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!
During the production of this issue, Los Angeles and its surrounding communities were on fire — a collection of blazes that is already being hailed as the worst natural disaster ever to hit the West Coast. Saving lives is top priority, of course, but being in the business of residential construction as we are, we recognize that not only are people losing their homes, they’re also watching their dreams, their memories and their sense of safety turn to ash. It’s devastating to say the least, and our hearts break for them. The horrific scene makes us turn inward to our readers and all those who choose log homes and timber frames as shelter — often in secluded and heavily wooded areas, which are potential hotspots for wildfires. And while fighting…
IF EPIC, RUSTIC RETREATS are your ideal getaway, this cliffside getaway in the Smokies is a must-see. Check out the home’s amazing views and dreamy interiors at loghome.com/a-hilltop-home. WHY GO BASIC with your mountain home when you can create a haven with truly panoramic views? At timberhomeliving.com/a-natural-high, see a fire-tower-inspired getaway that is the epitome of “on top of the world.” IF YOU ALREADY have your cabin’s destination in mind, it’s time to start the next step: matching a design to your dream. Grab our guide at cabinlife.com/custom-cabin-design. THINKING ABOUT ATTENDING a log or timber home show this spring but don’t know what to expect? Get the full scoop and find out how to make the most of these events with expert advice on our YouTube channel, @logandtimberhomeliving! Connect with…
Meet Jeff Miller, a log and timber frame enthusiast and self proclaimed “out-of-the-box-kind-of guy,” who dreamed up a soaring timber frame tower and then made it happen atop a mountain in South Dakota. Here’s how. JEFF: A few years ago, I ended up buying 160 acres with a big mountain on it — it’s just beautiful. In addition to that, it’s got some 1800s-era gold mines across the property. With such a place, I wanted to do something pretty unique and just started dreaming and drawing it all out on a napkin. A friend of mine, Brad Dewitt, used to build log homes. Over the years he actually built two homes for me, and we got to work on them together. He’s now in retirement in Arizona, but I…
As springtime temperatures begin to warm, your outdoor space begins to call. But winter can be rough on decks, so before you have that early morning coffee or host your first barbecue of the season, make sure it’s in good working order. Whether wood or synthetic, decks are exposed to the elements in more drastic ways than at other times of the year. Snow, freezing rain and ice can wreak havoc on materials, meaning they’ve been subject to an increased risk of expansion, contraction and movement from fluctuating temperatures and standing moisture, which can result in potential damage. Let’s review a few of the main issues to look for with wood decks, as well as what needs to be done to shore them up. Ensure Structural Soundness A deck is…
Mother Nature has prowlers — even home invaders—everywhere. As a homeowner you need to police your property, keeping your eyes peeled for clues that your home may be under attack. Some bandits are easy to spot, like raccoons and woodpeckers. Others are a little more stealth. There’s a common six-legged villain that many a log and timber homeowner dreads the most: carpenter bees. We’re not only going to help you sniff out the perp, we’ll show you how to put ’em away for life. The Suspect Bees come in all shapes and sizes, from small-but-pesky sweat bees to bulbous-but-good-natured bumblebees. Carpenter bees are among the brutes of the group — big, noisy and kind of intimidating; yet to humans, these bees are mostly harmless. The males have no stinger,…
For many, the first memory of a log or timber structure comes not from home but from a journey — perhaps a lakeside cabin, a rustic lodge or a visitor center that felt as though it had sprung from the earth itself. These venerable buildings belong to the design movement known as “National Park Service (NPS) Rustic,” or, more colloquially, “parkitecture,” which originated in the early 20th century as architects sought to create structures harmonizing with the awe-inspiring landscapes of America’s national parks. This architectural style embraces regional materials such as logs and stone to highlight the natural beauty of each location. Visionary architects like Mary Colter and Gilbert Stanley Underwood created iconic landmarks, including the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone (flip to page 36 to learn more about this…
