Hi All! Just wanted to make a comment first thing on the flooring. Please remember to think green on this. Look at each type of wood to think about what is rapidly disapperaing. Bamboo is beautiful, versatile, and is quickly renewable because of how fast it grows. Hardwoods are not. Hope to see that bamboo option take a big jump in popularity! Thanks!

Cabin needs an outdoor fire pit and a seating area near the lake.

I totally agree with the bamboo flooring. It looks just beautiful as well. I also think the simple guest bath has more appeal for a cabin, so I hope those numbers grow.

Watson, I agree a lot of blogger have really been ruff on you and some get so upset. I think everyone needs to lighten up, okay?
The cabin is coming along great and I can't wait to see what modifications that have been made to the floor plan.
Maybe I am happier than some because the only thing that I have wanted that did not win is quartz instead of granite for the counter tops. If I would be blessed enough to win this fabulous cabin I could certainly over look that. We should just thank DIY for giving us the chance to vote, blog and maybe win this wonderful home.

Counting myself blessed
Joyce

Yeah, on to a new round!! Too bad we don't know the roof "color", or do we? So I went with my favorite stain color, cedar.

Don't let the bathroom pictures fool you. The "mountain" master bath is really a poor picture. The wood details can really give it a "cabin" feel. I would love to see how they would meet the challenge of blending that option with the power shower. Also, just what would an "ornate" guest bath really mean? Just what is the difference? Can anyone help me out before so many posts come flying in I can't find my answer. Clean and simple it is for now.

With the wood flooring choices all dark pictures, went with my favorite look of mixing the lights and darks. Nice feature for decorating options and looks great in a cabin.

Remember, just opinions...

Reading over the comments about bamboo has made me reconsider it, especially in light of the flooring choices offered this week.

They're all so dark, and at least bamboo is lighter.

Still would love to know if a garage is in the works.

Putting in a pitch for the sustainable bamboo for the flooring. [It can be stained different colors, like the others; but, it's sustainable.]

Hope they also consider cork in some areas -- again, it's sustainable but it also cushions for areas where one stands a lot.

Watson -- If the only thing that some of the bloggers have to complain about is that the new blogs don't post over the weekend, then I'd say you were doing very well! [A blog is not the same as an instantaneous chat -- and not all chats post immediately either.]

I also agree that both sets of bathroom choices depend more on how they are interpreted in the San Jacinto than in the picture. The Lakeside Zen has a nice (& appropriate) name & the Rustic has a bad picture -- but, that doesn't decide how each would be interpreted. And, for the Guest Bath, the biggest difference was the color & that can be in either. Both had tubs with pedastal sinks.

As an ending note -- PLEASE consider the sustainable bamboo flooring.

I got to tell you I really don't like either one of the bathrooms that we are voting on anyway. We might get some new ones?

All the choices are great, I am very happy that you pointed out the renewable resource of bamboo flooring, a great friend to the enviroment is what we should all strive for as we consider our choices. I know "hardwood flooring" is a great buzz phrase but the bamboo looks just as good and is a great choice.

It would be great if we could see all the choices togetheron a separate page and if you guys could use some sort of computer program to illustrate the choices as we go.Just a few suggestions,

This place looks great, between you folks and HGTV there are 3 beautiful houses available in the next few monthes. My chances a a new home have now tripled. Good luck to everybody !!

I am really having a hard time understanding your term "cabin". As far as I can tell, this building is becoming a "vacation house" or just plain "house" because of what you are offering in design (inside and out). I would hardly call it a "cabin". I think your choice of flooring could be less detrimental to the foreign environments those woods come from (not sustainable)other than the bamboo. I also think the "cabin" should, in these times of excess, be more about green and the environment. Make better choices than ornate and expensive for a "cabin" or change the name of this program to Blog Home Giveaway, but not "cabin".

Helllooo DIY!

The choices once again are very difficult! It is nice to see my choices are back on track again!

I really don't know much about hardwood flooring other than I like it! :D

I agree with what the bloggers have written about the bambo replenishing easily and probably would be the best choice. I am not sure on how durable it is though.....any thoughts or comments on this?

I was kinda hoping that the guest bathroom choice was actually for the master bath. The main picture on this site would be an excellent master bath!(*hint*) ;)

Happy Logging~

I am with the Bamboo advocates. I am really alarmed at the amount of votes for the Teak floors. I thought everyone knew how fast those forests are disappearing. Bamboo is equally beautiful and can come in many shades. It also is easier & faster to regrow a Bamboo forest than it is a Teak forest. I hope that the Bamboo flooring's number goes up. Watson, you are doing a fine job and thank you for the ease of adding our comments. I enjoy reading others opinions and appreciate your work.
Cheers!

On to the new features!

Flooring:

The eco-sense of Bamboo has already been covered. I have several friends who have bamboo...they all love it. Stable, easy to clean, and lovely to look at.

Windows:

Casement are behind, but I'd like folks to at least consider them. My current home has casement windows...and I love them. They open fully--allows those cool breezes to come through. No central sash to interrupt views. Can be cleaned in a flash with a squeegee. They also seal better than double-hung windows. (More energy efficient.) While many people think of casement windows as narrow...and difficult to open, I can assure you that is no longer the case. We've lived in our home for 10 years, and the windows have never given us a moment's trouble. Of course, the casements Do impede traffic a bit if they are open...so that would be one reason to use double hung.

If the Blog cabin is built with double hung windows...I'd like to see two large panes, or six over a single, rather than six over six. Then, at least, the view would be uninterrupted through the bottom part of the window.

Bathrooms:
Style wise I voted for "Clean and simple" over "ornate"--because that is my preference. Clean and simple will be simpler to clean! Ditto with "zen" over "rustic."

Keep up the good work,bloggers...and Watson--sorry if we were too hard on you. I think everyone just got frustrated because the process wasn't clear. I'm certain we'll be more patient now that we understand!

Bamboo, contrary to much advertising may not be as 'green' and eco-friendly as it's touted to be. For those with some spare time and wishing to become better informed about the true costs and eco positives and negatives of bamboo flooring there is a very good article “Bamboo Flooring- Environmental Silver Bullet of Faux Savior?” (March 15th 2005) by Dr Jim Bowyer and others. http://www.dovetailinc.org/documents/DovetailBamboo0305.pdf
Bowyer is a professor in the University of Minnesota's Department of Bio-based Products; Chairman of the Tropical Forest Foundation & Chairman of the Minnesota Bio-fiber Council.

Also, bamboo isn’t subject to the same rigorous standards as hardwood floors because it isn’t a wood. JANKA measurements are almost meaningless for bamboo too. Generally, it’s considered to be about the same hardness as Black Walnut which is a ‘soft’ hardwood. There are no ‘Fair Trade’ agreements covering its production and processing either so environmental impact and the welfare of workers in China where the bulk is produced are not protected. Bamboo requires gluing together to make boards and the glues used are usually formaldehyde based. These can leech formaldehyde for years which is an environmental hazard in any home.

To quote Andrew & Stacie of 'The Green Team' on HGTVpro: -

" Bamboo that was once was touted as the sustainable savior to that hardwood floor finish has fallen short on several fronts and continues to be crap-shoot for most consumers.

On the one hand bamboo is considered sustainable because it grows so quickly, and requires very little tending, watering, fertilizing, or pesticides to thrive. The down side is that bamboo has to mature in order to harden to the right density for daily use. Many lower grade flooring products are made from stalks of immature plants that have grown to acceptable height but not hardness. Some of these inferior floors can be easily dented by a dropped water glass or are susceptible to warp after a few years of service.

A floor that has to be replaced every decade is not sustainable."

This isn't to say it's all bad or necessarily a bad option but it certainly isn't the 'wonder' floor some would like us to believe.

If green, renewable and sustainable are to be important criteria and it has to be a wood floor (shame as there are so many exciting and environmentally friendly products available) then why not consider 'Lyptus' or reclaimed and recycled flooring such as Californian Olive or Texas Mesquite? All are more eco-friendly than the options offered here. They are harder, better to work and better for the environment. 'Lyptus' is a hybrid eucalyptus wood mainly from Brazil. It's only plantation grown (absolutely no more deforestation) much harder than most domestic flooring, expands less than almost all others (especially bamboo) and is almost as fast growing as bamboo. It's a renewable hardwood that preserves remaining forest and looks great too.

There are so many other flooring options it's sad to see three very similar options and one a bit different. Do be wary of bamboo. It has all the hype but also has the greatest ability to alter shape with drier or damper atmospheric conditions (up to 7% or more for some types). It also dinks and dents too easily for my liking. Friends did their kitchen, hall, living and dining room in bamboo a few years back. Initially, it looked great but last year they replaced it with a recycled wood because of the constant problems of the bamboo shrinking, expanding and warping in our upper Mid-West climate. It's this that persuaded me to look much more closely at bamboo with an eye to replacing our floors in a year or so. We will not be using bamboo.

One thought. If trees are to be felled to clear the ground for the cabin why can’t they be planked, properly dried and used for the flooring. This is surely one of the best and most environmentally neutral options?

Casement windows definitely a ‘must’ here with the view. Say no to cookie-cutter little panes and inserts. Go with the view.

I don't plan to spend my time at the cabin cleaning, washing little panes of glass, or worrying about kid/pet damage to the high maintenance surfaces. Give me light colored Corian for the bathroom counters (no ped sinks, please, where do you stash the tp?) and good old lino for the floors.

In going along with the "Green" trend, I am a little disappointed in the choices which have been made. I know a power shower is luxurious, but come on wouldn't the low flow be more environmentally friendly. Also the wood flooring, I'm surprised not more have voted for the bamboo, definately an eco-friendly choice.

Watson, Watson, read all of the blogs so that you won't be hurt by those impatient people who don't understand that you need a day off, and you were called into a business workshop, and we stood up for you! You are doing a DYNAMITE job, and most of us really appreciate all of your hard work. So smile, and remember there are always some out there that would gripe if they were run down by a brand new truck!

I love the new choices for flooring, log color, bathroom styles, etc. What a decision, decision, decision blog this one is going to be! I know that bamboo is the greenest flooring we could select, but everyone is already going for teak, which is all over Thailand and works great by the ocean so it should do well by the lake. It's easy to clean, beautiful, and very durable.

I can't help but love the Zen bathroom. I know, it's not cabinesque, but if I were to use it I would feel so calm, peaceful and relaxed, it would be nice to know all our guests would feel the same way!

Nice to talk to you again, and hope to read all my favorite bloggers again soon! Cabincraver2008

May the worthiest blogger/voter win!!!!!

P.S. I can't wait to hear from the CEO of Barna Log Cabins! That will be educational, exciting and make my week! Thanks, Watson, for making this and all the other good times roll!

Cabincraver2008

Great job on your choices for the Blog Cabin!! It's been SO fun to be able to choose each aspect and to watch it all unfold. We enjoyed watching the 2007 cabin show and didn't vote - - - THIS YEAR you can bet we have been voting :-) We have our fingers, toes, etc. crossed to win :-)

Watson, I think you are doing a great job! I love the new choices. This is a lot of fun and I enjoy looking up all the choices, hoping to make choices that make beauty and environmental sense. What I have found is the choices so far have really been both. It has been a pleasure blogging with knowledgeable folks. Keep bringing on the info bloggers and I will too. Whoever wins (I'm betting) will be happy with any of the features that "become" the cabin. Good Luck and have fun with this. Don't get mad, get glad with Watson. Without Watson we wouldn't have a place to communicate! See ya here soon!

Hi Watson and everybody. Watson, everyone deserves some time off every now and then. You are doing a great job. Thanks.
The choices. Interesting. Not sure about the flooring. Sorry green people. Don't like the bamboo. Maybe its the picture. The bathroom choices seemed unrelated. Not sure about them either.

I pick-up several samples of bamboo at Lumber Liquidators this past weekend because I wanted to pick out a color and type for my own home. I have Morning Star, Ty Pennington, hand scrapped and oter types. I also have a sample of the Bellawood Brazilian Walnut. I went to several bamboo web sites to see how bamboo would stand up to normal home traffic. The experts advised to do the finger nail test and the nickle test which I did on all the wound samples. All of the bamboo failed. You can press your fingernail into the bamboo and cause an indent in the wood.
The Brazilian Walnut was not affected by the fingernail test. The Walnut also stood up to the nickle test and the bamboo did not.
The Brazilian Walnut is one of the hardest wood on the Janka scale so I would think it would last much longer than the bamboo with less effort to keep it looking nice. The bamboo would probably need to be replaced every couple of years. I have decided not to use the bamboo in my own home.
Is there an expert out there that can tell us more?

Hi, some of us baby boomers would like a fancy walk-in shower in the guest bathroom please.

On bamboo... they are clear cutting a LOT of forests to plant and harvest bamboo. It is also manufactured with a LOT of chemicals, and it needs to be shipped from a LONG way away... it's not quite the green thing everyone thinks it is.

The greenest option is probably reclaimed floor... locally farmed and managed and sustainably grown hardwoods are actually a close second (look for eco certification.) Just wanted to clear that up!

What happened to the cabin? How can you walk into that ornate bathroom in a cabin? You started out with d logs on the outside and then put that bathroom in it???? Lets get back to the clean and simple and get rid of that zen bathtub too. What are you thinking?

My only concern about the bamboo flooring is this...it's easily dented. I agree that going green is great but my friend is very disappointed in her floor (purchased from the same source they're using on the show). Water does not bother it so if your kids are gentle and no one drops anything heavy or sharp, I guess you'd be fine. Just be prepared for it to look 'rustic' in a very short time.

Personally, I love the walnut. I was a little surprised that hickory wasn't a choice since it's such a popular choice for cabins...and it's hard as a rock, to boot!

As for the master bath...I'm a little tired of seeing 'Zen' bathrooms everywhere. The 'Mountain Rustic' sounds much more creative and fun...that example photo won't help the voters, though. Not an attractive bathroom...

All in all, the new choices are great...not sure of the 'ornate' guest bath option but then this cabin really isn't a cabin so I guess we can have fun with it!

And for the record, Watson, except for a few grumps along the way, everyone thinks you're doing fine. Don't let a few bad apples get you down. It's all good!

Bamboo flooring sounds wonderful - and my choice! It's going to be such a beautiful home. It will be so exciting to watch it all come together....to be so blessed - a stiking home in God's beautiful setting.

I went with the hand scrapped teac flooring because I think it will look great in a lakeside cabin. Since the cabinets are arts and crafts style, I'm not sure how the darker floors will work with the kitchen cabinets. I did some research on the flooring before voting and the teac flooring is 74% harder than Red Oak. Besides, I just like the handcrafted look. And if the Golden Teac is from Virginia Mill Works, it is a full 3/4" thick. Go to www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productid=3871&nsa=1 for a better view of the installed flooring.

I also chose the cedar stain for the outside. I have had cedar before and it is a good look in the woods, not too dark and yet is is darker than the oak so it does not "fade out" when the sun hits it. My neighbor put oak stain on western cedar siding and hated the look and ended up putting on a thicker stain in just 5 years time that hid the natural look of the siding. He may as well have painted the house. And this is going to be D-logs.

I also went with the simpler design on the guest bath because I have grandsons and know how boys can be when at the lake. The elegant bath would not stay "elegant" for long and it needs to be easy to keep clean.

The Zen bath looks so enticing for the master bath, along with the power shower and the owner's will think they are in heaven.

Please no bamboo, it needs to be constantly re-sealed. Yes, they are softer on the feet and yes, they do have sound barriers but, believe me when I say from experience, it's costly and inconvenient to re-seal them every year. They wear down too. I have them and wish I didn't. Whomever wins this house will replace them eventually. Please Pick the Teal wider hardboard. I know its hard to pick a floor when you don't know the color of the stone on the fireplace. The mixed floorboards would not go with stone and they are too busy. This is a secluded area not a funny house. that would be noxious. Guest bath should be simple and clean. Ceramic tile around the tub is so old! Its a little unfair to ask the exterior stain when we don't know the color of the roof. I say stay neutral with a good oak color. You don't want to go dark it would make the home look small and somewhat dingy when the dirt builds up on it. The OAK shows light but there are several coat applications that's going on it and it would make it a golden oak, which is beautiful. I did not care for the rustic master bath look, cheap looking yuk! The zen pic has no appeal "empty" but better than the rustic. Also not showing where the shower would be etc., better pics should have been used. If looking at the style of the tub, Zen gets my vote. Windows: I have both styles. Casement is perfect for the views this site provides. Double hung is for security but not very open. Either is fine but my vote went for the views. This site has some views people. Casement and easier to manipulate those different wind directions. They are more expensive and the newer models have armor protection, I hope these do too. Thanks again.

I have a neat addition that works well with granite or any stone countertops. On the island was a sink that mounted under the countertop. Custom made to fit into the 3/4" deep space was a 2" thick maple butcher block. When cutting up food, you drop it into the sink opening and you have a stable strong cutting surface. When not in use it slid into a slot that looked like a drawer opening that was right under the knife drawer. I was told it was 2" thick for several reasons; being thicker is it more stable than a board that is just ¾” thick, it sits over an inch proud above the counter surface to better protect the counter tops, and when it gets too ugly with knife cuts, since it is so thick it can be sanded down and reoiled to restore the surface. Oh, on one side it had a grove routed around about an inch from the edge so if cutting something with lots of liquid, it goes into the groove and then into the sink instead of onto the counter. Needless to say the board was reversible. The faucet was a single control Moen with a swivel head so it was out of the way when working at the board. The faucet also had a pull out head so it was great for rinsing and filling up pots and pitchers.

I always have a tough time finding a place to keep my cutting board when not in use and thought this was a neat idea.

I agree that going green is the righht way. Bamboo flooring in a lighter color would be great, or the engineered flooring a close second. Going simple for the bathrooms should also be a must, as it is a cabin.

Watson,
U)

i'm reposting this suggestion, cause i think it would be a hoot if you could pull it off. if not for this blog cabin, then 2009.
[quote]Wouldn't it be fun if they got Bobby Flay, Emeril, Mario, or one of the chefs from their sister network discussed the advantages/ disadvantages of each counter and kitchen style? As someone who likes to pretend she can cook, it would be great to hear from the experts. Of course links on where to buy, how to get the most (longevitywise) out of each would also be nice. they could do somethng similar for the other choices as well.[/quote]

bloggers,

please consider in your choices (esp. bathroom), clean up time. tho i wanted to lean toward the more rustic choice, i opted for easier to clean. i'd rather be on the SCREENED PORCH enjoying a virtual latte with watson than spending my time cleaning an ornate bathroom.

p.s. to the blogger concerned about the noise rain will make on the metal roof.

it may be distracting if your not used to it. if you let yourself get absorbed into your surroundings, the sound is actually quite tranquil. it may on occasion drown out conversation, but your in a cabin on a lake, let nature have its voice.

but in answer to your question, rain on a metal roof will make some noise.

Watson, don’t worry about those people who are stinging you. This is supposed to be fun everyone!!!

If I am not mistaken this log cabin home is bigger than the 2007 log cabin and the location as I have said before could not be more different.
The development is more upscale and does have guidelines that DIY must go by. Others have complained that this is the same as last years now it is too much. I guess I don't understand the problem as well as some others do. I love being more green like bamboo flooring but really what is there to complain about?
I just love to vote wish and dream about the chance to win what could be our retirement plus vacation home all in one.
Thanks, DIY!

Happy Blogging

Watson,

I am sorry you were mistreated by a few bloggers. If it is possible, please accept my apology on their behalf.

As guests on the DIY Blog Cabin website, we have no right to demand that you comply with any specific schedule for release of information - no matter how very much we desire it.

Again, I do apologize for the harm the bad manners of a few caused you.

