This is my first time voting for the cabin and I must say it is fun. I absolutely love log cabins and have always wanted one since I was little. I used to make my own log cabin our of blankets when I was little adn pretend I was out in the woods in my own cabin looking up at a great starry sky with my collie sitting next to me.
not sure if I am doing everything right with my voting and putting in to win but I am trying. I am so excited. i hope to hear my name as the winner soon if not I will continue to add my name in for next year and vote on how the log cabin is to be made. Thanks for the chance!
Judy

Tough choice -- if the wood's too hard (hickory, for instance), you have to deal with squeaks, too soft, it gets marked up. We're building a cabin in Pennsylvania, and we opted for a middle ground -- plain pine flooring with a tough clear finish to match the walls.

Good Afternoon Amy,

I love the way pine flooring is warm and welcoming, the way the floor ages over time,the story of the home becoming imprinted on the wood due to it's relative softnest ~ it has this down- home feel of being slightly biffed, knocked and distressed ~ and adds to it's beauty, especially in log cabin.
I feel that shiny, oak, tough, durable perfection would be out of place here.

Let the floor tell the story of a family through generations; that gouge is where Merlin the Labrador puppy skidded to a halt, and that "ding" is where uncle Max dropped the cast iron skillet while rustling up his famous nine- egg Family breakfasts!

I'll maybe leave my signature with the porridge pot :o)

Happy Blogging !

Goldilocks and the three bears,

I based my decision on the the factor that horizontal grain non-carbonized natural supreme bamboo would be more durable and stonger than the other choices. My choices were primarily based on the Green Building Products in Mind. I then attempted to work my ideas for the build around these choices taking in Aesthetic considerations. My vision of the cabin is rustic(y) but still presents a neutral clean look. My depiction is of a charming cabin build with today's standards and applications in mind.

Floors? OK! I would like to see cork in the kitchen and Bamboo on the rest of the floors? If you have ever see these 2 floorings you would just about agree. Too dark of floors can close in on you sometimes.. So stop and think of the Eco and too much wood!!

I would like to hear more information on the eco-benefits of bamboo. I enjoy learning about the environmental friendly products. I have a new appreciation for designing. There appears to be many practices and stardards that you need to adhere to.

Hi Amy, I agree with you regarding the carbonized bamboo, I guess people don't know much about about bamboos. I'm from the Philippines and we use bamboos a lot specially for floorings, they are extremely easy to manage. I'm very excited to see the cabin once it's all built and ready, even if I don't get to win, I know that if some of my choices, if not all, are applied to the cabin, whoever get to stay in it will be very comfortable and proud of it. And if they take good care of the cabin, then they get to enjoy it for a very long time. thank you Amy for sharing this with all of us. Take care and stay safe. Jhoy, Las Vegas...

Gosh, where should the cabin be? Why close to me so I do not have to go to far to get there. I know I sound selfish but I am thinking positive. Big Bear, California is a local mountain area for a large population of Southern Californians. I was a lucky kid and spent my summers on Lake Winnipeasake(Lake Winnie Peed In Her Sockie, as my grandfather would say). The smell of the woods, the water, the flowers, the FOOD Grandma was cooking, and the smell of fishing. It was great. I like the idea of cork floors in the kitchen. Somewhere a large picture window disected by shelving window panes. Hope I discribed that right. There you can set colored glass items to catch the morning or evening sun. It plays wonderfully with light inside the cabin. Good luck with all the planning and can not wait to see what happens.

Hi Amy, I have seen some very attractive bamboo flooring. Bamboo for the living areas would be great but I would prefer a harder surface for the kitchen like natural stone tiles.

The Cherry is beautiful and warm. It would hold up and set off the rooms wonderfully.
I really wouldn't want a floor easily marked up or one that could warp if it got wet or require a lot of maintenence.

i stayed in a bed & breakfast one time in jacksonville, oregon that was the judges home in the late 1800's; the most beautiful home with antique furniture, fireplace, reading den and decor...the floor was a slightly darker shade of oak. in the same way, i think the cherry oak would be so pretty in a log cabin, warm and inviting, and would not close in on you but would add to the rustic nature of the surrounding woods, just as the darker wood of the b & b just seemed to invite you in.

Sustainability is the name of the game. Anyone who wants to build a blog cabin must have a bent to get back to nature. By utilizing materials which present the least impact or footprint on the environment, the better. Someone mentioned eco-benefits, but I think it goes further. Eco would relate to the ecosystem or the interactions of all living and non-living in the area. Sustainable products create an impact on an even broader base by being good for the planet.
Someone mentioned Bamboo flooring, but this and other sustainable products could be chosen across all housing construct decisions.

I think that I would rather see a a darker wood finish, such as walnut, in the living area. With a lot of light, you wouldn't need to feel too "closed in." It would add a little more personality to the cabin. . . . but, pine is always a nice looking wood.

I choose pine because of the prolific nature of pine as well as the color shown is a nice middle-ground wood tone that's not too dark or too light. I think Bamboo would've done better if there could've been a darker flooring choice--that natural bamboo is just a little too light for flooring, not to mention how much it will show dirt in the muddy mountains. From what I've read about bamboo flooring, it's definitely a green product when you think about the speed of regrowth...however, in manufacturing the flooring, I'm a little worried over how so many manufacturers are using formaldehyde adhesives in the process without governance = poor indoor air quality. Cherry is a little too dark for my taste, but it is a beautiful flooring in the right applications--I think it's better as cabinetry.

I agree that pine would be the "TRADITIONAL" flooring in a cabin but I also think that GREEN should carry some weight. The little sample of the carbonised bamboo looks good but if you get the chance to see it in person and it is so much better. Take the cabin to the future and go green...

Thanks for reading from San Diego

Hi Amy,
I would like to learn more about the Bamboo flooring.

Hi Amy~
Yes! Carbonized Bamboo!... all the way!!This is my first choice as well. It is not only a green choice, it's beautiful, just as hard as the other woods, and will last just as long. What's not to love?
Some manufacturers use formaldahyde resin in the production of their bamboo flooring, this should be a concern when picking out the manufacturer. Choose one who has a truly green product.

Hi! Amy. I also agree with you about the carbonized bamboo. I am not to sure what I know about it...just from what I seen on TV. It looks user-friendly, breathable and durable besides being all natural. It will bring that added woodsy sandy charm to the cabin and help lighten up a space. I can't wait to see the finished project With the selected choices, it will be amazing.

First I have to fess up and admit that I know very little about the qualities of the flooring woods that were in our voting selection. I voted for the gold heart pine for nostalgic reasons...reminds me of my grandmother's wood floors. Nice memory. I also thought that this floor would complement the stone fireplace I voted for-creating a warm and cozy space.

But I am all for durability and ease of maintenance so I hope my choice ranks high in those qualities.

What do all you cabin bloggers out there have in the way of education for me??

Wanted to add....
An eco-friendly factor ...checking the FSC label on the wood could prove beneficial. Insuring the product of choice is a rapidly renewable resource (refurbishes quickly).

This is exciting to me voting on the cabin features, in hopes i win it. The floors need to go more with the rustic look of a cabin. Thank You for letting me participate in this blog.

