Renovating my 1970's log cabin
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
We removed kitchen cabinets from a wall and the logs behind the cabinets were cut into. Should I repair the logs, install shiplap or another material over them? I don't want to add anymore sheet rock to this room (we added a walk-in closet). This room is now being used as a bedroom and will become a true master suite once we renovate the bathroom.
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7 years agoRelated Discussions
Timeline of restoration/renovations to old house
Comments (15)You know that old saying about expensive stuff ... if you have to ask how much it is, then you can't afford it. That's what I thought as I read your post, regarding the feasability of your proposed timeline. To me this sounds like a lot of work to get done in a fairly short, finite, time span, GC'd by a non-professional without long-standing (and on-going) relationships with all the inter-locking subs and trades. Your project probably doesn't come with the promise of additonal jobs for them over many years so you won't have the leverage a good GC would have to make the necessary, but impossible, things happen to keep such a complicated project on schedule. Is the end date a hope, or a hard date with a CO issued and move in readiness? If you could stand to have it carry on into the winter, then it would be more do-able, I think. The complications will come in integrating all the various tradesmen. For example, you're getting a new roof, but before the roof goes on it would be better to know exactly where the vent stacks for the new furnace and the new bath and kitchen are located. Yes, you can add them later, but you've a better chance at a no-leak roof if they're up before the roof guys get there. You're putting in radiant floor heating (love it BTW), but that means every single tradesman has to know where those lines are, or one gets punctured. Kitchens and baths are notorious for needing sustained, cooperative layers of tradesman. GC's will know which crews get along, which can be counted on to work the extra hour or two in order to prep for the next guy, etc. Do you have to do all this at once? (Regular readers here will know where I'm headed and can skip ahead....) I think old house renovations are best done after you've been in the house for some time. The ideas you have now, especially if you're not working with an experienced old-house minded architect, are surely not going to be as good as what the house will tell you is needed after you've been there for some time. The other reaon to slow things down is that old houses are (in my opinion) must vulnerable to to regrettable owner-caused (though entirely well-meant) damage when they renovated at the beginning of the ownership. Take, just for example, your plan to install radiant floor heating. If you have more than one story, that means you'll be pulling the ceiling of the first floor for access. What the heck you say, you're already planning on pulling the plaster in the walls for insulation. Okay, but I didn't hear you say you'd need to have the walls replastered. Perhaps you think it doesn't matter: sheet rock, even skim-coated sheetrock, vs old plaster, same difference, right? Um, no. Plaster is a lovely-to-live-with amenity that many people just casually disregard, not realizing how intergral it is to their buildings. And you won't know this until you've owned and lived with an old house for awhile and studied the unique concerns that old houses raise for thoughtful, respectful, owners. And of course, there's the money. I would plan on having at least 75% more cash on hand than the wildest estimates you have if you go ahead with this amibitious plan to get it all done by a date-certain. All old house projects have the virtual certainty that more funds will be necessary than you planned (or hoped), but combined with a tight deadline, sometime the only thing that will get you there is extra fees for overtime, express shipping, replacement materials, more expensive solutions, etc. With old houses, there's always a dynamic, usually reciprocal, relationship between time and money: more of one, less of another. Sometimes, more of both. Almost never less of both, alas. And, if you start out with modest experience, tight funds and a very amibitious deadline, you're only setting yourself up for misery and stress. (Read some of the "I hate my house" threads as cautionary tales.) But as discouraging as I know I must sound, I don't want to discourage you from using this resource. Please consider this an invitation to keep coming back for help and encouragement. Welcome to the company of old-house afficionadas. Molly~...See MoreUpdating 1970's log home
Comments (11)Looking at the picture of your parent's house again, I'd embrace the design and the contrast between the logs and other elements. A good power washing and restaining of the beams and deck, perhaps a newer deck railing design with tensioned cable railing, a more modern door style ("crossbuck does not relate IMO to the house) and some exterior light fixtures that continue the modern look as opposed to the too small colonial-esque ones there now. I'd also address that HUGE roof load on the skinny little posts. They look oddly and maybe dangerously undersized even with the cantilevered beam at the peak....See MoreNeed help furnishing and decorating log cabin
Comments (1708)Hi! I am sorry, Ted and I are doing a lot to work in our IBs and I am not posting every idea I have on this thread. I will definitely post the final pictures and the link to the booking website! Cabin is looking lovely! Nothing is final yet and there is still a lot of work left to do. Here are some pics LR Map in the SR I just hang up. Do not have time to finish the bar top right now, but will do it in the near future. Broncos decor is my son's idea. MB. Ted is Still working on the perfect pillows :) GB - not finished yet M Bath Stairs to the basement. Elk mount was my husband's idea. Kitchen - My favorite!...See MoreWall covering options for seasonal cabin (unheated in winter)
Comments (15)Hmmmm good question about the MDF. I'll have to ask our contractor how it is attached. You shouldn't have any gaps. All the ceilings are pine tongue and groove. All the walls are MDF panel Beadboard. The bathroom had diagonal tongue and groove V joint cedar on 2 walls and drywall on the other walls. We've left it but are considering whitewashing the cedar walls as it makes the room a bit dark. If you have a chance look for some of the real estate magazines from the Muskoka area. There are lots of really gorgeous pictures that you can use for inspiration, just to get ideas. There is one called Dockside that always has nice photos in. I just found a photo showing the beadboard partially installed and I see that there is blocking between the studs to fasten the boards. I know he runs a small bead of caulk in the seams as well. You can see the unfinished pine ceiling here too along with the MDF with just primer on it. That beam will be clad in nicer wood and stained dark to match the floor. We used Hickory Engineered hardwood, floating installation and are very happy with that choice. I'll be happy to share information on any of the finishes etc that we've used. Our cottage was a Viceroy cottage built in the late 70s. We've been trying to do at least one upgrade every year even if that was just ripping out old carpet and replacing with hardwood (we laid it ourselves - that is a relatively easy DIY job) or painting a room. We've replaced all the windows and doors and put solid doors on the bedrooms to replace the old hollow ones and that made a big difference to the noise levels in the bedrooms if people were in the living space. I recommend that choice - it was worth the spend for the solid doors. If you need a wood stove or fireplace - I recommend The Fire Within in Bracebridge. Let me know if I can offer more information. Happy to help...See MoreRelated Professionals
Portland Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Panama City Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Wanaque Interior Designers & Decorators · Athens General Contractors · Middle Island Interior Designers & Decorators · Beaufort Furniture & Accessories · Glenbrook Interior Designers & Decorators · View Park-Windsor Hills Interior Designers & Decorators · Struthers Interior Designers & Decorators · Frankfort Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Madison Furniture & Accessories · Franklin General Contractors · Jamestown General Contractors · Redding General Contractors · West Babylon General Contractors- 7 years ago
- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
Artsphartsy- the logs in the rest of the house are in great shape. Unfortunately, these logs are an eyesore. This room is my least favorite room in the house. Half of the house is from the 70's and the the rest is newer construction with high ceilings. I have many pictures to share. I will start with this room and focus on this wall for now.
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago- 7 years ago
- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
We are trying to finish the master this spring. I am not planning on doing much to the bedroom itself, just adding light colored curtains, adding light strips, maybe painting in between the logs because this ceiling is the lowest one in the entire house. We already installed carpet because there was no wood flooring under the bottom kitchen cabinets. Remember this room used to be a kitchen! There already is an existing bathroom here that we will completely gut and redo.
Before:
& this is our new kitchen (moved to another room):
- 7 years ago
Enjoy the journey- I have thought about putting together a wall of photos and words to cover it up.
Inspiration:
- PRO7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
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