Sure would love to hear from a few folks who have bamboo flooring. I know of no one who has had it for a while who says they would do it again. It's pretty but doesn't seem to hold up like conventional hardwood flooring according to those I know.

Also, to those saying the cabin is turning to something more like a house, you're right. A 2600+ square foot structure in an upscale gated community is not going to be a little cabin in the woods. This is a summer home or possibly a retirement home, not just a weekend getaway. So don't limit your choices to plain, simple and rustic. This is going to be a nice modern home with all of the amenities, albeit with a log structure, something comfortable for the long haul.

I agree the examples of the current choices are a bit deceptive and don't really show all of the "looks" you can have with the various styles. We have to trust the DIY folks to use their considerable taste to choose attractive colors and textures to make this home attractive, in and out. Just like the metal roof we have now voted in, it will probably not be the green conventional metal roof we saw, but something in an earth tone and dimensional in appearance.

looking at the mountain rustic design, i just can't see how the power shower is going to work with that.

I thought the San Jacinto had two guest baths upstairs? Why not use each guest bath choice? It would also be nice if the deck was made of cedar and the stain on the cabin should co-exist with but be different than the deck. I also agree with the choice of bambo but is this real or is it just printed flooring as much of it is these days?

Hope you bloggers post some good info on our newest choices. I owned a home with casement windows. They offer a great view. Howerver, they were not as energy efficient.This could have been because they were older then dirt. I clean a home with new bamboo floors.They look great,(very light blonde)easy to clean, a damp mop with vinegar and warm water. I would like to suggest central vaccum, it's the best, and I use them all.Watson, I luv this site. every body needs time off. you deserve it.

I completely agree with the flooring issue, Save the planet vote bamboo.lol, seriously though, it is beautiful and can be replenshed easily and quickly. Unlike the equally as beautiful hardwoods. I also wanted the concrete countertops, it's amazing what can be done with concrete these day's, Think green bloggers.

Watson,
Relax, and enjoy your weekends! Don't worry about all of the complaints. My guess is the people complaining the most have no lives, and so they don't want anyone else to either. No matter what you do, people will still complain, its what they do! If you want to post on the weekend, do. If you don't want to, don't.

Keep up the great work!!!

Bamboo~bamboo~bamboo!!! he he

I don't get the bathrooms for a cabin but what do I know? I'm a cookie cutter house desert dweller. *sigh* Hopefully that will change when I win the cabin. *praying* :o)

Hi. Just tried to vote and put in my bid for the mixed floor when I decided to review the choices - but uh, oh! Too late! I guess I hit the back button too many times, so now I have to wait to vote tomorrow. Just as well, though. The notes about the bamboo flooring are good to consider. But isn't bamboo more expensive?

I'm sorry you've been getting so much heat. Looks like SOME of us are taking things a little too seriously. I'm with the writer who noted how much of a blessing it would be to actually WIN the cabin. (as well as be able to "voice my choice" for its innerts.)

Look forward to viewing the choices I missed making along with the floor plan adjustments. Be Blessed all! lkm

I wish I could put a picture here, but it wouldn't let me. A couple years ago I went to Telluride, CO and fell in love with a floor in a furniture store. When I asked if I could take a picture of it, they laughed and said people ask that all the time, so go ahead.

I am awful at explaining things, but here goes. Imagine a huge rustic checkerboard with the squares being 3' by 3' of stone (not a solid piece, but lots of large stones pieced together), broken up by 4" beams of wood.

It was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the main area of a log cabin. If anyone knows how I can get the picture posted it let me know.

From the looks of the Community House at the entrance to this community... I wouldn't say this is a "In the Woods Cabin".... it is more of an upscale weekend/vacation lakehouse or will be someone's home that want's to live away from town.
But to say that it won't have the cabin (ie. casual/outdoors feel) is not true... even with some upscale options...

I have seen some very high end Log Cabins on different shows on TV...

This is suppose to be fun... and a learning experience... remember we all have different backgrounds and different reasons for wanting things... (size of our family, our age, were we live)... I live in an area that DOES NOT have basements.. not the norm ..but can understand the wants of those of you that have been asking for one...
Let's learn from each other..

Texas girl in OK at the moment..

Thanks for the info on bamboo - that will now be my choice. But hey! Why can't I vote for an item move forward and then, w/more info go back and change my vote - all while in the voting section?! I toggled back to change a vote and the system knocked my out - I didn't get to vote on all the options!! How do you manuever around in that voting system? My first opportunity to vote was a bust. Watson, can you help me? Poor guy - you must not have much of a life - now you have to do this 24/7!

OK Watson you got me, where in the world is one supposed to place blogger comments NOW?
On the opening Blog page there are six count them six (6) blog areas, I have found other's. When will there only be one place for new comments and one for the older one's?
This is getting too difficult to follow, I don't have the time to keep up with several blogger pages at once and then attempt to follow each to define where I should place my comments now that I'm back to work. I will keep voting on materials but as for the comments (Blogger comment areas) I suspect this will be my last. I have enjoyed getting ideas from all the other people (fellow Blogger’s) out their and many ideas. I have taken to heart and incorporated into my new home design that I will be cutting ground for this coming summer. I will miss that opportunity in the future

Thanks for allowing me to vent this frustration, I will miss you all and your comments, The good, the bad, and the ugly
Bob

You should consider lighter stains on the hardwood floor choices. They are all too dark for a wooded setting where the light is filtered. Lighter would brighten the rooms better.

I agree with Adrienne - instead of a cabin, it is becoming more of a vacation home/single family home. When I think of a cabin, I think of a rustic environment - a zen bathroom is a stretch for me to be in a cabin but from the looks of the voting - i'm in the minority. I also think the bamboo flooring is a great choice, I'll definitely keep voting for it.

Hello fellow bloggers ,
Is it me or is this lakeside house beginning to look like a palace on the inside ? What ever happened to clean lines and easy to take care of . I can see alot of daily work going into this house to to keep it clean and kept up . Don't get me wrong ..the choices are fabulous !

So far it appears that everything is going well and all the options are to my liking. Being from the northeast,I too would like to know if a garage is in the works or at least an option build. (should I win) I also like the idea of a fire pit area. Keep up the great work and can't wait to see the new choices.

LIGHTEN UP is right. Isn't this supposed to be fun? The stuff I've picked doesn't always get the popular vote but I'm not upset. Nor am I upset about ANY of it because I think it is wonderful to get to participate! HELLOOOOOO! Let's be a bit more GRATEFUL. I'd like us to be more economical and eco-friendly so that MAYBE there will be another cabin and ANOTHER GIVEAWAY.

I like all the choices but am leaning more to the simple decor more. I think a cabin should be dark and like the offerings for colors.

Can not wait to see the changes in the floor plan that have been suggested. I really hope the front windows match on both sides of the porch looks a little strange (having different size windows across the front).

The Knoxville area and Watts Bar Lake(an hour away) are truly beautiful. I have always thought that Knoxville would be a great site for the HGTV Dream Home. However, since the Scripps Networks are located in Knoxville, they may not want to appear parochial in their site choices.

The Blog Cabin voting participation is a very good idea. I really enjoy seeing all the choices and reading the comments from Watson and my fellow bloggers.

Watson, care to comment on Knoxville?

Wow! It's hard to believe anyone would complain about anything you guys are doing!! You are awesome. Keep up the fine work.

Everything is really coming together ... I am getting so excited ... Thus far just about everything I've voted for has been victorious ... I guess we really aren't so different after all, huh?

Whew! Still a might snippy, aren't we? What is it about dreaming about building a home makes us want to become overlords?
Just couldn't vote for the rustic bath because I dislike the red photo.
The handscraped teak is so appropriate for a rustic look, as well as holding up to moisture. (Great wood on boats!) The most sustainable thing about bamboo is how it helps US sustain China's economy.
Found the covenants a blogger posted very interesting. How will we make that metal roof conform? And what about the requirement for a garage? (See, we really need that basement & could put a garage in there!) Blog on....

I look at this cabin as my weekend getaway. Keeping things simple with less upkeep, is important, I don't need a second high maintenance home. I was surprised that so many people voted for the ornate guest bathroom.
As for any tiling, please use as little grout as possible, I hate cleaning grout.
Let's try to remember to go Green whenever possible

Hi y'all ,
I have a comment... This is a very nice cabin , but you have to remember that hopefully the average Joe will win it . That being said , you need to make it affordable and easy to maintain .
The majority of americans cannot afford the
$ 3,000.00 a year taxes along w/ utilities . So lets MAKE it afforadable . Think solar..geo thermal .. Anything to cut down the costs to
live in it comfortablly . I'd hate to see it being sold because you can't afford to live there !

Thanks , Linda H.

I love the ornate bathroom and would much prefer to see that as a choice for the master instead of guest bath. Of course, bamboo all the way on floors again because it is renewable.

For anyone interested and close enough there will be a LOG HOME Show here in Raleigh, NC Feb 22 to 24 at the NC Stae Fair Grounds check out:

www.thelogandtimberhomeshow.com

I have to agree with Tony Walls-the bathroom choices aren't very good. I would like to see some ideas more in line with a cabin, or at least not so "highbrow". Also, I can't believe that people voted for so many of the same options as last year's cabin. We've already seen them installed, and it seems like this year is sort of a copy of last. But please don't get me wrong-you guys are doing a great job, and I think your idea for the show is excellent!!

Wow - the choices to vote on are terrific. I would really like the master bath to have the ornate elegant instead of the guest bath. So far I am on track with the majority. I'm glad now that I didn't vote for bamboo after reading other bloggers info. I have learned so much from other bloggers. Thanks for all the info. I for one wish that I had voted for quartz instead of granite. I have never blogged before this contest & it is exciting to read everyone's blog. Keep up the good work!

I have been just sitting back and reading all the BLOGS and shaking my head. I decided not to comment anymore. I do have some questions.....

The flooring options do not all seem to be green selections. There is Bamboo which you seem to be steering people in that direction, and an engineered hardwood that really is just that hardwood. I have no objections to hardwoods because if you care for them, they will last forever. There has to be other green options. I have heard that Cork is another good option and I do not see anything like that available. My suggestion is to give us some info during the time that the blog cabin is in Hiatus, that green options are put on the site to inform the next group voting on the Blog Cabin have learned about options and can make an educated selection. Give pros and cons and teach us about what we can do to build a green and energy efficient cabin/home. Last year you directed us to a Green site, but there was very little going on at that site. I got some information, but there were very few postings.....

Now I know there are few selections for windows, but it is the windows energy efficient options and the ease of cleaning etc. that I would care about.

Now this is just my observation, but it seems that those who recently watched last years Blog Cabin have come to create the new Blog cabin and those things that they saw and loved on last years cabin are formost in their minds and are voting so. though the were nicer this time. Maybe next year they should remove or change the option that won the previous year.

I know the DIY team will do a great job on getting the job completed and working with the General Public is not easy. Looking forward to seeing how we can make this cabin New and Exciting, even if the options are leanig towards the same as the last cabin.

What a beautiful location you have found for this new 2008 cabin. My husband is a huge fishing fan and if he didn't work so hard for UPS "man in brown" he would be doing it alot more often than he does now. We have dreamt of living on a lake for so many years, I could only dream that we could win this beautiful home. Thanks HGTV for the opportunity to make our dream come true.

We should all take into consideration that putting eco-friendly products in this new cabin is the way to go but we should also remember this a cabin. When I think of a cabin, I think modern rustic decor. The Zen design is calming and beautiful but I wouldn't choose it for a lakeside cabin, just my choice. I like the cozziness of warm woods, quilts, plush area rugs, earthtones, and rustic wood furniture. When paired with modern touches this cabin would be the envy of many.

When will the actual entry period begin?

i like the suggestions for solar panels. this also seems like a windy area, but i don't know how feasible wind gennerated power would be.

Bamboo Flooring is the most ecological choice of the group so if you are looking at building part of this cabin green that would be a wonderful choice and I have to agree with Leeanne, Steve and Robin on this choice. If you visit any site that sells flooring you can see the different styles for bamboo flooring.

The bathroom choices are very nice and I think that the photos chosen to show these are just not the best. Whatever is chosen will be nice although may be a little more than you would normally find in a cabin.

Still would like to see an area out back for entertaining such as a patio with a barbecue area.

Bamboo isn't such a great flooring as some would like us to believe. It’s good to see quite a few bloggers agree with me on this. I’m all for green, eco-friendly construction but I have serious reservations about bamboo. It's just as expensive as local hardwoods and some imports but it costs pennies to produce with no enforceable environmental controls on its production. That isn't green or eco-friendly, plus it's full of formaldehyde based glues which are, again, a bad choice. It dents and scratches really easily as my friends in DC who put down nearly 3000sq ft will tell you (and it was from a very reputable company with professional installers). The warping and movement in the humidity of summer is quite excessive too.

Why was there not an option for recycled flooring from US produced hardwoods such as Mesquite? I checked on what Clive blogged about 'Lyptus' floors. Now that looks a really good option with all the renewable and environmental controls in place, plus it's produced in plantations and not by cutting more forest. It's harder than bamboo and most other commonly used hardwoods and has one of the lowest coefficients for moisture absorption so least threat of warping. Also it doesn’t require constant refinishing like a lot of bamboo; it has much longer guarantees on the finish and it’s priced well by comparison to bamboo and oak etc.

Casement windows are cleaner, easier to maintain and offer an unobstructed view (which is the major selling point of this cabin/small palace). In the colder months I want to be able to sit indoors by the fire and have an unobstructed view of the changing seasons over the lake, not peer through little panes of glass with a large sash across the middle and a lot of inserts to give the appearance of small panes.

The simple and clean lines of the guest bathroom would be easy to maintain and look great. I would certainly not want to spend ages cleaning all the fancy bits of the ornate bathroom, remember this is the bathroom that kids are likely to be using a lot. This is supposed to be a place to get away from stress and worry.

With many of the choices it appears that practicality of easy maintenance are not criteria that many use when deciding on the design options. Maybe many people who are voting can afford to employ a cleaning company on a regular basis? As a mother of two young kids, two great cats and a fishing and bird-watching crazy husband this would be a dream home which we would love to win but from the practical standpoint it is shaping into a nightmare of maintenance which I could do without. I need time to enjoy things too. Can we try to employ the KISS principle to this design where possible?

I love the idea of the blog cabin and the opportunity to make these comments but I'm beginning to think, like some other bloggers, that this one is loosing its way a bit and becoming a million dollar holiday home for the rich. Let's face it; people with 'regular incomes' are never gong to be able to afford to keep it if they win it.

It's fun to vote on the design but I really think the blog is where it's all about. I'm learning so much on this that when we build our own place (if we don't win this one) we'll have a wealth of references to go back to use to help us make good & better informed decisions on our, probably, more modest dwelling. Keep blogging and keep those alternative suggestions coming

Sammie--I can assure you--modern casement windows are VERY energy efficient. More so than double hung windows.

Clive--I'll have to research the bamboo further. I was basing my choice solely on friends' experiences with bamboo...they all love their floors. Personally, I'd like to have seen Marmoleum offered as a choice. Easy care, naturally antiseptic, and made from renewable resources. Plus, it comes in an abundance of colors! Of course, it wouldn't have won...but it would have been nice to have tilted against that windmill!

Hi bloggers:

Watson sorry you felt like all were yelling. I think the main reason we wanted to have blog more up to date was to see opions eacc day before we vote..ie I was for bamboo until I read the blog today, now I have read that scrapped wood is ECO friendly also.

Looking at all the requirements of Lakewood Estates this in no way can be just a vacation cabin, with the restrictions they have on how the building must be this is a cabin home not just a little log cabin. I agree since this is the case keep the cabin low maintenace.

I think the master bath and guest bath choices should be switched.

I voted double pane. windows because I thought they would hold heat and A/C so my questions is are casement window double paned.

Still waiting for comments for the consideration for the handicap.

In answer to the post about metal roofs you really do not notice the sounds it makes, most of the time very relaxing and yes I do have a metal roof.

great blogging
Mary from Texas

I would like to see a garage or storag/work shop area built. There is no place to park your car if it is raining or snowing (do not want that),

I did watch the show last year but only voted a couple of times. I find this very interesting.
Thank for the chance to make a choice in something that is very interesting.

Jackie Szemenyei, OH

Maybe the reason the same items are being chosen for the cabin is because they are perfect surfaces for a cabin. Granite, rustic, metal, stone, wood...duh. I'll be happy to put my own fire pit in if the association lets me. And I'll build my own garage and anything else the DIY crew leave out. What is with you people? Winning a beautiful cabin isn't enough for you? Good luck to all those who would be grateful for such an opportunity.

This is getting way out of control for the average person to be able to keep. I thought it was going to be a cabin on the lake.

Hello DIY and Fellow Bloggers! :-)
I've been reading with much surprise at the postings at relating their feelings on Watson, DIY, and others. First, I thank you DIY for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful project GIVEAWAY that you are doing. Watson you are doing a fine job! Just reading all the postings is quite a job in itself. The atmosphere, I hope will calm down soon to a more open and fun blogging that I felt in the Blog Cabin of 2007.
Today, I viewed the options for flooring, bathroom, ect. I thought that the stains on the flooring were a bit too dark. After researching on Bamboo, I learned that it is not so green when you consider all the chemicals used in the manufacturing of the flooring. It dents easily and needs a re-sealing, plus it wear down faster. I hope they will consider some lighter stains options for the hard wood floors. The white, clean quest bathroom was absolutely beautiful. It gives a Clean, Light yet simple look. I feel it will be easy to keep clean. The ornate bathroom, I think will take more to clean and keep up with. The Zen bathroom is wonderful, however, I think if the colors were light aqua, or light blue, it would become quite more impressive, again with a clean look and easy to maintain. Lets keep having fun! Spring is coming soon! :-) In the meantime Happy Blogging Everyone!!

I think what ever you put in the cabin every one should be Thankful for. I saw you building the last log cabin and it was a lot of hard work, and every one should appreciate your hard work, and be really nice because you let every one help you pick out what they want in the log cabin.Some people are so inconsiderate. I grew up in the woods of Massachusetts and i know how to be thankful for what i get. Let them try living with no lights in the house except oil lamps, no running water, no walls in the inside rooms, had to take our water from our well beside our house.
Bitter cold winters with no heat. Ten blankets on each bed.Wake up in the morning with no heat to dress for school. But we had a loving mother who took very good care of us all. 10 kids, 1 died when he was 2. 1 got married a 18, the other one went into the Airforce. So dont bitch to diy because you didn' get what you wanted !!!!!!! You should be Thankful !!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
A. L.

On the solar shingles thing I did some research as I had never heard of them before. Here are my thoughts and I would love some feedback if anyone out there in the 'blogosphere' has more experience with this type of roofing.

They do seem a viable and very 'green' option for some types of construction in some areas of the country but I'm not so sure about in this location.

They cost about 3-4 times as much as 'regular' composite shingles to start with so there is a BIG up-front cost which is compounded by their relatively short lifespan - not more than 20 years with only 5-year warranties is the norm. This doesn't conform to the Lakefront Estates Covenants on roofing either.

Given the very high initial cost (even with State and Federal subsidies), the short lifespan and the possibility that in this location they will only be able to supply about 35% of the power needs of the cabin (when it's occupied) I believe they would be a white elephant if incorporated into the design. Also there is a cost to the environment in their production (as there is with all solar panels) but I can't get reliable figures on that.

I tried a worked example using my modest 2200sq ft colonial in Wisconsin. To be fully self sufficient in energy I would have required solar shingles costing about $120,000 after all State and Fed. rebates. With a 20 yr lifespan (probably the max in this region) that equates to $6000 p/yr, then I would have to replace the roof. Currently my electricity bills are about $1200p/yr. I would certainly decrease my CO2 footprint massively but I'm not sure I can bear the additional cost. In all probability, if I used that $4800 wisely, I could easily decrease by carbon footprint and other eco-impacting things considerably and have a reasonable amount in surplus. Also, I would be very unlikely to recoup a big percentage of the outlay in resale value according to a realtor friend.