Today there are so many different floors that are beautiful that we have never seen before. It helps the selection process when you know what is going into the project. Coordinating the floors, cabinets etc. can be a chore. I am going through that now with my kitchen.

I love the look of a log cabin and having modern conveniences. Loooove the idea of the natural shower, tin roof and the stone fireplace. Sounds like a fantastic dream. The mountains of Tennessee are so beautiful as well. Have friends in TN and visited the Smokies and watched the MIER space station while it was in orbit. WOW! To see such a bright orb through a telescope. What a sight!!!! The stars do shine bright in the smokies. Keep us informed. Loved reading the blogs of others, since it is kind of new to me. I am a fairly new to blogging with others.

I haven't seen anything yet but I have been dreaming of this for 25 years. I definitely want heart pine floors set on the diagonal. If I get over ruled then stairways should difinitely be pine and kitchen should be tile/Everything else should have area rugs or runners. preferably Saroukh.

The bamboo has been my choice from the beginning, because it is eco-friendly and so beautiful, I really hope that it is the flooring chosen.

K Amy - Thoughts on flooring.
Personal priorities are low maitenance first, then durability, then aesthetics, finally green - nostalgia just doesn't matter to me. Finish color shouldn't be too dark except maybe in some areas to provide aesthetic contrast.... Generally light & airy is great no matter what the environment.
Bamboo sounds a bit trendy and not well known for characteristics, so maybe we need to get educated about it...
My penny pair....
Bill

next years blog cabin should be up in the North Georgia Mountains up Round Helen,ga
beautiful scenery and views too good to miss or up in the Smoky Mountains Near Mount Mitchell , nc nother great location with excellent views to be had at

Amy,
I chose the pine flooring for you guessed it - the nostalgia. Log cabins in history past had pine floors. It's a comfortable look. However, if we want to make this cabin eco friendly then bamboo is the way to go. Both floors are from nature.

I think that an open porch and a screened and/or solarium deck in the back would appeal more since most are going to spend most of their time on the backyard anyway

now to the flooring I saw shows on diy or/and Hgtv, "Big Fan" of both , with limed bamboo floor I liked its yellow tint with less grain showing sleek and clean looking but for the living room I would have to go with bamboo carbonized It looks rustic allthough Im not an expert but can you refinishing bamboo flooring to last as long as hardwood floors.

Amy
I have to admit that I don't know anything about wood. I went with the Cherry Oak because I like the look of it. I imagine it in front of the fireplace with a cozy, colorful area rug. This is a mountain retreat and I want it to feel like one!! Dark heavenly wood, natural stone, windows galore..you know.... "cabin like"

Really sorry to hear you are about to set logs! That means you won't be doing a basement on a perfect lot for it. Too bad!
About flooring:
I'd been voting for the carbonized bamboo as the perfect "green" choice.
Since it is so far behind now it doesn't have a chance, I've switched to voting for the next competitor (I like the dark cherry color) so that my vote does not confirm the pine. Softwood floors do not hold up as well against pets, tracking in grit, heels, etc. Unless someone wants a distressed floor they will be disappointed at how quickly they will get it.

A real nice calm quiet yet exciting for a young, middle age, older couple. Would be! Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee. Great for year around beauty and things to do for everyone. Also you might want to make provisions for wheel chair accesible in some of the cabins.

As a log cabin owner (we live off the grid) I am all for green living. In my many previous homes I have seen the pros and cons of all different types of flooring. None are perfect, so going with the most sustainable resource is why I chose bamboo. I recommend the natural color. I have learned that lighter is better to help reflect available light and reduce the need for extra lighting. Our home is passive (and active) solar, and the north side rooms tend to be dark. I wish I had lighter floors.

I have always loved the clover lea Savannah gold heart pine, and I think it will go perfect with the stone hearth fireplace. and my first grand daughters name is Savannah who is now 5 years old.

Bamboo floor, though attractive and durable, just seems a bit too exotic for a log cabin. Pine is my choice.

Hi Amy,

Sorry but I have to go with the Casa de Colour Aztec Cherry Oak floor. It's a log cabin, it needs that great rich wood look. The bamboo looks like someone attempted to paint a floor color and all the brush strokes are showing. You can always lighten the room up with what you do with the walls and ceiling.

Go with the floor plan. The cherry oak is still the choice and adds that color.

Your voters have missed the bet on the rustic rails, stainless kitchen and especially the water feature. Right on with the tin roof, granite, etc. It's a shame you've alrady picked the spot-we have 15 acres not far from this site overlooking Wears Valley-you can see Clingman's Dome and Mt. Le Conte looking towards the National Park. Want to change your mind? You can build there! I'm sure the cabin will be beautiful, but i hope you can make some changes for aesthetics and keep everybody happy.

Bonnie

This isn't about the floor, but I didn't know where else to put it. Could someone please design a linen closet deep enough to store blankets or quilts in. They are always too shallow. Also, can the laundry be on the second floor. That is where most of the dirty laundry is generated. Why have to carry it all the way downstairs.

May I suggest that you get rid of the stairs and use ramps instead.
Several advantages!
Kids usually don't fall down ramps. Moving things like beds, dressers etc. is much easier. Plus when the knees get old, ramps are easier to go up and down.

First a question: In case I missed it, are the floors actually 100% wood or are they veneered or laminated finishes. I am going to assume 100% wood with my first comments.

I chose heartpine because it is harder than regular pine, softer than hardwoods, has a lighter finish to brighten the cabin, but also can wear beautifully. I am with the memories thing as well. For weeks, I cleaned around a perfect sucker sticky handprint on my store shop glass door, because a beautiful child made it.

As to finishes, I would hope that the floor would be finished onsite as the laminated and veneered prefinished boards have cracks between that allow water to seep through and ruin the boards and dirt to collect that is hard to clean. I am all about the least amount of work to keep the cabin clean and inviting and still give me time to enjoy it and company. :-)

As to green - I have been reading some things about the bamboo that indicate that it is not working as a flooring. I can't give you specifics, but it was enough to scare me away from it. I know pine is renewable, but I don't know about heartpine.

Thanks for listening.

Hello Amy, I've been impressed by the efforts that Ron & you have put into this cabin ! I really like the eco-friendly construction coupled with the nostalgic design of the cabin. The flooring choice of carbonized bamboo you mentioned never was a consideration as I'd been voting for features that I thought would fit into the surroundings. Thank you for your insight into this type of flooring.

The Counrty kitchen style is winning the votes so, do you think the bamboo goes with it? The Counrty kitchen cabinets have that notch in the grain,and the bamboo has that different kind of notch in it. I tried to emagine all the floors with the country kitchen and I change my vote to the cherry oak, unless you want use the bamboo because of the eco friendliness in a cherry color.
My logic before was The contempory kitchen with the Savanna flooring. I would be happy with any! All wood floors are really beautiful. Try to go with durability, for this cabin it will have to last many years because whoever wins hopefully will pass it on from generation to generation and it will be the same floor Great Great Grand parents walked on.

I wanted to post this part on my last message again, I hope you dont mind.

