FANTASTIC VIEW...NO KILLER SLOPE DRIVEWAY :)

YEAH!!!! We are ready to go!

Just took a quick look at the Barna site and they look great. The lake setting is going to need a great view from inside the house. Can't wait to check out the floor plans. How much sq ft are we going to work with this time? I'm Hoping we get into a bigger place. Don't want it too big though.
2600 hundred sq.ft. sounds good. Three or 4 nice size bedrooms sound good too. Show us what you are looking at, please. Can't wait to get this cabin/home on the road. Give us more, please!!!!

You know we all have grand ideas, Please show us the limits.........

Hi,
The Barna Log Homes are beautiful. It will be interesting to see what the 2008 Blog Cabin looks like. I hope it has a lot of windows to see the beautiful area and to let in a lot of light to cheer everyone up.

This looks like an amazing location. I'm already dreaming!

The lake, the logs and going Green what a awesome cabin this will be. I do hope that this time a universal floor plan will be one of the options or just worked into the plan. To have a home where you can age in place is having a home that can be passed on for generations. Kathy Seals

Here is my prioritized DREAM/WISH list...

Actual needs: Number of bedrooms =4, baths=2 1/2, floors = 1, accessible
Priorities: Master suite =open floor plan with 2 closets, two head shower and jetted tub, big kitchen (great room) - open with views of dining room and family room, wrap around porches,
Foundation: slab
Placement of rooms: Children's bedrooms in relation to master = down hall at opposite end, utilities near kitchen/mud room
Amenities: 3 bay garage w/shop and garden room, mud room with seasonal storage areas and near guest bath, family/game room with movie studio, craft cabinets/storage
GREEN - solar power, reuse/recycle water, interior built with green materials, etc.

I can't wait! Okay, it's been a week since this blog was posted... No hurry. Enjoy your holidays. Waiting patiently...

I would like to see the Rising Sun with a wrap around porch as one of the floorplan options.

Hey guys I just saw the good news about Barna Log Homes joining Diy with the Lakefront Estates/ watts bar project. I took a look at the homes at the blh site. They offer up some beauties for sure. I would love to know asap which houseplans we will be voting on and when the voting choices start. I would also like to see more of the land layout as well before choosing the house to be built. Like for example the photographer could stand at the driveway entrance them move right & go around the lot and take a 360 span video tour or pictures of the lot from the driveway view, all away around and especially the lake view from the front of the property to the back of the property & where the porches would be located. So we can see if the view is fit for a two story or a one story home. I personally would prefer the home to be a 4 bedroom, a master on both floors, 3 1/2 bath, a (3) car garage, great storage throughout the home & especially a double wide driveway. I would love the living room/ kitchen/dining to be open plan and master bedroom areas of the home to be located at the back of the home to take advantage of the beautiful lake view. It is very exciting to start thinking about the blog home. I personally can not wait to see everything take shape! Good luck and God bless all the crews working on the giveaway. I'm looking forward to the voting and new 2008 series blog cabin coming. Merry Christmas everyone!

Well everyone, I just saw the three floor plans. Beautifully done with large viewing windows. I personally like the open floor plan. The dreamer plan...I am starting to dream! Amy Devers, where are you! Let get started....just kidding...this is very exciting. I am looking forward to bloging. Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas.

I chose the Jacinto as my dream home earlier but I wish they would put in floor to ceiling glass in the Master Bedroom facing the lake. The only problem I see is, a friend of mine lives on Watts Bar and he said they drain the lake every winter. He had his boat sitting at his dock in the water one day and the next it was sitting on the bottom of a dry lake and he said it was very ugly in the winter.

All are beautiful plans. Which ever one is chosen, please consider making it 100 percent handicap accessible. Some of the big changes are ALL 36 inch doors verses standard 30 and having all electrical outlets up 24 verses the standard 16. Any hallways should be 4 feet verses 3. One never knows what may happen in the future.

This looks like an amazing location . I LOVE IT

Hmmm...is it just me or do these floor plans stretch the meaning of the word "cabin" just a little bit?

