Step-by-Step Home Construction Guide - Part V

From Dream to Done: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building

Part 5: Interior Finishes

The shell of your house from Ward Cedar Log Homes is complete, and now it’s time to make it a home by filling it with the finishes and features that show off your signature style and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Up until now you’ve leaned on the experts – trusting your general contractor or subcontractors to handle the details of your log cabin, hybrid home or timber frame. But for this phase of your build, you are firmly in the driver’s seat. Ward has provided the log cabin kit – the box, if you will – and now it’s up to you to fill it with the things you love.

The benefit of having free rein in this phase of building? There are so many options! And the drawback? There are so many options! A cursory Google search or walk through your local home improvement store will reveal a dizzying number of choices for your interior finishes, from light and plumbing fixtures to cabinetry and countertops.

So how do you know what to include in your new Ward dream home? Having clear direction is a must. Before you can choose finishes you love, you must be clear on the look you’re after. To begin, peruse Pinterest, follow interior design accounts on social media and browse design magazines for inspiration. Even home design shows on popular television networks can provide new log home ideas. As you take it all in, note what you are drawn to — and, equally important, what you are not.

As you make your list, keep in mind that your selections will not only determine how your home will look and feel, but also how it will function. Some finishes are notoriously high in upkeep and will need lots of TLC (marble, we are looking at you), while others are more hardworking and conducive to a low-maintenance lifestyle. The materials and products you choose should suit your lifestyle and your taste.

To help get your wheels turning as you seek out a look you love, here are a few style themes we have seen Ward Cedar clients embrace over the years:

Country Cottage: This style is all about cozy comfort. Skip anything that feels formal or fussy and look to simple, rustic finishes paired with cheery colors and patterns. The goal is to create a welcoming and relaxed mood. Logs are often stained a warm, golden tone and paired with ceiling or interior wall accents, like tongue-and-groove pine or even reclaimed wood or corrugated metal. (Pro tip: Be sure to add two to three coats of polyurethane finish to any interior tongue-and-groove to keep it performing its best for years to come.) As you select finishes, furnishings, artwork and other decor, keep in mind that this style gets its charm from a gathered-over-time aesthetic, so don’t be afraid to mix and match the looks you love.

Farmhouse Modern: Popular among homeowners who want to create an updated take on log and timber home living, the natural colors and textures of a wood structure lend themselves to this look. Our northern white cedar logs with a clear coat of sealant mesh perfectly with the earth-inspired tones — creamy white, beige, and sage green — associated with this style. A little bit of painted drywall here and there can inject fresh energy into a space by setting off the log elements. Against this quiet backdrop, textures can take center stage. A likely cast of characters include natural wood finishes and furnishings, matte metals and natural stone.

European Elegant: If a luxurious log or timber home is your vision, the European-lodge style may appeal. Think: interior logs and other wood elements, like cabinetry, stained a rich tone, like cherry or mahogany, warm metal finishes, such as oil-rubbed bronze or brass, and furnishings with Old-World flair, like upholstered pieces in luxurious fabrics. If you opt for any drywall on interior walls, look to Venetian plaster or another faux finish technique to complete the effect. 

As you move through the process of choosing your interior finishes, keep your vision of “home” front and center, be confident in your selections, and enjoy the process of creating the Ward home of your dreams.

Contact us today to begin your log home journey.

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