thought about putting a clear coat on them and just letting the cabinets darken over time with the sun hitting them. 10 minutes before we were due to leave the log cabin and head back home downstate, I was dragging Greg to Lowes. I had to stain the cabinets, it was driving me crazy. We ended (well really I ended) up deciding on a pecan color. Then we headed back to the cabin w/ our tarps and brushes and stained about 50% of the cabinetry. It really compliments our maple hardwood floors. Now I just need those 3 missing cupboard doors. The builder had thought the cabinet maker would have them this week but I think he had another job. I'm dropping down on the priority list..... Also, the stove guy never showed either to hook up my gas range. Do you think the cabinet maker and the stove guy are out fishing together?!