All wood floors are really beautiful. Try to go with durability, for this cabin it will have to last many years because whoever wins hopefully will pass it on from generation to generation and it will be the same floor Great Great(ect.) Grand parents walked on.

That means alot to me.

Ok here goes- My first choice is the aztec cheery .. (cherry) see a perfect slip of words.. it is bright and beautiful and ..you guessed it cheery along with being cozy, easy to match with lighter and darker colors of wood, furniture, paints, etc.. If you look close you will see the golden grains along with almost a mahogony and your basic middle ground reddish, orangish and even pinkish tones. I have this in my home right now (well the stain color) and I would never change or get bored of it like I prob. would the others. I think this tone of floor brings out the stone colors like rose and wine and such from the stone fireplace. Personally, those are the colors I love.. not so much the beigish yellow. I think the cherry wood is fufilling the contemporary part of alot of people yet staying warm/cozy and aesthetic and durable enought too! I have the cherry floors and rose brown walls , yes it can be dark.. but oh oh so cozy. Every home I have had people feel cozy they say so I feel I know what I am doing for the most part. I use to have light furniture, off whites... but with kids.. we have a hunter green. I think country blue, and the list could go on of colors that match this floor.. so ease of decorating is great with it.

I voted (per blog)for cherry tone kitchen cabinets so not sure I would want cherry flooring in the kitchen too. But... I have heard and read so many good things about cork floors. I have been wanting cork floors in a kitchen for a long time. My husband does ceramic tile so.. you know we have lots of that. It does get cold.. but we walk around barefoot still and it is easy to clean up with dog and sm. children. If you do ever go that route pick a mixed color one that hides dirt well specially in a outdoorsy cabin.

I really like the bamboo but not so much suited for a cabin I don't think. I like the carbonized more so .. please the natural tone is too baron looking in any of the woods. My husband likes color and can't stand the plainness of it so.. I didn't vote for those. Like I said, I like bamboo in fact I did my son's room surrounded in Tarzan jungle room, there I would love it.. or in my "asian" bedroom decor!! but cabin.. not so much.. if any the carmelized is better.. but if there is the formaldahyde resin as mentioned by others then .. no.

I LOVE wood floors! I keep voting for the Cherry Oak because of the color and warmtn. It will look great with the stone fireplace! I am assuming that the woodwork in the kitchen would compliment to wood flooring (not whitewashed)...yes?

I am so pleased that you have decided to screen in the porch. How about a "Dutch" door leading out to the porch?? It would add charm, not to mention that it is a good way to keep the dog inside when you are eating on the porch.

I love hard wood floors of any kind but it would seem that the wood would be conducive and co ordinated along with the styles of kitchen cabinets...if wooden and light, pick a lighter wood. If the darker stainless steel is the selection, pick a cherry wood and on and on! Color can opt to use light floor to dark room which adds contrast as well...so my feelings is anything down from oak to cherry...would suite me just fine....I have not seen bamboo nor am I knowlegable of it however....I am sure it would be beautiful Amy!
I loved the Country Kitchen but with stainless steel appliances. I love cherry wood, but Oak may look better .... it depends on which way the kitchen and living areas are formulated....I just love Wooden anything...from high rafters, to decks, built in shelves for a library, and even wooden dishes for fruit bowls....I had a friend who carved faces from old wooden logs in Durant Oklahoma...named Danny....he worked at the peanut factory...now retired...he makes jewelry....creative people love creativity...You're doing an awesome job Amy and if God were to see to it we win it...WOW...WE WOULD BE NEAR OUR KIDS...WHAT A JOY....GOD BLESS THE PERSON WHO DOES WIN IT... and we even are thinking of moving to Texas to work in a ministry...in Smithville...25 miles south east of Austin....hey Amy...remember me, won't you for next year...we also love tennessee...and I always dreamed of living near Pigeon Forge...that is a nice place Amy...think on that too....God bless, we await the dream...Joyce Guy

A log cabin in this part of the country should have a pine floor. Bamboo is a foreign material not slated for this kind of rustic appearance.

I agree, hardwood floors can be incredibly warm and cozy - especially if they are heated with a radiant heating system. I imagine it can get cold in the winter in the Carolina mountains. Barefoot yearround!

Hi Amy, I just want to say that a lot of people have been voting for granite for the counter in the kitchen, it's best to use quartz, since quartz does not need sealing, no maintenance, non porous, and prevents bacteria. Granite, on the other hand needs sealing, at least once a year and does need quite a bit of cleaning to prevent bacteria build up. And again, you are right on the button, as I said on my last comment, carbonized bamboo is an excellent flooring for a cabin for our eco system and needs less maintenance, most of the flooring in the Philippines is bamboo, and it's the best for me. Well, again, good luck and congratulation to whoever wins the cabin. Take care Amy, your friend Jhoy...

I went with the casa de colour cherry aztec, to match with the contemporary kitchen design..hopefully these choice will go well. I dont have a log cabin home but my front living room has the cherry oak with matching furniture it really complements a big area. Hopefully you guys will stick with the design. whoever win will surely like it no matter what..we are keeping our finger crossed...that we get a chance to win it..

I like the bamboo just not the color. It looks too light to me. If it were in a medium shade I would have voted for it.

Note: I worked for a vacation Marina here in NC some years back that had a log cabin used for special events. I was the bookkeeper and my office was setup in the log cabin. That summer I had a hard time going in the door to my office because of all the BEES and wasps swarming around, lol. They had made millions of holes in the logs. It was a nightmare!!! So please be sure this log cabin is treated in some way to keep the little "stingers" away, lol.

I chose the pine flooring for color and for the fact it gives a rustic feel just like an old log cabin would be. I also wanted to say thank you for allowing me to pretend that I'm making the choices for my own log cabin n the mountains it's like a dream come true. It's also feels close to home I live in Maryville, Tn. we moved here after Katrina hit in MIss. No I'm glad to say we very little damage compared to others. But Tn was our vacation spot and now we're blessed to be living here everyday. I hope my choices will be chosen if for no other reason but at least see a dream come true for someone. thanks again

I like the hardwood floors for mountain cabins.... just seems more in keeping with the traditional log cabin style. I prefer the light, warm color of the gold heart pine. I think the cherry is too dark. I think bamboo and/or cork flooring would be good choices, possibly for a future project that might have more of a contemporary feel.

I vote for the cherry floor it is so rich looking it really is easy to keep.Bennett

Greetings Amy and Bloggers! My blog on the floors has been mostly (99%) on the carbonized bamboo flooring. I too, love all kinds of wood! However, in Blog Cabin I have learned somethings about bamboo floors through researching and have come to love bamboo flooring. Why? With my favorite being carbonized bamboo flooring I find it elegantly attractive,with a touch of rustic. I like the fact that carbonized bamboo flooring does not need to be stained because during the steaming process the sugar heats up in the bamboo and carmelizes which turns the bamboo brown naturally! No fumes! No mess! Environmentally friendly in that aspect too! I've seen pictures where the bamboo flooring was made in wide planks for a more rustic look and yet very elegant. In fact, it is much more durable than most wood floors and just as durable as your top notch hardwood floors! Interesting isn't it! Bamboo has a wood look but in fact it is made of a natural grass and unlike trees that have to be cut down then processed to make wood floors...taking twenty or more years to repopulate If new seedlings are replanted;bamboo is cut down and can regenerate itself in five to six years! Therefore, it is more environmentally friendly and green. It is also beneficial to cut mature bamboo down so the smaller bamboo underneath will reach their potential growth faster! It has the most least possibility of shrinkage and swelling than all hardwood floors! And as with the tin roof, bamboo flooring is also gaining popularity! Unfortunately, not on Blog Cabin! And without a doubt, I believe bamboo flooring would actually make the cabin POP! Why? Bamboo flooring is available in bamboo inlay/designs. Bamboo flooring also comes in borders of designs too! So in conclusion, CARBONIZED BAMBOO FLOORING WITH INLAY/DESIGNS AND/OR BORDERS WOULD BE AN ARTISTIC WORK OF CRAFTSMANSHIP! PS I wish you could see our hardwood floors we put in our kitchen about six years ago! It has highheel marks dented all over it, dents from can goods that have fallen, skid scratch marks from our household pet dog running across it with her paws, and dents from fallen silverware...and yes it is hardwood flooring! And well, as I tell my husband...it's rustic!

easy to care for but the truely love the warmth of dark wood. My husbands in a wheelchair and smooth hard floods offers less restriction. MMM so beautiful
Thanks for asking

Hi, everyone.
Initialy I voted for the Clover Lea Savannah Gold Heart Pine. I think the warm color goes very good with the cabin. I went to Home Depot and had a look at bamboo flooring. Once you see a larger piece it actually looks very nice. It is also strong and can handle mud and some water. I could see this kind of floor in the cabin, and considering that it is environmentally friendly, I would not mind it at all.

Hi Amy, To be honest, I did not know what carbonized floors were until today. I had been choosing what I thought looked best. Shame on me! All I had to do was click on the Lumbar Liq. link where you place your vote. You made it so easy to get information on all the choices . But now the dilema! I understand carbonizing, but why do Bamboo floors only have a 15 yr. warranty, compared to the Cherry Oak which has a 25 yr.warranty? Next,the Gold Heart Pine is tongue and grooved, but I could not find any warranty info. about it. Is the Cherry Oak and Bamboo tongue and grooved? Is tongue and grooved the better flooring? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. The Blog Cabin is great, something new is learned here every day.

My Opinions...
I would think there would be many factors to keep in mind while building. I would want the design of the outdoors and the surrounding area to transcend indoors and breath the Nostalgic air of history that surrounds. The tone & theme of the build are essential for the feeling I would want to evoke. I would want to keep personal preferences as part of my decision making. The floors durability is part of that decision making. The décor displayed would ring true to the natural surroundings while being part of who I am and would speak volumes through their display. The aesthetics are my visions of how the eclectic, rustic(y), natural tones come to life in my color selections. While incorporating products that are healthy for our eco-system go hand -in-hand with the entirety of the build. The eco-system is tarnished by every consideration involved with the build and design. The eco-system is effected when we plant a plant or the chemicals that lay within each product that we use for the design or build. One would have to keep in mind how a product is positioned for the reflection and lighting that would envelope the room. The considerations on how a product would effect the eco-system by what type of VOC is contained within the product being used as importantly to what adhesive may be needed to lay a particular product. Unless you wisely use a floating floor. While pine is a product of the surrounding area and is used in the logs that construct the build. I don’t feel that there would be contrast in using bamboo as a selection, while other prominent items can again speak volumes for the surrounding area. My selection rested upon the durability. I’m very open and have unbiased thinking so I too can learn. :)

My husband and I built our log home abt. 10 years ago. WE love it. But since then I have realized a few things and if we had it to do over again, it would only get better. First of all you have to be very careful about color. With all the wood you need strong colors to give the home some life. I love the wood look, but you need color to balance it all out. I like the look of the pine flooring. It's not to dark and not to light. this is my first blog so I'm excited to see what others think. I was disappointed to see the common round banister railing as the leader. the one with the branches adds alot of character and will add a decorating feature that really blends nicely with the home.

When I mention eclectic....

I think of bringing modern furnishings to the surface meanwhile using antique influences of historial which surrounds coupled by materials that depict or are authentic of the area.

I'm Southern- so Heart pine is my choise. Why? With the right finish they are beautiful and durable. Pine trees grow almost everywhere USA. They grow quickly, can be easily replaced, and the entire tree is used.
In the south most old homes that have endured +/-100 years have heart pine in them.

A get away cabin should be rustic and easy to maintain. I think that bamboo and cork are too ostentatious for a cabin in the mountains. Put pine floors in – it’s an item that is sustainable and it would certainly give the cabin a rustic character that any building being called a cabin should be have.

Love the screened-in porch but the cabin also needs an open porch with rockers on it. That gives you the best of both worlds!

I don’t think a cabin should be too high tech – what’s the point of it being a get-a-way when all of things that can be gotten in the city are in it? Going for a pleasant rustic style would be great!

The pine floors have the right color but I made the mistake of putting pine on my stairs and the wood is just too soft. Even with SEVEN coats of polyurethane, the wood can't stand up to dog claws and other normal traffic. I would definitely go for the light colored bamboo.

In building the dream cabin, I would want it to be true to a log cabin, but also being as eco-friendly as possible. Another consideration is to be use friendly since I would want to live there full time. My dream is to have a log cabin, a stream running by, beautiful view. Basically i want to live in one of Thomas Kinkaids paintings. For the roof it was a toss up. Tin would last longer and have a great sound when it rains, but the cedar blends in with the surroundings a little better. I (like everyone else) would love to win it!

Karen,

Welcome! I think the branches would be a very nice touch to the home and would add alot of character to the design. Plus, the stair stringers reduce lumber waste. The rounded steps are a good option for storage if applicable to the build. Pine would look appealing and display well balanced tones. I guess, it is abundantly what is achieved ultimately in the design process that matters and taking in all considerations!

Hi Amy
I work as a carpenter and have been installing heart pine flooring at the last two locations and am not impressed. The wood is expensive,difficult to work with as the milling is not uniform and leaves gaps, it has a tendancy to warp and cup, splinters easilt and needs to be finished. the finish usually used is tungoil and is gives off very toxic fumes when applied. I have also installed the prefinished bamboo flooring and was very impressed with the ease of installation, its uniform milling and its hardness exceeds oak flooring. The carboinzed bamboo is a nice comprimise between light and dark, and it is beautiful. I would also reccomend using radiant heat below all flooring regardless of the chosen heating system. I find this the most comfortable, and a heat exchanger could be installed to add the quick heat of forced hot air systems to warm the home quickly when needed. Not being familiar with the precise climate in the chosen location I cant be more specific. I try to vote for the bamboo every day to bring it along but one person is a small influence on a vote this large.
Best of luck and good building stu.

Good Afternoon Bloggers,

I was very interested to read Karen's Blog, Thank you Karen, for sharing your experiences with your ten year old log home. Please would you tell us what you would have done differently if you were to build your home again?

Color is very important to humans, so it was good to hear that the home should not be all wood on the interior walls ~ we should be bold but not dark, as light is very important to humans too :o)

I was in my local decorating store, picking up wallpaper today ~ and the couple that came in behind me were selecting cork flooring, and explained to me that they had installed bamboo in their new home last year ( only in the kitchen ) and they were disappointed that it was not holding up.( I didn't want to be rude and ask what sort of bamboo, carbonised, or otherwise, that they had used, who knows, it could have been wrongly installed.)
I now seem to be seeing bamboo products all over ~ I saw some towels and soft spa blankets made from bamboo !! ( The claim on the packaging said: " Soft as cashmere" !) aaahhhh...just right for the hot tub on the Blog Cabin's screened-in porch, and snuggling up in the porch rocker !!!

Maybe I'll get some for those ol' bear cubs !

Happy Blogging !

Goldilocks and the three bears :o)

Since we are discussing flooring.....Marmoleum would be a glowing "green" choice. It is made with linseed oil, pressing seeds from flax, easy to cultivate and is an abundant plant. Pine Rosins act as a flexible binder. They use to use cork but have now turned to wood flour a very fine sawdust made from controlled European sustainable forests. Ecologically friendly natural pigments are used. The backing is natural jute grown & woven in India & Bangladesh. With bamboo and the other constitutes flooring choices.......
Important factors lay with the FSC certification or the lack thereof.

I kinda figured Karen was Amy or Ron......
I also realize the voting is just that...voting and not the actual build........
I thought I forermly read the post about the color when I was researching......
I thought perhaps there was a more indepth perspective that needed to be revealed.......
maybe there was something about the fusing of materials involved, along with sustainability and VOC's levels???

I chose the golden pine because I thought the cherry was beautiful, but it would make the cabin to dark. The golden was lighter, but still had the rich, deeper color. I don't know much about bamboo, other than it grows fast and shrinks with water. Sorry...

Blog Lake for me.

Bamboo will be installed in the kitchen?

The Living Room area may have Marmoleum Flooring (Forbo Linoleum), which is biodegradable and named the cashmere of floors and has good allergy resistant qualities.

i like the bamboo , but if it's a real " CABIN " ; then maybe we should just go with all wood. It would feel more like a a true log cabin! When i was real young, my grandfather built a log cabin in the San Juan mountains of Colorado, near a little town called Creede. It was beautiful!!!!more later....................

Karen, Your input on the design of the stair railings has influenced my vote. I think you are right. The stair would be a great focal point to balance the fireplace....so I am changing my (losing) vote from traditional to the one with the decorative branches. Hope it is not too late to make a difference.

I am learning so much from the blogs. This is stirring up old dreams from earlier days...and now there are so many new and friendlier choices I am really learning a lot. Thanks ya'all. Keep blogging.

Hi ! Blog Cabin Bloggers and Bloggerettes,
My favorite floorplan is The Smokyview ! For twenty years I have always dreamed of living in a log home, I leaf through the glossy magazines in bookstores,so many wonderful designs from which to choose. I always seem to "home in" on the style that looks like The Blog Cabin's "Smokyview".
It must be a good luck omen !!! heheh.
With all those windows bringing the great outdoors,indoors,not to mention the beautiful fire place and stove, who would even want to look at a TV ???
Ever since I was a little kid, I've loved to read...my earliest favorite story was The Three Bears...You could just imagine Moma bear serving up the porridge in this cosy log cabin in the woods :o)
Perhaps I would write a novel when I win !
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin. Once upon a time...
( You'll have to wait to read the rest !)
Love,
Goldilocks.

Okay............. ???? .) I'm on to something.......????

If you have ever had a cork floor and found out how eco-friendly they are AND how comfortable they are, you would vote for cork. It's not just plain ole cork, it comes in beautiful patterns. Cork gives when you walk and is soft,as opposed to stone or wood which isn't good with water.

As for the kitchen in general, when I was a kid in Grants Pass Oregon, we had a large tin and sawdust pantry, in the middle of the house by the kitchen and dining room. It was great! 10" thick walls of sawdust filled tin made a great place for things that needed constant temps. Even the door and ceiling was made 10" thick. It was cold year round. The pantry had shelves around the sides and we kept root vegetables, canned goods and even milk and cheese there. I loved the simplicity of it and the lack of electricity it took---none. Talk about ecofriendly! You should see if your design can be rearranged to make this pantry.

I noticed that Goldilocks wrote on Feb. 20th and a Karen posted an Inaugural Blog. ????

Either Karen won or Amy is Karen. Very interesting????

Sorry to keep disturbing you......

Does the story of the three bears + porridge pot = Inauguraul Blog?

Is there any relationship between Hilary Ireland = Karen = Amy (designing advice)?

Karen describing Antique and a poker game??? Ron talking about games???

I'm hanging on every word???

I agree that the cherry wood would go better with the stainless steel kitchen. I also like bamboo. OK so let's try to create a bamboo in a darker color. Having made the choices that I did for the rest of the cabin, cherry is the best match for me. As far as tin roofing goes, it does have benefits. It easily sheds snow and ice, it reflects the summer sun which could save on cooling costs, they do not crack, shrink or erode, and they are also not succeptible to fire due to wind blown sparks or lightning when they are properly grounded. I also must repeat the benefit of the sound of rain on a tin roof as well as a large assortment of aesthetically pleasing colors. With the choices available for voting in all categories, it looks like this cabin is going to be a winner, no matter which way the voting turns out.

FRESH OFF THE PRESS OF LUMBER LIQUIDATORS WEBSITE.
Bamboo Flooring: Overview
Bamboo floors are manufactured from the bamboo plant. The majority of today's bamboo flooring products originate in China and other portions of Asia. The species of bamboo used for flooring is commonly known as "Moso". Different forms exist. Each varies in their manufacturing processes and differs largely based on economic viability and local preferences. The most common form, more common in Southeast Asia is to simply use thinner bamboo stems and cutting them as flat as possible. They are then cut to similar lengths and can be stained, varnished, or simply used as is. They are then nailed down to wooden beams or bigger pieces of bamboo stems. This form results in more space between each bamboo stem; flatness and tightness is not emphasized. This technique is usually used on stilted houses. This results in better air circulation especially during the warmer summer months. Manufactured bamboo flooring commonly found in North American markets on the other hand is highly processed. The bamboo is split and flattened, before being laminated together with glue under high pressure. Bamboo floors are typically made available in planks. Known for its resistance to insects and moisture, bamboo flooring has made a considerable impact in the North American marketplace. Its popularity is also rising in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world with increasing awareness. Despite being technically a grass, bamboo is highly durable and sturdy. As far as flooring goes, it is 10% harder than red oak. The two major colors are natural (similar to beech) and carbonized (similar to oak). The process of steaming bamboo material under a controlled pressure and temperature is called carbonization, in which bio-organisms and sugar breaks down, and the color of the material changes into brownish. The natural and carbonized bamboo floors are typically referred to as solid bamboo, although in fact the structures are layered, similar to a plywood. There are several other type of structures of bamboo floors. One of which is commonly known as strand woven bamboo, which aimed to achieve strength and stablility. And the Fused Fiber Floor (F3) or Gemplex bamboo provides certain appearance patterns to achieve designers decoration effects. It is available in two variations: vertical and horizontal-grain orientation, providing two very distinct looks. In the vertical grain, the individual joints in a bamboo cane are hard to discern, resulting in a consistent coloration and even grain. In the horizontal-grain orientation, each individual joint is clearly visible. Though these two options differ in appearance and offer customers more visual choices, they offer the same strength characteristics. As a grass plant, bamboo grows at rate much higher than trees, bamboo reaches maturity in just 5-6 years. It is therefore considered eco-friendly highly renewable source of material. Bamboo flooring has gained popularity with the green building council and others. Typically each plant or tree can reach maturity in five to six years whereas other more common hardwoods used for flooring can take upwards of 50 years and more

Good Morning To all you early-bird Bloggers and

Bloggerettes !

