Log Homes

[Tigerlily]

Anyone have one or interested in them?
We are finally building our house and it is what we've always dreamed. A small log home. After researching stick-built, modulars, insulated panel homes, and more, we've decided to go for it, and build a small log home for the price we'd get a larger of any of the others (yes, they're more $$). We just love the character of them, which is what we feel is missing from most new construction today.

I will post some pics later!

[Csara]

oh wow, that is so cool. I can't wait to see pictures. I always envisioned a log home to be so nice and cozy and definitely full of character. Best of luck and congrats!

[tommysgirl18]

I honestly never really noticed them until I met Tommy. Tommy really loves them, and in return I have gotten to like them. I can't wait to see pics!

[CC21]

We have discussed building a log home several times. We even went to a log home show and talked to one of the companies about cost etc. I think we've finally decided that we need more space than we could afford with a log home. But we do love them!!

Have you decided what kind of logs you're going to use? The only reason I ask and maybe you already know this is, if you use round or D logs and the round part is on the inside. you're going to be dusting a lot. Cause the dust will collect really easily on those. And, it is really hard to hang pictures on round logs, and you'll have to cut places in the logs for light switches and electrical outlets. Just something we learned when we were researching.


Can't wait to see pictures!!!!

[Tigerlily]

Ok, got some pics. Joni, we are using D logs, which have the flat side on the inside, and the roundness of the log on the outside, so hanging pictures won't be a problem. I don't know if you can really see this on the pics. They will probably have to cut out space for outlets and switches, the electrician said it would be no problem. Right now, they are putting up the armsets and purlins which is basically the roof structure. And we have to go cabinet shopping. Anyone have any input for that? I'm pretty lost on what I want.

[tommysgirl18]

I love the pics! I will have to show them to Tommy when he gets up.

[CC21]

Color me GREEN with envy!!! It's beautiful!!! If we were to change our minds and decide to build one, we would do D with the round on the outside too.

As far as cabinets, I think I would go with something pretty neutral so it won't compete with the walls. What color are your appliances? I love the look of lighter wood with stainless/brushed nickel appliances and hardware.

Are you doing wood on the interior walls too? or just the outer walls? No real reason for that question, just wondering.

[Csara]

wow, it's beautiful and what a view!

[meliz]

Awe TL, that is a GORGEOUS home! I really do love it. Such character and a nice size too! You mentioned it was small, but really, that looks like the perfect size to me. Tres lovely!

[Jester]

Looking good!

[IUgrad02]

Just wanted to pop in and tell you how neat I think the home is!! My favorite part is the view, too. What an awesome piece of land to gaze at when looking out your windows every morning..... I love it!!!!!

[tommysgirl18]

Tommy says for the kitchen cabinets, you could use any kind of wood you would like to. He said if it were him, he would use either pine or oak. He says either one would look nice in there.

[Tigerlily]

Thanks everyone! The builder's crew are still in the process of putting the roof frame on. We've picked out our shingles, and finally decided on the kitchen cabinets. After a designer moved everything in our plan around, we absolutely love it now, and we're getting a few things we didn't think we'd get (longer bar area, a slide in stove instead of a wall unit w/ hood, double tiered counter/bar, etc.) and it's much more functional now. We picked out Hickory cabinets because we love the natural variences of the wood in it, has the knots and different natural colors showing, in a natural finish. We were thinking of Pine, but it turned out hickory was more affordable. And a premium laminate for the counter that has the look of granite. Not sure yet of color of appliances! I love stainless steel but for the extra cost and maintenane of it, we probably won't end up getting it. The inside walls will be knotty pine except for two interior walls in 2 bedrooms (so I can have fun with a little paint).

So far, we're just really excited, yet anticipating problems because we're sure we'll run into some more, although it's gone pretty smooth so fa (knock on wood!). :)

[CC21]

(knock on wood!). :)

Well you have plenty to knock on!! :biglaugh:

Keep us updated and with lots of pics!!!