If another blog cabin is to be designed next year and if it were in a location with more reliable sunlight (no need for warm weather, just cloudless skies) solar roofing composites should certainly be an option.

Mary from Texas--

Yes, modern casement windows are double-paned, with a dead space in the middle.

Melanie

I love everything about the cabin. I think all the choices are wonderful!!! Dont let the negative comments get to you, I think most of us are happy with the way things are going; you can't please everyone. I would think that anyone would be thrilled to win it, whether they call it a cabin or a vaction house or just home! I know i would!! In fact i'm sure it would be home to me if i won it.

Keep up the good work!

Good day Fellow Bloggers,
Glad to see our newest selections - I am curious to see what ya'll will vote for. I am batting about .300 on all the previous choices, but can understand why certain things won. I am really enjoying the process!
I heard somewhere that bamboo is somewhat soft and "dents" easily. Truth? If it dents, can it be repaired? I don't personally like really light colored floors, no matter what material - shows too much soil. I for one would probably move to this house full-time if I won, but wouldn't want to be cleaning any more often than necessary. Keep those ideas coming, my friends!
Happy Valentine's Day later this week.

Here's my two cents on the bathroom. I realize this is a large home and may be someone's permanent residence and not just a vacation home, but it IS a LOG cabin, regardless of size. The ornate bathroom belongs in a victorian style home.(I've had an ornate bathroom before and they are a BIG pain to clean. You actually have to dust it.) I personally wouldn't want the ornate bathroom in a log cabin, anymore then I'd want the rustic bathroom in a victorian home.

There is a theme here. Log cabins are homey, cozy and rustic. Someone mentioned not liking the red in the rustic bathroom. The red part looks like wood, which could easily be painted over, which would be fun because it's an area you could change when you wanted. I've also seen a lot of comments about this years cabin looking like last years. Again, it IS a cabin. I think whomever wins it will want it to look like a cabin. I would! Maybe next year they'll do a Blog Victorian and then it will look different. LOL Please just remember that it is a log cabin and a certain style and theme goes with that.

It would be nice if some of the windows or doors might include built in blinds. We have them and they are absolutely incredible. Plus there is no need for curtains. "Less maintenance."
If formaldehyde is being used in bamboo flooring and it is toxic , then shouldn't it be stricken from the list ? From China ? I would not want my pets , much less someones baby crawling around on it if such is the case. Perhaps reclaimed wood or another option previously mentioned by others should be considered, even if bamboo is behind in the race. Being eco friendly is great as long as we know all the facts.
It would also be really nice if someone could plumb in the line for a pot filling spigot above the stove for us cooking types. And I would like to also re-state that it might be really nice if there were a cash bonus with this cabin to help zero out the tax crushing blow , so anyone could actually keep it if they so wanted. hint hint.
Personally , I like all the options. Except the worries for the bamboo. I do hope though that the baths might have a sense of rustic blend thrown in whatever the outcome. I am grateful to diy for letting us express our likes and wants.
True as many have said, this is not a simple cabin on a lake. This is much more. It is truly a home anyone could be proud of.

Great selections so far to vote from. Most of the things I voted for won! That hardly ever happens. Can't wait to see what else is in store for us. I do hope the brazilian hard wood wins! I like the look and I think it will hold up better to.

No matter how the house turns out, it will still be a beautiful, restful escape from our over-worked, busy lives.
p.s. I do like the idea of an outside fire pit. We use ours most of the year.

It looks like we're building a replica of a Roman Bathhouse rather than a Log Cabin retreat. However, the people will get what the people vote for - or at least some lucky family will. Blog on fellow bloggers. This is fun!!

Where have I been?, I have been catching the episodes of the last blog cabin in Tennessee... BEAUTIFUL!!! You did a great job, I think that these consumers should be greatful for the opportunity to have input. This is my first time voting, the floor should be bamboo, for the durability of it and the looks, what a variety of color, WOW! Have you considered any sky light, or is that not efficent? How is the cabin heated and cooled? That radiant heat is impressive... just curious.

Thank you for letting me put in my two cents.
Bob

I like all the choices for the flooring and the exterior stains. The bathrooms are different from what I was picturing for sure. I never expected a zen b.r. but I did like the possibility of the freestanding tub. But would love it to be a whirlpool clawfoot soaker tub instead. I did like the tubs up for vote and toilets and even the pedestal sinks. They looked very similar. I thought white b.brd and yellow to be a little too fancy. I did see a bathroom recently in a magazine that had black beadboard, sanded down and distressed. I liked it alot and thought it was rusticly charming for an would be an awesome choice for a cabin or farm house. However I personally prefer color on the walls and plainer floors, cabinetry for storage maxibility and I love solid tops such as marble, corian or quartz with built in sinks. I hate scrubbing around the sink edges. But I can imagine the baths with wonderfully laid out and organized linen & medicince closets behind nicely framed mirrors, then I would love the pedestal sinks...

After reading what Clive wrote about bamboo floors I have read some on my own. I agree bamboo is not what we should vote for. Thanks, for the infor and letting us know Clive. I would not want to have those problems and I'm sure no one else would.
Trying to keep informed about my voting!
Joyce

I am perplexed at the way the voting has gone. I feel some of the preferences have not been in keeping with a log home. Bamboo is a fast growing renewal source for flooring, and I'm surprised that it is not leading in the voting for flooring. Lets not make this a copy of the last blog cabin. Consider not the usual things that you use in your homes at your residence. This is a log cabin on a lake. Let's think outside the norm.

hello bloggers and Watson,
I've reading all the blogs and lots of you are saying bamboo is building green. Do we grow bamboo here in the US? If we do not then it is not eco friendly to have it shipped from China. I found some info on this at building green .com If You would like to read about it go to http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/productsByCsiSection.cfm?SubBuilderCategoryID=1992

I also found some info on problems with casement windows if anyone would like to read this go to
http://homerenovations.about.com/od/windowsanddoors/a/artcasementbad.htm

Decorative ornate and Lakeside Zen bathrooms makes me feel like my home is going to be in competitions with the vacation spas! I love it!

Blog on bloggers
Sue

I have enjoyed reading all the blogs about the new choices. I commented earlier that I didn't like the bamboo choice for flooring. I haven't changed my preference after reading some of the well referenced blogs. I have to say that hardwood flooring lasts forever. I live in a house that is over 200 years old and some of the original flooring is still beautiful. It doesn't sound like bamboo lasts very long. I like Jennifer's suggestion that reclaimed flooring be used. I know Lumber Liquidators has access to any kind of flooring. Solar panels are a great suggestion but the lot looks wooded and shade is not conducive to solar energy. Cutting down trees may not be an option in Lakeview Estates. And is that GREEN? I agree that the bathroom choices should be switched.
I love voting and blogging. Thanks Watson and DIY for the opportunity.

To help conserve natural resources, carefully placed Solartubes can add significant light without providing an easy path for heat to enter or escape the cabin. They are much better light providers than skylights and less prone to leaks.

It appears that the more expensive bamboo floorings are made from stalks that are at least 7 years old and have dimensional stability. It also appears that the newer, more expensive glues used in manufacturing the flooring are less toxic.

Casement windows are energy efficient and generally easier to opertate for people with physical challanges. From the shows about the 2007 cabin it appears that historical log cabins did not have many if any windows so either style should be acceptable.

Any word on the garage "opportunity"? It should not be put under the house for fire safety reasons. Anybody who has seen the news about what a Ford cruise control switch can do would not want to be sleeping above a car. Put the garage alongside the cabin, preferably detached so that it won't interfere with the beauty of the cabin.

It is so nice to be able to vote on styles and dream a little dream of actually winning the cabin. What a great place to retire.

The choices you have given us for outside stain colors are too dark. Not much variation either. Only two choices for the master bath? The choice between a barn bathroom and a million dollar home bath. Come on give us some choices. You had 5 or 6 choices for counter tops but only two for each bath. The colors for the flooring are also too dark.

Hope the next choices are better, more variety.

Nick

Going to a cabin in the woods is going for fun and relaxation, not a lot of time cleaning. The "posh" guest bathroom would be too much time spent cleaning. Also, how much water will the power shower use?? Wouldn't it be better to use less water and have an efficient shower? Will there be a tankless water heater? How about the heating, have you thought about radiant heat? I am still hoping for a screen porch on the back of the cabin. We had one growing up and everyone loved it.
Thanks for all the hard work you are doing for this second cabin, I'm so excited.
jane

I agree with the majority thus far. Including on the bathroom choices. I don't care at all for the Rustic Country one. Sorry for being so blunt, but it is real ugly. The Ornate one is much better for a Master Bath, with the White one as a Guest Bath. It also seems to me that the Ornate Bath is larger than the others. I would assume the Master Bath would automatically be the largest and most spectacular of all the Baths. Otherwise, keep up the good work. You "guys" are incredible. If I win, I will definately have everyone who worked on this project over for a huge party. Then, maybe a yearly "reunion" party. Just thinking about it is exciting.

I did a little more research on the bamboo flooring at Lumber Liquidators and found that the flooring that has been selected for this project is produced from old growth reeds that are at least 4 years old, thereby increasing hardness. This particle flooring has a 30 year warranty with it. Check it out for your self at Lumber Liquidators website by typing in Potala Palace Bamboo, which is also known as "Morning Star."

On the windows here is some information that may help:

Casement windows provide the most unobstructed viewing areas. The one that I have in my house is one that has the sash opening outward to the left, in a swinging motion but can also open to the right.

Double-Hung windows feature an upper and lower sash that slide vertically past each other in a single frame. The sash also tilt in for convenient cleaning. I also have these in my house and prefer these to the casement since they are so much easier to clean especially on a second floor.

Both of these windows come in Low-E glass for energy efficiency. As for views I can sit and look out my double-hung windows at the mountains, the deer, the fox, the wild turkeys, etc., along with my cats (who love to see the squirrels, deer and wild turkeys) without an unobstructed view. This maybe because I am use to having this type of window so the middle sash just does not bother me Double-hung windows do come without the grilles (as Clive calls them "cookie-cutter little panes and inserts as shown in the picture), which now are built right into the window for easy cleaning. It comes down to personal perference on these two types of windows. Frankly I like my double-hung windows(without grilles) and would not put in casement windows again. I can open my double-hung windows with one hand, they are easy to maintain/clean and have a tigher seal so are more energy efficient than my casement windows. With my casement windows they are hard to open - I have to use two hands to open these(granted they are 10 yrs old but...), are hard to clean on the outside for my second floor and they are not sealed like my double hung so are less energy efficient. As I said personal perference when selecting one of these two types of windows.

Someone suggested having built in blinds in the windows. These look nice and do not have to be cleaned since the blinds are in between the panes of glass but they do not wear well meaning the nob that you use to open/close/raise or shut the blinds breaks real easy and once it is gone there go the blinds. I worked for a millwork company that sold these and I can't tell you how many windows and doors came back because of this problem especially if you have children who like to play with these nobs. Thought this might help.

Great information coming from everyone. Once again Clive "Thank you" for your research.

Great choices so far, except the zen bathroom. I don't think it fits in with the rest of the decor. But still, some awesome looking choices. I would be yippy-ki-yea happy to win this cabin in such a beautiful location. Dido on a fire pit.

Gary

Re the bathrooms:

--Hope that overall simplicity wins the day and that if "zen" wins, it will be tempered to be consistent with its Tennessee locale. However, if "rustic" wins, hope that it will be given a sophisticated edge suitable for this neighborhood. A material workable for either of these styles might be "tiling" composed of pebbles, which gives the impression of river rock. Including touches of seaglass-type tiles/stones would create a "watery" look as well.

--Agree w/another blogger--double-hung windows, six over one, would be consistent w/log cabin architecture and would allow some unobstructed views.

Looking forward to seeing the adjusted floor plan! kim h

We love the new selections however are a bit concerned about the bamboo flooring, between children and pets it seems it would not take much to look VERY rustic quite quickly.

Jim and I are members of the baby boomer generation as well and while there are no small children at this point we are looking forward to spending lots of time with our grandchildren when our children are ready to have children of their own...

That is what a cabin on a lake is all about to us, a place to bring family and friends together... That means making the setting as suited to joyful activities as possible... sturdy, easy to care for... Freeing ones time :)

That is just our take on it, we realize each individual has their own comfort zone and thus unique desires... What we find neat is that everyone here can share and dream together!

One day we will have a cabin of our own, if it is not this one than it will be one that we build in time... This forum has proven very educational for us.

Thank you,
Jim & Jeannie

Ah, I suppose if we truly wanted a rustic log cabin experience we could go for chamber pots, or an outhouse, instead of that newfangled indoor plumbing. (^_^)
No, really, I love the lines of the Zen/Simple bathrooms. Very clean and natural looking. Makes me wish I could go back and change my vote to contemporary counters.
I think casement window are in keeping with that trend, and the idea of them having automatic shutters is great. One less thing to dust.
Are the engineered hardwood floors 'green'? I prefer the look of the hand scraped teak, but if engineered wood floors are more eco-friendly I would certainly change my vote in a heartbeat.

Bamboo is great since it is renewable, but I have heard from those who have it that it doesn't stand up to a lot of wear 'n tear. It dents really easily.
I have a hand scraped hardwood in my home and it is beatiful and wears great with my lab running around on it.

Although all of the flooring choices are dark except for the Brazilian one, please remember to think green. The Amazon rainforest deforestation rate has continued to increase. Maybe a decease in demand for products will help.

I agree with the bloggers saying that the master bath & guest bath choices should be switched.

I have to agree with a little cash bonus to help with the taxes. You know what would be great is to have a little horse barn/shed with the cabin so you could ride your own horses there, which is breathtaking. I've done it once and that is the only way I'll visit any more! :) It would be a great option!

I am very excited, this is going to be a beautiful cabin, all the exciting options to vote on, this is going to be awesome. Thank you for letting us vote, and blog and try to win this home.Im enjoying seeing this come together little by little. The zen was good and roomy, also the casement window would be nice, no obstruction of your viewing the gorgeous outdoors.

Hey, I'm easy. I know it will be amazing whatever you guys do with it. Now, just give me the keys please. Enjoy the view. Be safe on the job. And, don't get your footprints all over my new floors...tb

Helllloooo DIY!!

Wow~alot of information on the bamboo flooring. I have changed my mind about voting for bamboo since it is not so durable.

I do agree that the floor stain should be slightly lighter than what has been pictured. Not too light since the cabin will have alot of natural sunlight ~ a nice medium color would be wonderful!

Happy Logging~

i love the choices and the way the floors make something so usually boring pop out as big decision maker! keep up the good work!

hgtv gives away a gmc with their dream house, its only fair that diy give away a boat for use on the lake with their log cabin. I mean this in a fun way you all dont bash me. I am excited and greatful for just the opertunity to beable to vote for and have a chance at winning this cabin. Thanks a million to all who make it happen.

Watson, you are doing a great job! Now that we are voting on windows-could there be a mix of casement and double-hung? The window sizes and architecture would work nicely for this. The example shown for casement did not include muntins-if we vote for casement, does that mean they will not have muntins (I'm assuming they will be insulated)? The San Jacinto would be another great application for the prairie style muntins. I'm all for more glass for greater views and easier cleaning. What about a beautiful insulated stained-glass window (fixed) over the master tub (a sunset over a lake, something abstract)?? The outswing exterior doors in the dining area were a terrific design item. Thanks DIY for the opportunity to voice our opinions and vote our choices.

Dear Watson, I just found and read your comments on how people have been getting on you about updates. On behalf of these inconsiderate people I apologize.
I believe that many Blogger's have very strong opinions that their view-point is the only one and have voiced them in a very insensitive ways. No one feels that you should give up your free time to update the system let alone your weekends or at least I hope not.

I think after reading the comments by a woman that represented the Home Owner’s Association that the entire by-laws should be posted. Many felt that a metal roof was the way to go for the new cabin, however, the by-laws read that a roof must look a certain way and the metal roof that won the vote does mot meet their requirements.

There are many things the by-laws speak about that don’t show on the drawings presented to the Blogger’s. I have not seen any drawings that present dimensions, how can Blogger’s really pick out interior and even exterior materials without the benefit of these dimensions. Great pictures are shown of kitchens bathrooms and the like but none show a concept of how the cabin would look with these options either as a artist concept drawing or computer generated drawing of these rooms with these options and selections.

I’m in the final stages of selecting materials for my new home I plan to start building this summer and ever option have been accompanied by artist concepts and computer generated drawings for me to review and decide on.

In closing for today, I think a lot of people have forgotten this is America a place where we all have opinions and the right to express them. I believe in expressing our opinions that we must keep in mind that others will differ with you and not to take it to heart, we all have a right to our own opinions and beliefs, keep that in mind when Blogging.

I for one think you’re doing a great job in keeping up with the refresh, keep up the great job, and don’t worry that you need to do it on your time off during the weekends, no one should work that hard.

Bob

Hi,
We finally got a chance to do the latest vote. I did vote for bamboo but many bloggers say it is not the right choice.
We did vote for the "plain" guest bathroom because we don't care for the ornate design.
Has anyone asked about the heating and air conditioning? Gas or electric heating?
Would solar panels be allowed to provide an additional energy source?
Watson, keep up the good work!!!

I try to blog but I havent yet seen one yet that was right,my posts have my name attached but someone elses blog attached,in case this one makes it thru,how bout a garage or work shop..........

if this cabin is supposed to be part of a community will there be a yearly association fee?

WOW- What a great selection of hardwood floors.
I do think the casement windows will let in more light, however.
If the darker floor color wins, you may need the additional light to keep it balanced.
Hey - any word yet on the many suggestions for a garage or workshop?

Good Morning Everyone! :-) I just voted and noticed that the Golden Teak flooring is winning so far. I voted for the Peruvian Walnut Engineered because it is more uniformed and looks neat in comparision to the golden teak which gives the appearance of a lower end floor and looks quite messy to the eye. I am surprise that the ornate bathroom is winning at this point in time. The dark (black ?) tile flooring is not appealing to the eye, when one is going into a bathroom. The black color clashes with the hard yellow. The ornate bathroom does not look like it would belong inside a cabin, and looks out of place. Just my thoughts. I hope the other bathroom wins in the voting process. At any rate winning a cabin built by DIY would certainly be such a blessing to me. Thanks again DIY for the opportunity to hopefully win this Cabin Home.

I'm surprised that the double hung windows are getting more votes.
I think that the casement windows with the clear panel is a better choice.
When you are sitting in the living room looking out to the lake you don't want anything to block your view.

PLEASE remember people, the pictures they show us of the bathrooms, etc., are EXAMPLES only. I can just about guarantee that we will not end up with bright blue tiles and red paint in the rustic bathroom. The DIY team will make it look beautiful.

Bamboo is not wonderful flooring, it dents easily and needs to be replaced instead of sanded. Another blogger pointed out that land is often clear cut to make room for bamboo to grow and now, because of it's popularity, bamboo is not being aged long enough to harden into a durable floor product. And what is cabin-like about bamboo??

Hi
Absolutely awestruck!! by the Decorative Ornate...guest...bathroom. Uhm...I would have chosen this one for Master bathroom..so very lovely!- Space, -light, -air, -nice color, -good-size tub, -pretty flooring, -and a cool chair in the bathroom...So...unique, such a dramatic, comfortable, dreamy bathing room.

Wood flooring choices were all good. Yet, I prefer woods with blending colors in them, for effect.

Hard to pick shingle color without seeing its effect on the San Jacinto itself, but I chose a lighter color than cedar.

