Let’s Get Ready to Rustic!

Rustic Log Home Style

As described in our last post, log homes are extremely versatile.  They can be made to look very modern and they can also be made to look very rustic.  The choice is completely up to the log homeowner.  We’d like to share some of the unique ways our Real Log Home owners have brought a bit of the rustic to their homes.

Antlers

Love them, or hate them, using antlers in home decor has been a popular design selection for years (more like centuries.)  Whether you have an entire chandelier made of them, or if you use them as small accents, there is no denying that the use of antlers (real or fake) adds an air of the rustic to any log home:

Log home dining room with antler chandelier
This log home dining room (shown above) has a lot of rustic style, while still maintaining a well put together feel.  An antler chandelier sheds light on the long farm table.  The chairs also add to the rustic feel of the room with their rough-hewn style.

Log home bathroom with antler hardware
This log home bathroom (above) shows how antlers can be used to simply add a hint of the rustic.  You can see that antlers have been used as handles for the linen closet in this log home bathroom.

Rough, Unfinished Wood

One of the most popular ways that Real Log Home owners choose to add rustic style to their log homes is by using furniture with a rough, unfinished look.

log home kitchen with rustic bar stools
This log home kitchen shows off three rustic bar stools at the island.  The stools themselves look as though they have been made from miniature logs all pieced together (a good fit for a log home.)

log home office with rustic desk
This log home office (shown above) has a truly unique desk which adds a unique feeling of rustic style.  The desk has wonderfully shaped legs made of the natural bends and branches of a tree.  The desk top has a fascinatingly organic shape.  Adding to the rustic feel of this office is the desk chair, which has been upholstered with a cow hide back and sides, giving an extra “unfinished” look.

Worn / Antiqued Furniture

Whether or not you live in a log home, adding worn, aged, distressed or antique furniture to your home is a very common decor choice that adds a hint of the rustic.

log home kitchen with butcher block island
This log home kitchen (shown above) has an old antique butcher block serving as its island.  You can see the bow in the surface, no doubt from years of exposure to the cleaver.  While the days of butchering may be over for this block, it brings a historic charm to this log cabin’s kitchen.

log home front porch with antique rocking chair
This log home front porch (shown above) is one of our favorite photos.  It really captures the essence of adding rustic style to a log home.  This old weathered rocking chair looks as though it has a real story to tell.  Was it passed down from generation to generation?  Found by the owners at a roadside flea market?  We would love to know!  That’s just one of the great results of bringing old, worn looking pieces into your home – it instantly gives your log home the look of being lived in.  And after all, what are log homes for, if not to be lived in?

Hope you’ve enjoyed taking a glimpse at some of the ways to add a bit of the rustic to your log home.  Do you have some rustic pieces that you absolutely love?  Feel free to share them with us on our Facebook page.  Click here to visit our Facebook page.

Luxury Log Homes

One of the greatest things about log homes is their ability to be tailored to each homeowner’s taste and needs.  Much like that “little black dress” people are always going on about, a log home can be dressed up, or dressed down.  From ruggedly rustic to fancifully fantastic – anything is possible in a log home.

We’d like to highlight some of the details REAL™ log homeowners have added to their log homes that really make their log homes feel extra luxurious.

Deluxe Outdoor Living Spaces

Log home stone patioTo make outdoor living spaces feel luxurious, many homeowners invest in durable stone hard-scaping to create an outdoor living area that feels like an extension of the log home’s interior.  While the upfront cost of a real stone patio, installed properly with a good drainage base, is quite expensive – it will last for many years.  Simply imagining how enjoyable it would be to dine al fresco on this stone patio (above) has us longing for summer evenings and a glass of chilled Chardonnay.

A Gourmet Kitchen

luxury log home kitchenLet’s face it – cooking isn’t always easy.  But at least with an investment in high-quality appliances and durable and beautiful materials, you’ll hopefully be a bit less stressed about it.  Granted, a six burner professional grade range, with pot filler water spigot (shown in the kitchen above) won’t magically make you into Bobby Flay, but it certainly won’t hurt.  And all the easy to clean counter top space in this kitchen would certainly help for tasks like rolling pie dough or other space intensive culinary endeavors.  We think splurging for a luxurious kitchen is a delicious place to invest.

