| Most people admire the beauty of log homes, and if | | | | awesome look! |
| given the opportunity would love to live in such a | | | | Your room may not be large enough for all the log |
| residence. There is a wide appeal to the rustic, casual, | | | | material, but you can still get a lodge type look by |
| 'close to nature' type of environment that log homes | | | | replacing your standard trim with log trim, or a |
| evoke. I was fortunate enough to live in a log home | | | | chunkier trim material. Put the trim around the |
| for five years, and yes, it was wonderful! Our huge | | | | windows as well as the floors. Use log beams to |
| Great Room, soaring ceilings, beautiful trapezoid | | | | create a rustic decor. This works best in a room with |
| windows and logged walls created an environment | | | | cathedral ceilings. Paint the walls a color other than |
| much like living in our very own lodge. | | | | plain white if you decide on this look. Select a light |
| However, log home owners are definitely in the | | | | neutral from your existing color palette or a shade of |
| minority, mainly because of the cost to build them. | | | | off-white; it will present a warmer and more |
| They are more expensive per square foot than a | | | | cohesive look than stark white against the log-type |
| conventional home, particularly the custom designed | | | | trim. |
| homes. So, most folks dream of 'someday' while | | | | Floors can be wood, carpet, tile or stone and look |
| relaxing and reading log home magazines. | | | | great with this style. If wood or tile, area rugs work |
| While there may not be a log home in your future, if | | | | well to add some warmth and color to the room. |
| you love the lodge style decor of these homes, | | | | Textures are a good thing, too, in the carpet, area |
| there are some things you can do in your existing | | | | rugs, upholstery, etc. Windows can be treated very |
| home to create a similar look. Some are more costly | | | | simply, particularly if you have logged the walls and/or |
| than others, but if you have the budget for it, you | | | | trimmed out the windows with log or log type trim. |
| can do some creative designing and have fun in the | | | | Wood blinds are a beautiful way to complete the |
| process. There are two important decisions to make | | | | windows. Be careful not to get too fussy with |
| before you take any action on this project. | | | | window treatments - simple is good. |
| First, is there a room or area of your home that is | | | | The upholstery in a lodge decor is typically |
| appropriate for this type of look? Will a lodge look | | | | comfortable, traditional, and on the large side if the |
| blend with the style you currently have in the home? | | | | room can handle it. Bold colors in shades of green, |
| For example, if you have a contemporary look | | | | red, blue and gold look gorgeous against the natural |
| throughout your home, it may not be a good idea to | | | | walls. Think of jewel tones with some neutrals added |
| transition your great room to a lodge decor. If your | | | | in and you'll have the color palette. |
| home is traditional, country, eclectic, etc., it is a more | | | | You can continue the lodge decor with case goods |
| feasible style to incorporate. | | | | such as accent tables, dining table, chairs and |
| The second question you need to come to terms | | | | barstools made from log. If log walls are too far |
| with is your budget. You can spend quite a bit of | | | | outside your budget, this can be a very workable |
| money creating a lodge look, or you can keep it very | | | | and pleasing technique that is much less costly. |
| simple. Don't set yourself up for disappointment. Be | | | | For accessorizing, the walls can be left fairly simple if |
| realistic about your budget from the beginning of the | | | | they have been logged because the natural material |
| project. | | | | is so beautiful it does not need much adornment. |
| Now that you've made those decisions, here are | | | | Unless you love the look, you don't have to hang a |
| some suggestions for your decor. We'll start with the | | | | deer head over the fireplace! |
| most significant and work down to the simple and | | | | Other wall accessories that look great in a lodge style |
| inexpensive decor ideas. | | | | decor are natural material wreaths, clocks, artwork |
| Depending on the strength of your home | | | | that brings in the outdoors, and anything that is |
| construction and size of the room, you can literally | | | | constructed from natural material. Wood carvings are |
| put half-log on the walls and finish out the ceiling in | | | | another great opportunity to complete your rustic |
| knotty pine. Remember that any type of log material | | | | lodge decor. We had a five foot hand-carved bear in |
| put on the walls will decrease the overall size of the | | | | our entry that was always a topic of conversation |
| room because of the thickness of the log. You would | | | | with guests! |
| need to have a contractor experienced in log home | | | | For more great ideas for furnishings and accessories, |
| construction assess your room and help you | | | | you can always study log home magazines. Better |
| determine if this is feasible. You should have a | | | | yet, find a log home show to attend and you'll have |
| cathedral ceiling, or wall heights of at least 9 feet if | | | | great fun as well as finding everything for your lodge |
| you are going to consider putting knotty pine on | | | | decor project. Have fun and enjoy your very own |
| them. However, if the room size and wall | | | | lodge style corner of the world! |
| construction can handle the material, it is an | | | | |