For those who believe there is no such thing as too much wood, you will often find:

• No sheet rock (or very little)
• Minimal use of tiles and stone
• All wood, or mostly wood constructed furnishings with cushions here and there
• Wooden doors and window frames with natural wood finishes
• Butcher block countertops, or a faux wood finish

For those who believe there is such a thing as too much wood, you will often find:

• Different wall finishes
• Stone and tile accents, wall coverings, and flooring
• Furnishings constructed of numerous materials
• Countertops created from a variety of materials
• Painted finishes on cabinetry, doors, and window cases

Does this mean one person’s taste is wrong and the other’s isn’t?  No, not at all.  The point of this exploration is to show you that, no matter your style or taste, you can make it work in a log home.  Various magazines and books provide many examples of both all wood and mixed design schemes.

1. Hardwood Floors: Making New Look Old
2. DoItYourself.com: Distressing Floors
3. Hand Dragged Floors
4. Distressed Hardwood Floors
5. Distress Wood Flooring

Even though this is a project any experienced do it yourselfer can complete, there are contractors that have distressed flooring available.  And, in some cases, contractors will come in and distress a floor that has already been installed.  Be sure to communicate the look you are after in detail before starting.  Your vision might be completely different from theirs, so be sure you are clear.

Protecting the wood floor is not necessary because you want the distressing to continue over time.  Developing its own characteristics is part of the charm of an old distressed floor, whether is it authentic or not.  However, if you choose to add a seal this is an option you can speak to the flooring specialist about.

Do not be surprised if friends and family try talking you out of this project.  Why would you destroy a perfectly good piece of hardwood flooring?  Well, in your mind, you are not destroying it at all.  In your mind you are creating exactly what you want and it will be perfect!

1. Etched glass can be placed on the doors or walls of a shower surround.
2. Add stained glass to the side panels of exterior doors.
3. If you have cathedral, or otherwise high ceilings, add stained glass windows above doors or above windows (both on interior and exterior walls).
4. Insert small glass windows, either etched or stained glass, to doors that are both interior and exterior doorways.
5. In a half wall, add a stained glass window or glass blocks.

As you can see, there are a lot of opportunities for adding glass inserts and accents to your log home.  In order to add these features, your home does not have to be new construction.  Pre-existing log homes have the same opportunities for embellishments as new construction. 

If you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer, tackle this project on your own or with the help of a friend or family member.  If you are not experienced with home improvement projects, hire a reliable contractor.  You will not be disappointed with this decision to add some sparkle in some areas of your log home.

There is no right or wrong way to create an accent wall in a log home interior design plan.  The trick is to create one that is based on the occupant’s interests, color palette, and finishes the occupants all enjoy.  It does not have to be solely wood and stone finishes when it comes to log home interiors.  Here are some ideas:

• Rather than using stone tiles on your flooring, add them to your accent wall.
• If you are working with a small section of wall, hang granite similar to what would be used on a granite countertop.
• Fill a sheet rocked wall with different sized photographs of family, friends, the property the log home is located on, and pictures of the building process.  Use frames that are all the same finish and color.

There is nothing like having an accent wall in a room that was previously dull and drab.  Changing things up and redecorating the room can really bring the log home back to life.  Think outside the box with the materials, themes, and elements used to create a new look in your log home interiors.

The decision to start a log home business is nothing to take lightly, as with any business decision.  There are a lot of things to consider, as well as a lot of people that must be involved in the process.  One decision you can make is to go the route of a franchise.  There are a lot of franchise opportunities, some of which are online.

Here are some examples of franchises available online:

• Lincoln Log Homes Franchise
• Kodiak Log Homes Dealer Information
• American Log Homes: Become a Dealer
• Flint River Log Homes
• Become an Alta Dealer

Depending on where you are located, it should be fairly simple to locate a log home franchise opportunity in your area.  In addition to conducting keyword searches on the Internet, contact log homebuilders in your phone book.  This will also give you the opportunity to find out from first hand experience what it is like to run a log home business.  Ask a lot of questions, and then speak to a financial specialist.