I'm truly enjoying seeing the "cabin" go up, and the wide range of choices...this is fun!

Just wanted to say I am loving the way the voting is going, but no matter any of the choices, it will be great!

I am concerned about a power shower. I live where water restrictions are real and they are only going to increase and spread to more areas. Enforced water conservation will be a needed in the future.

However,I can't understand all the complaining. I would be more than thrilled to win this cabin (HOME), because I would hope to make it just that, my home. Not a weekend place or and month in the summer. I realize most people wouldn't have that option, but for my family it may just be possible.

As far as eco friendly choices go, I think they should be used whenever possible. However, like the ongoing controvery about the bamboo flooring, what was once considered "green" may not be the case.

Can't wait to enter. Very exciting!!!!!
Jeanette

Why not double hung w/out the divided panes? That will be a sure winner. I had those in one house and we loved them. Unfortunately when purchasing our current home the windows were already here and I just can't get used to them. Also, play nice ya'll !!

We are voting on STYLE not color so use your imagination. Look at the fixtures and their placement in the room. I can't wait to see the updates on the floor plan. But, let's be honest, as it stands this 'cabin' is so much more than most of us live in right now!! The lucky winner will have a WONDERFUL space for years to come and I'm thinking of those children & granchildren to enjoy it also :-)
Enjoy your day!
Linda

Does anyone else think, like me, that this is becoming a very high maintenance cabin? Sure, this will be in keeping with 'traditional' log homes which are full of dust and dirt collecting places, but this is the 21st century. Surely some simple, straight lines, no or low maintenance countertops and cabinets that prevent dust from collecting would help. Also, a fireplace insert to minimize indoor pollution and maximize the efficiency of the heating. The eventual winner, if they keep the cabin, will be saddled with an awful lot of work to keep it looking good at this rate.

My vote is for Teak floor - I know they're possibly not too good ecologically but then none of the other options are much better so I went with the longer lifespan and the look.
Lakeside Zen - I just like it for simplicity and style.
Clean & simple for the guest bath - the ornate style looks completely out of place and is a cleaning nightmare.
Butternut for the outside - less conspicuous so more in harmony with the surrounds.
Casement windows - more user friendly especially for those with arthritis or mobility problems, they let in more light (about 15% more), offer much better views, are better thermally and are the easiest to clean.

However, I can live with all the options if I win. The kids & my husband will just have to do more to help with the cleaning.

after voting on the most recent features which included the baths, I thought the Guest Bath was much more elaborate than the Master Bath. Could we spruce up the Master Bath a bit more?

Hope EVERYONE reads Clives comments on the bamboo
floor & windows, VERY informative!

Windows with panes are a PAIN when it comes
to view & cleaning!

Please people, lets inform ourselves to the best
quality of products.

My comments on going green.

The earth replenishes itself, people worry toooo much about trees etc, most of which is all political anyway, just as the global warming.

God said: The earth shall pass away, but my word shall never pass away. It is so because God said it!

There is NOT a thing anyone of us can do to keep it from happening.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.

We have dominion over this earth and we are to be anxious for NOTHING! But in all things give thanks.

The enviroment is not suffering as bad as some would have us believe, again most of it is political~!

Please everyone, use wisdom & commonsense in your
choices.

Clive has posted very good info on the bamboo flooring and the windows, if you haven't read it please do.

How is butternut more in harmony with the surrounds than cedar? Am I missing something?

I have an idea! Since garage vs basement is such a hot topic on the blog! How about letting the voters choose and vote for either a detached garage w/ workshop, a basement garage with a divided storage & saferoom or a super nice boat/fishing hangout dock Please include a noaa weather radio & plenty of batteries for it in the winning choice, Because this is really an outdoor living home ( and you would most likely be outside when and if the weather changed, it's fast changed and paced anytime of the year in tn.) Tn is like Ky you always have a weather surprise and the seasons seem to stay so mixed up any more.. To get on with my idea: Alot of bloggers/voters are wanting one or the other it only makes since to let them choose the most wanted feature! May I please encourage you DIY to include & keep the family safe room in the plans no matter what's voted for!!!!!!!! When building or remodeling homes consideration for people and their safety-during building and after living in the home should come first and be in mind in every choice always!!!!!!!!!

Why are my post not showing?

I love Kina's idea of the double-hung windows without the panes (since the DH windows are winning at this point...) Personally, I'd prefer the casement for the open views, the passive solar and extra light in a wooded area. But Kina's idea would give the double-hung look and a more open feel to the outside. Great idea Kina!

The same could be done with the guest bathroom choices too. (I only pick on the guest bath cuz I love the zen choice for the master bath!) The clean and simple look, if it wins, with a few architectural touches to 'spice it up' without making it overdone or a cleaning nightmare. Or vice versa... a toned down ornate. Something with a few less details and dust catchers. I'm having a harder time with this choice, but I think a lot can be done with paint and rugs and hardware to make a clean and simple bathroom feel quite luxurious without being overdone or ostentatious.

Thanks for letting us vote and blog Watson! Can't wait to see how it all turns out, it's going to be beautiful!

love everything but I think the guest bath design is nicer than the master.

I grew up in a house with casement windows and loved them and hope that others may reconsider their vote for them. Not only are the energy efficient, but a room seems so much more delightful with a great view and more natural light. We never had problems opening or closing.

I used to just love gazing out those windows. We had them in every room of our house. I lived there fore 23 years. Awesome!

Think Casement windows! :)

Love y'all.

Jen

This cabin is shapping up and love all the features. I believe the orientate bath is beauitful and just prefect. Tomorrow when voting I will change my vote to the Orientate Guest Bath.
I also like Leanna's comment about the bamboo flooring. Go Green!

Hi Bloggers:

First thanks Melanie for the info on the windows.

Second I read on the HGTV green home that engineered wood is considered green.

Third yes this home is becoming high maintenance.

This is so exciting so lets keep blogging

Mary from Texas

WHY AREN'T MY BLOGS BEING POSTED??? SINCE THE 11TH?????? WATSON...........

Being a part of Blog Cabin is a blast for me! It's great to vote on the styles, even when my choice wasn't tops on everyone else's list. I think I enjoy it more when I don't win, because it gives me a chance to blog for compromise. For example I SURE would love to see that D log exterior done with a rough hewn finish, puhleeeease. For me, Cabin = Rusticity. The more earthy crunchy, yet classy, the better. And with all natural earth tones, puhleeeease. Nothing too trendy on the color palate. And if I could jump ahead for a moment, to the landscaping elements.....I'd like to see lots 'O boulders and large rocks as accents, puhleeeease. Can't wait to see those modifications to the San Jacinto!

I don't know much about flooring, but the bamboo was gorgeous. The zen-style and the ornate look for the bathrooms are excellent choices. I'm excited to see the finished product. The hung window option I don't agree with. Over time they become hard to open for some, plus the casement gives way to much more light, which I enjoy. Anyway, as I stated can't wait to see this all come together.

PS: I still do not like the green metal roof, if its going to be metal can it be another color?

I am slightly disappointed that more of the eco-friendly choices haven't been made, but most every choice will make for a beautiful home in the end. I'm also disappointed to see that the ornate bathroom design is winning for the guest bath, seems out of place in a cabin.

Bamboo flooring is real good. Withstands a lot of use and is quickly grown. This means something to the GREEN people. Anyone who wants to live in the woods should be more considerate. The color of the bamboo was too dark but can be lighter. KISS!!! the bathroom is the last place I want to spend all my spare time. Keep It Simple.

All right, modifications to the floor plan! But lets not get carried away, after all it is just a cabin on a lake...in a very expensive neighborhood!

Just how far along are we in the actual building process?

It’s lunch time here in Wisconsin and as I munch on the rather sticky pb&j sandwich prepared lovingly this morning by my 8yr-old daughter I’m watching the watery sunshine slowly fade as the next winter snowstorm approaches from the west. My mind is wandering to Tennessee, a cabin by a lake and this blog. I am really enjoying the development of the cabin, not always agreeing with the vote but enjoying being part of it and being able to voice opinions occasionally. Thanks to those who have read and commented on these, both positive and negative, it all contributes. Also thank you Watson for heeding the comments and providing more timely updates. It really is better to have it this way. I hope you aren't missing out on too much fun by this.

It’s an interesting concept to have both the vote and the blog. Although the two are operating simultaneously it’s clear that the blog is never going to affect the outcome of the vote. Bloggers probably constitute 0.1 -0.5% of the total votes in each category. However, the inference seems to be that it will have a disproportionate influence on the outcome although it will never override the choice. Thus, while we can’t change the countertop material we can still make suggestions on design that could be incorporated such as the groves for easy drainage near the sink suggested by one blogger or a high spigot for ease of use when needing to fill large pots etc. This isn’t to say we shouldn’t try to persuade people to vote the way we wish but it’s probably more practical to work within the vote that tilt at windmills continually.

The best part of the blog is all the information coming from people with experience of the designs, materials and the local geography. Practical experience beats the advertising hype every time. The blog also raises important questions about the practicality of some themes such as trying to build green and eco-friendly. For example just because bamboo is a rapidly (4-yrs or so) renewable source of flooring material is it really eco-friendly if compared to marmoleum, locally cut and dried hardwood or recycled wood from previous construction or other sources. We will not get the opportunity to vote on these comparisons here but there’s every opportunity for bloggers to voice opinions on what might have been now, and in the future try to influence board size and color of the voters choice. It gives us the opportunity to have a second bite of the cherry.

I could ramble on for ages and bore any readers silly but I do have a job to go back to. So I’ll spend my final few moments with my coffee and dreaming of a Tennessee lake with a beautiful log home. It’s early summer, the doors to the lakeside deck are open and the sound of my wife playing her piano and our daughter accompanying her on the violin are drifting down to the water. I’m paddling slowly around with our son in the canoe trying to tempt a wary bass into biting one of our baits and there is a great blue heron showing us how a ‘real’ fisherman gets it done in the shallows at the front of our plot. This evening friends are coming over for a BBQ and relaxing chat by the log fire on the side deck while the sun sets and the kids catch fireflies.

Back to reality, here comes the snow again.

Voting on the floor? My initial vote (thought) was bamboo but for some reason voted teak. Same with the bath style. I will vote for the rustic cabin bath choice from now on. One should go with gut choice first. I do love the choices made so far and can't wait to see the cabin finished. I do hope for a hot tub also! Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of The Blog Cabin 2008!

When you are voting for the flooring remember that bamboo matures around 7-8 years while hardwoods take 20+ years. The sample for the voting is very dark stain but can go lighter. I have installed a bamboo floor 2 years ago and just love the ease of upkeep, wear, and very warm.Love reading all the comments on the cabin and exchange of ideas. Good luck to everyone, we all have the same chances!

Hey Watson buddy,

Couple a things.

1) In the last Blog string, you'd mentioned that Ahmed was going to post soon. Did I miss it, is it in a different area or hasn't he posted it yet?

Watson: I spoke with Ahmed yesterday, his first post is coming early next week.

2) Regarding the Barna rep posting, where will that be? Will it be posted in the 'regular' Bloggers area? If so, it might be hard to find for those that don't read all the blogs, or aren't familiar how to search, say using the 'key word' barna.

Watson: Darlene's blog entry will be a stand-alone entry - the next in the series - look for it tomorrow.

TIA

Hey Cabincraver2008,

Not sure where the disconnect is - I've posted everything you've submitted ...

Watson

I'm not sure how to start this blog because I'm so in awe of all the criticism and complaints that have been dealt to DIY, Watson and Ahmed.
Please, Mr. Watson, allow this blog to be posted because I don't intend to be cruel to anyone.
In fact, I'm very grateful for those bloggers who have cast their votes and made comments without infringing on the rights of others-- even when
other demanding and high-handed bloggers have continuously chided them for their personal votes and comments. Yes, we are allowed to give our own opinions; and yes, we are allowed to choose from the beautiful choices DIY has given us to choose from, for both the inside and outside of this cabin. That in itself is a wonderful thing. That, however, does not give any of us the right to nit-pick the opinions of the other bloggers. We are all in this together and no one person's opinions count more than another's. Sometimes we dream so hard about something we want really badly, that we don't stop to think about how our wants might reflect on others.
I especially don't care for the way some bloggers have tried to lessen the obviously professional input of the DIY people involved in this program since it's quite evident that you all know exactly what you can and cannot do! How do they think last year's cabin came out so beautiful and perfect? And how has your wonderful TV show lasted so long if you don't know what you are doing?
Also, I can hardly believe that they thought Amy was the only person employed by DIY who could help get a cabin built!!??! Believe me, I mean no disrespect to Amy and those who worked on the last blog cabin. They did a fantastic job! But there are also others at DIY who do fantastic jobs. I can understand why you would select others to do the work on this one. This way, all your talented people get to show their stuff!
I realize that with so many people voting so differently on the choices we have, the cabin may come out looking somewhat eclectic; but hey, it's still going to be gorgeous given the beautiful things we have to choose from. And I've noticed that everyone has said they would take it anyway if they won it, despite the fact that their choices didn't win. So what is the problem here? Personally, I don't see how folk can get so riled up over something that quite possibly will never be theirs anyway. I hope all this fretful wrangling doesn't put you to re-considering this becoming a yearly event! If you tried to put everyone's ideas into one cabin, it would stretch all the way across the U.S. of A.:)
To all the bloggers:
This beautiful cabin is such a wonderful gift. Since DIY is being so good to us in allowing so much of our imput to be incorporated into the home, let's give them our respect and gratitude by showing less griping and snipping about every little detail. It's really quite simple.
If you don't like the way it's shaping up, then don't try to win it. That way, you won't have to worry about the extra cleaning you may have to do, or the lack of green options, or having to walk all around the porch with the dishes; and especially, you wont have to worry about the taxes or the upkeep.

After reading all the excellent comments and suggestions I had a thought. I wonder how many folks there are actually voting? Since we can all vote multiple times on the same feature are the choices being made by a hand full of us? Doesn't really matter as there are NO bad choices. It's all BEAUTIFUL and I'm sure any of us would love to call it home whatever choices we end up with. Just an odd thought on a snowed in day here in the COLD eastern U.S.
Keep a WARM and HAPPY thought!
Linda

hey bloggers...this is my first time. i watched the whole build of the smokey mountain cabin and loved every minute. thought i would give this build some personal time. love most of the choices made. i do agree with charchar, had the bamboo flooring been lighter i would have voted for that. hey...what's up with the pedistal sinks? doesn't anybody like vanities anymore? can't wait to see it all come together. happy building!!

Oh wow, bamboo floor! Yaay! I have seen this in real life, and it is just beautiful. The "green" factor aside for a moment, I was shocked by how pretty it really was! And I have heard that it wears well & is relatively easy to maintain as well. How cool is that? A green choice that looks good AND is easy to take care of?

Some of the choices that have already been made do seem high-maintenance to me as well. I am hoping that with the power shower & the larger tubs pictured, a tankless heater will be one of our future choices? Pretty-please? Ideally I'd love to see some solar panels (maybe on the garage roof?) to help heat this LARGE house too... but that's just *my* dream.

I'm thankful for the chance and opportunity to blog, vote and win the DIY BLOG CABIN. I think this has and is a fun and interesting project. I am so looking forward to seeing the final project.
Keep up the great work.

The roof is to be metal so here are some a suggestions which should comply with Lakefront Estates roofing Covenants also.

Rustic shingles made from an alloy with recycled-aluminum content (mostly beverage cans). The shingles are formed to resemble wood shakes and come in a variety of colors.

Steel Shingles from Tamko Roofing Products, Inc. consist of G90 galvanized steel and are made from as much as 50% recycled material. Also in a variety of colors

Shingles made from either recycled copper or aluminum by Zappone Manufacturing. Both products contain a concealed nailing flange and a four-way interlocking mechanism.

I bet there are others also so maybe we can push for something like this to get away from the 'tin sheet' look?

Zen master bath, plain & simple guest bath, warm flooring, beautiful view through unobstructed windows - awsome! We have cathedral windchimes on our front porch that resonate peacefully in the breeze - it would be grand to soak in that Zen tub and listen to the chimes. Oh to dream! I work with cancer patients - the mental/physcial retreat of that cabin is intoxicating!

I think the double-hung windows are the way to go. Easier to clean inside and out. As for the finish on the logs I like the cedar. Just the word cedar brings an aroma that is unlike any other. As for the baths, I wish it could be a little less modern and more rustic, but I'm sure it will look nice anyways. Has anyone considered the idea of a solar powered hot water heater to help conserve on the electric bill. If I'm lucky enough to win this cabin, I could sure use discounts on bills for other luxuries.

Wow!!! there are some great choices to be made once again. I believe the golden teak has the best rustic look of any of the other choices. As far as the exterior I thought the natural oak color would be my best choice. The window style should be the double hung windows and the master bath would have to be the Mountain Rustic. I saw some comments about the rustic feature but I personnaly think it fits a log home better. The guest bath should be Decorative Ornate to give the guests the feeling of home. I also thought about the bamboo floors but after careful consideration decided that there are far too many reasons for NOT using the bamboo. The main on being that is way too soft and has to be replaced too often.

Here's to hoping that bamboo is considered more seriously. Teak is seriously environmentally poor, as it grows slow and only in old-growth native forests. Very surprised that so many voters are not voting green. Anyway, otherwise, cool choices!!

I'm new to the site and just made my first votes. It will be exciting to follow the progress. When will the opportunity to enter the Blog Cabin 2008 Sweepstakes begin?

We have a log home in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, so I have some definite opinions about style and materials. One thing is very important - light. Lots of light. When a log cabin is built in a wooded setting, the interiors can be dark. Adequate windows and lighting really play a big role in the comfort of the home.

It is interesting to read comments like "Zen" and "Ornate" not going with a cabin theme. I have to say, the whole idea of a cabin home is comfort, relaxation, and ambience. What could be more "Zen"? And just because it's a bit on the ornate side doesn't make it more difficult to take care of. So, keep up the great work and offering exceptional choices. I look forward to the end product.

Hey! I'm back! I had to come back 'cause like at least one other person I got kicked out when I tried to go back to look at the floor choices, but I digress...

I've read the blogs with much interest (and in some cases amusement). For something that would be FREE we're all pretty serious. We just aren't happy with ANYthing completely. I too liked the decorative bath for the master, but since you didn't make that a choice, well, OK. I don't think I'm gonna perish over the omission. We only got two choices for the windows, but again, how many do we need and since that's what we were given why not just help make the choice between the two?

Life is tooo short folks!

And another thing I was just wondering about. I am very much (at this very moment in time) what one would consider a "regular person" with a "regular income", but if you're GIVING me everything - I don't have to BUY ANYTHING except food - why would I gripe about expenses? If I DID win and it looked like I couldn't afford the upkeep - well, I guess I'd just have to ask my family, who'd all most assuredly feel like the home was as much theirs as mine, to pitch in. It would be worth it to them to have a great place to enjoy that's available and in the family.

Let's try to accentuate the positive and drop some of the negative. Now that doesn't mean we can't express ourselves, but let's give DIY and ole Watson a break.

Just one woman's opinion. Be Blessed! lkm

I can't wait to hear about all our changes from Barna! Plus, hearing from Ahmed for the first time. Maybe that means Watson will get a well deserved break.

There are apparently two places to blog about the 2008 lakeside cabin. I have been putting messages on the message board "New Home Built. I did not know this one was here. Oh well, I want to add a thought about the staircase and the possibility of adding a chair lift or some such item in order to allow someone who is unable to climb the stairs the ability to get to the second floor. We all have relatives who want to visit but are limited in their ability to handle steps and household stairs if they are spending the weekend. Speaking of weekend, I think the bathroom choices are too ornate for a lakeside cabin. Who wants to spend all that time cleaning the ornate guest bath that kids and guys from the lake are going to run in and out of with messy shoes and wet clothes. Also, the Master bath taking up a lot of space that could be better used in the bedroom as a sitting room for relaxing and reading a book beside an open window.
I know the votes mean a lot but I hope that people will reconsider and vote for the more practical bathrooms.

Thank you DIY and your sponsors for presenting us with the opportunity to win such a wonderful cabin. Win or lose, it is amusing voting on the ammenities and reading all of the blogs (even though many themes and ideas are repeated over and over).

I love all you "greenies" who vote for the "sustainable" bamboo flooring because it is easily and quickly renewable and then vote for the easily and quickly renewable granite countertops. Oh, wait... they're not easily and quickly renewable. Talk about the old growth forest of the stone world. Sorry, I'm just a little irritated with "greenies" who don't have a clue about how nature and the enviornment really work, but like to imagine they are earth friendly because they saw the AlGore movie. I left corporate conventional agriculture to stick my own neck on the line for alternative, sustainable, and organic agriculture when it wasn't quite so cool 20+ years ago. I am still here and still at it, and still amazed by city people who want to pretend they know something about "nature" and the "enviornment". Buy a clue, hardwoods are sustainable and renewable, just not in your lifetime. We have become so vain that we think that everything that matters must take place within the span of our own lifetimes, and nothing else matters. I'll quit boring you now, but you should really do your own research, not just watch some charlatan on TV.

Thought I'd give this one more try and see if what I comment is actually posted correctly with my name. Not to offend you Watson, just wondering how the wrong posts show up with my name.

Bamboo people! A natural resource that is replenishable.

Is this a lakeside cabin or a condo in New York? Ornate bathroom indeed? Simple and rustic people.

I was a little disappointed in the bamboo choice-I would have liked to vote for bambboo flooring but a lighter shade so I went with Teak as it was a little lighter than the other choices, also it would wear as well as bamboo in a damper environment. Also I think the simpler guest bath would be a better choice than the ornate bath, it just seemed to look out of place, didn't feel right. Even though double hung windows are more traditional I voted for the casement only because they were less likely to "clutter up" the views from the different areas of the cabin.

My husband and I truly enjoy your program. Our lifelong wish has been to have a log cabin for our retirement home. But I'll be darned if I can find any place on this site to enter for the drawing. Can anyone advise me?

Happy Valentine's Day Watson, Ahmed and crew,
Thank you for taking time out of your day to help get this cabin built. I am not sure if this was incorporated in the changes that were made to the cabin, but many people requested it cause it affects their way of life and others that want to plan ahead.

Universal Design/Barrier Free/Accessible Living,Aging in Place, call it what you will. Any ideas you can add to the Blog Cabin to help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kathy Seals

Thank-you Clive , You've painted a wonderfully enchanted pic for us all , in the middle of a dreary winter . This is a great process..although the choices have been a lil extreame for a cabin..I can't wait for the next set of choices to come . Remember all ... try to be enviromentally friendly ... Happy blogging !!

Linda H.

I was in the middle of voting when my computer froze up so I was unable to vote for the master and guest bath styles. Will I still be able to vote my choices?

O.K. Watson. Whatever I wrote is out there in lost mail limbo. I don't know what happened, but it wasn't that important, except that I defended you against people that think you need to answer all blogs on the weekend, in the middle of the night, you shouldn't go to any company required meetings, you should just be here for the bloggers! And I happen to think that for one person with the thousands of people that get on this website you are the DIY Superhuman Man of the Decade!

I am glad to see Clive and some of my other favorite bloggers are back again on this page. I agree with one lady blogger whose name I had in a previous blog that disappeared; I believe she posted on the 12th. Anyway, her philosophy is that although the outside of the cabin is rustic looking it does not have to dictate what the interior design is. The cabin can be anything inside, from Country French to eclectic to contemporary. All that matters is what we are given to vote on and what the majority selects! We don't have to limit ourselves, and she was asking DIY to offer more design choices for the rooms. For example, a Zen bathroom isn't a normal "cabin" bathroom, and is something you would see in a more metropolitan setting, or in Japan. However, the majority of us have selected this bath because of its beauty and comfort. This makes me feel that there are many people out there with excellent taste, DIY had the good taste to offer a room such as that, and let's not limit ourselves to have everything look like an old "CABIN". If we win we are going to live there (I hope) and whoever wins will definitely appreciate the luxury DIY is offering! Also, I am so tired of people bickering about opinions. This is the US, and we are allowed to have our opinions. One thing I've learned in my life which began before there was dirt is that the more you read and listen the more you learn. I have learned so much from these blogs! Some of these people are excellent with construction, some with architecture. I was in design myself, but it's been awhile, and I've gotten some great refresher ideas. So let's live and let live, OK?

Oh, when we were in Thailand everything was made out of teak, right by a very salty ocean, and the teak was easily cleaned, it had an excellent finish that the water just beaded up on. It was used for flooring, chairs, the bar, the sunning bed (a full bed with canopy that you can flip up to get full sun benefits) and the surround on the hot tub. This hotel on Koh Samuii was incredible, and I have found that teak is a wonderful wood to use next to water! Obviously someone at DIY knows this and that's why it was given as a choice to us. In Thailand the wood isn't expensive, but I don't know the price for it here. I know it is very plentiful there, unlike Brazilian wood which I believe should be an endangered product. But this is JUST MY OPINION!!!

Where is Darlene from Barna? Isn't her posting going to be here today, and if so where will it be? Can we search for it?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY BLOGGERS! And may the worthiest blogger win!!!

Cabincraver2008

Watson with all the complaints you are getting is taking the fun out of this. Now the way people are complaining about maintenance and the likes, the next thing they will want is a MAID and GARDNER for a year. They must be afraid of the upkeep. Then I read that you should throw in a boat since it' a Cabin by the Lake. I thought you wanted us to vote on the choices you show us. I would like to win it if you and DIY just built itand then gave it away like HGTV.
But since you are letting us have a hand in building it thanks. No complaints from me, keep up the good work. Right on to Joyce too, also to Dunamos I agree 100%. Well I've had my say this time till I read Some new Blogs. Good Luck too all who vote.

Well another day of blogging.

Great job Watson I applaud you.

Well I was for Bamboo flooring because bamboo regenerates quicker, but after reading comments on how it dents easy and needs a protective coating more often I went to the other ECO friendly choice engineered wood.

I still think the zen in master and the clean and simple guest bath compliment each other.

Yes I did notice that most of the blogging is done by less people than those voting. So our opinions really do not change the vote, we are just expressing them.

I do not think anybody is trying to hurt anyones feelings, just stating what they feel, It's called freedom of speech where I come from.

Keep blogging I enjoyed reading the opinions everyday.

Mary from Texas

It’s been blogged before but I think it bears some repeating after reading some of the most recent blogs. It seems many people believe that the colors and tones of the floor, roof, cabinets and outside etc. will look exactly as they do in the example pictures. This is almost certainly wrong.

Let's try to remember that the pictures given in the vote section are only for style. Colors, stains etc. are just how the advertiser's picture was produced and they will come in a whole range of colors, tones and finishes.

The blog is where we can ask about color, finish etc. Let's try not to let the color tone of the images influence choice of material too much. Remember, every computer monitor is set to different color temperatures and no two are exactly alike, despite what some people will claim when they sell you the product. What is bright red on my monitor may well be a rich brown on another and rather orange-tinged on another. Also depending on the resolution to which we have our computer monitors set the image will appear significantly different. This is not taking into consideration that our own perception of color is completely subjective. I can call it light green but my wife will call it pale blue.

Use the pictures for style and the blog to request color, hue, finish etc. I think that’s what a lot of the blog is supposed to be about. This is especially true with the flooring which will, almost certainly, not be a bit like any of the pictures when it's laid. Also, natural and artificial lighting will have a huge bearing on the perceived color tone of any finish.

Any artists, decorators out there like to chip-in on this topic?

No pb&j sandwich today so it's off to the restaurant for a quick salad & soup. Enjoy your Valentines day.

I'd use the double hung windows on the front and sides of the house but casements are the way to go lakeside. And casements that start about a foot and a half off the floor are even better! Then you have gorgeous views when you are dining, reading, and even in bed! I can't believe more folks don't want to see that beautiful property from the house.

I have enjoyed watching the progress of the cabin. where is it located? I personally would rather have one of the guest bathrooms for the master bath rather that the two offered but that was not my decision. The other choices have been great.

Watson: What is with these bathrooms? This is supposed to be a "cabin by the lake" not a "day spa". We need to keep the rustic feel and look.
It is hard to make choices on color and texture of items showen, when each is showen in different settings, like the kitchen cabinets and counter tops were,

I've been having fun voting all along but this is a first time to blog! Having lived aboard a sailboat for many years it's such a treat to dream of living in a beautiful cabin, especially on a lake! What a wonderful opportunity to be involved in a building project! Participating in making some basic choices sure feels a bit like getting to work with the designers, who within the framework of all the suggestions of color- texture and form, will use their combined talents to build a home that they will be proud to put their names on and be delighted to share with a very lucky winner! It's all good people....

Hi. This is Grace, the show runner again. After reading so many comments about the last round of choices, I just had to pop in for a few words. Please remember that the photos on the polling pages are representative only of the final product. If y'all choose bamboo, it may not be the color on the photo. If you choose a rustic bathroom, it doesn't mean it will look like the photograph.

We use images to evoke a feeling or design style and we interpret them once all the votes are in to make this democratic design look cohesive! So be patient, kind, and vote with your gut. We'll design something beautiful. No worries.

Hi Grace. Thanks for the input. It is a problem sometimes to make a really unbiassed and informed decision based on such widely differing images. I guess you are probably using images supplied by the vendors/suppliers of the various components of the cabin, however, would it be possible to try to have them in either the same or a neutral setting? For example if you show one feature (the roof and fireplace are excellent examples) in a cabin setting and all the other options in other settings the chances are the bulk of voters will chose the cabin setting as will feel 'right'.

Maybe that was the intention but I hope not. However, the images are passively persuasive and I believe they are having an undue influence on some votes.

Just some thoughts. Have a great day.

One note on the casement windows vs. double hung, casements on any window that has decking or a porch beneathe it leads to the posibility of a dangerous colision from people walking by and not paying attention. From a safety standpoint double hung is a much safer, if not aestetically pleasing, choice.

I've been away helping my son move to his first military duty assignment in SC. before being shipped overseas. Looks like I have missed out on a few things. Alot of posts about going green and the cabin not being a cabin. Well I only got to vote on the flooring before my computer had an error and closed. When I came back the site it said I voted and to try again tomorrow. So I'll be back to vote on the rest. I don't no much about the bamboo product will look into it. I did vote for the golden teak flooring as I thought from the picture it would look the best and give it the rustic feel of a cabin. I see quartz was not selected as the choice in the kitchen to bad would have been easier to maintain. Will vote on the other items tomorrow (windows, etc.). I found Sherry's post of February 11, 2008 8:50 PM interest. "On bamboo... they are clear cutting a LOT of forests to plant and harvest bamboo. It is also manufactured with a LOT of chemicals, and it needs to be shipped from a LONG way away... it's not quite the green thing everyone thinks it is.

The greenest option is probably reclaimed floor... locally farmed and managed and sustainably grown hardwoods are actually a close second (look for eco certification.) Just wanted to clear that up!" Sherry, I feel you provided a very good alternative with your reclaimed flooring idea. I've seen some very good reclaimed flooring products before and after instalation. The reclaimed flooring would fit nicely in the cabin and give the rustic feel I would want. It's probably to late but reclaimed flooring would have been nice as a choice. Thanks to DIY and all involved in giving us an opportunity to vote and post our thoughts here. Watson your doing a good job - as one fellow blogger stated just cast out the bad apple and lets keep having fun.

As far as the screened in porch so many folks seem to desire, they could probably do it themselves quite easily with rolls of screen from the local hardware store, just tack it up and voila screened in porch, or maybe you guys could do a video on your site or network addressing this issue, great weekend project.

What a great looking lake lot! how about an outdoor fireplace. Has construction started on the log cabin? When will we see it? Love the whole concept of getting people involved. The floors should not be to dark, I have a dark wood floor and they look like they always need to be cleaned. My sisters lighter wood floor always looks great.

I really liked the suggestion that Nancy made concerning the Double Hung windows on the sides and casement windows looking towards the lake. They go lower to the floor and would give a lot better view of the lake.
Keep up the good work. Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Hi Cabincraver2008
Your comments on Teak and water are right on the nail. Teak is considered one of the finest boat building woods and is used extensively in the tropics for all sorts of water craft. It's also one of the most important and often used woods in yacht building in most developed countries. It certainly is good near or in water. My only concern is how well the source of the wood is managed. For that we have to trust Lumber Liquidators do a thorough job of checking the source and how well managed it is. It is renewable if managed properly but takes many decades to grow so needs to be used sparingly if the teak and other hardwood forests are going to survive for our children to enjoy.

I agree that neither of the choices for the master bath turn me on. I would rather spend my time in the guest bathroom. Please give us another choice for the master bath.

Aloha,
Perry

i've got 12 double hung windows across the back of my house and i don't have any problem with the view or letting light in. it's just the opposite - trying to keep the sun from cooking the furniture.
zen? who wants to be sitting on the pot out in the open like that? give people some privacy!
it seems like many of the products being discussed are imported. wouldn't be nice, for a change, to us only products manufactured in the USA.
buy american!!

We think a simpler bathroom for the guest bath is nicer -

Hi Watson & Everyone,

Just thought I would put my 2 cents in this time. Bamboo is not so green as it is softer and would need replacement more often than the others and more cost to maintain, hence more trees to cut down making it not so green, not to mention the other stuff to care for it.

As far as the metal roof goes, I know it can't be changed now but from someone that suffers from migrains, I am hoping that they insulate it well as when it rains there would be no way I could stay in the cabin if I had a migrain, not very soothing.

I would really have prefered the soapstone countertops as I feel they are the most green choice, not to mention are really beautiful and they do not require much care.

I would like a garage and a walk out basement.

As far as the windows, the double hung are a good choice as they are easier to get out if you have a fire, and if you really don't like all the little square you can take out the panels. I have them and they are removable. I remove them everytime I clean mine, they just pop right out. You also have to remember just because it's pictured that way to vote they may not have the little squares included in the ones they put in the cabin, as they are an option when you order double hung windows. Just like the quarts conter top may not be the color they showed or the cabinets.

The upstairs bathrooms should be clean and simple as they will most likely be for kids or at the least it is a cabin people, not a lifestyles of the rich and famous. You don't need all those nooks and cranies in a bathroom to clean, while your suppose to be relaxing at the lake. They aren't planning on giving a maid away with the cabin are they.

Sorry that's more like a dollars worth.

Watson, you are doing a great job.

Thank, Everyone.

Thanks Watson and DIY for this opportunity and looking forward to all that is coming..

Thanks for all that you do Watson.
and thanks to those who vote and don't get grumpy about it

I love the bamboo floor. From what I have researched, the product is sustainable. The arguments posted by Melanie See make me think she works for the hardwood alliance. [:)] Every natural product has its good points and bad points. I feel bamboo's good points outweigh the bad. My aunt and uncle installed a bamboo floor in their kitchen nearly ten years ago; After much heavy use, it still looks practically new. When I re-do the tile/carpet floors in our home, it will be with bamboo.

I also voted for the casement windows. I want the view to be as unobstructed as possible. Let the light and nature in!

What is the yellow/golden color used in blog cabin?

I am casting my vote for a stone/brick patio with a fire pit near the lake. The stone guys would love it.

Please consider in-floor radiant heating in the Log Cabin. I laundry shoot would be nice also. Jim

Re: Lyptus

http://understory.ran.org/2006/10/12/lyptus/

Read the comments carefully - the "waters" of being enviromentally and eco-friendly are *very* muddy.
About the time you think you know something about them, it gets quite complicated!

I still bamboo or cork!

casement windows??????????????
are you freakin kidding me........

house owners want UNOBSTRUCTED views of nature.

i know if I'M in a log cabin I want to feel as "outside" as I can.
the only way to feel outside without actually being outside is to have as many unobstructed views as humanly possible

Wonderful idea about mixing the window style throughout the house. An unobstructed view of the lake is a must, but love the look of the double hung windows for the rest of the "lake house" cabin.

Some people are saying that this is getting to be too much like a day spa instead of a rustic cabin by the lake. I am all for it! If I could live in a spa type cabin, all the better. Then I wouldn't have to pay big bucks to go somewhere that relaxing.

Keep up the great work!

I have to say I am disappointed in the choices that won the last round. NONE of my picks made the cut. But I will stay positive and hope that my tastes will prevail this time.
Again, I want to suggest cork flooring in the kitchen. I know others have suggested it too and I think it's a wonderful material. Cork is not a renewable resource, but a harvested resource and is actually made from the waste of wine bottle stoppers. Can you get any more green? Not to mention it is cushiony, durable, acoustical, and a great insulator (R-5 value). And not to worry, it is also carried by Blog Cabin sponsor Lumber Liquidators!
Another suggestion that I have is for an attic or whole house fan. Since the elevation of the Smokies provides more moderate temps than lower lying areas, the fan can be used to cut down on A/C usage on all but the hottest days. Here is a site of a manufacturer of this product so that you can see what I'm talking about if you aren't familiar with it. http://www.wholehousefan.com/
Paula, I agree with your request of no pedestal sinks. I think the storage space provided by a vanity is needed for both master and guest bathrooms. Sure peds look nice, but when people come to stay, they want some place to stash their toiletries and that's what a vanity provides. Since quartz didn't make the cut for the kitchen, maybe the designers can throw the quartz fans a bone and use it to top the vanities in the bathrooms.
I look forward to seeing the modifications to the floor plan and hope that some of my earlier suggestions were incorporated, as well as many other bloggers' excellent suggestions.

Wow! I've figured out how to enter a blog!

I love the floor plan that everyone picked. Thanks for the great taste bloggers. I missed that vote. I like all the choices made so far. I do have to agree with everyone... even though I love a teak floor I have to go with the bamboo for it's ergonomical value. I'm undecided about the windows. Casement offers such great views but I love a hung window and it looks better.

I have enjoyed voting and watching the choices unfold! Also, reading the comments of others! Some people are a little harsh. Hey, this is supposed to be fun! So...it's going to be a little more than just a cabin. It will be a great place to live or vacation for the person who wins it!

I want to put my suggestion in for a quiet seating area, under the trees for enjoying the solitude of the lake, reading or napping! What could be better than that!

Thanks for the opportunity to voice my opinion!

good morning I can hardly wait to watch them build this cabin and see everything go into it. I have changed my vote to casement windows because I think the front is all about the view. my self I would put a solid full glass window in the front. I would also add sky lights maybe in the kitchen or bathrooms. I still think the bathrooms all look to fancy for a log cabin. they look cold and stark, and for sure the master should be nicer than the guest . there is a log home show here in raleigh the 22nd. I can't wait to go and see what ideas they have.

When is the actual building of the cabin going to take place and when will be able to see it on DIY?

Also how do you sign up to become the owner of this wonderful place when it is complete?

I think it would be a good idea to use a lake feed sprinkler system for lawn care. And also to install a back up generator for power outages.

After the last cabin was built, it was beautiful. So I am guessing this one will also be great.

Not all my choices have made it as my decorating taste is simpler than others. I would just like to remind everyone that our choices will impact the environment, so keep that in mind when you vote.

Hi Watson,
Just out of curiosity, are you out on the west coast? If so, that could account for some of the disconnects people are complaining about.

Watson: I'm here at DIY Network headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee.

I'm thrilled with the choices we have and have changed my mind about several things from the comments here in the blog. I moved from bamboo flooring to teak because of comments I have read. Thank you other bloggers for the information.

I voted for the zen bathroom and simple guest bathroom because I'm not interested in the fancy stuff myself.

I sure would like to see some handicapped features with grab bars in the bathrooms and ramps instead of steps in some areas. I also would love some solar panels, reuse of water, etc. incorporated into this cabin. Everyone needs grab bars regardless of their age or physical capabilities sometimes.

Thanks for the oportunity to express myself DIY. Keep up the good work!

watson & grace,
U)!

Mary,

Perhaps it did not change the overall voting, but i did change my vote from bamboo to TEAK based upon the info provided by fellow blogger. i also changed my vote from rustic and fancypants to ZEN and SIMPLE when someone mentioned cleaning.

in short opinions here do seem to count if even for a trickle.

Casement windows usually open inside, thus leaving a child with something else to hit their head with. (stitches aren't cheap these days) Also, the screen in a double hung window can be moved to the top if you want to open the window from the top. But the view shouldn't be hampered by the panes. Screens on casement windows are usually full screens. With the bugs here in East Tn, you'll soon find out why we need screens. I love the fresh air, but hate the bugs. Panes are a pain.HAHAHAHA Thanks Brenn for agreeing with me.

I see that the zen bathroom (for the master) seems to be winning so far! At first I thought "What! a Zen BR" that seems so out of place! More city scaped! But then I got to thinking about the zen bathroom: It has a power shower! And the possibility of a great big free standing tub! Yes! Now that's gonna be relaxing! Just DIY, please: try to use some water savers in there, pretty please. Maybe half full force and half greeny showerheads! Now, I'm convinced, I would love to see a nice open spa "zen" retreat bath. It could take me mentally to a new relaxing place everyday!" So I'm suggesting, Since we are lakeside: Why not play on that theme a little? With a natural rocked floor (sort of like flagsone or a slate look to it or a earthy toned bigger tile) radiant floor heat under it: I know I'm not a designer, everybody! but If I had the choice to build my dream bath: I would love to have the tub free standing and away from the wall some and have both the shower & tub closer to one another. In a wet area! In this house you could put a 2nd entrance from the masters porch into the bathroom and maybe have a small entrance(or changing room)coming from the porch into the shower wet area. For those muddy days! With the wet area located here there would be access from outside to inside and you could clean up easily & not worry about the fact that you (or mainly the kids )get in and spill or splash water out, it just simply drains toward a drain. Could be fun and definitely alot easier for clean up! Scrub down and spray away the mess with the hose. I suggest: between the tub and shower, A storage wall with Shelves toward the tub for bubblebaths etc. and shelves built in toward the shower side as well (for nicely organizing the many bottles of shampoos, bodywashes etc. That drives me crazy bottles falling everywhere... (Watson or Grace, Do we use the tub, sinks and toilets pictured? or Will we get to vote and choose from 2 to 3 types of tubs and toilet and sink styles. I can see the use of the pedestal sinks but a mirrored storage system above them would be very necessary. If so could we have a whirlpooled clawfoot tub the one with the white trim at the bottom! On the storage wall between tub & shower. Towel storage shelving for both with hooks for robes & towels to dry, A seemless glass or open entrance with a river rocked (pebbled) shower: Natural & relaxing looking, with a wall inset into the storage wall and next to the entrance wall, with built in shelves for nicely organizing the many bottles of body washes,shampoos, & razors etc. These shelves could be inset into the storage wall between the tub & shower. For a romantic side, possibly putting candles on!

Hi Everyone,

On the flooring, please go to Lumber Liquidators -it will give you more information on the flooring like the Bamboo Flooring has a 30 year guarantee!!! Lumber Liquidators is where the floors are coming from - at least the Bamboo -look at the bottom of each vote and it will tell you the vendor. Then go to that website and check out the product especially if they have warranties on their products.

Thank you Clive for pointing out that the pictures only give us an idea of the product but may not be the exact product put into the cabin. Colors and darkness of the products that go into the cabin my be different from the pictures being shown - showing a white bathroom may turn out to be a light blue bathroom in the actual cabin. Just like the floors may show as a dark finish in the pictures that we are voting for but may end up to be a lighter finish in the actual cabin.

I am glad that the double hung is winning over the casement. I am surprised at so many comments about casements being easier for those with disabilities. Having arthritis and having both double hung and casement windows, I will take the double hung any day since I have major problems getting my casement windows open - I have to use two hands to open them and most times I have to have my husband open them instead. Granted my windows are 10 years old but so are my double hung and they are so much easier for me to open -I can open these with one hand. Living in the Northeast where there is high humidity maybe the reason for the difference in the problems that I am having with my casement windows compared to others that love them and feel they are so easy to open.

Double-hung windows come with and without grilles (dividers in the windows) and these are now made so that the grilles are inside the window pane for ease of cleaning the window.

Please vote for casement windows. I am really surprised that these are not in the lead. With or with out the incredible view the light they would let in would be heavenly.

I agree with the Bamboo guys--maybe a rechoice on the flooring for the main rooms? For a cabin, we need as much light as possible as well as ease of cleaning--the casements make more sense. Maybe the panes in the upper windows--but I like eclectic. ALso agree with those who like to plain and simple guest bath.
"Guys and Gals' this is a "cabin"!! Well done simple has its own elegance!

Clive, again you are on the $$$ and you made me think; of course the color on individual monitors will vary. I never even considered that! And believe me what looks dark red in artificial light can look anywhere from pink to orange in natural light, so you hit that nail also. HOWEVER, if your wife says light blue, it's light blue.

My concern on color is to get within the proper area of the color chart, and I think we are doing that. Each color we've chosen is going to work well with the others. If you notice, we have not been asked to select wall color, fabric (furniture) color, etc. These items will most likely be chosen by the designers and we won't have anything to say about it. What we get to vote on is the large pallet - the entire cabin itself. From the floor to the roof we have selected out of the few things offered the best shades on the wheel. That's my opinion.

Mary from Texas, you are saying exactly what I said! This is the US, and we all have a right to our opinions. Let's just not bludgeon each other if we have a difference of opinion, because the vote and the drawing will be the final judge in the long run, and the blogs are for fun and for input for Watson and Ahmed.

Where is Darlene from Barna? Does anyone know where her information is? I tried search but it brought up nothing. I would really like to hear what she has to say, so if someone knows please clue me in.

May the worthiest of the BLOGGERS win! Have a great weekend, including you Watson! And Ahmed!!

I love the voting. I love the pictures. I love the choices. I love the same rooms. Most of all I love the prospect of this beautiful cabin belonging to me!

Thanks to all for the updates regarding bamboo flooring. I had been fooled by the hype. Perhaps a wood floor that lasts a very long time is the best green choice.

Whatever the end choice, I'm positive it will be a quality beautiful cabin. Can't wait!

Hi everyone. I am new in this blog and I had vote twice. I wonder...with my votes am I entering to win the house ? or Do we have to wait for a specific day to enter as the Dream Home on HGTV?
Thanks

Grace, I am so glad that you posted that it is representative only of the final product. I realized that it was and have been really surprised that some think it is going to be just like the picture. When we shop for something do we really think it is going to look just like it does in the store, catalog or on line, I don't think so. The design team are pros so we need to give them credit and just enjoy the fact that we are getting to vote and be able to comment on the building of the log cabin.
I myself am having a ball reading the blogs, voting and a lot of dreaming!
Everyone at DIY keep up the good work!
Happy blogging
Joyce

I can't believe people are going for double hung windows on a lake house. The bars will block the view!!! Casement windows will really open up the house and maximize the VIEW!!!

Hi folks, Having lived with a high quality granite countertops in my kitchen for a couple of years, I highly recommend them. Easy maintenance and beautiful to look at.
As far as the 'eco-friendly' comments, I like the sympathies but I also like the beauty of teak. A clean and simple guest bathroom would make the guests more happy than a cluttered fancy room they would feel obliged to keep neat.

We really should have other choices for the master bath. It goes from one extreme to another. Ultra modern, zen spa to rustic redneck chic. They could offer options in the middle.

Well Watson no complaints from the Bloger's yesterday.So have a nice and Quiet weekend. [I do enjoy reading them though.]

The cabin is looking more like a high end home than a cabin. The power show is not what you would find in most cabins, or the bath decor. What about a fire pit or a garage for a boat or truck.

I now live in a house with casement windows and I cannot tell you how much I hate them. Over time they become hard to open and/or close, while open they are much more likely to be in the weather allowing any slight drizzle into the house and onto the interior paint of the inside part of the sash. And although any open window can be an invitation to a thief, casements appear blatantly open for some criminal to see from afar. An open double hung will be slightly hidden by a screen. Makeing it a little harder so see from a distance. My wife and I had casements installed because of the modern look they can have. But If I had it to do all over again, I would go back to the old fasioned double hung windows and would do so for any of our future projects as well. So let's stick with double hung windows.

I just wanted to say to everyone out there who is being so picky and saying they would change this or don't like that, you really need to get over it. It is not just you voting on things and I'm sure the wonderful people at DIY are trying their best to make everyone happy. Also, you should just be thankful they are doing this and giving all of us a chance to be homeowners of a wonderful someky mountian cabin. That is something my husband and I have dreamed of as long as I can remember and you should just be appreciateive instead of nitpicky and judgemental over the cabin.

On that note. WAY TO GO DIY!!!! and thank you for this wonderful oppertunity!!

Hooray for the comments of DJ on the 13th!
This person has a discerning eye on most all--many, at least-- of the points that have been mentioned on the blog. I'm also glad that Grace explained about the pictures that were offered to give us an idea of the specific style of the choices we've been offered; it was very obvious that some of us bloggers weren't aware of that. They are not going to show us exactly how the cabin will look at this early date. That would spoil all the excitement and fun of the final unveiling of a completed blog cabin.
I think it's much more exciting that way. It sure keeps us coming back for more, doesn't it?:)

I still like the brazilian floor, love all the different colors togther. I too wasnt to big on either bath but picked the mountain one

to Cabincraver2008 at February 15, 2008 10:55 AM

My wife is always correct, of course, but she does allow me the occasional opinion. She also chips-in occasionally on this blog and sometimes we even agree on items we vote for. We are having a lot of fun & the kids are too. So far our son tends to agree with me and our daughter with my wife. Nothing new there. I guess if you read all the comments on the blog we're a small snapshot of what has been written here.

We're looking forward to our 4th significant snowstorm in 10 days this weekend. It makes that lakeside cabin look mighty tempting even if were painted green & purple with linoleum floors and had a tin tub in an outhouse for a bath.

Thanks and have a great weekend.

I like the zen bath but where is the Power Shower going?

I love the ornate bath and quite frankly I would love to win this cabin, no matter which bathroom, roof or countertops are chosen.

i think this cabin is gonna be great. I love voting on the different features and designs, and waiting to see if my choice wins.

also, i agree with leanna, it needs a fire pit by the water.

I cant wait to see the finished cabin.

Lynne--

No, I don't work for the hardwood floor alliance. ;) And, in fact, I was an early supporter of Bamboo and said as much. Indeed, I pointed out that I've friends with bamboo flooring who love it. BUT--someone (Clive?) posted additional info on bamboo flooring...and I questioned my choice further. Not all bamboo flooring is green, not all hardwood flooring is...not.

Mike--I've had casement windows for 10+ years...mine still open easily. Nor have I ever felt unsafe. And we didn't get water inside...even during Hurricane Fran when it was raining SIDEWAYS. Perhaps our casements are a different brand? Ah well, each to his own! If we all liked the same things it would be a VERY boring world. I do hope, if double-hung wins (and it looks as though it will) that the DIY folk do grill-less double hung windows.

This is "designer challenge"! I envision a rustic mountain bath with a "Zen" feel...

To me, the window choices are simply stated- "up down style" or full pane with unobstructed view. Still think we need a mix.

New window options have grids between the panes if desired, so cleaning is easier. Blinds can can be embedded between the panes. I have seen the pleated blinds and mini blind options.

Also, lots of design options for the picture-window look. I have a picture window for my views with a small slider on the bottom on each side just for air flow in the summer. Still think we need a mix of this voting option!

Remember we are just picking some options and it is the designers who will make it all work beautifully! The choices so far will put their skills to the test.

hi again!!
it's been a couple of days till i could catch up on here but i again have questions.

is this a cabin or an mansion? are we getting a maid or butler if we win this ?

the bathrooms look great but they also look hard to clean and no one wants to take alot of time cleaning with the lake and the view... at least i don't.

so i think the simpler the better. and as far as the woodsy picture that is more in line with the cabin feel.

i agree with the green team as far as the flooring.

the stains i think should be up to you at diy since trying to see the real look is hard cause it's on our computers. so i went for the natural.

the windows i think should be mixed depending on the area of the house cause of the views. or if you go double hung then nix the grid work on them.

the guest bath again i'm back to that. i know we all want to show off for company but can't it be simple for the ones in the house all the time?

Re: blog by Leslie Thompson at February 14, 2008 11:18 PM

Thanks for the input on 'Lyptus'. I have to agree, the "green" debate is becoming a very muddied and confusing one.

I do believe both 'Weyerheuser' (who produce 'Lyptus') and some of the bamboo flooring producers, 'Teagren' in particular, are really trying to develop sustainable, eco-friendly and more easily renewed flooring products. Your link on 'Lyptus' and the many reports on bamboo all seem to indicate that these products are crying out for some sort of verifiable certification other than the claims of the producers, however well-intentioned they may be. Both these products also seem to have significant 'non-green' components in their production. It's hard to weigh them and decide which is better. Certainly both are preferable, if they are from already cleared land, to clear cutting old growth forest for new plantations. Unfortunately, it appears that both fall short on this in one way or another. 'Lyptus' may well be coming, at least in part, from newly cut areas and some bamboo is probably coming from areas where it's displacing other more diversified plants and crops and where the increasing use of fertilizer and pesticides is creating other problems. It's impossible to tell when it's planked and sold as flooring whether it’s from a responsible or irresponsible source. One of the main problems with any ‘green’ certification on products like this from developing countries is the practical problems they have of conforming to rigorous and often costly regulations in order to conform to the highest standards demanded by western consumers. This could be a major argument for utilizing more locally produced items rather than exotics. However, that is a whole different argument and not for this blog.

One of the things that drew me to consider ‘Lyptus’ for the new floor we’re planning at home was that we had a Bluegum wood floor in our house in Kenya for many years and it was superb. Hard as iron for wear and tear yet relatively soft on the feet. It was always warm, never cool, naturally resistant to termites and it hardly moved at all between humid and dry conditions. It had been laid in 1947 and was still not needing replacement in 2003 (The boards were a little thinner than ¾ inch, probably due to a couple of sanding and refinishes.).

I have said all along that I am disappointed that there isn’t an option for recycled hardwood flooring. There are stunning American hardwoods such as mesquite which are available as reclaimed wood from previous flooring installations, old fencing and other sources. In wider (6-inch) boards these recycled products would also make the floor a sort of ‘rustic-chic-green’. While being very durable & beautiful to look you could be assured that no more trees were sacrificed for the floor and that it, like the walls, is made from 100% American wood. You can’t get more traditional that that surely?

I know it’s probably futile but maybe I and a few others who have asked about recycled wood floors can persuade enough people to blog for recycled/reclaimed wood to be used for flooring instead of the present options?

the floor selections are beautiful. i personally prefer the choice of TEAK. the jury is obviously still out on what is the most green, which to me makes it a choice of taste preference. that being said,

watson,

i third mary and clive. please include more MADE IN THE USA choices on upcoming votes.

Well folks, changes have been made! When you first go to the blog, just click on the entry Watson left us about the changes from the CEO of the Cabin designers. Sorry, I forgot the name of the company. Shame on me! Anyway, they are listening so keep up the good work blogging. You guys have great ideas!
Patty from Virginia

Dear DIY Blog Cabin Bloggers,

please vote for casement windows. each year hundreds of my brethren and sistren are subjected to the elements when placed on the sill of an open DOUBLE HUNG window. this is done by our makers soley for the purpose of allowing us to cool as well as to brag to the neighbors that they are capable of such creations. a casement window is inhibitory to this procedure, thus preventing the almost daily exposure of my brethren and sistren.

my friend The Marshmallow was completely ignored in the vote against the WOOD burning fireplace. i implore you not to allow the down home comforting taste of an apple pie cooled at the window sway your decision.

please, protect my bretren and sistren. don't vote for a DOUBLE HUNG window.

I didn't like either choice for the master bath. Lakefront Zen looked too contemporary, the other choice looked cheap. More photos might help us make a better judgement.

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I hear the words "rustic" and "bathroom" in the same vicinity, I remember a 50-foot path ending at a small, usually wooden, building. Sorry, not my style.

I am going to update my house with the bamboo flooring from Lumber Liqidators. I currently have fir flooring which is 30 years old and needs alot of help. Bamboo is less exspensive than teak.

What's up Watson?
EVERY post with my name on it has NEVER been my comments.
An email response back would be nice about this, or getting the problem fixed. I also see I'm not the only one experincing this.

Noël

Clive, I agree and I hope that we can change the minds to be on the flooring and go with one that is actually "green" and from the USA. Recycling from an old barn that has pine planks would be wonderful and add to the rustic quality of the cabin. We need to recycle whenever possible rather than add to our landfills. I love your list of wishes. With all the information on "Green Building" that you can get not only on DIY's website but also from DIY's sister websites of HGTV and HGTVPro I would think we would see more recycled or green products to choose from for this cabin - maybe they are saving it for the "Green Home" that they are building in South Carolina on HGTVPro.

If we continue to buy from other countries we will continue to lose companies in the USA, which means no jobs for Americans! The flooring from South America - I have a problem with because it means that we just continue to destroy the "Rain Forest." If we want to leave this Earth to the next generation than we need to rethink how we live on this "Green Earth" otherwise there is not going to be a "Green Earth" for generations after us to enjoy. Now I am getting off my soapbox.

I love the modifications that have been made to the cabin - Watson can't wait to see the revised floor plans! I love the finished basement with the garage under the master bedroom. Kudos to Darlene Branim and the folks at Barna Log Homes for listening and adjusting the plans to our suggestions!

Two things I would like (wishes) - a hammock our back and I would love to have a stone patio with firepit or barbecue area (unless the porch is going to have a barbecue area on it) but I would like this near the cabin(like right out back)and not near the lake as Faith suggested.

Happy President's Day!

Thanks again to Clive who appears to research his blog postings & I'm learning a lot.
I believe that a cabin of this quality & beauty could give a strong statement regarding new housing builds IF recycled products were incorporated in the design.
I have not seen anything regarding heating or cooling (perhaps that is in the future choices).
I, too, was disappointed that the vote was for a wood-burning fireplace.
Although gas is costly...ultimately it is cleaner. In some states newly constructed fireplaces cannot be woodburning.
Regarding the window choices, it would be a good thing to have the "blinds" incorporated within the double panes of the window. I believe Anderson has such a window. We had these types of casements more than 25 years ago..and they are wonderful!
Love the blog entries.
Love the research and knowledge that the bloggers have.

Watson, keep up the great work, you'll never please everyone and we think you are doing a wonderful job pleasing the majority. Since I am in a wheelchair maybe they could turn a closet area into an elevator for handicapped people and add a ramp outside so I could go boating again, yee haa! My other suggestion is to install a safe area (tornado proof)under the stairs leading down to the basement area, great way to use an area usually left open. I hope someone that really loves this cabin wins and the complainers may want to win another type of house. Cabins are warm and cozy, family life, relaxing, and TN. is so beautiful year round, I've been reading log magazines for over 10 years and my dream has always been a cabin so I'm living half of my dream designing this cabin (the other half would be living in it). Maybe some solor panels or skylights could be installed in the roof to keep it light inside and help with heating too. Thank you for giving us and all the others this opportunity to help design our dream home.