If I were to select one of these log homes...sorry, cabins to build for myself I would choose the San Jacinto in a heartbeat. The ability to enjoy the lake views from multiple vantage points would be a major selling point for me. Whether I'm all alone, or with my wife, or with family and friends, enjoying the lake represents a sizeable emotional return on my investment. The San Jacinto wants you to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Happy New Year everyone!

What a view

What a view! This is great. Keep up the good work.

I love the wrap around porch on the Jacinto plan. I can just sitting out there overlooking the lake. Great job in the three choices

I absolutely love the dreams swept view 2 & 3. The Fireplace on the porch is awesome and I have to have one inside. I love the huge master with the large walk in closets. Most ov all I love the great room with the nice Island bar open to the great room. All I can say is take me away DIY!!!
Sharie

The site looks great overlooking the lake. We picture the San Jacinto model as the best choice. It offers the most usable space for entertaining.

I Chose the Jacinto because it looks like a home the other two looked like Boats on a Foundation. The Sun room off to the end is a wnderful touch for a Lake side home or retreat.

Hay.. WE Love Loghomes, At the site for the new home is nice but we have horses? Could some one have horses at this place. And are there riding trails there. My dream would be a 4 bed 3 bath log home with a pourch all around it. It would be two side on the main house left side would have bedroom, bath, minny kitchen, and den with a fire place, for my inlaws. that would have a door to the maine part, then the main house with the a big Kitchen, living room,stone fire palce,dinning room, mud room with a door out to the back porch. It would all be open to see the upstars where two bed rooms with clostes are.With a walk through bath room in the middel of them. On the right side of the main house master bath with jetted tub, power shower,and big walk in clostes. a small computer room, and a fire place. yes We have looked at log home for a long time. And this would be my dream home. I hope this helps. thanks Debwallace

I vote for the Dream Swept blueprint. The dual purpose fireplace did it for me! I also love the double doors facing the lake from the master. I do have some suggestions. I would do a sunken living room area, maybe 2 steps down from the dining area just to give some character to this one story floorplan. Second I would add more windows to the lake side of the house next to either side of the chimney. A couple of large triangular windows following the peak of the roof would add more sunlight. Lastly I would consider screening in the portion of the porch surrounding the outside fireplace. I LOVE THIS HOUSE!

I like the san jacinto. the covered deck with a fire place is a great idea. I would like to see the cabin set on a full basement, the added space is a big plus for family rooms, storage, and a place to send the grandkids where they can be less destructive.

the san jacinto is my choice, the vaulted ceiling, that wrap around porch, and the fireplaces were the clinchers. The deck with the fireplace off the master bedroom is fantastic.

This is My first time to blog cabin I wacth the show this past Jan. 1, 2008 very good show. And now I like the Barna floor plan and I can wait to see the cabin start build up. But it didn't say where the cabin will be build what state, what lake is that? I may have miss that part. However when the blog cabin start in the new year.

My dream has always been to live on a lake. Can't wait for this year's cabin to get started.

beatiful property

Absolutley beautiful location. I Can't wait to see it starty coming together.

I really like all three choices, but the San Jacinto just says lake home to me. Having grown up on a lake, I know a few things this place could really use. The first being a boat house, big enough to store your boat in the winter, as well as any water toys, fishing equipment, and other summer recreational items, heated would be even better, although not necessary, something that would keep winter temps inside, above freezing, would make winterizing your boat easier. Next would be a garage, at least a 2 car, and maybe a covered circle drive past the front door to make entry easier during bad weather, as I think an attached garage would take away from the beauty of any of the cabin choices. The 3rd thing that would be really nice, is a full basement under the cabin, this makes a good, out of the way place for all the mechanicals of the house, plus, extra storage. Oh, I almost forgot, a nice dock, and shore station for your boat in the summer.

I really favor the San Jacinto plan, just because of the opportunity to get views from two levels. I like David Dalton's idea of having the MBR window be full-length glass. I know that lake might be drained (my in-laws live where that happens sometimes) but think it would be worth it, even in winter. I will comment again about some ideas for the kitchen! It's going to be beautiful!

I am excited to see the new floor plan. This will be somebodies dream come true in the end.

Watts Bar Lake is part of the TVA system, and in the autumn water is released from the Watts Bar Dam, but not all waterfronts are exposed. The let out varies between 8-12 feet, so it depends on the water level and slope at the property. "Seasonal" waterfront means you will have little lake left when the dam is opened, "year-round" means you will have boat access to the lake year round.

