| Most everyone has a concept of their dream home. | | | | notes is also pretty important. |
| You don't have to drive very far to notice log home | | | | After you think you know exactly what you want, |
| masterpieces, not simply a log cabin of over a | | | | contact an architect or home designer who can help |
| century ago. Television documentaries showcase | | | | you put it all together in a fashion that will be needed |
| multi-million dollar log homes like one built originally for | | | | to guide whomever you select to actually build your |
| Barbara Mandrell and her family. With the increase in | | | | dream log home. When deciding on an architect, keep |
| numbers of log homes, it only stands to reason that | | | | in mind that often architects specialize in certain |
| more people realize it is possible to have their dream | | | | styles of log home architecture. It may be worth |
| home to be a log home. People know they can be | | | | your effort to get a feel for how any individual |
| very spacious. People know they can get any luxuries | | | | architect fits with your style preference. |
| they want in their log home. This old form of | | | | Your second step will be to decide what method of |
| architecture can do it all. | | | | building you want your dream log home to be. There |
| Most of these log homes didn't just get built. They | | | | are a variety of styles. An important decision |
| were designed by an architect, just like every other | | | | separate from, but coupled with your style choice is |
| dream home. The questions are, where do you start | | | | the type of wood you want your home to be made |
| and what do you need to know to design and build a | | | | from. Most commonly used are cypress, western red |
| log home? That is where log home design may be a | | | | cedar and Douglas fir, but you do have other options. |
| bit more complex than more typical home | | | | Each type or "species" of wood does have unique |
| architecture. | | | | character, like the grain. |
| First, you will need to have an image of what you | | | | As with any construction project, you will need to |
| want your dream log home to be. Try to imagine all | | | | contact your local building authorities for licensing and |
| of the details. Try to actually see the floor plan. Is it | | | | permissions. Different areas have different building |
| all on one floor? Then imagine the details. See the | | | | permit procedures, different construction |
| refrigerator, whirlpool, bathtub, closets and closet | | | | requirements and in certain areas you may need |
| doors. Picture the size, style and amount of furniture | | | | special engineering functions when it comes to log |
| you will want in it. A couple of suggestions on how to | | | | homes. |
| help yourself with your image are to visit model log | | | | If your dream home includes log home architecture, |
| homes and take your camera. Visit log homes for | | | | you should be able to make that dream home come |
| sale and take your camera. Be sure to ask first if it is | | | | true. Remember, the steps are simple, but may take |
| OK to take pictures. You can also get brochures and | | | | a lot of time. Get a very clear mental image of your |
| magazines and cut out pictures of log homes and | | | | dream log home. Take pictures and cut out pictures |
| their detail. Make sure you take pictures and cut out | | | | of the good and the bad. Decide on the style of log |
| pictures of things you don't like or want, not just | | | | home architecture you desire. Shop for a good |
| what you do want. Separate the pictures into what | | | | architect and research the local requirements. Decide |
| you like and what you are not interested in including | | | | on the type or species of wood you want used in |
| in your dream log home. Making sketches and taking | | | | your and you are done! Enjoy. |