Hey Amy~
Who are you calling a 'big fat yippee'? (tee, hee)...
I have been voting for bamboo floors everyday. My second choice would be Cherry Oak if I have to give in to the realization that bamboo is not going to come in from behind.
I also love the lead glass door which is not a winning number. (Shall I take this as meaning that my cabin design is an original, or that I am different? My second choice would be the wrought iron glass door.
The eggshell paint is my choice, however, having one room with venetian plaster would be fabulous.
I wanted to add that the babbling brook reminds me of a brook that we would pass driving home from my sons prep school. In the winter I loved the way the snow covered the ground all around the brook and hung right up to the water's edge. The dried tree branches with their snow covered limbs dipped over the slow moving ripples below. Everytime I saw this I vowed the next time I would bring my camera, for this was a picture to share it is so beautiful. I hope that one day I will be able to have this brook in my back yard to take pictures of.

Hi AMY just a few line I love the cherry oak flooring and the wormy chestnut door I hope they win . To me the door make a bold statement and you gave us good choice.bennett

whew... down to the wire..
it will be a beautiful well thought through design cabin .my vote is still for the golden heart pine and the wrought iron door.
i mentioned in an earlier post of log columns both inside and out of the cabin that could have chain saw animal art designs. i have seen some really good ones that have a bear head sticking out on one side and its bum sticking out on the other. also some beautiful eagle wings, as well as other animals.i was looking through a log home magazine and it showcased a husband and wife team that came to the site and spent a week carving. even to the fine point of delicate vine weaving through the stair banister. this would be a true one of a kind design cabin for no two carvings look exactly alike.

good luck with the finalizing of the results.the hard work is just about to begin.

Greetings Amy and Bloggers! I read the "Votes and Quotes" and was not sure about Mies van der Rohe! But the curious mind I have...have learned he was a great architect,built the house for Carl and Martha Lemke, (sorry to hear about the structural changes on the Lemke house) yet never owned a house of his own! Unbelievable! And Frank Lloyd Wright, America's Greatest Architect, I agree! He innovated the open floor plan and was glad to learn about the two Taliesin Fellowships. I love organic anything! Somehow I went from Frank Lloyd Wright's website to the NanaWall. Could a NanaWall be incorporated on the back screened in porch. I thought the NanaWall was really neat, impressive, and quite a luxury. I blog for the NanaWall on the screened-in porch for this cabin.
Just another great idea since time is running out on the voting!

And I don't mean...I thought, who is Sanjaya? Never hardly watch the wannabe show. I don't see much talent...but Sanjaya? YOU REALLY GOT ME! AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH enough to keep me out of that BATHWATER!

I will be checking DIY website daily for phase two of Blog Cabin! And watching DIY! Thank You and I enjoyed reading all the blogging everything on Blog Cabin! Pictures and video too!!

Hey amy, thanks for the quotes. Frank Lloyd Wright is my favorite architect of all time. Can't wait for the contest to start. I have been to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge several times on vacation, and absolutely love the area. The Smokies are beautiful, and the people are very friendly. Thanks for the fun blog and the opportunity to have a dream come true. cindy

hi amy! my 13yr old son and i have been voting and blogging from the start and we are so excited! so far all of our choices have won, except the whirlpool tub, but hey...i hate to say it after all these votes cast for the tub but when i realized the tub wasn't going to win, i looked at the shower and it is NICE!! lol my personal vote on the flooring is for the cherry oak. in my mind i can imagine how beautiful it would look with the glow from the fireplace and my dim lighting i'm so fond of. i'm almost home!!
Thanks DIY!

Good Morning Bloggers !

Rise and Shine :o)

Thank you for mentioning that it is possible to click on the pictures and see a more detailed example ( the wormy front door ~ I love the look, and I love it even more now that I viewed the glass side panels that would provide additional daylight inside the cabin and offer a lovely ambient glow to the outside in the evening.

The Bears' Bottom sculpture idea made me smile :o)

Love,
Goldilocks and The three Model Bears :o) LOL

I am also sooo much in favor of the bamboo flooring. Even though the cherry oak would be my next choice, the pine flooring is pretty and countryfied, but not practical. I had pine floors in my florida room and foyer in southern Va, where it didn't even get that cold. It would expand in the summer time, dirt would get all in the seams, had to get down with a brush to clean them out, winter time they would close back up. THis home was of Colonial architectural Plans and pine floors were installed to look like the pine floors in the old williamsburg Colonial Homes.Pine floors or the Cherry are usually dark in color.They may be beautiful, but light colored flooring like the bamboo would make the room look much larger and would blend better if you wanted a darker color on the walls. The floors are one of your biggest assets in a home,after that are your walls, lighting and accessories, especially in a kitchen and bathrooms. I would most certainly put the most durable floors like the bamboo and cherry in the rooms that will be most occupied with families and guest for holidays and parties. I'm sure in a cabin like this there will be many. If and when I can afford to replace my yuky non-allergen free carpet, it will be with bamboo. We all need to be in a green house environment today, with all of the molds, clouds of chemicals from industries with smoke stacks, such as refineries, different plants, that is all arund most of us, unless you live in an area where it is filled with clean fresh air. The bamboo is my choice for thAT REASON ALSO. My next reason is that neutral colors in a home is a homesellers best asset. Different color walls and woodwork, if not too dark makes for warmth and homeiness and can always be painted over. Not so easily with your flooring. The lady that bought my beautiful Colonial home took out all of that, what a lot of you all have voted for, pine flooring. I feel that most of you probably think or have always seen cabins with dark or rustic looking floors and that that is what should be put in it. Bamboo can also be covered with beautful colored, almost roomsize or scatter rugs,especially antique or old handmade rugs, easily changed if wanting a different look. Especially in the spring and summer months. A good decorator needs a very visionary mind and perspective on what will make a room look its best and that will blend from room to room. It will make for a beautiful cabin and more so with the lead glass door. Whoever saw a wrought iron glass door in a country cabin setting, unless whoever lives there is trying to keep unwanted guest out. The venetian plaster would give the cabin an old world look also. The babbling brook reminds me when we use to go to my husbands family cabin in the mountains in Pa. and the little natural brook, filled with fresh watercrest, flowing along, next to my mother-in-laws home, or the spring, where my mother-in- law would take my children when they were young and then my grandchildren, and bring back big jugs of fresh, cold water to drink everyday. I would love to have a cabin to live in, for my grandchildren to pass on to their children, some of those same beautiful memories that my children and older grandchildren have. Thank you.

It is going to be interesting to see how you incorperate a modern bathroom into a country feel home. Are all the inside walls going to be finished? How about a showcase wall with the actual logs finished and enclosed in a glass case with shelves and spot lighting inside. When can you enter to win this wonderful home?

Just hope you tweak the floorplan, as it could be MUCH improved, especially in relationship to the kitchen and baths. Too late for a walk-out basement?
Too bad about bamboo-it shoulda won! Too bad also that wrought-iron railings were not an option. Can't wait to see how you do that screen porch!

Cherry oak and lead glass door! Can't stop to blog more; I've got to get those votes flowing!

This has been the coolest experience, voting for what goes into this blog cabin and seeing it take shape. I can't wait to see the final product. I'd prefer the contemporary kitchen over the country and the textured walls and clover leaf pine, but it doesn't seem very likely they will make it. Although, all the choices have been really great!!

Hi Amy,
I gave you my suggestions already so now I will hold my peace,still do what you like.
I will stay tuned on the blog untill the end, will you post more? I'll keep voting but not for Sanjaya.

Hi Amy~
It's me again. Now that I have had some sleep and some coffee....
I just wanted to add something about the Architects you quoted.
Mies van der Rohe's style is 'less is more'. Although I found this style impossible to achieve while raising three children, I always aspired to one day realize it as a goal.
Frank Lloyd Wright's style is 'organic'. Taking into consideration the exterior as much as the interior.
Lastly, the modern design of Amy Devers' goes with the clean lines of both architects.
Some may think you can't incorporate a modern flair in a cabin. However, designers have been mixing old and new successfully. If done right it invites interest and beauty.

Can't believe that this is the last day of voting! Most of my choices are winning-- Floorplan wasn't my first choice, oh well. Still I would be honored to be the winner.

Looking forward to watching the cabin come together. If anyone has ever had a home built you know what an exciting and tense time it can be. Can't wait!!!

I've said it before, THIS IS THE BEST DIY CONTEST EVER!!

Blog on, Kathy

hey now,what upkeep is needed for each counter top?Tile we have in Florida and is sooo boring at times,granite is nice but the upkeep is having to seal as far as I understand,laminate,however,was not given a chance and seems to be the best choice in today's upkeep,style and less damage when objects are dropped on counter top.Curious mind would like to know.Thanks,looking forward to next years cabin project.mr ed

I can't wait to see the cabin go up.
I am still so sad that my favorite bathroom pick, the claw foot tub, isn't even close in the running. I'm still rooting for the rustic branches for the stair rail. I do like the idea of some carvings on some of the posts, it's so whimsical.

Karen,

I appreciate the fact that you pointed out the windows on the chestnut door. I overlooked that in my voting process. I love the chestnut door. It has my vote.

Thank you! :)

Hi Amy and diy crew,
I have voted from the begginning this has been so much fun my 3 yr old and husband had a good time choosing as well we made it a family affair. I am positive the final product is going to make anyone happy. Cant wait to see more video on the progress of the cabin being built. This is so cool cant wait for next year to participate in the design and voting...

Thanks
diy,
cj and family

the cabin sounds like it is starting to come along. i'm glad that people are realizing it is a cabin and not a dream home.

I agree on the addition of the porch and all other features, but the flooring to me should be the cherry oak. It has a rich dark color and wears well. The only deviation I had from the country decor is the large shower. I believe the country kitchen matches a log cain more than the stainless steel kitchen. I'll continue to vote every day and am anxious to see the final results.

i have to add one more to my blog: after reading the idea about the carvings i want to say that i love it! that would be so beautiful and fun too...i am a huge bears fan (little disappointed with my actual team) but decorating with the bears for a cabin would be great! also, don't see much posted or choices offered for the outside...landscaping and garden options. that's the finishing touch (rock solid) and makes all the difference in the world to the cabin that you walk up to...please amy, let us know what choices, if any, we will have in the landscaping??!!
thanks, and happy blogging!!
brenda
p.s. have to agree...this experience has been the MOST fun and exciting experience, i'm so happy for whoever gets to win this cabin!

Hi Amy,
This is my first time in!
I know the floor plan will be the Greenbrier.
I chose my finishings as follows:
asphalt shingle (tin too noisy & the other choice would last less time than asphalt); stone heart & surround (beautiful mantel & stones!); Double Hung Window (easier to clean); casa de colour Aztec Cherry Oak Floor (for its beauty & great value & durability!); round railings (simple & beautiful! and a choice to hang little decorations in the wood knobs of the stairs. that tine little square wood that shows up in the outter side of the stairs); stainless steel kitchen (to break a little with the whole wood concept of the house); glass tile bath (beautiful acqua color & perfect for its purpose! It fits like fish in the river); granite kitchen counter countertops = color white); modern slate walk-in shower = slate in light gray color); outdoor patio with a fireplace (no need to comment why! Just embrace nature day & night around a warm fireplace!); single color eggshell finishing (in this way it wouldn't be so busy or competing with the wood theme of the house. My eggshell color would be some light yellow. In this way the green from outside wouldn't feel jealous!); wormy chestnut door (do I need to say why? It's perfect for a little house in the woods!). I am happy that the Greenbrier won, but I would be happy if any of the other 2 plans had won as well. When you find yourself living for about 8 long years in just one room,literally, with a bath and a walking closet, you are thankful to be the luck one to win any of these three little home in the woods. I wish luck to the winner of this sweepstake and that the joy of living in the house never ends! Kisses to you all, Eliane-DC

A,

From the looks of things most folks can't decide if they want a rustic cabin in the woods or a contemporary house. Not too many rustic cabins have bamboo floors or cherry floors for that matter. Cherry was saved for fine funiture. Amenities in the bathroom can be ovelooked because not many visitors would see them. Public spaces should kept as close to rustic as possile.

Good luck with the project I can't wait to see how it comes out.

R

Hi AMy, I have sent man blogs, but don't know if any of them have made it online. I want to say again that I think the main floor of the cabin needs a half bath so that family or guests visiting wouldn't have to enter through the master bedroom everytime they need to use the facilities. Hope this is in the final floor plans. Thanks Cheryl

Can the floor plan be tweeked? It would be nice to have a closet in the downstairs bedroom. Maybe you could move the toilet to the end of the tub(remove the 1 sink), move the hot water heater to the outer wall, make a small linen closet in the bath and a nice closet for the bedroom. Just an idea.
I'll keep blogging & watching.

I totally agree with the last blogger; the only thing that would make this cabin pure perfection is another bath--full or a half bath would be great! I would hate to have everyone going through my bedroom to use the facilities.
However, you guys have done so much in just giving everyone a shot at this dream, surely we can all agree that whatever you do will be wonderful for the lucky winner. I hope you guys have a lot of fun and no difficulties in building it. Thanks.

Heres a Quote for you,
Build it, they will come. Kevin Costner in Field of dreams.

Greetings! Amy,Ron and DIY Network, Thanks for letting us all participate in the design process. It's been fun and educational. I can only hope that the cabin will have the Rustic feel. Please tell me I missed reading the fine print in the rules. That DIY reserves the right to change any design errors made on our behalf. Since this is the first Blog Cabin and you would hate to see the winner live in a Frankencabin as you once called it. Are you going to DIY Rescue us from ourselves?? lol
Oh well, whatever happens, it will have "character".
Life is sweet, until next time

Amy thank for letting us be a part of cabin design. Bennett

Amy- I will be changing my email ..
-wormy- chestnut door is nice ,countryish.. the glass would let in light, but I worry about safety.. could you put iron design to keep intruders out. Especially if not living there I would want it animal free (critters and human kind!) I have been voting for the iron door (it's late) , but I guess the glass one looks like an indian design and since that is a sm. part of my heritage and the areas too!! that would be nice. Still concerned with safety though!
Material in bathroom can be natural tile.. but it should be NATURAL tile. Like slate etc.. not just beige ceramic! Glass and natural tile would be great! I saw a copper sink on a stone pillar that would be AWESOME! I think copper in general would be nice decorative and dif. and still can be rustic! COPPER, COPPER , COPPER!
Big large sink in kitchen -even if contemporary style.. blend in the country sink..you know how I am forrrrr sure! Mural in kitchen would be nice of the area or some meaningful thing.
I voted for the venetian walls etc... you can keep it simple and fit the style! But I would be happy with anything. Why do people keep worrying about the dark floors. Still love the cherry.. if the winning vote is an eggshell .. looks more like warm yellow... then the walls are light! There are ways to let light in a home with a darker floor. To me cozy is more important then "looking spacious" for a cabin! Hey include some good mag. and books.
That kitchen dining does really need to be worked over though, along with the bath downstairs.
Hey! The trad. and round stair eh. Go for the unique and most county looking twig one. Although, I do have to say I do like wrought iron tooooo bad. I would have liked a iron/wood combo.
How about.. putting a nice seat bench or entrance table in that wall space in the area by the stairs and entrance. Over by the fireplace a couple leather (would that get too hot???) chairs in a winish/brown, with ottoman that serves as a table too, or blanket storage.. hmmm cozy. Don't go too far fetched in the animal decor...pllleaaasee. Maybe a U shaped couch or L in the front area..you know connecting the rooms but yet having multiple areas. I love a window seat,, always wanted one.. perhaps in the Living area or.. Master bedroom??? How about some blue green color furn. Solids but pillows, carpet throws, and some cushions as plaid or something like it.
I still like the dining cove type... with the bench and chairs built in table. I guess I should be sleeping.. I keep forgetting what everything is called. Please remove that wall if nothing else.. in the kitchen area and do something with the island instead. Don't forget the dog house!- Thanks for listening. Off to dream......in more ways then one.

I hope you do not put a wormy wood door on this cabin. The lead glass one or the wrough iron door would compliment the cabin design much better. I hope most of the log walls on the inside are left finished and are not hidden behind plaster. I am looking forward to the next step on building this cabin. It is really exciting to see the cabin taking shape.

Hi everyone! I've been living in a log cabin for 25yrs and you have just got to vote on that claw foot tub (ours doesn't have one along with many other missing details)and that rustic branch for the stairs would be sooo wonderful-i read one person's blog that said the round railing would be such a great place to hang little ornaments from- oh wow how good would they look from the rustic branches railing?!Also I'm pulling for the leaded door- trust me you'll have plenty of "rusticness" without the wormy door. I think the stenciled,faux,ragged and etc. wall treatments would be great- I'll bet the roses scared everybody off but that was just an example-almost all painted walls you see now have had some type of finish applied to them like washing, glazing, ragging, etc.(see Debbie Travis -Painted Rooms on HGTV)-it would add a lot and also some color and light-you'll get tired of all brown and logs. Some people say our house is dark and we have 26 windows-most uncurtained so....I gave up on the romantic gazebo when you all were tying up on water works and the outdr fireplace and started voting for the firepace outside. It looks like everyone is agreeing on the country kitchen and that is great, I think painted wood cabinets, maybe blue or yellow, would be good- can you guess? Mine are wood, very rustic and I am sick to death of them. They pick the dish towels! I'm dying for a new cabin-this one looks so beautiful-I can't wait till we can start entering to win. Jennifer in Georgia

Hello all you cabin blggers, I have been voting all along for the textured wall finish but Jennifer's blog about the stenciled/finished walls really got my wheels rolling. She's absolutely right, there are so many choices out there to achieve the look we may be after here. I too think an exposed log wall inside would be a fetching idea. But I'm really interested in how the windows will turnout as far as dimension. One of the most valuable features for the cabin is location, location, location. I hope that the view is maximized from each room of the cabin to the extent possible. This whole project has been fun to be a part of. Take Care All

I've voted for the walk-in shower...consistently...for one reason. Accessibility for the less abled. While I, personally, would ADORE a clawfoot tub, should a family with a physically disabled member (or guest!) win, a clawfoot tub is impractical.

Still hoping a "zero entry" (ramp or otherwise) mkes it into the design--also universal access tot he patio.

Well, it looks like we're down to the wire on voting and I believe that most people voted the way I did. I'm really anxious to see pictures of the final product. This has really been a lot of fun watching this progress and hope to join in again in "08" for the next one.

Imagine………

As I was driving through curves and dips I noticed the trees which pave my path wrap around me. In the distance, I notice a glimpse of (tin) (arch filled windows). I’m greeted by a gate. Realizing I’m (home).

I exit my vehicle. Curves of embedded stones lined with embellished flowers provide my path. Cheerfully, I approach the (chestnut) entrance taking a moment to adjust the wreath that will later welcome my guests.

Once inside I’m greeted by my dog. I sit on a nearby bench removing my shoes. I look up at the (wide open space) that your guests will later marvel. The warm (neutral) tones play fancy to the warmth of our home. The (radiant heated floors) warm my feet as I stroll across the (Gold Hearth Pine) floor.

I notice that a soft glow of crackling wood sparks from the nearby (Stone Hearth). I realize my husband is home from his long day of work. His welcoming words echo from the nearby kitchen. Peeking in, I notice that he is assisting with the preparation of ’ordeves for our evening guests. The elongated golden brown (granite) counters with their double concave edge provide for the perfect surface in preparing our food. I reach to open one of the above (pine cabinets) with their display of contemporary (glazed glass). Inside, I obtain six goblets. Meanwhile, my husband places a tray of appetizers in the nearby (Aga oven). As the food bakes, we part realizing time is our enemy.

My husband makes his way into the (family bathroom) as he is aware that I’ll be using the (upstairs master bathroom). I run up the (winding staircase). My hand meets a bear’s bottom as I have reached the top. The hall (light sensor) flicks on. I scattered into my room and begin tossing through my clothes. My closet which was once properly aligned with clothes is now spewed across my bed. I quickly make my way to our master bath. I pass the nearby (Umbila Wooden Bathtub) surrounded by (alcove windows). Time only permits me to take a quick shower. I use my (rainfall shower head), as it gives me a feeling of being outside in the rain. My makeup rests near the (Stone Age vessel sink) which is one of the bathroom centerpieces. I pier into the vintage (elongated mirror) to make over my face. Before I exit, I take a minute to look back and admire the master bath for it’s tranquility.

