Building A Dream
Written: Mar 02 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Outstanding Photography, Helpful Ideas, Sample Floorplans And Their Pricing, Advertising Is Kept To Back Pages
Cons: None!
The Bottom Line: The Best of All Log Home Publications Rolled Into One.
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| ClaireKS's Full Review: Log Home Design Ideas Subscription Magazine |
Perhaps my ancient Viking genes are responsible for my love of all things made of fine, sturdy wood;-- majestic longboats, huge wooden mantle pieces, rustic furniture, and most of all…log homes.
My dream has always been to build a log home some day. Nestled in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by noble trees and wildlife, far from the cement and asphalt jungles created by the ever-increasing greed of developers. To sit outside on a balmy night on a wrap-around porch and watch the stars…or cozy up to a wall-spanning flagstone fireplace graced by a huge wooden mantle, adorned with hammered pewter plates and steins…then fall asleep in a warm loft bedroom, in the absence of the din of trucks, trains, and cars. This is my dream.
But "dreams" require a great deal of planning, so to help inform myself a bit about life in a home made of nothing but timber, I decided to subscribe to Log Home Living. And I’m very glad that I did, because there are many, many concerns in the building and maintenance of a log home that I never knew. I did realize that in the eyes of termites and other wood-loving insects, a house made of bark-free, thick timber has a flashing neon sign on the lawn that says, "Eat At Joe’s!", with an arrow pointing straight to the front door. And I did realize that weathering would be a problem for any organic material; especially wood. But I didn’t know about many of the other difficulties, or what methods were being used to combat them.
Log Home Living is only one of several magazines published on the subject of log homes, but I chose it over the others for one main reason. The other publications were dedicated to only one particular aspect of log homes; either basic construction, or the purchase of ready-made homes, or the maintenance of existing homes. I wanted something that gave me information on all three. And that’s exactly what Log Home Living provides.
The spectacular, highly-detailed, page-spanning photographs are practically suitable for framing; the views of natural settings in which people have chosen to build their homes (from mountains to valleys, and forests to fields) are enough to bring a tear to any nature-lover’s eye.
The creativity of so many log home owners is truly amazing! The design and decorating ideas that you come away with are invaluable.
Log Home Living is published 12 times a year, and you have the option of choosing an edition tailored to your particular region of the U.S. My subscription is for the Northeast region. Each month, feature articles include interviews with various people around the nation who have built captivating and unusual log homes, as well as tips on the best methods for building and maintaining a better home.
Here are the feature articles, columns, and regular departments from the April, 2001 issue:
Feature Articles
"The Feeling of Home": An interview with a couple from Wyoming who have built a log home with some very unique interior designs. Lovely photographs take you from the outside of their home into every interior room.
"One Day At A Time": A couple from Maine put a log home together in an amazingly short time, and chose a very unusual decorating scheme. Opting for an eclectic mix of styles including contemporary, country, and early American, they have created a surprisingly beautiful and warm sense throughout the home. Delightful photos accompany the article.
"Common Ground": An Oregon couple who deal in antiques have built a log home with a very curious "great room". A fishing boat hangs from the ceiling, and surrounding the modern couches and chairs are many antique items including a rocking horse, a spinner’s wheel, a student’s school-room desk, and a very unique grandfather clock .
"Center of Attention": A Michigan family creates a home with a wonderful combination of fieldstone and log. Complete with 27-foot high cathedral ceilings and a complex roof that juts away from the house, you get the feeling that you are looking at the prow of a massive wooden ship. Cedar logs are used throughout the home, giving a very warm glow to each room.
"Swan Song": A family from Montana combine the ultra-modern with the completely rustic. The large center-island cooking area in the kitchen rivals that of the most modern of homes, while the family room boasts a huge fieldstone fireplace with moose antlers set high up the chimney. Red cordovan wing chairs warm the room with their rich color.
"Letter Perfect": A log home in the desert? This New Mexico family created a home that blends perfectly with its surroundings; simple lines, rustic furniture, and faux gas lamps give the feeling of the Old West.
Other feature articles included "How To Choose Your Builder", "How To Compare and Save", "How To Build on Solid Ground", "How To Handle Delivery Day" , "How To Protect Your Job Site", and "Step By Step", which is a pictorial timeline of how one couple completed their home.
The Columns
"Brass Tacks", by Jim Cooper: This month, Jim tackles spring cleaning! Ideas to make those chores a bit easier, and tips on wood maintenance.
"On Design", by Marshall Glickman: Ideas on construction design that will make your new home more energy efficient, and comparisons between different types of heating and lighting.
"Home Style" by Kurt Cyr: This month, Kurt presents various exterior lighting ideas, including those meant to focus on landscaping details as well as those for security.
"Reader’s Corner", by Laura Stapleton: Readers send in their photos and ideas. Nothing better than tips from those who actually live in log homes!
The Regular Departments
Along with the editor’s notes and the reader’s mailbox page, departments include:
"Finds": Neat little odds and ends for furnishing or decorating your log home.
"News and Notes": Info on various happenings around the country, from floorplan contests to log home tours.
"Calendar": Each state is represented with calendars of events. Open houses, seminars, and home shows.
"Focus on Floorplans": Floorplan views are presented, as well as estimated pricing for homes built with those particular plans.
"Index To Advertisers": Handy way to find an advertiser that might be of interest to you.
"Resources": Where to go, who to contact, for just about anything.
"Index To Advertiser’s Web Sites": Very handy!
"Builder/Dealer Marketplace", and "Supplier’s Marketplace": Listings of builders, contractors, and suppliers, nicely laid out and grouped by state!
"Backlog": New fun and functional items on the market. This month, nine styles of step stools are shown.
I honestly think that this magazine would be a wonderful read even for those who have no interest in building or owning a log home. The photography, the terrific interior design ideas, and the mini-biographies of people all across our nation would captivate most anyone!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ClaireKS
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Member: Claire (Nickname: LadyWolf)
Location: Northern Virginia
Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 80 members
About Me:
Avid nature conservationist and friend to all living things.
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