Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Texas Tuesday: Old Log Cabins


Moving to the farm involved a downsize in home and an upsize in land. Actually, my barn is bigger than my house and is filled with extra furniture that I probably should get shed of. I anticipated building a neat house out here to fulfill my dream of life on the farm, but, as we all know, life doesn't exactly work the way WE want it to work.
So here I am wanting one of these
fabulous old cabins and facing difficult decisions on the horizon.

12 comments:

none said...

Those homes are indeed nice. I hope it works out and you are able to get one.

Constance said...

NoMas,
How many square feet do you want ? One story or two ? An open floor plan or a traditional ? How many bedrooms and baths ?
I love the idea of building with wood/logs... Those homes seem so warm and welcoming...
A covered porch, a fireplace with a big hearth, a kitchen with big windows looking out at your garden, quilts on the bed, colorful rugs on the floor...
Would love t hear more about what you'd like to create --
Sincerely,
Anne

No Mas said...

H: They are fabulous, aren't they. We'll see....

Anne: I think 2000 sf will do me with 2 large bedroom/2 baths. The old farmhouse designs are my favorite. Need lots of big windows to enjoy the scenery. And, yes, large porch, fireplace, quilts and all my antiques.

Constance said...

Nomas,
That sounds like an exquisite two bedroom indeed. My favorite floor plans include room for lots of built-ins so that there is always adequate storage...

For instance, if you are planning a bedroom and want the final space to be 14' x 14' to accomodate a king sized bed and two 42" long dressers next to it.

What you do is have the architect give you a space that is 16' x 16' on paper, and use the wall opposite the bed to have room for a built-in tv, flanked by bookcases, with maybe a display shelf at the top as part of it...

Then maybe put in a 30" deep x 8' long windowseat tucked into one wall with a curving arch in the drywall above it... Now the room has flow and not just harsh lines...
You also now have seating with or without any antique rocking chair (?) you choose to add...

So you end up with the dimensions of a cozy room, yet you have the elements you need to function efficiently in it.
Make sense ?

I do that with bathrooms, too.
Make sure that there is a window in each toilet area. Make sure that there is a solid core door to muffle noise...

Make sure that there is pre-designed linen space.

Don't let the contractor tell you that any of this comes later.
THIS COMES WITH THE FLOOR PLAN IN THE DESIGN STAGES. The cabinet maker can build it later, but if the space isn't allocated NOW, then you'll never get it to fit later...

Insist on an 8' long x 30" deep sink/countertop space...

In reality, that means there is 3' on either side of your large sink, and room for your hand towels and a candle or a small flower vase...

Make sure that the shampoo niche that they build in your shower is wide enough - and tall enough to accomodate your bottles and such. Standard sizes are always too small, and they can built whatever they want when they are framing it.

Leave room for a 20" deep seat in the shower.
4' x 4' floor space in the shower will mean there is comfortable room for you to turn around without banging your elbows ever -- or have your husband join you -- and stay warm as well because of the 2nd shower head -- situated at just over 6', or wherever will get to the top of his head !

Sorry to run on so much, but I get so excited about this kind of thing, and planning ahead, knowing what you want really makes all the difference in the world !

It'd be awesome to have the chance to build a house with 2'x 8' framing throughout, so my windows would all have a nice depth, and there would be adequate space for medicine cabinets, door frames, transitions from room to room, etc...

Oh well... What are your dreams for it ? Do you see its colors and materials already ? Do you have a favorite kind of wood you want to use for flooring ? Are you partial to marble or granite in your countertops, or do you prefer tiles ?

Will you make your family room a 'great room' and do without a formal living room ?

You lucky girl, you ! Geez, what fun to plan for, NoMas !

No Mas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Constance said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sarge Charlie said...

You know the real in thing with those old places is to remodel the barn, turning it into your home. I have seen some really nice ones in the north east.
I love your place, just looks homey.
The old sarge

Sarge Charlie said...

I suppose i should have clicked your link prior to making a comment.

Clickin Mama J said...

I'd love to have a cabin like that myself. Beautiful!

Mark Richter said...

I have never been inside a Log Cabin, other than something Tourists go to at an old Camp/Fort.

I have read that they are both very beautiful and economic.

I hope you and yours find one or build one!!

Barb said...

Oh I always wanted the very same thing :)

concerned citizen said...

Beautiful house! I hope you get just what you want!