Victoria, I can not tell a lie ~ I am simply an

ordinary Bloggerette ! I am sure that Amy is

really Amy and that Ron is most certainly Ron !

There is no conspiracy theory :O)

I would assume that Karen is an ordinary Bloggerette, as am I.

However, she may be one of those bears..or Amy or Ron !! ( the plot thickens... heheh,) that should keep the Blog interesting !!! I guess ALL will be revealed when the show airs in August :o) There may be a few surprises in store !!! We will get to see Ron and Amy in person !

Happy Blogging !

Goldilocks and the three sleepy bears :o)

I'm glad to hear that some of you have changed your mind about the stair rails and are now voting for the rustic branches.

Any hope for the claw foot tub??? I really like the idea of soaking in a big tub (with a glass of wine), listening to the rain on the tin roof.

I encourage the use of the carbonized bamboo. Not only is it eco-friendly but it would look nice not to mention that it is a cabin and it makes sense to have a wood product. Linoleum flooring or vinyl flooring should stay in the city, not the country.

Are all the comments reminiscents of blog cabin and they are here hidden under the floor board??

I made my new voting selection today taking into consideration everyones comments in addition to the build site.

I like Stuart the carpenter's insight and the idea for wheelchair access. I'll be waiting to hear something from JJ as he mentioned posting more later. I like how kathleen mentioned "color balance". Kathy mentioned Lumbar (Lumber Liquidators) link and placing a vote. Which I'll be doing next. Krista mentioned "soft" stairs. There was much discussion about rustic and what floor goes best with the theme. Cindy Lee mentioned aztec cherry and how it would cordinate with both light and darker colors of wood, furniture and paint, etc. I read about the radiant heat. I read each blog carefully and took notes.

Bamboo is the "in" flooring right now, it is also durable and breaks up the monotony of straight wood. Bamboo has unique characteristics which made it my choice for the floor! Also it is (without sounding scientific) more eco-friendly. If you have ever grown bamboo, you know how easy it is to grow, and difficult it is to kill unlike trees which take a lot longer to mature.

I have always loved looking at Log Cabins in the past and thinking how great it would be to live in one. What a dream come to true to own one.

When it comes to flooring my all time favorite is Bamboo and Cork. Of course I have never had a home with either so it is just because I like the looks. Don't really know much about duribility of either

hello amy and all,

my vote is still with the savannah pine. i feel a more traditional flooring is what i would like.

either way is is exciting to read everyones comments on what they would like for the dream cabin. we would graciously accept any type of wood flooring if we were to win the cabin. :)

i am still voting for the wrought iron in the glass front door. i am a fan of wrought iron. i wish that one of the choices for the stair railing had been wrought iron. they make a very nice acorn and leaf and wrought iron railing that looks great and probably is not much more expensive than the rustic tree limb railings.the acorn and leaf part is about 10 inches long and the spindles are attached to it.
i am enjoying reading the posts. and cannot wait to see the cabin cime to life.

I've been voting for the carbonized bamboo from day one...but it doesn't look like it stands a chance. Unfortunate. Same with the rustic branches for the stair case...

I'm glad to see I'm not the only person pulling for anaccessible home...universal design is a beautiful thing!

Melanie

Amy,Ron and DIY Network,
Thank You for thinking of the Blog Cabin! It entices people to learn, includes them in the designing process, adds new friends to their circle and then has this mysterious way of taking them down memory lane. What you have given everyone is beyond priceless.
These things are helping me remember sweet memories, long forgotten, when I was a kid. As soon as they come to me, I cling to them like saran wrap and jot them down, before I forget. I smile every time I look at all the pages of notes I have taken...
Precious Treasures...I remember

I loved picking out the various designs you described on this blog. We are going to build a new log cabin on 35 acres in southwest Colorado with a spectacular view of the Spanish peaks - some 7000 ft in elevation. My choices were based on the rugged looks of the exterior. I did, however prefer the contemporary kitchen inside, since I am not partial to white in the kitchen. I enjoy the softness and warmth of wood along with the stone. Our home in Kansas goes on sale in April, this year, so we have our work to do. We are also adding solar to this home as the land is raw.

A Relaxing Day:
Imagine you have just come back from a nice afternoon hike. You approach your cabin. The strong, solid, sturdy, Woody Chestnut door gives the cabin that perfect curb appeal. You enter, remove your shoes and admire your handsome Gold Heart Pine floors. You go into the beautiful Country Kitchen. (*if you don't like the white, picture it painted a color of your choice or stain) The cabinets are plentiful, and the beautiful, spacious, granite countertops, along with the stainless steel appliances makes a dream cabin kitchen complete. You walk towards the couch on the warm radiant heated floor, stop to admire the Rustic Branch Staircase that not only offers you assistance up the steps, but is a piece of art in itself. You finally reach the couch, sit, where you relax further by looking out your window at the beautiful trees and catch a glimpse of a deer in the distance.

For the floors I would do a stressed wood floor throughout except in kitchen and baths where I would look to use cork floors as they are impervious to water and look great. I would also look to make the house a zero energy house meanng it would supply all of it's own energy by use of solor ,wind, and hydrogen fuel cells that get their hydrogen from the solor energy device that creates hydrogen from water.

Mindy it sound like you grew up in a wonderful home for a child did your mom bake a lot it sound like she did in the south we had cellar yours sound more fun.Bennett

Pine floors all the way. They are warm and inviting. Makes you feel like you are in a log cabin. And then in the kitchen and the bathrooms, have a custom field stone floor.

Happy Monday to all you Bloggers out there !
I voted for the round bannisters on the stairs because...

My only concern regarding the ornate branch and twig bannisters, would be how intricate would they be to dust each week ?
My three bears would not want to get their dusting cloths snagged in a forked twig :o)

Love,

Goldilocks and The Three very helpful Bears !

Cherry Oak flooring, please! In my previous home, I had oak flooring on our main level and it stood up to a lot of abuse. For those who hope for that worn look, if you don’t maintain an oak floor it will also show its history of use (or abuse). For me, the practicality of the hardness of the wood makes oak the only option for a structure that apparently will outlast the winner.

Love bamboo; however, feel it would be a better option in our blog loft. It appears we bloggers have been sticking to a traditional looking cabin and Amy the bamboo with country-style cabinets sounds “franken-cabin” to me. If pine were harder than oak, I would then choose pine. Either wood is beautiful.