Feeling confident, I make my way down the winding staircase. A bear’s head reminds me of a thoughtful gentleman who was so profound in his (architectural) designs. Once at the bottom, I’m greeted by my daughter and mother who is wheelchair bound. They both have a sparkle of excitement in their eyes. Eager to be (entertained and play games). Standing near the foyer, we decide to go into the great room. . My mother’s wheelchair seamlessly glides across the floor as we make our way there.

We gather in the great room awaiting our guests. The heat from the nearby fireplace provides cozy warmth to which our family nestles. We sit back and watch birds through our (large picturesque windows), anticipating the arrival of our guests.

The doorbell chimes. Excited in delight that my extended family has now come to visit. With welcoming arms and big hugs we (to be continued for next blog………………

Cheryl mentioned a 1/2 bath for the lower floor plan. For me, I have a mother who is wheelchair bound so I personally would need a bath for her on a lower level.

I absolutely love JM's idea about a bear on the banister. What a unique idea. It would add to the architectural design of the rustic wilderness inside the home.

A large Nanawall that divides the exterior porch from the interior of the home would be stunning!!! You could enjoy viewing the outdoors while you are on the interior of your home. In addition you could view your friends and family in the hot tub (which I'm still routing for) on the porch. You could also see the interior of the home while basking in your hot tub. Just in case you have to watch over youngsters or elders.

“God is in the details.” - Mies van der Rohe

Again, I see nothing is overlooked :)

Voting / Sanjaya (LOL)

Amy or Ron,
Perhaps you could help me;
I would love to know who or what company makes the Rustic Staircase and what other products they create. I find the design fascinating. Thanks. Kathy

Frank Lloyd Wright - Architecture/Building/Landscape

Known for his geometrical clarity. He formerly built Prarie Houses with Sloping Roofs (Smokey View).

His designs complimented the surrounding area (Water Feature).

Wright's desire was to place occupants near natural surroundings. This was achieved by using streams and waterfalls that ran under part of the building. He used cantilevered balconies and terraces vertically and horizontally.

One of his most famous works includes fallingwater.

Ludwig Mies van der Roke

His contemporary style is appealing. I like his approach on how a building is "skin & bones" and he takes a rational approach to guide his creative processes.

I enjoyed reading about his furniture designs..... "lightness created by delicate structural frames".

Clarity & Simplicity

Wait a min. Jennifer... Hey Amy I was under the impression that when we voted on the cabins design all this time that ea. was an entry to the contest, no? Keep putting your votes in Jennifer. Actually, I thought the voting/entering the contested ended now- the end of March. I agree the venetian or other design treated walls. I too think maybe people were thrown off by the sample on the website..roses ..as in taking other samples "literally" like the white kitchen cabinets, totttttallly stainless steel kitchen, real contemporary kitchen etc. There prob. could have been some better examples, but if you read the info. I believe it said somewhere from the start that they were just representative and not actual items/design to be put in. I prob. read it in the rules of the sweepstakes or something. Not sure I would opt for "painted cabinets" though.. heck, they are building it let the advertisers get there say and use real wood material. Still going for the cherry wood tones in a simple design. Please do not put black appliances in if you do the contemp. kitchen. Not that I don't like them, I have them now at my house. But in the cabin I would prefer the stainless steel over the black even.. or even though I never was totally found of putting cabinet design on the appliances.. it just may look great in this design, as it may blend in more and pull the attention elsewhere.. like the rustic sink or splash walls (remember the tin and nat. materials I sug. for the splash walls. My husband does ceramic tile and so...I tried to think of something dif. then what I see alot (though he is very creative). I love contemporary but.. I think your designers will know not to make the cabin too contemporary.Right? ok.

Hi Amy & Ron~
Conventional interior paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This emits harmful gases long after the walls are dry and have been linked to headaches and damage to the central nervous system.
I hope our DIY Blog Cabin will have a paint with a zero- or very-low VOC. (ie; Milk paint, AFM Safecoat, BioShield Paint, etc.)

Hi,

Just found out about this!!! Can we put the clawfoot tub as well as the shower ? Please ? Did not understand what one person wrote about putting some kind of wall on the patio/porch/? Will be back on line to check it all out. Born in PA , lived some in N.J. and the last 23 years in Fl. Miss my mountains and cabins !!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you this is living out my dream. Oh , since the bamboo is better for the environment I'd change that. hugs,pk

I will agree the half bath sound good to me and a very tall faucet for the kitchen sink . I'll say Mr Wright was well a-head of his time image being that great.Bennett

Hey Everyone its nice to see so many opinions with out disputes or calling people on.
I wonder will the log home be only three rooms and will it have the log profile or are they going to make it sleak cause it seams that they are going to make it sleak but i hope they can have some overhead logs just finished and sealed but i think that the bedrooms should have a different ceiling profile and no popcorn texture maybe ceiling tiles: copper, rich wood, or rustic; blaster, glass, resin, fabricated.
this house is in a fenced community with houses in the upper 300,000 up this is not your conventional log home so i dont believe this house is going to be low class or low quality we think it as more than just a vacation home its a house and i think it should have high class quality with modern amenities "A taste of vacation with the luxury, comfort, and convenience of Home".