[tommysgirl18]

Tommy is a ball of questions if you don't mind answering them:

1.) How many bedrooms is it?

2.) How much is the square footage?

As for the appliances, he mentioned that black would look nice in there.

[Tigerlily]

I don't mind questions at all! keep 'em coming...
The house is 1750 sq. feet, and has 3 bedrooms, 2 up, 1 down. We are considering black appliances, haven't decided yet! So many decisions....

[heather6773]

Cool house!!! I love log homes!!! Keep the pics coming as you decorate...it would cool to watch the progress

[Tigerlily]

Time to do an update. Log Homes, on average, take longer to build than regular stick built houses, so, taking that into account, plus the winter weather, plus the fact the crew consists of two guys and they've both had a couple sick days, means slow progress. Right now, the house has a roof on it, and half of it is shingled. I don't have pics of the shingles, only w/ the one layer of roof on (knotty pine). The first pic is of the 2nd floor, the doorway is the balcony door off the master bedroom. There will be one skylight, and it'll be in Erin's bedroom (which is actually bigger than the master bedroom!). What we plan to do if we have more kids is to put a partition wall in the center of the room and create 2 bedrooms out of it. I love the vaulted ceilings of the 2nd floor, how you see it in the pics is how it'll stay.

Still a long way to go, we're STILL mulling over cabinets and kitchen design, I think we've finally found the guy we want to go with. The HVAC guy and plumber have been at the house, we've got some duct work up and the pipes for the bath/shower and toilets going in. Had to run out to get the shower and tub/shower combo for them to put in this week, and we're researching lighting. I'm pretty stressed out already, and I never want to look at another cabinet again!! :argh:

[tommysgirl18]

looking great!!! I will show Tommy the pics when he gets up!

[heather6773]

very nice.... I laughed when I saw the snow inside the rooms....just think next year it will be all inclosed and possibly have carpet in some areas...Its coming along great. Probably not fast enough right?:cool:

[Tigerlily]

We have doors and windows and shingles! We lost the whole top line of shingles due to a nasty wind storm we had a couple weeks ago, but they were fixed in a jiffy.
The carpenters are now installing the interior walls, celler stairs once the walkout basement door is in, and insulation and trim around the windows. The balcony is being put together for outside the master bedroom (ya hoo!) and Erin's room (which has the skylight) has a little cubby/storage room/play fort area with a little door (last pic).

[Tigerlily]

The kitchen area is here with the double crank windows with the dining area adjacent which will be in front of the slider.
Shower stalls are now in (one had to be custom ordered because of an odd size) and we are getting a rainshower shower head to put in our tub/shower upstairs. We are also currently working with our electrician about the tedious task of lighting. We have MUCH to buy.

[Csara]

it looks amazing - coming along so nicely!!

[Margarita]

Wow, cool! I think log homes are so neat. I'm sure you're going to love living there!!

[CC21]

It's looking awesome!! I can't wait to see the finished product!!! And I bet you can't wait to get in it!

[ParagonEos]

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! How much $$ did that run you to have built?

[Tigerlily]

How much $$ did that run you to have built?

Including the land, around 220k. The area we live in is the fastest growing county in the state, so the real estate skyrocketed in the last 5 years. Instead of buying a fixer upper for 175k, we bought land instead and built. Originally we were going to do a modular, but when we started customizing, the price really started to go up, and we realized that if we were going to pay that kind of money, we would want what we'd always dreamed of...a log home, albeit a small, cozy one. ;)

[heather6773]

How's the house coming along?

[Tigerlily]

A short update, and I'll put some pics on for next time.
Right now, most of the upstairs is done construction-wise; all interior walls are done, the closet doors are on, trim is done, wires are hanging for the lighting fixtures. Only things left for the upstairs is plumbing fixtures, vanities, lighting and switches, pine flooring and the balcony railings! The stairs going upstairs were started two weeks ago, and then stopped suddenly. So we haven't been able to go up. Hopefully that'll be done by this weekend. Downstairs, interior walls are done, the trim has been going up, also wood trim around heating ducts, breakfast bar being built, soffits and recessed lighting built and installed. Our furnace arrived last week, the propane company has hooked us up and we have heat!

