Cabin Kitchen Updates

The kitchen is about 90% complete. The laminate top was installed. My rustic custom cabinet doors were also installed. They have dark bronze knobs and hinges. The builder miscalculated on the size of 3 bottom cupboards so that will be finished up next week. I asked about making the cabinets a little darker but was told they should darken and get more golden over time. So I'll wait and see how much patience I have....
The next items are the dining table and all the kitchen appliances. As you can see, the only appliance I have right now is the microwave. Money is going out the door fast! (I write this with a smile - it's still worth it!)

History of Our Log Cabin Site

I love historical photos and was especially interested to know the history of the town where our log cabin is being built. We are technically in the city of Waters, but have a Gaylord address. In the late 1800's, the town was originally established as Bradford Lake. It was later renamed Waters. The White Pines and hardwoods of Bradford Lake attracted the numerous lumber mills that were established in the city in the late 1800's. The pictures above depict the lumber workers and log cabins from this area. I had the Otsego County Historical museum scan some old photos for me from this era. I am going to frame and hang them in our log cabin as a history reminder.

Cabin Loft

I love the loft in our log cabin. I love being able to look out the front windows to see a higher view of the lake. I love being able to survey the living room downstairs and feel like I'm looking down on my log kingdom. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it. Maybe part of it can be a bunk house for my stepson and his cousins. I can put up a folding partition wall (maybe a wildlife screen) and then create a separate sitting area with comfy couches whereby you could read and listen to music. Then I think about that beautiful rustic writing desk I saw in a log furniture magazine and imagine creating a little office. I've also seen where people have created a game room area and placed a pool table upstairs. I would recommend to anyone building a log cabin, that a loft is a necessity. There is just so many creative things you can do with it - and the best part is the views!

Going "Up North"

As I am getting ready to go "Up North" tomorrow to check on our cabin, I am reminded of a poem I discovered at a little shop in Gaylord. It perfectly describes the feeling I get when I'm in Northern Michigan.

Up North

It's the place people go to escape...
A place made of cabins, pine trees
and lakes.
But, no matter how far you drive...
There's no sign to say, "you've arrived,"
So, just follow your heart til you find...
your special place that brings peace of mind.
As you breathe in the air and unwind...
Your cares are all left behind.
It's no mystery where the "northwoods" start
When you're "Up North" you'll know...
in your heart.

-Suzanne Kindler 1996

Log Cabin Themes

When I look through all these log cabin books and magazines, everyone seems to have a theme for their log cabin. The theme helps determine how you will decorate your place. There's themes such as a southwest flair, a ski lodge (I saw one place that had the criss crossed skis above their main entrance), country, rustic, some combine the rustic with traditional, etc. Others involve their interests or collections. I saw one log cabin that had bird houses and bird prints incorporated throughout their rooms. I'm not sure what my theme is yet - but I did decide what it would be for the bathrooms. I love wildlife so one bathroom will be a moose theme and the other will be a loon theme. Maybe nature and wildlife is my theme?!

Cabin Expectations

I was full of excitement as we made the 3 hour drive up north. (If my husband had let me drive, I swear I would've made it in 2 1/2 hours!) Every time we open the door to our cabin, I'm always happy to see the new thing that the crew has completed and how the cabin is coming together. This time didn't disappoint. The extra stain coats had finished being applied to the interior and the logs looked beautiful and golden. They also used the extra logs we had left over and built a half log interior wall in the basement. We hope to finish it in the near future. Other items completed included the hanging of the antler chandelier and the carpet being installed in the bedrooms. I think I went too light on the carpet and will now be annoyingly asking all guests to remove their shoes before they go in there. The hubby and I wimped out and bought a bed to sleep in the cabin this weekend. (Hopefully the Gaylord building inspector isn't reading this as we don't have our Certificate of Occupancy yet....). Since we have no curtains or blinds up, it was great to lay back at night and see all the stars through the windows.

(More cabin updates & pics tomorrow!)

Cabin Progress

From the pictures, you can see the log cabin is coming along. All the doors and windows have been framed. This past week the crew completed the sanding, staining and clear coat on the interior. Tomorrow the kitchen counter top may be installed if it's delivered on time. We went with a black laminate top to match our future black appliances. Granite won't be in my budget for another year. I'm hoping the carpet guys show up on Saturday to complete the bedrooms. We purchased it from a local business around the corner. I was glad to get the carpet from them because 1. They were nice, 2. The price was reasonable and 3. They had a great dog (a vizsla)I was playing with in their warehouse while I was selecting the carpet. So in all actuality, it was probably the dog that sold me the carpet! We are driving up north tomorrow (pending the big snowstorm they are predicting) and will be sleeping on the floor of our cabin in sleeping bags. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.