A Place To Keep Your Four-Wheeled Family

luxury log home garageSome of our homeowners have a serious love for their cars.  The homeowner who owns the garage shown above, loved his so much that he added an entire garage wing onto his log home to house his ATV’s and Hummer.  The garage addition is connected to the log home via a log porte-cochère.

A Dedicated Workout Space

log home gymAdding a dedicated workout space to a log home has been a popular trend in recent years.  While it’s important to adhere to New Year’s resolutions and all, and this log home gym (shown above) does look very nice and luxurious, we’re still thinking about all the not-so-healthy things we’d like to cook in that luxurious gourmet log home kitchen.

A Master Bathroom for Relaxation

log home bathroom with soaker tubAfter all that working out in your home gym, it sure would be nice to relax aching muscles in a jetted soaking tub.  This luxurious log home master bathroom (shown above) has just such a tub.  For many years, our clients have found having a separate tub and shower to be a very desirable feature for master bathrooms.  Throw in a double vanity so that you don’t have to share a sink with your spouse, and your master bathroom is on the way to becoming a luxurious relaxation room.

We hope you’ve enjoyed taking a glimpse at some of the luxurious additions that REAL™ log homeowners have chosen to dress up their log homes.  To show how versatile a log home can be, we’ll be highlighting some rustic log home details in our next posting, so stay tuned, and be sure to subscribe to be notified of updates.

Log Home Man Caves

After the two football games yesterday, the teams that will play in this year’s Super Bowl have been decided.  It’ll be Patriots vs Giants just like it was back in 2008.  So this is a pretty good time to think about where you’ll be watching the big game.  And there’s really no better place to watch the Super Bowl than in a man cave inside a Real Log Home®:

log home great room with pool table
To get you inspired for the big game day, we thought we’d draw up three different plays that will help you design the perfect man cave for your own log home.

# 1 – Views of the TV

sight lines foot ball diagram
Unlike many other occasions for hosting a party, a Super Bowl party is based around watching the football game.  So when laying out your ideal log home man cave, think about how you’ll arrange things so that everybody has a good view of the action.

log home great room with sectional couch big screen tv and soapstone stove
This log home great room (shown above) has an incredibly comfy looking sectional curving around the wide screen TV.  One thing to keep in mind when choosing a sectional for your log home man cave, is that people sitting in the center of the couch don’t have easy access to a table on which to set drinks or food.  So make sure you have a coffee table in front of the sectional, or a sofa table behind for guests to utilize.

AuSable Log Home Basement man cave

This log home basement also has a great furniture arrangement for watching the big game.  This time, instead of using a sectional, the homeowners bought two separate leather sofas and put them in a horseshoe pattern.  That leads to great sight lines for all.  Good call!

#2 – Comfy Furniture

furniture chalkboard diagram

While good looks are very important, comfort is just as important.  Couches and chairs with deep cushions and padded arms are ideal for kicking back and enjoying a game with friends and family.

log home great room with wall of windows and leather furniture
The leather furniture in this log home great room (shown above) is a great example of furniture with the right proportions to feel comfy without being too over-sized.  The sunlight streaming through the wall of windows makes the wide armchair look so cozy.  This is definitely a log home great room that’s ideal any time of year, not just for hosting the big game.

#3 – Easy Access to Food and Drink

blitz the chips refreshment diagram

Just as with any entertaining, providing your guests with food and drink is essential.  And a Super Bowl party in a man cave is no different.  If you’re planning a man cave completely from scratch, consider planning for a small wet bar to keep refreshments cool, and set out snacks.

log home basement bar kitchenette
This log home basement (shown above) has a complete kitchen just off the main TV room.  While an entire second kitchen isn’t necessary, it does make entertaining for a super bowl party much more convenient with extra storage and prep space available.

log home great room with bar
This log home great room (above) is running both plays 2 and 3.  It has big comfy couches with deep cushions, and it has a bar area tucked into an alcove.  With moves like that, this log home great room is entering the territory of log home man cave.

  We hope you’ve enjoyed reading a bit about laying out the perfect log home man cave.  We’d love to hear your thoughts on how to plan out the best Super Bowl party.  We’d also love to hear who you’re cheering for.  Feel free to leave a comment and share!

Cozy Up in a Log Home Bedroom

When the thermometer outside reads -20°F (as it did here in New Hampshire earlier this week), it’s hard to want to get out of bed in the morning.  Of course, when you live in a log home and have an extra snug bedroom, it can be hard to want to leave your bedroom any time of year.  There’s just something in particular about this time of year, when the snow piles up outside, or the cold wind howls, that really makes us want to cozy up, and hunker down (preferably under some goose down!)

log home bedroom with wood stove and spiral staircase
This log home bedroom (above) has the extra warm addition of a wood stove.  And of course, some homemade muffins and fresh coffee served in bed also makes it quite difficult to want to leave.  The unfortunate part though in any bedroom; somebody has to get out of bed to go make the coffee.

california log home with fireplace and french doors
This California log home bedroom (above) also has the warmth of fire, but this one is a gas fireplace.  And with gas fireplace technology nowadays, you can start a fire with the click of a remote control button.  But once again, somebody still has to get out of bed, this time to go make mimosas!  Just imagine watching the snow fall through those sliding glass patio doors as you’re cozy in bed sipping mimosas and reading a good book as the fire glows.

log home bedroom with jacuzzi outside
Of course, if you feel like you have to get out of bed and go outside – having a hot tub right out the door might just lure you out (like in the log home bedroom photo above.)

log home bedroom with vaulted ceilings
This log home bedroom (above) has a sunny reading chair to cuddle up in when the snow starts to fall.  The king sized, four poster bed piled with quilts and pillows helps to fill the space in this grand bedroom.  The height of the bed posters works especially well with the vaulted ceilings.

In a log home bedroom you can use many styles of bedroom furniture to make your space feel cozy, from the obvious rustic style log furniture…..
log home bedroom with rustic log bed and furniture

….to more sophisticated and formal furniture:
log home bedroom with black bed and quilt

No matter how you decorate a log home bedroom, and whether or not you have a gas fireplace, wood stove, or no fire at all, we hope you stay warm and cozy this winter.  If you live in a Real Log Home® it shouldn’t be too hard since the log home kits are precisely cut to be air-tight and energy-efficient.  But whether or not you live in a log home, we hope you’re staying warm – and best of luck deciding who has to get up and make the coffee!

The Sun Shines Bright on This New Kentucky Log Home

A Kentucky couple finds the perfect log home plan—and adds some unique touches to make it their own.

As seen in the 2009 July issue of Country’s Best Log Homes magazine.
Story by: Cynthia Ward Veseykentucky log home with attached garage

This gorgeous Real Log Home was built in Kentucky by couple Sandra and Tim.  Where Tim prefers more traditional log home styling, Sandra is drawn to more modern elements. “I didn’t want  a typical log home with a real ‘country’ look. I wanted it to be more modern,” she explains. Because of their different tastes in decor, the couple, who have been married for 16 years, often had to compromise. “I wanted areas of drywall to add a little color, but Tim wanted all wood,” notes Sandra. While wood is the dominant component of the home, Sandra added her personal touch by brightening the kitchen with white cabinets.

log home kitchen with white cabinets and granite counter tops

Years of marriage and the ability to give and take came in handy with the furnishings as well—Tim chose the country-style bedroom set, while Sandra picked out the great room’s leather furniture. Tim also chose one of the more dominant accessories: an eye-catching, enormous elk-antler chandelier. He actually bought it before they started building. “When they brought it in on the back of a semi, I knew I was in trouble,” Sandra says.