Basement stairs are in, lighting is on in the basement, walk-out door is in. Our builder installs drywall on the basement walls as part of the contract, so we'll be able to finish the basement off w/ just a drop ceiling and flooring. And we just learned that our cabinets will be arriving next week!! Can't wait to see them up and installed. Also this weekend we will be ordering the flooring and tile shopping for the downstairs bath/hallway. We also have to find dimmer switches for most of the lighting and order aplliances (which has been rather difficult for us - see the appliance forum!).

We are expecting things to wrap up mid-late May. It's coming together so fast!!

[Csara]

That is so exciting! It's our dream to one day build our own home. There is nothing like building everything custom to your liking. It's so great!!! Can't wait to see pics.

[Tigerlily]

Ok, got some pics. Our builder told us Saturday that they should be wrapping things up in about 3 weeks!! (which really means something like 4, I'm thinking...) They also just told us that we won't be able to get a certificate of occupancy without a deck or stairs from the sliding glass doors. So we're not sure if we'll have the builder put in a deck now, or wait like our original plan, with some temp stairs put in.

[jana]

Gorgeous! I can't wait to see it once it's totally done! Only about another month...so exciting! :run:

[ParagonEos]

That is so awesome! I can't believe how strong it looks! Absolutely gorgeous Tigerlily, can't wait to see more pictures when it's finished!

[heather6773]

HI I was wondering how your house is coming along?

[ParagonEos]

We're all waiting impatiently for more pictures :wait: ...lol

[heather6773]

I figured she must be all moved in by now and some room decorated?:p

[heather6773]

Hey Tigerlily!!! How is the house?

[ParagonEos]

Hey Tigerlily!!! How is the house?

Yes pleeeeeeeeease share :beer:

[Tigerlily]

Hi Girls!

It's been so long since I've posted, I have much less time on my hands! I have been lurking a couple of times since the beginning of the month, you must have known I was! So, I love the house but it is a real pain in my a$$, it's a TON of work, and hubby and I agreed that if we ever could do it over again, we wouldn't!! I will never build a house ever again!

It's just that we both work over 40 hours a week (my company got acquired and the new co. that took us all on makes sure we work harder and longer, which is tough when you just built a house and have a toddler to take care of!! But that's another story!)

Anyway, here's some completed pics from this past June. There's more furniture now, but I don't have time or money to really decorate yet. Maybe in the next 6 months....

[Tigerlily]

Front of the house, with a beautiful girl.

I will try and post some updated pics later!

[jana]

What a gorgeous house, and an even more gorgeous little Erin! She's so big now! Your house is really lookin' fabulous. :D

[Csara]

Wow!!! I love your house. I have never seen anything like it (you know, living in Florida and all....we have no log homes). It's great!

Erin did get so big. I can't believe it. She's beautiful!

[suzieq728]

Wow. what a beautiful little girl you got there. She is so pretty. Umm, was I supposed to notice something else??:rolleyes: . Just kidding, I just went threw this whole thread, and it was amazing to see those photos from the very begining to now, the house is amazing, where is my room? :) .
I almost fell off my chair when I seen that kitchen, really nice, best of luck. :beer:

[meliz]

How cute! But where did Erin the toddler go??:) I love your home-- all that woodwork is amazing. It must smell great too.:)

[CC21]

Oh my gosh!! Erin is soooo cute! I too can't believe how big she is!!

And the house is just gorgeous!! Can't wait to see more pics!!

[ParagonEos]

I hope your going to post some updated pics :blush:

[heather6773]

What a great house....Erin is beautiful!!! What a big girl she is:star: