Welcome Family to the May 2013 issue of The Oak Leaf! For new readers, this is a monthly newsletter that is sent by e-mail to those that have expressed an interest in Gastineau Log Homes. We use this as a way of communicating technical, design and industry information. For more information, check out our web site at www.oakloghome.com.
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Trivia Question: Where does the saying “it’s raining cats and dogs” originate? (See the answer below.)
Sales of Existing Homes at 3-Year High: The number of signed contracts to buy homes rose in March to the highest level in three years. Signed contracts are 7% higher than a year earlier. Buyer traffic is 25% higher than a year ago. For more information, check out this article in USA Today. If concern over selling your home has been holding you back from building your log home, this is fantastic news! If you have been waiting to list your home, you might want to stop waiting and start listing!
Spring is here and time to enjoy being outside! Several things to note on this photo of a porch that has a deck added for extra room. First is the built in seating along the deck rail. This is a way to ensure there is seating outside when you may have put all your outdoor furniture away. Another thing to note is the prow design of the home mirrored into the deck design. A very nice design detail. A feature I particularly like is the ceiling fan. On a hot summer night, this can make the difference between enjoying being outside and being uncomfortable. All little touches that add extra enjoyment to your investment.
How a GLH kit will protect you against raising prices: In today’s USA Today Money section, there is an article about Sawmills reopening because of housing market recovery and rising lumber prices. The cost of framing materials has risen drastically. When you purchase GLH package, you have a guarantee that your materials will not go up for a minimum of six months and if you go on Lay a Way, you can guarantee today’s prices for up to 36 months! For as little as 10% down, you can lock in today’s prices to build any time in the next three years. Give us a call so you can save money on your log home!
While in China, I noticed this type of solar hot water on every roof. I learned that China has over 30 million of these installed to provide hot water for bathing and kitchen use. Although not particularly attractive, they can cut your water heating bills by 75%. Click on the photo for more information about solar hot water heaters.
How to create a warm, inviting AND functional home atmosphere: Lighting is perhaps the most important element in achieving this goal. And probably the most overlooked in new home construction! And in a log home, it is also important to highlight the stunning architectural elements (mostly the wood!) that make it so unique. My first tip: Do not rely on only a ceiling fixture. Have several light sources in each room and spread them out to create 3 or 4 layers of light. Three watts per square foot should light a room. As you are planning, consider incorporating these three types of lighting in addition to your ceiling lights. 1. Track lighting 2. Uplighting 3. Wall fixtures
This kitchen uses pendant lights on the side of the beams and uplighting above the cabinets. There is also downlighting on the bottom of the wall cabinets.
*8 Ways to Make Your Log Home Dream Come True: An article in the July issue of Log Cabin Homes magazine includes several quotes by Lynn Gastineau. The 8 steps are:
1. Do your research.
2. Set your budget.
3. Buy your land.
4. Choose a log home producer.
5. Choose a floorplan.
6. Choose a builder.
7. Secure financing.
8. Stay involved during construction.
We also have two photos in this issue. One is on page 33 and one on page 37 in an article about vacation log homes.
Imagine yourself sitting on the balcony of your second story bedroom looking down at your lake or valley or (insert your view) while having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Could anything be more relaxing or peaceful?
Want to see what our brochure looks like in Chinese? Here is page 3 of the translated brochure that we recently printed for the Chinese market.
Who knew? The MO Ozarks and Lincoln’s log cabin were the inspiration for the Beverly Hillbillies! Television producer Paul Henning got the idea for this very popular 60’s tv series from two sources. First, from Boy Scout Camp in Nome, MO where he learned about hillbillies and people who resisted modernization. Second, from Abraham Lincoln’s log home in Springfield, IL and thinking about what a Civil War era person would think if they were brought into modern time. This idea of transporting someone from a remote spot that did not have radio, telephone or television to the modern age combined with the “hillbillies” was the germ of the idea. For those of you too young to have experienced this tv show, check it out on TV Land. It is still funny today!
Would you like some sort of unique structure built like this? Bring us your ideas and needs and we can design something unique for you!
Construction Seminar Schedule for 2013:
Here is our schedule for 2013!
June 1st
August 3rd
Sept 28th
The one day construction seminars are held at our model home center on I70 on the southwest outer road of Exit 144 in Central Missouri. Call or email to register as class size is limited!
Upcoming Log Raisings: We have a couple of log raisings that will be Missouri in June! More information to come!
Answer to the Trivia Question: Houses had thatched roofs (thick straw-piled high) with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof… Hence the saying “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
Quote of the Month: “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” – Will Rogers