log home great room with antler chandelier

The house is sited on nearly 70 breathtaking acres, with a view of a sparkling lake teeming with fish. “The house was built around the water,” says Sandra. The 2,400-square-foot home (not including the basement or garage) features contoured white pine logs, which are 8 inches in diameter and notched with a V-shaped groove.

log home on a lake in kentucky

The homeowners were really drawn to an open floor plan and insisted the kitchen, dining and living areas all be open to one another.  You can see the first floor plan here.  The first floor of this log home is 1,564 square feet (you can click the image to see a larger image of the log home plan).

kentucky log home first floor plan

The second floor houses an open loft space, as well as an additional bedroom and storage space.  The upstairs bedroom has an en-suite bath.  The second floor is 858 square feet.

kentucky log home second floor plan

If you enjoyed this log home plan, and seeing the photos of this log home, please feel free to leave a comment for us, or share this story with your friends and family via Facebook or Twitter.  If you have any questions about this log home, just let us know by emailing us at info@realloghomes.com or calling us at 1-800-REAL LOG  (732-5564)

kentucky log home dining room with french doors on to covered porch

Real Log Style’s Top New Year’s Resolution: Plan Ahead

There are a lot of lists out there of the top five or ten New Year’s resolutions, but we here at Real Log Style think there’s one resolution that trumps them all – Plan Ahead.

Lake Log Home in Spring at Dusk

As many of you may have experienced during the holidays, poor planning can lead to stress, and according to a Scientific American article we just read, stress could possibly lead to more gray hairs.  So dodge the grays this year, and get a plan!  From planning for visitors, to planning your dream log home, don’t leave anything to the last minute.

Here are three situations that the log home lover should plan ahead for:

1)  Having guests over to your home (this may be fresh on the minds of many)

Sunny Log Home Bedroom

  1. If you live in a log home, then you’re going to want to show it off to friends and family!
  2. Decide ahead of time who is staying in what room, and make all the beds 1 day ahead of time (set the clean towels for guests in their respective rooms so there is no confusion as to what towels are for them).
  3. Plan any necessary menus and get your groceries the day before, or morning of your guest’s arrival (make sure to order any specialty items like large roasts so you’ll be sure they are available for you).
  4. Know what serving-ware, stemware and table linens you’ll be using ahead of time and make sure they are clean and ready a day ahead of time (nobody wants to be ironing a table cloth instead of greeting guests).

2) Maintaining your log home

gray log home exterior

  1. It’s difficult to perform maintenance in the winter, but the spring is a great time for staining logs and caulking any large checks.  Schedule any log home maintenance now so you won’t have to worry come spring time.
  2. When fall comes again in 2012, make sure you clear away debris, leaves and branches from around your home’s foundation before they get buried by snow.

3) Planning to build a new log home or addition

Log Home Deck in Sunshine

  1. The planning process can take a fair amount of time as you work back and forth with our design department to customize every aspect of your log home.  So if you are hoping to build a log home in 2012, plan ahead and start the design process now. (In 2012 design deposits start as low as $1,000)
  2. Start the design process early and keep the experience enjoyable and stress free.  You should never let yourself feel rushed into making compromises on your dream log home.  After all, a Real Log Home is built to last a lifetime – so plan ahead to make sure it’s built just the way you want it.
  3. Get your permits, financing and building partner lined up well in advance of when you’d like to break ground.  Real Log Homes can help you find a local partner who is familiar with permits and financing in your area – just call them at 1-800-REAL LOG (732-5564) or email them at info@realloghomes.com

So while it may seem like a simple and straightforward resolution, planning ahead takes energy and commitment, but it is so worth it.  Fight the procrastinator within, and free yourself from the unwanted stress (and gray hairs) that come from poor planning!  Happy New Year!

P.S. – Share with us some of your tips for being a good planner, and any other New Year’s resolutions you’ve made and want to share.  Just click “leave a comment” below.

Log Home Fireplaces Fit for Santa

When the weather turns cold, and families gather to celebrate holidays, it seems like fireplaces are a natural draw.  Their warmth and beauty makes us want to huddle ’round and enjoy the glow.  Of course, there are many different styles of fireplaces, from small and intimate, to grand works of stone that tower above a great room.  We’d love to share some of our favorites with you.

log home stone fireplace with elk aboveThis first fireplace (above) is from a western style log home built in Montana.  If you look closely, you’ll see that the fireplace tools are suspended from an antler to the right of the fireplace.  That’s a fitting detail that matches well with the elk mounting above the fireplace.  The masonry for this fireplace is also only built up to where the half log mantle is located. While some fireplaces have stonework that continues up to the ceiling, this limited use of the stone creates a more intimate look and feel to this log home great room, since the eye isn’t drawn up into the open cathedral space .

log home great room with stone fireplace deer aboveThis stone fireplace has stone work that extends up beyond the mantel, but because it is not on the gable end of the room, it doesn’t extend to the fullest height of the ceiling.  A small alcove to the right of the fireplace is perfect for storing wood where it is easily accessible, warm and dry.  This mantle is also made from a rustic half log, and has been decorated with greenery and stockings all ready for Santa to hurry down the chimney.

Log home great room with stone fireplace and lots of windowsThis log home great room has a lot of windows, which give the room an open and airy feeling.  The cathedral ceilings also add to this feeling of openness.  And the stone fireplace soars up into this open ceiling space providing a feeling of grandeur.  While this look is beautiful, it is an awfully long descent for Santa.

log home den with brick fireplaceFinally, lest you think that stone is the only thing to make a fireplace out of, here is a warm and inviting brick fireplace from a New England log home.  A functional and fun mitten drying rack sits on the hearth to the left of the fireplace.  A wood storage box has been built of wood and sits to the left of the hearth.  Atop the wood storage cubby is a charming moose candle holder.   This log home den would be an ideal place to cozy up to knit some gifts, or to sit and enjoy the company of family at Christmas time.

We hope you’ve enjoyed a few of our favorite log home fireplaces, be they tall or short, stone or brick.  Because no matter the style of fireplace, or the size or material, the really important component to a cozy holiday is the joy felt from gathering with family and friends.

Chester, California Real Log Home Looks Great in Snow

With an elevation over 4,500 ft., Chester, CA really gets the snow – even into June.  So what better place to build a log home – the coziest, warmest, most charming type of home?

California log home in snowThis particular home was built by JR Thompson, of Mt. Lassen Log and Timber Frame Homes to serve as their model home.  And it truly is a model for how comfortable and warm a log home can be.  The 3 bedroom log home is based on the Real Log Homes standard floor plan “The Richmond” – click here to see the Richmond plan.

California log home great room with stone fireplaceThe great room for this log home has a wall of windows that lets light in, brightening up those gloomy days of winter.  A gorgeous stone fireplace has a rustic half-log mantel which blends well with the elegant, rustic  style of this log home.

log home dining room table set for christmasThe dining room is open to the kitchen and the great room, making it a great place for entertaining as guests can flow from one space to another.  A beautiful Navajo style rug helps to define the dining space, as does the dropped ceiling height over the dining area.  The centerpiece is a tasteful arrangement of holly leaves and berries, perfect for a Christmas supper table setting.

log home kitchen with stainless steel six burner stoveThe deluxe, gourmet kitchen makes entertaining easy too.  With a double oven, deluxe stainless appliances, and a six burner stove top – you’ll want to host Christmas supper every month of the year.  Hanging lights over the bar top counter seating area illuminate and define the border of the open kitchen.  The granite counter tops are a beautiful warm shade that works very well with the color of the log walls and wood cabinets.

california log home at night in the snowAs if the warmth of this log home wasn’t obvious enough in the day time, at night the home truly glows.  You can clearly see here how nice the wall of windows in the great room would be at providing great views and lighting.  Covered porches flank the great room allowing outdoor access from the master bedroom and guest bedroom alike.

With so much charm, excellent design, and style in this home, we could go on at great length about its features, but you can probably see what we’re talking about in the beautiful log home pictures we chose.  So, the only thing left for us to say is – let it snow!

10 Gift Ideas For the Log Home Lover

Holiday shopping is in full swing, and no matter how experienced a shopper you are, everybody could use some ideas every now and then.  We’ve collected 10 ideas that would be perfect for the log home owner, or log home enthusiast in your life.  Feel free to share your own ideas by leaving a comment!

1) Nature Prints

Log Home With Audubon Canvas Backed Duck Print

Vermont Real Log Home Den With Audubon "Canvas Backed Duck" Print

Log homes are truly natural homes, right down to the core.  What better place to showcase nature prints than in a log home?  Anything goes, from botanical prints to wildlife plates.  Some of the most collectible prints are Audubon prints by John James Audubon.  Original prints can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars, but luckily you can order reprints at very affordable prices.  See a gallery of Audubon reprints for sale here.

2) Decorative Fireplace Screens

Decorative fire place screen

Decorative fire place screen with fish and pine tree motif

There’s not much that can make a log home feel cozier during the holidays than the glowing warmth of a fire.  You can spruce up the fire with decorative screens which are true works of art.  Just make sure you know the correct dimensions of the fireplace before buying this as a gift for someone.

3) Cast Sculptures

Elk Statue in Log Home Great Room

This cast elk statue in a Real Log Home great room has resulted in countless inquiries over the years as to where the owners purchased the statue. It's actually an antique.

A well designed piece of sculpture can be a timeless and cherished gift.  These can be purchased from local artists, or acquired through antiques dealers.  The right piece can make just the right statement.  Here’s a lovely example of a new statue available from Black Forest Decor.

4) Fire Pits

Log Cabin With Fire Pit

This Real Log Cabin built in California has a simple, yet inviting fire pit

While the weather outside is frightful, one thing to take away the chill is a fire pit.  Fire pits are perfect for family gatherings at any log home, from lakefront log homes to log homes in the mountains.  Warm up, and enjoy the s’mores!

5) Fine Fragrance

Candles and soaps are old go to gifts, but you can make them truly special with unique natural botanical fragrances.  Some of the best fragrances can be found at Archipelago – who uses natural fragrance oils, and soy based wax.  Their fragrances are truly heavenly and would be a welcome gift in any home.  (We particularly love the Havana fragrance –  A blend of Bergamot, Tobacco Leaf and Ylang Ylang)  Gift cards are always great too, since you don’t always know what smells people prefer.  Shop their site now: www.archipelago-usa.com

Havana Fragrance from Archipelago

Candles from Archipelago not only smell great, but are beautifully packaged as well

6)  Birch Bark Décor

Birch Bark Mirror in Log Home Bathroom

The mirror in this California Real Log Home has a charming and rustic bark frame.

Birch bark is not only lovely to behold with its random striated patterns, but it’s also a versatile design material.  We just love the natural look it provides.  And the color – ranging from creamy white to ashen gray – can provide a nice contrast to the darker wood tones often found in log homes.  If you love being crafty and have some birch bark at your disposal, try your hand at making some items yourself.  Or shop for birch bark home decor at  www.cottagesurroundings.com/birch-decor-accessories.html

7) Lovely Quilts

Quilt hanging in a log home on banister

The owner of this Real Log Home has a wonderful collection of various quilts large and small

Giving the gift of a quilt is a timeless choice, especially if you have a quilt lover on your gift list.  Not only can they be beautiful to behold, but are functional as well.  If you don’t have the time (or talents) to make your own quilt, consider ordering a custom quilt for that special log home enthusiast on your list.  Visit www.vermontquilts.com

8 ) Flat Panel TV Frame

TV Frame Before and After

This flat screen TV transitions from being a beautiful framed piece of art, to a place to watch the game, with the push of a button

This gift is great for couples who might disagree about where to place the TV.  One may want the big flat screen TV to be the center of attention – the other might not want the TV to be the focus.  This gift – which unfortunately can be quite costly – is just the right solution.  You can frame the TV and turn it into a painting, which slides back to reveal the TV.  Or frame it as a mirror, with a special type of 2 way glass that reveals a crystal clear TV picture when you turn the TV on.  Read all about framing your TV at: http://framemytv.com/

9) Rustic Lighting

antique blown glass drop pendant light

This antique blown glass drop pendant light has an aged feeling, with bubbles clearly visible in the glass, and a worn look to the wrought iron.