Amy,

I wonder what you might have in mind as far as freeform furniture for this cabin. I'm excited about your approach on incorporating rustic and contemporary together. There are so many facinating ideas when you add grasses, grapevines, and twists of wood together and incorporate them into a contemporary look. I'm thrilled at the concept and look forward to seeing the end results come alive in your decor and furniture!

I wanted to get some visual ideas of my own. I don't want to steel your thunder but I visited the gallery of www.redwoodpatio.com

Hi everybody! Just popped back to see what has been going on and get a little blogging in. Benn busy with our kitchen project, picking out handles for our kitchen cabinets. Have looked into the bamboo floor and Amy, you have won me over. They are beautiful.

I have been voting for the glass tiles and as beautiful as the natural tiles are, I have seen the glass tiles done up and they are beautiful and in colors that represent the beautiful colors of nature. I love the blues, because they remind me so much of water flowing. As for a door to this house, the leaded glass reminds me so much of Victorian I could not see it on a log cabin. It certainly would have been nice to have a program that showed us all what the rooms would have been like with the choices we have been discussing. The barn door was my pick, but I also could go for the wormy wood. I also still like the idea of plain painted walls, so the winner can make it their own. The first walk in should be the WOW room and in colors that reflect nature. Can't wait to see your final product.

hello again! Just checking back to see what has been going on. Been busy with our floor and kitchen projects. Just wrote a blog and did not see it get posted, so wanted to get back in an mention the country kitchen style in a log cabin would be really neat in either in a distressed look or one of the great color they now have. I love the greens because they are like the outdoors.

Just wanted to let you know, Amy, you won me over on the bamboo floor.

Looking at both the HGTV Dream Homes for 2006 and 2007, and also the Blog Cabin, I notice one major flaw...no handicap access ramp !

I think there should be at least one wheelchair ramp to access the front porch and house of the blog cabin, or shall we exclude visits from aging relatives, or our disabled friends and family members ?

Hi Amy & All,

Well, it's nice that we can see signs of "moving on". I wonder how many of us grabbed Amy's ideas about forethought and followthrough? I have to say I agree wholeheartedly. My hopeful contribution has been to try and insert ideas that need consideration before the process is too far along to change (like low maintenance, security, emergency power and locations for hobbies / craft work). I'm not jaded enough to think that MY preferences necessarily represent those of the truly fortunate person who ultimtely wins this blessing. I know there are a number of us who wish we could pitch in a bit more as far as helping with the physical work, but I am confident that people with appropriate skills have already been lined up. We'll all be interested to be able to follow the actual construction process now, and to ultimately learn who the fortunate person will be that wins.
Bill

hi amy, ron, and diy

this has been an adventure reading all of the
posts on the dream cabin. my husband and i have
enjoyed reading everyones suggestions.as i imagine that you have also.

combining the rustic with contemporary design choices seems to be the trend. i have read that
the country kitchen is winning and also down to the wire with the choice of wood floor. but i have not read anything about the flooring in the kitchen . will it be tile or wood? and the rest of the cabin be wood?

the suggestion for at least another half-bath on the main floor is a must. hot water on demand instead of a hot water heater would open up more space. and truly keep a parade out of the bedroom .

the carvings would be nice. i have seen several of the bear columns in deep creek lake, maryland.
even as a carved log as the mantel. with a bear resting on it. :)

we have been dreaming of a cabin for a long time and have visited several cabin builders homes/main offices. this choosing the design has
been a learning process and fun at the same time.

i imagine that the exterior walls will remain log. but the inner walls will be dry-wall or interior tongue and groove wood siding? or a combination of both?

just a few last thoughts before the countdown.
it has been a pleasure .we will keep out fingers crossed and pray to win! but also that whoever
does win will be very happy and will enjoy the cabin for many many years.

Hmmmm, this contest is very interesting, so many have good reasons for their choices. I have put alot of thought and research into my opinions and some choices have swayed my opinions. I changed from granite to soapstone, granite is too hard to take care of. Most people must have light colored furniture or planning on buying light colored furniture, with the cherry oak; dark furniture will just blend in with the floor. I love the wrought iron door because it will let light in and add some security to the cabin. Why in the world would some choose the eggshell finish? That is so ordinary....nothing special. I changed from the natural tile to the glass tile because the glass will go with everything and bring in some more light. Guess there is no pleasing everyone but Amy, you are doing a wonderful job of trying too. lol. I could not vote today. Apparently, my hubby is voting on this website also, we have the same computer, different s/n's. I hope the contest to win the cabin is not too far off.........getting impatient to start winning. Good luck to all who want and need to win this cabin in the woods.

Thank you for allowing me (and others) to plan & dream about the perfect cabin in The Smokey Mountains! I have enjoyed reading the comments submitted by other people who are more knowledgeable than I am regarding the pros & cons of each of the choices. I would call the cabin "Tennessee Dreamin". Congratulations to whomever is the extremely fortunate winner!