Would love to see a teeny bit of slate at the front and back door (for rain and snow)… especially in the bathrooms. I was lucky, caught all leaks from the dishwasher and fridge in my last home; however, not everyone with wood flooring does so. My sister had a dishwasher ruin her kitchen floor, and a friend had the condensation from her toilet ruin her bathroom floor.

RE: COUNTERTOPS… I was voting for the granite; however, did some research at another blogger’s suggestion and soapstone looks like the traditional winner for me, but NOT if it is going to be in tiles. The picture of “granite” is actually Formica, so maybe the soapstone would be a solid surface? Love that soapstone doesn’t need to be sealed and is a natural product. Would have a lovely look in our cabin. The granite and quartz are both beautiful and have their great qualities, so the winner probably won’t be disappointed with any of these three; however, I am now a soapstone voter!

I love the ideas in this blog…………

How do you make a kitchen full of pine cabinets look contemporary? That was the challenge for Scott Reinboth when his client came to him wanting to give her kitchen a modern edge. By mixing a myraid of textures, bringing in modern lighting and contemporary edge. He also mixed limestone countertops with a concrete island and concrete farmhouse sink, adding contemporary hardware to the cabinetry and installed wide stainless-steel shelves in the glass-door pantry.

Gold Heart Pine floors throughout would definately add character to the home and provide the warm feel of being in a rustic cabin.

I'm so excited because I'm 99.99% sure that DIY has told me I have won a Blog Cabin. All the signs point that direction.

I haven't blogged as much as I would have liked today as my family from Florida is here visiting. I can't tell them I've won a cabin as they probably wouldn't believe it. I'm not sure I do. I'm very overwhelmed. I have wanted to express my gratitude but have been unsure that it is appropriate at times??? I've discussed Blog Cabin with my husband. Can you imagine how it sounds when "Goldilocks and The Three Bears" is mentioned? The CONTEST is complicated and the irony of the entire story is ingenious!!!
I love DIY!!!

I have many notes that I'm reviewing and will blog on them tomorrow.

Thank you!!! :)

Hi! Amy,

I have been voting on oak floor due to its durability, hardness, & warm welcoming color. But, bamboo is my second best though. Compare to oak, bamboo is not hard wood. I admit that it has the consistant texture as well as warm welcoming color. For retiring couple like us, we would want to have a floor that easily cleaned, and not neccessary to change again in our life time.

Sandra

Happy Spring to all you sunny Bloggers out there !

I was interested to read everyone's comments about countertop surfaces!( I know we are jumping the gun a bit here ~ rather naughty, as we are supposed to be discussing wood flooring !! )

Hey, let's be daring and just go for it !!!

Tile is pretty but impractical ( when the bears are making their signature honey sandwiches, those bread crumbs are a real " bear" to clean up from the tile grout)!

I have granite in my kitchen and it is very durable,you can put a boiling hot porridge pot down on it safely, and it looks attractive. ( I have never sealed it in the 14 years we have lived here, I didn't realise it should be sealed, until I read it on this Blog last week! )

This is fun AND educational :o)

However, I do give the granite an occasional polish, just to remove water marks, and the stray paw - print! but ...granite is a very cold surface and does make the kitchen colder in winter.

I have a soap stone chess set, and the bears have already knocked off a couple of Bishop's heads
( ouch !!) Soap stone is very brittle and crumbly
~ so I have concerns that it may not hold up to that ol' porridge pot !

...My soap stone vase is not a good use of the material either ~ it does not hold water, so the bears can only put dried flowers in it now :o(

I have never even seen a quartz countertop, but it sounds fascinating and fun :o) Perfect for honey sandwiches, ( the bears do get rather fed up with porridge all the time :o( Is it okay for hot porridge pots ? What are your thoughts ?

Love,

Goldilocks and The Three bears :o)

Sorry Goldilocks but if I find you in one of my beds or eatting my porridge your in trouble.(LOL)

I have compiled all of Karen's posts and have been reading them all. :) This one stood out.....

Hi Amy. In response to the idea of momentos...
When my father was building or remodeling someones home he put in a coin of the current year. I have done that with all of my remodeling as well.
Also I read an article about a contractor who put a bible in the concrete (or maybe it was under the concrete) so the home was built on the Word of God. So I have been just writing my favorite bible verses (ie: Jeremiah 29: 11-13)on the studs before covering them with sheetrock.
So my suggestion would be to copy a page from the Bible, the Koran, the Book of Mormon, etc. AND ask the local Native American people for the object they would place in a building to bring health and happiness to the occupants. If an atheist gets the cabin it won't hurt them to have these things in the walls and people of faith (whatever that faith may be) would like the knowledge that there cabin is blessed. Thanks.
Posted by: Linda L. at March 3, 2007 12:09 PM

The Rim Country in Arizona has the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the world and beautiful views.http://www.shoparizonahighways.com/site/product.cfm?id=19C11BC8-BAC5-4BFC-98036792D9CFE8B5

Hi, I have been trying to log on for awhile. I didn't know what my URL was. Hope I got it right. I have always wanted a log cabin. Now that I am raising my great nephew, I would love a place to take him to get out of the Las Vegas heat in the summer.
I chose the Greenbriar also. I would love to see as much Green building as possible. My dream would be to have a cabin built like the show you guys did, called Best Built Homes.
I love the porch idea and I would like it equiped with cable or all the necessary wiring.
Anyway, hope this works.
Cheryl

Cork in the kitchen is a great idea. The cork that I have seen just glows and you and do lovely patterns quite easily. It is naturally fire resistant and is durable if installed and maintained correctly. It must be installed correctly and have proper coating (low voc only greenguard certified). As far as how green cork is? Well is is the under layer of bark on a tree that grows mostly in portugal. It is renewbale in under 10 year growth cycle but has to come from a long far away place. For that matter most bamboo comes from China and take a good bit of processing so not as green as one might think. Reclaimed wood is definitely a very good choice.

If you go wood for the remaining floor ABSOLUTELY use wood that is has the FSC (forest stewardship certification) designation.The fsc labe l is the most green wood lable although there are many. the hard surfaces are a great choice as for healthy living they will be cleaner and easier to clean and will ultimately last longer. Also walker and whell chairs can easily navigate and throw rugs put down where needed for little ones to land on.

I want to make a strong pitch for the house details and floor plan to take into account aging in place and integenerational living. Almost 15% of our households are elders raising their childrens children and another large percentage are house holds with 3 generations under one roof. A cabing will certainly become a meeting place for an entire clan and the more easily it can accomodate grandma and the baby the better.

Can our cabing apply for the LEED for Homes certification. If we do that then we will assure that the green elements of energy efficiency, materials, indoor air quality, site and water are all taken into account?

Hi All- Excitement about the cabin!!! What I would like to ask all the glass door voters to all vote for lead etched door because right now we are dividing our vote and I for one would like to see out of the front door and also allow light in the house. So far the solid chestnut door is ahead in the race.

Hi all...

Hardwood floors are very nice. Two thoughts that first occured to me was whatever the choice of wood is, there are different styles of installation that would add a touch of class. First, adding wood plugs would set the floor off, also my landlord recently opened an office and his floors has a space inbetween each board where they added some type of caulking. This floors finish is a wide board with an extra heavy coating of poly resembling a gym floor.