From lamp shades made of mica in the craftsman tradition – to old wrought iron lamps – rustic lighting fixtures, and especially antique finds, are a wonderful gift and a beautiful addition to any log home.  Shop some new rustic lighting here: www.blackforestdecor.com/brstla.html

10)  Gifts For The Bird Lover

Rustic bird seed feeder in shape of log cabin

This bird seed feeder from Gardner's Supply is in the shape of a charming little log cabin

With so much to love about log homes, it only stands to reason that the birds would love a log home too.  This adorable bird feeder is in the shape of a small log cabin, and can be re-coated with seeds over and over.  It’s a fun gift idea for the bird lover on your list.  Read all about this bird feeder gift here.

Welcome To Holiday Decorating Season!

Log Home Front Door With Christmas WreathWith December knocking on the door, and Thanksgiving behind us, it’s the right time of year for decorating your log home to celebrate the holiday season.  What better way to welcome friends and family into your log home than with cheerful decor and lights galore!

Whether you and your family celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza – or if you simply enjoy the beauty of this time of year – we hope you’ll enjoy seeing some photos of our log homes decorated for the season!

We’ll start, of course, at the entrance to your home.  It’s a great place to begin your holiday decorating, as it’s the first impression your guests will have when coming to visit.

Log Home Front Porch With Christmas TreesThis first log home entrance shows a simple, refined level of decorating.  Two Christmas trees with minimal garland, flank the entrance.  A small wooden basket rests near the front, full of pine cones and boughs – as if just collected.  A small, old wooden sleigh leans casually against the corner post.  It’s a simple arrangement, that works well with the striking effect of the dark porch posts.

Log Home Porch Decorated For ChristmasThis log home front porch, goes a bit beyond the level of simple and refined – and jumps right into the land of pure fun.  Garland spirals up around large log posts, reminiscent of candy cane stripes.  Large red bows make this log house look like a REAL™ present.  The front door is adorned with a wreath, and a rustic, wicker reindeer stands watch over the porch.  Icicles hanging from the porch roof, make this house feel like a magical frosted gingerbread house.  It really has all the charm, warmth and fun of a fairytale Christmas.

Log Home Great Room With Christmas TreeOne great feature about log home great rooms, is that they often have vaulted ceilings – and vaulted ceilings are great for showing off a great Christmas tree. This photo shows not only a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, but the table set with frosted pine branches and candles.  Even the deer hanging on the wall is feeling the holiday spirit (don’t worry , it’s not Blitzen)  The window sills have Amaryllis bulbs growing in them too – which is a great project to grow with children.  Be careful though, if the bulb is ingested, the Amaryllis can cause upset stomach.  (Real all about growing Amaryllis here)

Log Home With Christmas Lights in SnowAnd, finally, one of the real highlights of this season – the lights!  Log homes really do look great when dressed up with Christmas lights and a dusting of snow.  This log home has lights that run along the roof edges – which provides great definition of the home’s architectural lines.  You can see also, that the landscaping up-lights are on.  Landscaping lighting like this can be used to illuminate your home at any time of year.  And when your log home looks this good, why not shine some light on it?

Michigan Log Home With Christmas Lights in SnowWhile Real Log Homes® are built so weather-tight and energy-efficient that our homeowners don’t often get icicles hanging from their roofs – many go out of their way each Winter to hang up their own icicles.  We’re of course talking about the light icicles, as seen in this picture above – taken of one of our homes built in Michigan.  As the sun is sinking low – this log home beckons across the snow filled yard – its soft glow and warm interior calling visitors to come inside and warm their spirits.

  We hope our photos have got you feeling the holiday spirit.  We’d love to hear your comments on how you like to decorate your home for the holidays, no matter which holiday you celebrate.  Simply click the link under this posting that says “LEAVE A COMMENT”

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