Hello Bloggers:

Wow I see a lot of you are reading all the blogs.
Many thanks to those that have answered my questions and comments.

I read the blog from Branim on the updates of the cabin, great job.

Still wishing for a ramp and walk in tub and shower would help, laughing. probably can just keep on wishing.

I agree maybe both double hung and casements windows depending on the view. By the way if you read ms Branim's update you would see what they are saying in the great room.

Have great weekend all, chances of tornadoes here today.

Great job DIY team

Mary from Texas

I was really disappointed to see the choices for wood flooring! Why all the dark shades? I certainly don't want this cabin to look like a cave on the inside. Lighten up people. This is supposed to be a cheery lakeside home to spend some quality time and not some dreary hole to go to hide from the world.
Wonder who makes the decisions as to what options we are given to vote for? Someone seems to be 'leading' the voters in certain directions.

I sure was glad to see that the crawl space under the log house has been changed to a garage. That way the lot wont be cluttered up with another building and there will be storage space under the house. I think the changes made to the house are going to be great.

Hi Everyone,

I just read about all of the changes to the floor plan for the cabin. Boy do you guys listen. I regret the loss of the proch off the the master bedroom, that would have made a great retreat. What happened to the fire place that was on that porch? Did it just disapear, or was it incorporated into the master bedroom? It does give us more space off the back of the house which is better, and makeing those doors by the fire place is great. I do have a question about the deck now itself. With all of the changes and putting the garage under the master bedroom and making it a walk out garage does that make the deck a raised deck, needing a flight of stairs to ground level? Is there a possiblity of getting a set of revised plans to see?

Thank you for making the office a laundry/what ever else we want, and making the laundry a pantry. I have a laundry like the original one and trust me doing the laundry in the hall is not fun.

Is it possible to put a powder room off the back foyer it would be easier to clean up when comming in from outside with out having to go through the house to the front powder room.

For the person who is worried about the noise of a metal roof, there shouldn't be any if it's installed like the one last year. I think there was the ceiling wood, then 9 inches for foam insulation, tarpaper, plywood decking, more tarpaper of a heavier quality then finaly the metal roof.

How many rooms will be wired for computer access? How far apart will each one of the power outlets be put? Will there be more than one computer outlet per room,(I live in a house with five computers)? I guess the same goes for cable outlets. How many are there and where? I know that this sounds shallow but how are we to continue watching DIY and learning how to do all of these great things if there aren't an outlets.

Lighting is going to be another option for us. Please try to include led lighting and florecent lighting low wattage and long life lights are what to use.

Watson I cann't guess at the amount of stress that you and all of the planners are under for this job. Chooseing everything for us to vote on while trying to eco friendly, giving luxury options, being rustic and cabinish all at the same time. Ya all are doing great and outstanding jobs. I'ld like to see the nai sayers try it some time. Keep up the good work.

I think some kind of an alternative power source is necessary in case of a power loss due to storms or what ever. The house needs to be able to stand alone in case of an emergency. Solar power, wind power, generator power, any, all, or a combination of any of the above.

Also a water reclmation of some type for the gray water, for use in the landscaping. Even rainwater gathering ability of some kind for potable water is another option I would like to see tried. All of the gutters from the roof could lead to one central systern for storage. I beleive that when these sources are built that a valve system is used to release the first 80 gallons to flow free to clean the roof and gutters, then closes to collect the rain water. You would need a filtration system for the water once it is removed form the storage system and is moved to the house for consumtion. There are several families here in the hill country that have lived through years of drought without haveing to resort to city water with this system. The drought that this country has been in for the past year or more makes this a feasable option, or one that should at least be considered. The latest in low water usage apliances is also a way to go. Low water usage toilets are a must with three baths and one powderoom.

I know that one of the upstairs bathrooms is gettitng a bathtub which is great; but is there a chance of getting a door from one the upstairs bathrooms to open onto the loft with out going through a bedroom to use it.

How will the house be situated on the site; east, west esposure, or north, south exposure. Which will give the best chances for passive solar collection for heat during the winter, and cross breezes for cooling during the summer. The less need for using the heater and aircondiioner the better.

Once again Watson thank you for all of your hard work and everything that everyone else has done and will contiue to do. Trying to plan and build a house by committee is a lot of work. Congratualtions on a job well done.

Untill my next blog

I HAVE BEEN SO HAPPY WITH THE CHOICES MADE. AS ONE PERSON SAID THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT COLOR METAL ROOFS, I LOVE THE BLUE AND THE RED. I SEE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND WONDER WHY YOU WOULD BE UNHAPPY ABOUT A PLACE THAT IS TO BE GIIVEN TO YOU. I TRULY THINK THE BAMBOO IS THE WAY TO GO WITH THE FLOOR.IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE WERE SEEING THE ACTUAL COLORS TO BE USED. BUT I TRULY HAVE FAITH THAT DIY WILL MAKE A GORGEOUS HOME FOR SOMEONE TO LIVE IN ..HOPEFULLY ME!! THANK YOU

Well I've been jumping from bamboo to teak with my voting,trying to be good to Planet Earth.I'm going back to the wood flooring and this is why.Jenny, you set off bells and whistles with your 200yr.floor. Thanks. When I sold my 104yr. old home my hardwood floors were still in great shape.I clean two homes in one the floors are 130yrs the other 150yrs they also look great. One Blogger pointed out a 30yr guarantee on the bamboo floor,well at that rate good thing bamboo grows fast. Not every thing that has been blogged about bamboo is a positive.So I'm back to teak .Sorry if you all do not think that is a green decision. Next, thanks for the basement DIY. A must for tornado country. I think we should trust DIY they are not going to construct a "clown house" and put their name on it. DIY will pull it all together no matter what our choices are.I do have another request. How about a little potty privacy. Most large lavatories offer some privacy with a wall or some kind of enclosure by the toilet.I don't want to be a potty flasher,Do you? Thanks DIY and thanks to all of you who blog so many of your thoughts and information. Sammie

There again, the post with my name right below my "Whats up Watson" is not me.
Anyhow, guess I'll try Noël B, just in the off chance there are 2 Noel's blogging.

I'm sure wondering how come tile flooring was not offered. You know, some really nice tiles can be obtained by recycling.

There are lots of ways to get old clay and ceramic tiles from places that are remodeling. I've even seen where you can get some from overseas, althought the shipping cost would be AAHH, but they would be very original. Plus it would end this whole earth friendly flooring discussion.

Also, if they decide to do in-floor radiant heating, I'm not sure how the wood would hold up.

One other thing I've been wondering about outside features, is there going to be a dock built, or can one be built?

Noël B

After sitting here reading over blogs for an hour or so, I discovered many excited people that are really concerned for cost of upkeep and the environment. If this is truly a "cabin", then there are many ways to make it eco-friendly, one-time cost outlay, and low maintenence.
As was with the Dream Home, each year the cabin is getting more elaborate, as everybody learns from previous years.

Reclaimed flooring, low flow shower heds, solar tubes, and DEHUMIDIFIERS, gray water recovery, solar panels,etc are great, but what are the dictates of that particular upscale community subdivision?
I trust that the planning team researched this along with local building codes, plus items that businesses would provide to them.
If we cannot get recycled items("Lumber Liquidators" is a sponsor) from these sponsors, then that is why the choices are what they are.
The main thing many people are forgetting, is that the examples shown for our vote are just that! They are STYLE examples, not exact replicas nor colors choices,,, except the log stain,,,
I initially voted for the one-story cabin due to future health reasons,,, am also glad there will be no basement,, for the same reason:stairs. Sorry to see that my relatives and I may not be able to access half of this home
We are very blessed to have the time and freedom, materials available to us, so everybody's opinion is important.
I almost bought bamboo flooring for my bedrooms until I researched and found out that forests are being cleared to grow it for we Westerners, that chemicals are used to fuse it,(remember the toys from China), it must be shipped halfway around the world by truck, then ship, then rail, then truck again,, it is soft and must be replaced with in ten years..
not much of a vacation home if I am being treated for asthma, replacing floors, getting a second job to pay for utilities, taxes,association fees,,,,just my opinion..

I like the idea of the Lakeside Zen for the master bathroom. It seems that is not the popular choice but I can definitely say that fits the trends in bathrooms these days.
Also, I was leaning towards a hardwood floor that is darker but like many commenters I now am leaning towards the bamboo since it would be more eco-friendly and can be stained any color.

O.K. Watson... Great Job !
But I'm ready for the next set of
choices ! So lets go !!!

I voted for the Golden Teak hardwood floors from Lumber Liquidators. That is what I had put into my home last year and I Love it. It is gorgeous flooring and the people at Lumber Liquidators were great to do business with.

Thanks for the opportunity to vote.

It's a disappointment that my blogs from yesterday didn't get posted. I loved the one to me from Clive and enjoy reading all of his input because he really has that thinking cap on, and apparently his wife helps him with it! My experience with many men, including my own of 28 years, is that there is inherent color blindness in many men. Mine sees some blues as greens, some bright colors as greys; yellow I won't even mention what he calls that, but his color recognition is way off and I've heard that many men have this affliction. I also commented on Erin and Kina's blogs from the 15th , agreeing with them completely about casement windows. Casement bad, double hung good! Especially if they are the tilt in windows that are so easy to clean! I don't want spider webs, dust and leaves obstructing our gorgeous view of the lake or the trees!

Cathy from the 16th, thank you for all your well thought out input! Grey water is brilliant, and very easily captured using a gutter system as you suggested for watering, cleaning animals, etc. Very good idea, one which I forgot we did when my children built their country home and we installed a grey water system and a pond, and their yard is gorgeous! They have plenty of water, even in the hottest months, to keep their shrubs, veggies, flowers and even trees saturated, and they have farm animals which also drink this water. Cost? Nothing, zilch, nada!

Clive, I forgot to comment on your idea (I believe it was you) to use the old barn wood or other reclaimed wood for flooring, especially for the plank width. There are many places where you can get this wood, and I would imagine that in Tennessee old wood is abundant!

Cathy again, thank you for bringing up the wiring question. Very important to our 15 computer engineer run household would be: outlets/internet access, especially to his companies private site/cable-vs-dish/wireless internet access/digital phone preference. Having used Dish Network several years back I have nothing but bad things to say about them. Why pay for a service that doesn't work if it's raining or snowing, yet they expect you to pay! Boo for customer service! This is exactly what every CATV company in the USA and other countries has over them. Their technicians are not well trained, they are a fairly young industry in comparison and do not have the technology a larger Industry provider does. My husband has worked in the Industry for over 24 years, and we know a great deal about Dish Network, Cox, Comcast, Time Warner/Adelphia, Cable One, Charter, as well as he has overseen the installation of systems in South Korea, Thailand, the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and many of the small store front systems that serve small towns and don't belong (yet) to an industry leader. Because the bottom line of course is for it to be financially viable for a leader to come in and take a territory and put their great system online the number of paying subscribers has everything to do with it, which has to do with the number of houses per sq. mile that would convert to cable if they bought out the system in the closest small town. My husband has helped invent every CATV box you have ever used; he designed and improved what is now TV Guide online. He worked with Music Choice, and helped with the "surfboard" (a type of remote) and other equipment, including the DVR and the idea of ON DEMAND which really revolutionized the industry and gave it a huge step, leap, bound ahead of the small dish networks. However if you live out in the country far from the main line of a cable system a dish is your only answer, and your internet provider is going to be a telephone company which regardless of what their ads say is going to cost a fortune and their "hi speed" is put to shame by my beloved late great grandmother's driving! And if a squirrel chews through the line because it's not underground, or an ice storm or high wind puts their main trunk lines down, you will not have internet or telephone! Also cell phones; are we close to towers, and if so which cell phone companies hold the territory? For those of us that must stay plugged in, Cathy you asked a very, very important question! Thank you, and please let us know the response Watson, as soon as you are able.

What a shame to lose that back deck and what did happen to the fireplace? Perhaps Darlene has added more to her comments and I need to check again.

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday, and since I will be visiting and old friend next week (the hospital up the street) I am not sure when I will get to read you guys again. You will be missed. Fortunately my daughter has my voting choices and will ask me what I would choose if they change.so she will stand in for me during my surgery. And if it's successful I will be back with you soon, I pray.

May the worthiest BLOGGER win, and keep those great grey matter thoughts flowing. I have never learned so much in so short a time! Thank you all! Hope to read you soon! Cabincraver 2008

I would like to see the Guest Bathroom switched to be be the Master Bathroom, and the Master Bathroom switched to the Guest Bathroom.

So far everything I've seen looks GREAT the people are making great choices.

I re-read the blog from Darline Branim (CEO of Barna Log Homes and I think they're doing an outstanding job of trying to incorporate the best udeas from the blogs. I really like the idea of the garden window over the kitchen sink and as I stated in my last blog, the full size walk-out basement/garage is a great idea. I, as others didn't realize that this is a smaller lot so this really makes sense now. Thank you Darlene and Barna Homes.

...ok I finally figured out to read through
the blogs first, before voting, and then vote
with the additional information everyone
provides about the options...it really helps. Thanks everyone.

Since it looks like the double hung windows are going to win, I would like to see them not have the grilles. When we put new windows in our house we had them without the grilles and it is so much nicer having a clean window to look out.

OK, for NOEL B

since you must have missed out on how the blogs are posted...

YOUR BLOG......
_____________________________
Your NAME

My Blog.....
_____________________________
MY NAME

so everyone is seeing your post by YOU...

so lets get on with blogging and not jumping on WATSON... relax and enjoy...

Now for my comments...
I picked double hung windows... love mine
even with the dividers between the glass..
lots of light and nice views but as someone has said you can get them without the dividers to look like small panes...
Why I didn't vote on casements... they can be a pain when they don't crank easy... know they probably are better than the old ones in homes I have been in... but they will either stick out when open in the room or on the outside when open.. we have a porch on this cabin... (people will be walling past these windows.. so many are like me.. and will hit them.. not fun) my simple reasoning for my vote...
my in-laws have a home on the lake and their views are great even with double hung windows... and they can go down to 6" from the floor to almost the ceiling.. (maybe not in this cabin with its high celings..but we have the windows above that are being put in to let the light into the room and a view of the lake from the loft area..

I am also glad that it has been noted that it says the photos are just for the type not the actual room... otherwise I would have picked the yellow bathroom and not the clean one for the guest bathroom.... haha.. I love yellow...

I agree with others that we need the wider doors for possible wheelchair use... but with larger furniture these days.. it would make it easier to move in... my new home has dings from the movers trying to get the furniture into it...
also the grab bars in the bathroom for anyone would be nice... when you get sore, age, accident, etc... put it in now for future use..
We all will be getting old.. (some of us sooner than others..haha).. and these will be used hopefully by the family that wins it for generations...

Thanks Watson.. I have read every blog too.. so know that you have done a great job... (hear me applauding your)...

Texan in Okie land

I think the idealistic view of a log cabin has virtualy been thrown out the window. You are taking A beautiful lake shore cabin setting and as soon as you walk in the door, the outlandish decor of a California beach house smashes you in the face. Not only that but your choices, the zen, or gone country, are way to extreme. I think a little less caffine needs to be ingested in the design. Comon sence and reasoning might be good to use.

I personnaly believe that no matter what choices we make, the builders of this log home will make it look beautful. They appear to be magicians when it comes to buildings. After looking at the homes built by Barna Log Homes I cannot feature why they would build anything that's not absolutely perfect. After all, they have a reputation to maintain. The changes that they have made so far (from our suggestions) show that they are going to keep their reputation intact.

It's easy to make stinging remarks and criticize someone else's work. DIY is making this wonderful opportunity availalbe to each of us. You can make suggestions or comments without being rude. And since each person has unique taste, style and opinions, please keep that in mind.
We are being allowed to vote, voice an opinion, not dictate what is being used. And as with all voting issues, majority rules.

Here are items I personally would like to see:
1. a screened gazebo with firepit near the waterfront.
2. sketch of where the power shower will be in the Master Bath
3. a detached garage with a covered breezeway
Again, just some ideas I'd like with "my" dream cabin.

All that roof space and NO SOLAR???too bad

I had mentioned on the message board, how important it is to me, that this cabin is handicapped accessible. With my arthritis, it is difficult for me to go up and down stairs. I suggested an elevator. Elevators are going in a lot of homes now, to make them accessible to everyone. It would be a shame if a handicapped person won, and was not able to get around the cabin. What are you doing to make the cabin more handicapped accessible?

Aha!

Thank you Barbara Turner, from this novice blogger, for shedding some bright light, and of course, my humblest apologies to Watson! Learning curves, gotta love them.

For the upcoming votes, will we get to decide on sinks, faucets, etc., or is that all lumped in with the cabinet and bathroom style choices?
I sure loved the sink in the European county cabinet pictures even though I voted for the Arts & Crafts cabinets.

I have to agree with the wiring statements. Even though my family camps alot, I tend to miss my computer lots after a few days. If it can be wired and fit in in the cabinet scheme, it would be great to have one of those little desk coves there. That way either the "owner" or guests could just plug right in and email or blog away!

Love the series! Look forward to 2008.

Couple of comments from '07. Where did the fresh water come from? And where did the waste water go?

My mom would not rest if she knew someone signed in as a Texan in Okie Land! She calls us their Northern cousins, and Dallas of the blue and silver is the only game watched in their house! She seems to be doing alright, she is pretty out of it today. I haven't really talked to her about her blogging buddies today but as I put her votes in I will read what I can from you guys and let her know how everyone is and what great ideas you have passed along. She really enjoys this, since Dad travels so much and she's alone most of the time unless I have the energy to come over here and check on her and allow her to hug the grandbaby and kiss the older one's heads. She is a very special person, was a cancer survivor although it is rearing that ugly, disgusting head again, and I really appreciate you guys keeping her so interested in this. She has come up with so many ideas for our new home thanks to you that I don't know when we will have the time to do them all, but she really thinks the world of you all, bloggers and Watson (?). I think he is a manager at DIY? Pleaes keep her in your prayers, she is worth having around for a long time to come. Thank you so much. One thing I know I am supposed to say; MAY THE WORTHIEST BLOGGER WIN! Thank you. Daughter Erika of Cabincraver2008

I love the cabin so far..... except the master bath choices. You've probably already covered some form of this topic, but I think the guest bath choice that is winning is beautiful. Neither one of the master bath pictures conjure up anything better than so-so. Could we have athird choice, please?

I have no idea what [URL] is nore [HTML]. But what ever you use for the floor and allthe other stuf I,m surewill be just great.

oldman54

Noel B.... your welcome....
I am a novice on computers... but the old teacher still comes out in me... when I can help..

Cabincraver2008.... Tell your mom we all said Howdy... and hope she gets to feeling better..

Blue & Silver is the only game in our house too... My husband & I both grew up in Ft. Worth (him more than me... AF brat.. but my heart is there)... His job is why we are here... but funny that all 4 of our parents are Okies.. so yes I am in the northern cousin land for now but my heart is still in TEXAS....

I35 at holiday time is just a line of cars both ways... with all the families visting each other..
haha... keeps the blood flowing...

Texan in Okie land

People....lighten up....the pictures are the styles of the rooms...not the actual room. (I think)
However, I could be wrong...again!
I've had casement windows and double hung windows and they both have advantages & disadvantages.
I don't know enough about the flooring choices, even after reading all the blogger's info', to make a really good choice. So I'm just going with the popular vote.
So...what is wrong with a California beach house?
I'd love living in this beautiful cabin anywhere it's built.
I do think this "cabin" is getting a little fancy for a "cabin".
Bloggers...give Prayers to Cavincraver2008...

Hi Bloggers:

1st cabincraver you will be in my prayers.