Oh, BTW, in addition to my earlier comments, if you want quotes, how about "Form follows function"?
Wikipedia has a very informational entry about it's origin. Seems it was a favorite of Louis Henri Sullivan, for whom Frank Lloyd Wright worked early in his career, but it is supposed to have originated from Sculptor Horatio Greenough. Check it out!
The main point to me is that design should first consider the functional aspect, before giving thought to the appearance aspect....
Bill

I am a littledisappointed to see so many people voting for wood floors. Bamboo is just as nice but is way more enviroment friendly. I was really hoping more people would have jumped on the eco friendly stained bamboo. If you chose hard wood because you don't know much about Bamboo, do us all a favor. check it out.

Hi Amy & Ron~
The glass tile doesn't come across as well in the picture as it does in person. It is clearly the best choice of the three, but unfortunately you can't see the real beauty of it from the picture.
I also would like to see more people vote for the wrought iron glass door. It adds more appeal to the front of the house than does the wormy wood door.

Good Morning Bloggers and Voters !

Amy and Ron ~ this is so exciting to see the Blog Cabin taking shape !!!

The Three Bears and I have voted for the following:

Smokey View ( pipped at the post by Greenbrier)...heheh
Tin Roof
Double Hung Windows
faux finish walls
round bannisters
heart of pine flooring
wormy chestnut door
country kitchen
quartz countertops
woodstove
natural tile in bathroom
Claw foot tub ( the sheer luxury of soaking !)
and finally, the outdoor patio with fireplace :O)
The Bears love toasting marshmallows on twigs, they get very sticky and will need to soak in that CLAW-foot tub :O) s'cuse the pun !

I respect everyone's vote and your design expertise, and look forward to seeing which features the Cabin in The Smokey Mountains will be graced with, I do hope there is room in the budget for an infra-red sauna bath :o)

Love,

Goldilocks and The Three Sticky Bears

Hi Amy,
I don't know who's had to count all the votes you've been receiving, but I'll bet it's been a chore to do! Give the counter(s) a pat on the back.
Following the cabin's progress has been so much fun. I love reading everyone's comments.
Keep up the good work.

The ARCHITECTURE of the LIVING ROOM

I picture the great room with high beam ceilings or rustic plank wood. One side of the room completely filled with windows for a perfect view of the mountains. The stone heart would add cozy warmth to the room while the recessed lighting could allow for a subtle amber glow. I

I also like the idea of the living area to be open, yet the kitchen to be completely enclosed. I would like to sit in the living room and look at the kitchens exterior walls and see them outlined as though I were looking at a completely separate log cabin. How neat it would be to sit in a sofa and look at your kitchen and see a log cabin. It definitely would be an interest factor to all your guests. The entrance door to the kitchen could be a glass door outlined in iron while in the kitchen; you could peak out a window to the living room.

Without overplaying the dining area perhaps another idea would be to add the nitch in the wall with falling water here or in the foyer when you first arrive in the home.

The floors and freeform furniture could also have a rustic or distressed looked to them.

The vents and switch plates could be wooden and have a rustic or vintage look to them.

A few mission style lamps inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright would also be aesthetically pleasing.

The ARCHITECTURE of the KITCHEN & DINING/ ENTERTAINING AREA

The dining area could be incorporated into the kitchen area as part of entertaining. A partition could separate the two. You could also sit in the dining area and slightly look down through a break in the wall (A large square) and view the fireplace in the great room.

The ceilings of the Kitchen & Ceiling could be on a much lower scale than that of the great room. Large wood stained wall planks that would horizontally line the ceilings would present a rustic look. The kitchen cabinets could be contemporary yet have twig handles or some hinges that would represent the rustic look. You could also allow for a large overhanging iron chandelier of candles above the semi-long dining table. The chairs situated in the dining/entertaining area could incorporate iron. The table could be mostly glass. I would personally like to see the base of the table in glass and shaped like a cylinder. The inside of the cylinder could be left empty so that you could put items in it to reflect the seasons or to reflect that of the outdoors (sticks from outside, pebbles, dry grass). The top of the table could also be glass. The entertainment area could also have some long stem grasses that would play off the color of the room.

Am so anxious to hear when the winner's announced. I am not
sure if we get to SEE it announced on one of the shows or not. It
would be so cool. Doesn't have to be a surprise visit to the home.

Would love to know; does the WINNER of this cabin ALREADY know that they're in the 'finals', like the finalists in the the HGTV
dream home. Or will it just be a real drawing and announced in
the moment?

THANKS!!
As you know. MOST of us will be happy, NO MATTER!!

It will give someone something they never would have, otherwise, probably ever afforded to have.

THANK you for all those you make happy doing this.

The ARCHITECTURE of the BATHROOM

My thought would be to add some wooden planks half way or ¾ way up the familly bathroom that is located on the 1st level of the home. I wouldn’t want it to look like a cabin so I would stray clear of using wainclothing in the bathrooms. I also would keep the bathrooms ceiling height around 108” or slightly higher. Since the family bathroom is on the 1st level there wouldn’t be any need for a skylight here but in the master bathroom on the 2nd level it would be nice to have one located above a clawfoot tub for two.