Other thoughts include radiant floor heating which may or may not be the best choice for wood floors.

And completely off the floor subject on this one... I was watching a TV show tonight where they were staying at a cabin and the power went off! This cabin would be great if we could add a whole house lp or natural gas powered generator. Most come with all the fixin's and are totally automatic. Most are even sealed in extrenal sound proof containers that keep the sound level tolerable. Most people I know who live at the end of the line say they lose power if the wind blows in the wrong direction. This might be a very wise decision to add one of these to the Blog Cabin! What do you think?

I agree with sandi about the door. I would love to be able to see light reflecting through the door. The lead glass door gives you the light and it is also a beautiful approach to the house. First impressions are important.

My selection for countertops rested upon the beauty and durability offered by Silestone Quartz . Silestone Quartz was awarded the Greenguard Seal. It is non-toxic and emissions free. Scratch resistant and has exceptional durability. It last a long time and wouldn’t have to be replaced. The surface selection would mold well with the cabin’s theme.

These are some of my color selections that I felt would unify an eclectic rustic clean contemporary look:

KITCHEN
-Coral Troya
-Mahogany
-Stellar Sky
-Stellar Meadow
-Amarillo Palmira

BATHROOM
-Coffee Brown
-Stellar Snow
-Ivory Coast
-Verde Agua

Perhaps, you can incorporate a Rustic Curved Sink offered by Native Trails in the kitchen island. This would enhance the rustic feel of the kitchen. A farmhouse sink would also be a magnificent kitchen feature.

I found the above mentioned items located on your affiliate site HGTV.

I would like to see more people become aware of the benefits of bamboo. It's harder than oak, is the fasted growing plant material used for flooring and looks beautiful. My friend used the natrual finish in his new house and I was more than a little impressed. It installs easily and wears well, is ecologically friendly and is lower in cost than most other natural floorings. What is it that people don't understand about it, or is it that they just have never seen it?

Greetings Bloggers! Forgive me for getting off the subject of the floor because Jim, Carbonized Bamboo flooring is my favorite too!

However, I just wanted to mention my favorite door is the Wormy Chestnut Door! Sandi and Karen if you'll click on the the door ya'll will see it has a glass panel on both sides for allowing light in and looking in or out. When you see it I hope this changes your mind on your vote! Happy Blogging and Good Luck to everyone!

Don't you just love the internet? A world of information at your fingertips. Just type a few letters and click..you can be looking at cabins in The Smoky Mountains. Virtual tours, birdseye views..amazing. Gives you a better picture of how the Woody Chestnut Door looks vs.the glass, or how stunning the Gold Heart Pine Floors are. I saw some cabins that had pine walls and ceilings! Looking at those take your breath away and that's just a picture, imagine how beautiful it is standing inside that cabin. The colors so rich and warm. I only hope that Amy and Ron use the pine and not sheetrock for the interior walls/ceilings. Pine cabinets looked the best in country style kitchens.

I finally found the *Leather countertop I had been looking for, it is one of the many styles/colors the Quartz*Silestone has to offer. Plus Quartz has the *Microban to protect us from germs.:)

But Granite Lovers Rejoice! I found a product; *Granite Shield. This Sealer has a Transferable Lifetime Warranty on Countertops. Can seal showerdoors, stainless steel,(list too long). It's amazing all the great products people are inventing and we get a chance to use them. Life is sweet!

I've been a carpenter for about 30 years. I've built some beautiful homes that have utilized all different kinds of flooring. My favorite is still solid wood. It may not be the most eco-minded but to me there is just something warm and wonderful about a wood floor. I'll agree with some of the others about too dark isn't good. I like the more natural finishes instead of stained. We all have our personal tastes and passions.

Hello! I too love log cabins. We used to visit them when I was a child at New Salem where Lincoln grew up in Illinois.
I love the smell of a fireplace first off and could spend the rest of my life in front of one very easy :o)
The Smokies are a very pretty place to build one!

Love bamboo, looks and benefits... but its that it doesn't belong in a design of a cabin. Just like pine wouldn't belong in a contemporary loft etc. simple as that. Cork is great too.. it fits more in any design. I guess if they made the bamboo in larger widths it may look more appropriate. Amy, your a designer you should know more then us want to be designers and want to be winners.

I enjoy the clean look of bamboo. Go with a countertop that suites your needs. If you need any building supplies you can contact me.
Thank you,

Nicholas Del Carlo, M.S.M.O.B.
Del Carlo Building Supplies

View our product lines at: www.dcbuildingsupplies.com
Contact us at (708) 396-8838

Thank you Jacquelin for the tip on the chestnut door and you are sooo right, The glass panels sure set off the entrance and are light friendly. I have a new favorite! Now if everything will just work out the way I plan!!!! LOL. Good luck to everyone

I think radiant floor heat would be a nice option underneath whatever flooring material is chosen.

For 2008 the Lake Lodge I think would be the ideal Cabin to build. Preferabley in the TN Mountains which is some of the most beautiful land in the country. Southeastern Alaska is also a beautiful area to build.

As a former resident of Colorado; a cabin in the rockies would be a breath taking view. Near natural hunting and fishing areas.
Rainbow trout, nothing is better. And, one would have to caution those entering that this is in a HIGH altitude; we were just short of a mile where we lived. But some would acclimate the rodeo and show animals, near ranches in our area, so they
would be able to endure the change. It's common, in the high
plains, to see the animals being 'walked, ridden; trotted and ran
around the ranches who had given permission, to get this stock
'fit' for their final journey to the "event"' be that the yearly stock
show or even to Wyoming, too, for events. People had to get used to it, too. Sports people for the Olympics, trained on bikes,
a lot of the time, outside Colorado Springs. ANY of the locations
near the Rocky Mountain area; stretching all the way from one
end to the other. You'd have a 'winner.

I was wondering if any one has heard if the cabin is going to be furnish it sure would be great and we can always hope.Bennett

Aloha! For bamboo flooring, you might consider the new strand woven products. This material is far superior to all other forms of bamboo and does not have the dated look of exposed clums that traditional forms of bamboo has that is now sort of passe. In addition, for an active lifestyle (I assume cabins are meant for lots of activities) then this material will hold up where soft carbonized bamboo will dent and look aged. This product has been tested extensively in the "liquid air" of the tropics for many years and will stand up to the elements. As a big plus, the cost has come down so it is cheaper than many of the soft woods being considered. Thanks for letting me post!

I can't wait to see this thing finally come together!!!

Not sure if you've already made your decision, but we found some great information on bamboo suppliers at www.getwithgreen.com. They listed about 20 manufacturers and gave feedback on the ones they felt should be considered. We also liked the information on countertops they offered as well!

Hello All,

I can't wait to see this one finished, since I had a chance to take part in this build. I hope and would love to see the Grand windows and outdoor deck/coverd porch all facing lake. It would be so nice to sit indoors/outdoors and have that first fresh cup of morning coffee.

Thank Ya'll,
Sonny
Lumberton, Tx