Dream Swept!!!!! All are beautiful but the best charm & best green & the one that says home to me is Dream Swept! Extend that porch to the guest room, put a door in it instead of a window, then put a basement or garage under it - and you couldn't ask for more! Please do a 1 floor cabin this time to show that you don't have to go excessive to have phenominal!! :-)

I like the San Jacinto floor plan best, two story is a plus and the outdoor fireplace, really cool! A few things though...the master bedroom seems a bit small and the two upstairs bedroom have small closets. Any way to make the home a bit longer and taller? That would allow for a larger mstr bdrm, larger closets, maybe an island in kitchen, higher ceilings, etc. Maybe a touch wider too, to keep in proportion, plus that would allow the main fireplace to be wider.

Kim Mc

I hope the new cabin turns out as great as the last one. I enjoyed the shows so much! I loved the screened in porch and so many things about the cabin. Will the new one have a screened in porch? How do you register to try to win the cabin?

I hope the new cabin turns out as great as the last one. I enjoyed the shows so much! I loved the screened in porch and so many things about the cabin. Will the new one have a screened in porch? How do you register to try to win the cabin? I like the San Jancinto the best.

Hi, I am sooo excited!! I really enjoyed participating in blog cabin 2007. Blog cabin 2008 is gonna be great! It's always been a dream of ours, (my husbund and I) to live in a log home. So this is a whole lota fun for us...I have already voted several times on my favorite floor plan...Phyllis H.

I cannot wait to see this new log cain started. The view is wonderful.Amy get busy!

My wife and I wish we had been a part of the 2007 house as the house and the setting are fantastic. Same with the 2008 house - can't wait to see it progress.

Barna Log Homes are certainly experts in their field! The cabin they have on the first page of their website with the large glass windows will be just fine! They don't miss a thing, do they?! Now this is getting really exciting and intense. I love their homes and your work, and this is going to be a HOME.

I think the Willow Lane looks absolutely perfect but I notice in the voting that the San Jacinto is in the lead. I like the idea of the single story, the office area in the front because even on vacation an office area can come in handy. I think some folks get greedy and want to go for the biggest, most expensive if it's going to be free!! It is big enough for a comfortable family gathering w/out having to run up and down stairs; BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! I vote for the Willow Lane. Come on , people, campaign for the Willow Lane! Is anyone with me?

WE just found the show and think it is great. Can't wait for construction to start.

Love the lake site! The wrap around porch on the San Jacinto would be a great place to sit and look out at the lake.

Bulb choices We have started using LED bulbs in our home only night lights at this time. They are more energy efficient than flourecent bulbs.Link: http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/index.aspx
I have also heard of a new type of solar panels that is flexible here is a link for it:http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/?OVRAW=flexible%20solar%20panels&OVKEY=flexible%20solar&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=7968598021&OVKWID=91497865021
I think these things would be great to use especially in so beautiful of a setting.

just found you all>>>>i "love" the large, one floor, open plan of willow lane! i could imagine the warmth of the fireplace as i look out on the water. i have three standard poodles that would enjoy playing in the water too!!!! it is thrilling to have this blog cabin again >> even better than dreaming! thank you for all the fun...

I love the San Jacinto the best although I could not find the floor plan on the Barna Log Homes website, I am confused. Cannot wait to see it built along with voting on the other choices. Kind of curious about plans for a garage since none of the plans have an attached garage, it is relatively warm year round in tennessee but would be nice to have some shelter for a vehicle or two not to mention all of the lake toys, yard and garden supplies, kids bikes, etc..

sorry...it's not about the "biggest and most expensive 'cause it's free" thing for me... as i looked at the pictures of the build site my first thoughts were of the type of house and that it would need a. lots of windows and b. a big porch. as soon as i saw the third selection i fell in love with that porch and the upper level...i know stairs aren't suitable for everybody but i love it! it's San Jacinto for me!!
brenda :)

That great big porch on the San Jacinto is just what I have always wanted!!

Love the floor plans, but I also am very conscious of handicapped access. The San Jacinto has great porches, and the second floor is great for privacy for guests and more living space for all on the first floor. It might be a consideration to add an elevator if this model is built, and I am in favor of the whole cabin being handicapped accessible. I worked at a children's hospital, so I am also thinking of this possible need for younger families.

Dream Swept has nice kitchen space with good cabinet lay out which would be needed,if owner like to entertain. I would like to see more screened porch space on that model, so all could enjoy outdoor living.

Site at Lake area is stunning. Can't wait to see more. This is a wonderful project in the works.

Betty

i hope they have lots of windows to view the lake...imagine the wildlife to view from the home....wonderful site!

Love the site! While all the plans are beautiful I prefer the more majestic look of the San Jacinto. I believe it is more suitable for the location.

Would it be possible to put solar panels on the cabin? It would be awesome to make this an enviornmentaly friendly cabin.
I took a look at the providers website. Beautiful log homes.

I have always wanted to live on the water. The cabin, San Jacinto is fabulous, with the large porches and windows.

I"m loving the comments by all, and it seams like the best of the best have signed this year we loved the whole crew last year they sure seemed to have fun. The best this year its green yeah! I am like everyone else dreaming! especially now. I live in Klamath Falls OR. where I have been taking care of my precious Mother for the last 5 yrs. she is on hospice now and has 3 to 6 months then I will be alone, I will miss her terribly. My son and his family live in Knoxville and I have not seen them for many years, my grandaughter is 11. I would not care if it was just a simple cabin I would be tickled to have it. As a outdoors woman it would be heaven to just be able to start my life over again in a home that I could build lots of memories in. I raised my kids fishing and swimming and camping floating the river in a four man river raft. I especially think of the holidays with my grand kids. I am 64 in Jan. when I was young I made my husband promise to build me a log cabin, and one year on Christmas I woke up to a cabin under the Christmas tree made of lincohn logs LOL its true!!! I am a widow now and I have yet to have that cabin so I am saying dibbies on this one.
seriously though, may God bless the right person or family with this beautiful cabin.

The San Jacinto is a great floor plan with some flexibility to personalize it. At first glance, the lake site looks great, too. HOWEVER, this lot is in
an "Estate" setting. For a cabin?? Whatever happened to buying a remote lot on a less-accessible lake? I know there are thousands of acres available here in Maine and I know MN, WI, NY and lots of other states have land on lakes that isn't in some sort of development. After all, wasn't this supposed to be a green off-the-grid cabin?

I would love to see screened in porches around the house. This would help with mesquitos especially. I hope you make the inside rustic as you did the last Blog, with lots of hand made items. It was SUPER. GREAT JOB TO ALL OF YOU!!!

I love the San Jacinto and I'm glad so many of you loved it too. What I was looking for in the floor plan was a pantry..a place to store all those family sized boxes so after I move in I won't have to leave to go shopping. An area with storage and a big freezer would be perfect. What do y'all think and where could we fit it in????

>My wife and I have a 45 acre place with a small >lake on it and we would like to know if you are >interesed in mailing us some of your cabin plans >and/or floor plans for us to look at and try to >design a plan that we like.

>We have been talking about getting a log cabin >built over looking the lake.

>Thank you for your time,

>Marty Keene

Hey all,

I think if you are building a lake house, you need to have a boat house too. Where else would you store your Kayaks and stuff. Also you must have a small dock to jump and swing off of in the summer.

Lynda

I prefer Willow Lane. All on one floor and very open and sweeping living areas

I am so excited about the San Jacinto plan. I did not participate in last years blog cabin but I have been looking forward to this one. I love the location. I would definately love to call this one my home. I look forward to seeing all the crafty craftsmanship wonders you guys come up with on this cabin.

i believe a different type of roof should be used because the metal roof has been used.

We have dreamed of this location since my parents owned land outside of Kingston. I can't seem to find which direction the back porch gazes at out over water. Are we peering at a sunset or greeting a sunrise. North / south all fine with me..just want to know.

I haven't read anything about heating elements being placed under the floors- energy efficient & makes for a cozy feeling.

If you install the Double Hung windows you will be taking away from the beauty that they cabin overlooks.
The Casement windows leave a more open feeling to the outdoors.