2nd Beverly I have been mentioning hadicap acessable and friendly since I started blogging and I am not the only one, haven't seen a comment yet from DIY team.

Mary from Texas

although I understand where the arthritic blogger is coming from(I also have disabilities), I don't think handicapped accesible is an issue. If I was lucky enough to win a vacation home, I would retrofit the home to me needs.

I thought I was going to be the only person making a plug for sustainable/ environmental choices, but was so happy to see so many other comments asking for the same consideration. Why wouldn't you make the most responsible choice, especially because (your) money is no object? YAY BAMBOO!!!
Also wanted to root for the double hung windows, as the casement windows don't look like they open- I'd like to be able to enjoy the fresh air from inside, as well as out.
To DIY: keep the sustainable choices coming!

I was just reading some of the other blogs (again) and saw one where the choices of wood all seemed to be dark colors. Wood can be stained any color but I chose the golden teak because of the wood grain and it's a good sturdy hardwood. It will last a lot longer than I will so once you move in it would last a long time. I do like the darker colors though, but not quite as dark as the picture. As far as the boat dock is concerned, my choice would be no dock. If I was going to go out on the water I would prefer a canoe.

I was voting for what I wanted to see in the 2008 blog cabin. I hit the VOTE button then it started me on question 10! Please help I really want to vote on the rest of the cabin!

Just one question. The lake was described as One of Natures most pristine lakes. Is this true or is it one of the TVA's "most pristine" lakes?

Bamboo is a great choice. I grows so much more rapidly than any of the other choices. It is also naturally resistant to bacteria. So, it's an even better choice in the kitchen and anywhere you are going to have any kids or pets.
I hope the windows are the easy to clean ones that pull down so that you can clean them from inside the house. I've seen double hung windows that do - they're so convenient.

Today, all new construction should be built to the highest green standards available. We are living in a time when we shouldn't approach the use of natural resources and land development without considering the real, long term costs of developing the conventional way. Both the US Green Building Council and the National Assocoation of Homebuilders are on board with this to the extent that they are saying, in time, green building practices will become so mainstream we will no longer refer to them as "green" because it will just be standard practice. I am really surprised that DIY has not taken a greener approach to this project. It could have been a great opportunity to get people involved in making green choices and educating them in the process, and would have helped the nation move into a more sustainable way of living sooner, rather than later. It pains me to see so much effort and so many resources put into developing a project that was antiquated before it even broke ground. The non-green finishing choices have been really disappointing to me.

Barbara Turner (Texan in Okie Land) what a card you are! I35 must be great at holiday time. Do y'all roll down your windows and wave as you pass each other west to east and east to west? I spoke to Mom on the phone and she said thank Barbara and Mary so much for their prayers, but what else could be expected from TEXANS??? You guys are both from Texas. Also Barbara she really likes the idea of the bars in bathrooms for assistance in arising from the throne. That will be a necessity for many people, disabled or just weak, so good thinking. She sends her "Howdys" and I am supposed to report to her again this afternoon what you guys are talking about. She's still on a liquid diet and she wants me to sneak food up there but she was joking because she already wants to go home! Vent tube or not! So she's minding the doctors.

She really is worth it, and not just because she's my mom. She helps others, and brightens rooms whereever she goes. She raised three girls and a son, and taught all of us how to cook, sew, garden, dance, be silly, pray, sing (loud, and maybe out of tune), play games, do crafts, enjoy nature, water ski, ice skate, camp, fish; I'd just be a big blob that did nothing if she hadn't taught me so much! She also said "To thine own self be true" and she meant it. You guys would really like her. She sure likes you!
And you know what she'd say! 'MAY THE WORTHIEST BLOGGER WIN!!!" Thanks, you guys, for your thoughts and prayers.

I would agree that Bamboo flooring is the best option. I would also like to seek Cork flooring in the kitchen. I would also like to see everything go as GREEN as possible, wind generation, solar. I think that in the future we have to consider these things - maybe next year make a totally GREEN Blog Cabin. Just my thoughts. K

Why can't you install a gas/wood fireplace? For people that have allergies a gas fireplace is much more allergy friendly. Why not offer the option of both for the new owner?

Posted by: Clive at February 14, 2008 4:39 PM
"Hi Grace. Thanks for the input. It is a problem sometimes to make a really unbiased and informed decision based on such widely differing images.I guess you are probably using images supplied by the vendors/suppliers of the various components of the cabin... However, the images are passively persuasive and I believe they are having an undue influence on some votes."

I'm in total agreement. I'm wondering if it would be possible for someone at DIY to photoshop log cabin walls into future pictures of the choices we have to vote on? I think it would cut down on some of the confusion, give some of us a little bit better idea of what the products might look like in a cabin environment, and possibly remove any unintended 'influence' on the outcome of the voting.
Just a random thought after a long day at work.(^_^)

Nothing should obstruct the wonderful view from the cabin....that's why casement windows should be used. The mullins just get in the way.

I know that I will come off as ignorant right off the bat, but I'm not exactly aware of the winter weather conditions in that part of the country. I was thinking that a cabin without a fireplace just seems so very wrong! And also, I notice that the cabin will not be very far from the lake. I know that all kinds of tests are done for this now, but has a check been done on how far the lake rises during different times over the years? A house that close to water and then having a basement, I don't know. Just playing devil's advocate, because I live in a town that has lakes and have seen it happen so many times! Sorry to put a damper on things. Just something you may want to check into! Who wouldn't want to have a cabin on that site? It's like living in God's shadow. It's so spiritual and inspiring. Thanks, lj

I can't wait to see the cabin / home finished , it's going to be a very beautiful and relaxing place. Wishing all of us good luck and blessings!!!

Beautiful flooring options for the cabin... I think I'm going to pay a visit to Lumber Liquidators showroom and pick some for my dining room! :oD

I would love to see at least one blue spruce planted on the property. It is important to draw in the beauty of nature with one accent tree that is not a part of the wild lands around it but captivates attention to the nature around it by drawing your eye towards it. I know it may seem early to talk about landscape but since realeastat is all about location I wanted to play my blog on scenery.

I agree with Leanna (way at the top) about the Bamboo flooring. It's really quite lovely, (though the lack of floor example may make it hard to truly imagine) and as a sustainable resource is perfect for today's building needs. I also hope that bamboo makes a big jump in voting numbers. The Blog Cabin is shaping up fantastically, and it's so great to see changes made due to specific blogger suggestions. I have a small question -(maybe someone has already answered it and I just missed it) are there four closets in each upstairs bedroom? It looks that way in the latest plans available via Darlene Branim's post. That can't be correct. Anyone know about this?

Just came across this site. After reviewing the 3 plans the one feature missing in all is a lake facing screened porch! My family has been renting houses on various New England lakes for many years, and one of the features most have is a large screened-in porch. Given that most lakes are fairly buggy, and that weather can interfere with being outside its nice to be outside but protected from the elements & bugs. THe lake site for this new cabin is gorgeous, but a protected porch is necessary.

Thanks

Hello all ...Keep on voting !! It's unfortunate that the majority of people that are voting aren't
paying attn to the blogs . We are just a small fraction of those voting . Being informed is very important.. wish there was a way to get the word out . Take care all and happy blogging ,
Linda H.

Regarding the windows. There is NO WAY that I would put the panes in the double hung windows. They are so distracting to the view. Plus, I have never seen an upscale home with window panes (just look at Metropolitan Home and Architectural Digest). Actually, the choices for windows is not adequate. Lake houses should have huge expansive windows. I hope that whatever is picked ends up big.

In addition, the bathroom choices were strange. Neither seems to fit the situation. Otherwise this looks to be a beautiful house.

I'm feeling a little bit like Goldilocks when I'm looking at the both bathrooms: "This bathroom is too busy; this bathroom is too stark." I'd really have liked an option somewhere in between the two.

I of course agree that bamboo would be the better flooring choice. I voted for the casement windows because not only will they allow a better view but they are more energy efficient and therefore more earth friendly.

Hey Blog Cabin,
It sems to me that the choices for the Master Bathroom and the choices for the guest bathroom are possibly? backwards? because the Decorative Ornate and the Clean and simple designs would be the choice for the Master Bathroom, and visa versa. The rest of the designs look GREAT and I would be truly blessed if this were to end up as our house. It's just my opinion on the bathrooms but I hope you will condider making a change in the choices? if not, it will still be a beautiful home for whoever wins this awesome house. Thank You, Ron

I love the idea of a simple, clean guest bathroom. I mean there is a fine line between beautiful and luxurious and over-the-top. Clean and simple, especially in a guest bathroom, always comes off much nicer.

How about an indoor/outdoor sound system for entertaining? Plus I agree with the idea for a fire pit with seating. There can be many choices with this feature and it might be fun to vote on it.

Tell Cabincraver2008 Howdy from me when you talk to her and my best wishes go with her... and follow the DR.'s orders so she can be home fast..
I understand about needing the bars in the bathrooms for the tub, toliet, etc... My parents are both in their 80's (still living at the house alone) & I have a friend my age that had a spinel stroke (rare) that effects her legs sometimes... plus hitting the double nickel this summer for myself... my grandparents all lived long lives.. my dad's mom was almost 100 came to Okla. before it was a state... so I plan to be around along time and enjoy the cabin (if I win)...
..... Erika .... I35 runs N & S between OKC & the DFW area... :) don't have to wave to those passing because our family is all going to one house for the holidays... haha...

So I will say again remember the grab bars in the bathrooms (or at least reinforce so they can be added)...
agree on the dumb waiter from basement to top floor for grocries & other bags.. and for getting dirty & clean cloths & supplies to the top bedrooms..(no need for a laundry shoot..put them in the dumb waiter...
stairs out the back porch to the lake....
bathroom downstairs in the basement..(hate to be in the garden working and have to run clear across the house (or up stairs) to get there...
??? are the side walkways wide enough for a swing/chairs and still have walking room ????
Love the idea of a screened in area...(maybe the kind that raise & lower ??
??? is the dual fireplace really 2 fireplaces sharing a chimny.. or is it see through.. don't like the see through because of the lost of heat/AC and the bugs & security ... just a thought..

Better go for now..

Texan in Okie land :)

I'm new at this but the lot and the view wow what a wounderful look!

I like the pictures of the lake & the 360, but it would be nice to see the land from the water

Dear DIY:
Just wanted to let you know that I really feel that the new blue prints of the new Blog Cabin, look really great. I like the changes of the outside area being off the main room. And the under ground garage area is also a super idea. Keep up the good work and I will continue to check in with the changes on-line, on this new blog cabin and on the tv, I will farther enjoy watching all your great programs as I have in the past. THANKS. Carolyn

Can anyone HELP??? I clicked on the flooring for the bathroom and then clicked "next question" and nothing happens, it just stays on the same page and pix.

Thanks

I posted yesterday on the "other" blog. Don't see it today.
I'm confused about which blog is most important.
Who at DIY is reading what? Everyone reading both?
ARGGGGHHHHHH!
...This is obviously not Grandpa's fishing cabin.
I certainly do not want to spend my time cleaning anything "ornate".
All the green ideas appear to be valid. Perhaps the bloggers will read the blogs and then vote?

Whatever DIY builds will be wonderful..especially to an apartment dweller like me.

SOOOOO....I'm ready for the next choices!

Thanks!

On the blueprint it indicates two eyebrow/half round windows; one over the second floor middle and one on the first floor right side. On the first floor left side, the window is different dimensions. to me this looks awkward. Relocate the second floor eyebrow/half round window to the left side, first floor and match the window sizes on the front. As it appears, you're going for a
symmetrical fasaud.

Hello everyone I'm new at this although I love the show and I get to give an opinion on the design what a blast. Getting to the point love the house plan, windows double hung I would also like to see less grid in them the view is going to be smokin hot. The guest bath with what to pick from the pick in the lead should be the master bath but it still needs a little more rustic look keep it real it is a log cabin. Guest bath needs to be smaller then the lead pick. Flooring the Teak is great. Using some green ideas solar would be great. Solar Panel would be a great addition to the house next to the lake. I can not wait for the next voting list. Remember people chillax, everyone is working hard on the cabin and they need time off to regain some normalty in life. Keep love in your hearts the reward is so sweet in return.

Blog later,

What a wonderful way to enjoy the natural beauty of Tennessee. I am glad to see in the floor plans that the unsightly toilet has it's own room! Thank you for that.
Bamboo is much more earth friendly and just because one can have hardwood does not mean they should.
Keep up the good work of uncluding opinions!

I vote for a screened in porch and for at least one swing on the lakeside of the house. A porch just isn't a porch without a porch swing.

Hi All! I love reading everyone's comments and suggestions. I just voted and loved all the flooring choices, but went with Bamboo -- we are trying to go green. More color in the baths pretty much decided those, as well as thinking about how guests would feel in each -- more pampered seemed to be better -- even though it is a cabin. I voted for the window that afforded the best view -- doesn't look like that one will win, but the others are great also. I love the roominess of the great room area and the wrap around porch! This cabin is going to be fantastic!!!

Hi! This is my first time blogging and I haven't been able to read ALL the other blogs, but I just wanted to comment that it seems like there are WAY too many exterior doors. The location and view are gorgeous so I think the casement windows would be the best choice, there. I had been inclined toward the bamboo flooring until I read so many negative comments about durability. Most of us agree about environmentally friendly products, but if you replace it in a few years, you were better off with a stronger product to begin with. Happy voting to you all!!!

hello all you bloggers....
i've been reading all the blogs (yea most of'em) and have concluded that we all think alike.... and we all have strong opinions... we are but a drop in the ole bucket when it comes to the throng of people who will vie to win this cabin...i just hope its one of us....
so i wish us all luck but just remember when all's said and done...i get the keys...lol
happy voting....

Would sure like to see the stained concrete, no grout lines to get dirty, & it's much more handicap friendly. It is going to be beautiful of that I am positive.

Can't wait to watch the cabin go up. Love the video of the lot being cleared.

Sharon A

I think the simpler guest bathroom would have fit better too, Leanne. I was kind of disappointed that we didn't have the choice of having a copper banged up looking sink for the kitchen, that would have been awesome. I think the idea of a fire pit closer to the lake was ok but not really needed if we get the outside living space. All in All, I think we're doing pretty darned good!

P.S. I wasn't really happy with any of the bathroom choices either! We did get the tub in one of the guest bathrooms though, I guess that's better but the whole designs are sorta off. I think they could have come up with ALOT better ideas.

Dear BOB,
You start your blog by saying that none of us expect Watson to give up his free time to update our post and then you go on to say how we have no real way of knowing if our choices are right because we don't have computer graphics of the way the rooms will look or fit into the spaces available.....IF Watson doesn't have time to post updates, how do you expect him to have time to complete computer images for us to see?
I personally think we have an idea of what the cabin is going to look like and we all have an idea of the style we are going for, thats all we need. We don't have to make our choices by size, we are here for style....I believe we all know the difference, except maybe you. IF our ideas won't work, that's what Watson's crew is there for, to let us know that they can't work it! We are simply here to make this cabin someones dream, decorated in styles that the common folks would dream their home would look like! We aren't here to design the home and we are aware of that. However, in never hurts to make suggestions. We don't expect Watson to spend every waking moment doing these updates, but we'd like to see them as soon as possible. We don't expect him to spend all day and night giving us "simpltons" computer graphics on every choice we need to make, we do have imaginations and thats what we "simpltons" have been using thus far and just like we did on the last cabin that turned out exellent, if I do say so myself!
So, Bob, what should Watson do? Stay online with us 24/7 holding our hands as we make these decisions and giving us all those computer graphics that you suggested or should he spend a few extra minutes online posting updates? Get Real!

I love all the choices so far though i think it is kind of upscale for a cabin I do think a screened porch is called for so close to water and I would like to see wide doorways and grab bars in the bathrooms or at least the reinforcement to add them later one entrance with a ramp would be nice but that could be added too if needed keep up the great work this is fun and a great learning experience

It is probably to late for this cabin but maybe in the future. A residental fire sprinkler system. The heads are hidden and only the head needed is activated. They dont flood the house but in a rural area with the response time up a fire protection system might be the ticket. I've seen them work and they extinguish the fire in less than a minute and they heads can be different temps for say the kitchen or a garage.They are simple to install and would protect a beautiful work of art. I'd love to live there full time and not just weekends and holidays. Keep up the good work and you all have done wonderful work. Steve Smarr

Wow I didn't know you guys started breaking ground on my Birthday!!!! That would be a great birthday present to win :) I can't believe anyone can have any complaints about the cabin. It's beautiful, truely a dream home for whoever wins it. Ahmed and Darlene are really listening and are obviously trying their best to make everyone happy. I think you guys are doing a great...great...great job. Keep up the good work. And good luck to everyone to win it.

So neat to watch the cabin cam. It's going to be really exciting to see the floor poured. I haven't been able to find my other blogs, I know I'm blog challenged, because this is my first time to try, so I'm probably not doing something I should be doing.

Love reading the other blogs though. Still think the stained concrete will be the best & most handicap friendly. Also no grout lines to clean!

Keep up the great work, this show is awesome!
Sharon A in ok

While I agree with many of the selections, I'm very disapointed by the bathrooms. This is a cabin, the rooms should reflect that and not a high end city house. It should all be rustic looking.

See y'all at the new blog from Watson this time..Back from the Log Raising (New Photos!)

I have a cabin the thing I wish I had installed was a centeral vac. system with wood floors there is a lot of dirt to clean up. In the master put in a fireplace and a wet bar for a quiet morning of coffee and juice. Also wire the whole house and outside and dock area with phone cable, the dock should also have a wet bar,

Hello,
I voted for the side by side fridge with the bottom freezer, what a great appliance. I did vote for the steam shower, I can forgo a heated floor for a steam shower. I also voted for the drawer warmer in the kitchen. This is a great cabin project!

Please with our active aging population make the first floor wheelchair-walker friendly...wider doors.. take my wheelchair-bound sister on lots of mini trips only to find out can't even get into bathroom, and sometimes can't get into cabin rented to us as handicap accessible to high door jams or no way to get onto porch.

Ahmed Hassan: Because of all the bloggers questions and concerns with Accessibility, I'm going to make sure that we atleast, build and or maintain wheelchair accesibilty for the down stairs part of the house.
We want to please as many people as possible with the entire build project. And we've also already given ourselves some challenges with the past choices we've made with this home. The San Jacinto is two stories, and it was the winning choice.

This is becoming a whole lot more than a log cabin!!
Love the location and choices voted on. Could you make it a little more accessible for those of us who while still spry, have trouble with lots of stairs! Hey, I'm only in my 60's but have family and grandkids who would love this place...so would I. Keep up the good work.

Come on lets let the kids have some fun!!! Vote for the Vertigo Water Park for the kids, if you want to lay out you can do so on it too!! Some of us wont even get into the water, even with a lounge to lay on, so let the kids have some fun, I get so much joy just listening to their laughter and seeing their smiling faces, I am sure you would too! If you don't have kids, think about your grand-kids! Give it away as a gift if you don't want it! Come on now, Vote for the Vertigo Water Park, Please!!!! Ahmed Hassan: I just voted for it again today, but I'm starting to wonder if it's really got a chance.

Here's hoping more people vote for the composter choice eliminating the need to carry out some of your trash and also having the ability to use that new soil for your landscaping needs.

What's wrong with the cabin cam? Haven't been able to get any photos for the past two days?

I have not heard anything about a boat for this cabin on the lake. That would be a horrible shame. May I recommend a mahogany barrel back from Cris Craft, Fish Brothers,Hacker-Craft etc...If not a barrel back, then maybe a utility. If you have any questions,e-mail me, and I'll give you the name of a very reputable dealer in Cincinnati who can set you up and will have what you need in stock. It will be the perfect addition to a lake home.