Lots of firewood, antique furniture…Nice view. What more could I ask for? M.D.
Warm and cozy.. Like a good hug from a special friend. K.D.
A playhouse from my own childhood memories. Very lovely. B.K.
Again, a marvelous, relaxing vacation. J.L.
We felt the love that went into building this house. B.D. 

With the choice of three different homes to rent for your vacation, you are able to customize your vacation exactly the way you want.  There is also the opportunity to have your wedding take place on this property.  For more information about reservations and amenities, visit the website now.  Here is a bird’s eye view of some of what you could experience vacationing here:

• Golfing
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Horseback riding

Whether you are planning a family vacation, or a honeymoon retreat, the Mountain Morning Log and Antique Home rentals are sure to bring the perfect twists to relaxation, entertainment, and making memories. 

Outdoor rooms are easier to add natural elements to because they are already immersed in a natural setting.  Therefore, we are going to explore how to bring the outside in:

1. The addition of houseplants, of course, will bring that natural element into your log home.  Do not keep this to one room, though.  Add plants throughout each room of your log home.
2. Utilization of beams and posts that look like logs, rather than timbers, in the main areas of the log home (or in every room if you choose).  There are some posts that look like trees with roots and all. 
3. Faux paint treatments on sheet rocked areas of the log home allows for the look of stone, wood, and a combination of the two successfully.  Home improvement centers carry all the supplies and manuals for these projects.
4. Installation of faux stones, or actual stones, on walls and stairways.  Stones do not have to be limited to fireplace and chimney treatments.  Half walls, as well as the bottoms of bars or islands are additional ideas.

Flip through log home magazines, books, and brochures for additional ideas.  There are a number of reputable websites offering ideas, tutorials, and products geared specifically to bringing the outside in when building and decorating your log home.

Now, when I say iron elements, I don’t mean heavy iron stair rails or iron wood stoves.  What I mean, rather, are the following:

• Using iron for the table bases in dining areas, and in living areas.
• Adding sculptural architectural iron pieces over fireplaces.
• Adding architectural iron elements to the corners of entryways.
• Decorating with iron kitchen utensils, pots, and pans.
• Placing iron fire screens in front of fireplaces.
• Adding iron elements to doors and windows.
• Replacing old drawer pulls, door handles, and hinges.

As you can see, there are a lot of options available for adding iron elements into your log home interiors.  These additional elements add interest, as well as a rustic slant to rooms where another theme may be incorporated.  Through use of these elements, the ability to mix things up successfully is easier to achieve.  Have fun with this and do not be afraid to experiment with new looks and new pieces.

• Create a guest room
• Turn it into a recreation room
• Build a high-tech media room
• Design a home office space
• Have a huge master bedroom

Most loft designs feature an open plan where banisters and balusters are incorporated into the design plan.  For many log homeowners, this is where the decorating dilemmas come in.  This is due in part to the fact that privacy concerns are in place.  If you are a couple without children living under your roof, this does not have to be an issue. 

This concern can easily be resolved, though, through use of partitions, privacy screen, and glass block wall treatments.  This will alleviate the stress of privacy while maintaining that open and spacious look lofts are famous for.  Noise control issues could also present themselves should you install a home theater system.  There are ways to solve this problem, as well, through use of plush seating, rugs, and heavy window treatments.

This does not have to be an issue, though, with proper planning and contracting.  Doing as much planning ahead of time will ensure a successful project, as well as satisfactory results.  Finding the right contractor, not the cheapest contractor, will also help achieve the results homeowners are looking for.

Modifications can include:

• The addition of dormers.
• Kitchen expansion in the way of cabinetry, bay windows, and French doors leading to an outdoor room.
• Addition of rooms such as guest rooms, home offices, and recreation rooms.
• Changes in flooring.
• Updating of windows, doors, counter tops, and skylights.

Communicate well, be clear about what you want, and do not be talked into modifications you are not ready for.  In addition to knowing what you want, you have to know what you can afford.  Speak to a number of different contractors, visit home improvement centers, and talk to other homeowners to get an idea for the costs associated with the project you want to complete.