Log & Timber Home Living magazine is the ultimate guide to log, timber and hybrid homes. Expect expert advice on everything from floor plan design to materials and maintenance, as well as inspiring home tours, decorating ideas and more!
As a person who does a fair amount of yoga and meditation, the concept of “setting an intention” is at the forefront of my practice. Having a desired purpose in mind keeps you focused and prevents you from drifting down an unplanned path. It may sound all New Age-y, but really, it’s just simple, good advice. Setting an intention forces you to understand the “why,” not just the “how” behind all decisions, great and small. As we were putting our annual small-homes issue together, I was struck by how this line of wisdom found its way into our articles again and again; how recognizing your motivation behind the desire to build on a smaller scale makes a huge difference in the outcome — and your satisfaction with it. Dan Mitchell spells…
IF YOU’RE LOOKING to add a little more space without undergoing an addition, consider the benefits of an accessory dwelling unit. From gyms to art studios to home offices, the potential uses are unlimited, and we break down our favorite examples at loghome.com/small-package-big-potential. AS THIS ISSUE PROVES, just because a space is compact doesn’t mean it lacks in style or function. At timberhomeliving.com/small-bathrooms-big-splash we share how to turn small bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. DID YOU KNOW that cabins and tiny homes are being used to help families in low-income communities? Read all about the cost-effective effort and benefits at cabinlife.com/tiny-homes-helping-families. A 450-SQUARE-FOOT stone and wood cottage is just the right size for its Colorado homeowners. They looked to the past to add character and authenticity to their mountain home. See…
When Robyn and Rick Athmann set out to build their dream home on Minnesota’s Lake Vermilion, they kept coming back to one picture as their muse — a cover of Log Home Living magazine (the predecessor to Log & Timber Home Living). Here’s their story. ROBYN: We used to live on a lake in the Twin Cities, and we decided that we wanted to move out of the city. We wanted to move somewhere in the woods, and we actually thought it would be Colorado. So we went to Colorado and loved the mountains but realized we’re really water people. We have a 24-foot Cobalt cuddy boat, and we would take it and our snowmobiles out to explore different lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Eventually, we came up to visit…
As modern homeowners reconsider consider the role their homes play, today, into retirement and beyond, many find inspiration in classic styles from the past, like charming cottages and cozy A-frames. But don’t let their nostalgic aura fool you — these homes are modern marvels in their own right. Matt Franklin, lead architect at M.T.N Design, regards the A-frame as both a mid-century icon and a tribute to the steep-roofed Scandinavian cabins built to shed heavy snow. “The A-frame combines an older style with modern materials for a sleek, sophisticated look,” he says. Their long-term cost-effectiveness doesn’t hurt either. “A-frames play into the desire to drive down cost, since most of the structure is the roof, which requires less maintenance and offers more durability than siding materials,” Matt says. And because…
FALL + WINTER Fireplaces or wood stoves are classic features in cottages and A-frames, adding both heat and ambiance. Located in the main living space, they create a warm gathering area and provide an efficient heat source on cold days. SPRING Spring is the time to take advantage of natural light as days grow longer. Large windows – a common feature in A-frames and cottages – brighten interiors with sunlight and help homeowners feel connected to the emerging landscape. Some homeowners choose skylights or light wells to bring even more natural light into their homes. SUMMER As temperatures rise, good ventilation becomes essential. Optimize cross-ventilation in your design with strategically placed windows to allow cool breezes to flow through the house.…
So you think you want to downsize into a smaller log or timber home. Before you head down that route, ask yourself one very important question: Why? Investigating your motivation behind this move is essential before you make the leap from a house with thousands of square feet to one that’s significantly less. There are three primary reasons people cite for wanting to scale back on their living space: • They believe that a smaller home will be less to maintain — a factor of great importance for empty nesters building a forever home. • They believe that a smaller home will cost less to operate, thereby saving them money on heating/cooling, electricity, water, etc., over the long term. Being able to predict and manage costs is especially important to…
