Building A Dream
A customized home the way you want it
by Julie Hawrishok
Do you want to wake up and feel like you're on vacation every day? Would you like to live in a home that is not a cookie-cutter replica of suburban life? Are you sick and tired of trudging up concrete high-rises? If so, you may want to consider looking at a log home.
While some may say that log homes are primitive, dark, and dingy (as in pioneer days), and not a place to find luxury, those people have obviously not seen the work of 1867 Confederation Log Homes. As Canada's leading log home manufacturer, they are leaders in innovative construction and have been for over 20 years.
Using primarily white pine trees from the northern regions of Quebec and Ontario, 1867 Confederation Log Homes creates comfortable houses that promise to relax even the most jittery people. A log home seems to wrap around you, taking away everyday stresses and replacing them with a warm and inviting environment.
The lighting in a log home is different than that in a more traditional home. Light reflects off of the wood and creates a more subdued gleam. Sunbeams seem to separate and float from room to room, touching everything as they pass. Even the smell of a log home is unique - woodsy, natural and invigorating. Time slows down when you're in a log home. Priorities shift from frantic-paced chores to more leisurely endeavors.
Over 1,000 people around the world have allowed 1867 Confederation Log Homes to build their dream home, although these homes may be hard to find. Many are tucked away on remote lake edges or in dense forests. Some serve as vacation homes for city-dwellers while others are full-time residences for those who see log homes as an extension of living close to the outdoors - something most other houses can't offer. The company has built custom homes for clients in France, Japan, Germany, Spain, Canada and the United States. Customers across the world recognize their exemplary service and attention to detail. Their building techniques are constantly being updated, developing new building technologies and materials to ensure that clients receive the most progressive final product.
As one of only five companies in the world to receive the prestigious Log Home Guide Seal of Approval, Confederation Log Homes comes highly recommended. Experience, reputation and unflagging attention to detail that make them stand out. Some might say it is more about their dedication to finding the balance between traditional log home elements with innovative style and construction that keeps them ahead of the pack. However, the control and flexibility of working with the company is what keeps many clients happy.
If you know what you want in a house, it can likely be built. Many people have been envisioning their perfect home for years, wondering if it could some day become a reality. Here, it can. The company's goal is not about making a quick sale - they would rather help to take a dream and make it become a reality. While there are several packages and pre-designed homes offered in their catalogues, their team of experts will gladly help to conceive, design and build custom plans, giving you what you truly want.
Socialites who enjoy weekly dinner parties may choose to have a large kitchen and dining room, with bedrooms upstairs. The recreational-types may decide to build a loft and extra bathrooms to accommodate the inevitable influx of overnight guests. Customizable options not readily available in traditional homes are welcomed in log home construction, giving prospective homeowners complete control over every aspect of the building process, regardless of geographical restrictions. If you do decide to go the custom route, a company consultant will meet with you for an initial consult to decide what it is you're looking for and draw up blueprints to suit your individual needs. They are not satisfied until they can give your dreams a chance to become alive.
The popular preconceived notions of log homes would suggest draftiness and less-than ideal efficiency. But in reality, log homes are every bit as efficient as traditional homes. Each tree used in the construction of a log home is carefully selected Only trees felled during winter are used. That is when the sap travels down a tree meaning a drier and longer-lasting log. Like good scotch, good logs are aged. The best logs tend to be at least 100 years old and are always tested for quality and stability before even being considered as building material.
Log homes also provide versatility. One can choose to leave log walls exposed for a rustic look. Or, a combination of log walls and conventional flat walls can be built, depending on personal taste. There are virtually no limits in terms of decorating or style.
Most custom built log homes are built at around $150 per square foot, depending on the construction and the materials used. This does include the conception phase costs and blueprint design. Best of all, you will not have to wait too long to enjoy your new home; most homes are completed six to eight weeks after the blueprints are accepted.
When it comes to your home, you cannot afford to scrimp or settle for anything less than your own vision of perfection. Choosing to build a log home will give you the options for which you've been longing. For more information on 1867 Confederation Log Homes, check out their website at www.confederationloghomes.com or call 1-877-GO-2-LOGS.
Living in true Rich Guy style would suggest that no home is complete without a few of the latest and greatest gadgets. You may want to consider picking up one or both of the following for that added touch:
Television: Sometimes size does matter. Sony's 55" XBR Plasma WEGA High Definition TV will make even static look great. With two HD inputs, and multiple front-and-rear RF, S-video, video and audio inputs it will make TV, movies and video games all look like they're going on in your living room. $12,999. For more information check out www.sony.com
Sound: When it comes to home audio, it's difficult to do better than Bose. Their Lifestyle 28 Home Entertainment System will blow your socks off. The speakers are small, the subwoofer is streamlined and the sound output is sparkling clear. Experience Dolby Digital Surround Sound or DTS on the built-in DVD/CD player and see why your own home makes a great movie theatre. $3,799.