I like the idea of adding a hammered or copper faucet and sink for a rustic look in the upper bathroom. In the family bathroom located on the 1st floor, a vessel or freestanding sink with a universal design incorporated would work well. I (like the look of glass) so if a copper sink from Oceana was incorporated it would look fantastic. I also like the look of a faucet being directly installed into the wall in the upstairs bathroom or even a waterfall faucet with its clever unique design would echo that of the outdoors.

The ceilings in the upstairs bathroom with copper would top off a rustic feel. The downstairs bathroom could be plain since the walls would have plank wood or maybe someone with an imagination could think up something..?

Hey this is fun! Bamboo for the floors is not only eco friendly, but it is easier to maintain. Also, the granite is beautiful but difficult to maintain. Soapstone is better. Not sure about the outside fireplace, but a lot of you seem to like it. Any particular reason you don't like the water feature? Hope everyone has a great day.

THANKS, Sheila!

I agree with you on the access for handicap. We have a few in our family and it is difficult for them to climb a lot of stairs. No wheelchairs as yet, but could be in the future and my home right now cannot handle that environment. Cannot have a friend visit here because of this problem and that should be something the blog cabin should take into consideration. Handicapped people love the mountains too. When my husband and I looked at cabins in Tn we were concerned about this very problem. Some homes had a back door at ground level and that was acceptable. When they are built on the side of a mountain or slope, there is a way to create handicap accessibility. It would also have been nice to create an upstairs master so the handicapped can use the downstairs master.

Love it when there are 2 masters, up and down.

I also hope some of those tiled floors have some adjustable radiant heating. Tile nice in the summer, but it can get cold in the wintertime, no matter if it is in a heated room.

Having exposed logs on the interior is a good idea on some walls and have looked at several homes that have them. It is the interior walls that divide the rooms that should be eggshell so that the winner can customize the colors. I kind of have thought about the clawfoot tub as well and have thought this is a good option as well. Too bad the bath isn't big enough for both. Not everyone likes to shower. That hot tub could be an alternate option. I like that idea too.

I am anxious to see what the final results are.

I don’t want to be overbearing these are just ideas…………

The ARCHITECTURE of the BEDROOMS

The master bedroom could be located upstairs. The master bedroom could have ample closet space and perhaps a laundry shoot could be incorporated in the closet area. The lights to the closet would have motion sensors. It would be very dreamy (which I’m full of) to have a skylight installed directly above the master bed. That way when you are in bed you can feel like you are sleeping under the stars. The master bed could have maybe woven wooden wood columns in a spectacular display that would almost depict tree branches at the top. I don’t have any ideas off the top off my head about the look I would want for the walls and ceiling. I’m not sure of the height factors of the ceilings, so it is a bit difficult to envision in my imaginary world. Some tones that we are particularly fond of are; browns, oranges, cremes, greens, grays I like textures but I’m not sure how that would blend in with the surrounding room.

I have a thirteen year old daughter, so if her room is on the upper or lower level that would be fine for us. She is typically happy with whatever selections are made but some of her favorite colors are: violets, blues, and crèmes. She likes simplicity and softness. Maybe a canopy and box lighting for the room. Her closet could be on a smaller scale or even eliminate a closet and have a freestanding modular cabinet. Adding a modular cabinet would free up space that could be used toward another area of the home.

My mom is handicapped so incorporating an area for crafts would be neat. My mom has more of an antique style look but the introduction of color would be nice too. She likes items related to a garden theme. She likes all colors; so whatever would be selected would be nice.

I will send ideas with respect to other posts but have completed my ideas on this post.

Thanks for listening!

I love all the items mentioned by Goldilocks and The Three Sticky Bears

I just read it now. :)

Yea, voting is closed. My choices came out winners, except for 3. (quartz countertops, contemporary kitchen, and traditional railing)

That was fun. Thanks. Can't wait to see how the cabin turns out.

AMY,

Well I see the "Country Kitchen" won I hope you have noticed even many of the people who voted for it did not like that distressed white wash. I would like to comment that you folks should stick with the blog cabin but it would be great if it were also a lake home to boot.

Well, you all at DIY Blog cabin have your job cut out for you. This cabin seems to have busted its seams.
All the ideas suggested, makes you thing we have 3000 sq.ft, to work with. Putting together all those choices is going to be a chore. Please! Can we get sneak peaks once in a while here on the internet? Let us comment in some way. Love doing this blog thing and trying to affect the final results. Good Luck to the winner whoever that is....

Hi Amy I hope you don't change the color of the country kitchen cabinet they will look so perfect with the cherry flooring the colors will just pop.

I really enjoyed the blog vote on the blog cabin.I think it is going to be majestic setting in the smokies. This has been lots of fun voting and seeing the outcome. Good luck to everyone!
Jesse

It's too bad that the bamboo flooring didn't win as it grows faster than oak or pine, is harder than oak and since I have a friend who just floored his house with it, I think it looks better than oak and pine together. It's too bad that not a lot of people have actually seen it installed, as it would have made a terrific floor, lighter in color than the one that won and I think would have made a better choice for wear and looks. Just my opinion.

Cool.

Nice!

Nice