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Home Decorating Remodeling Exterior

Updating 1970's log home

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

My folks have purchased a 1970's era log cabin, shown in the picture below.

It is the same floorplan as the one below. The house below is quite a bit more modern.

What could we do to the cabin above to make it look a bit more modern? My thoughts are the dark stain is a bit dated, and changing that back to a natural color would be a dramatic improvement. Not sure about the rest though.

Featured Answer

DLM2000-GW

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

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.

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Comments (11)

lyfia
5 years ago
To be honest I like the first picture way more than I do the second.

The only thing I would consider doing is something with the railings to bring it up to code. Leave the rest.
DLM2000-GW
5 years ago
Maybe I'm reading your post incorrectly or you have the pictures flipped? The first house is much more appealing to me and reads more modern.
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Fred Jackson
Original Author
5 years ago
DLM2000 - the top picture is the house with the mostly square logs, dark stain, and horizontal railing. This is the 1970's house.

The more modern house is the one with the round logs, vertical rails, and natural stain.
User
5 years ago
My goodness, they're both beautiful. They both remind me a lot of the cabin in a New Mexico forest where we spent two weeks this past fall. Heavenly. I don't think you need to do a lot to make your folks' house a bit more current, and I would focus on things that would add more than just aesthetic value. Energy efficient windows, for example.
DLM2000-GW
5 years ago
Modern is in the eye of the beholder. The top one is far more modern to my eye, the bottom one has a loosely chalet type look.
aprilneverends
5 years ago
I'm with DLM and others here

it is pretty modern already. More so than the second one..in terms of architecture

Did you mean "modern" as is "more appealing to you", "brighter", "changed"?

This second house is shot in summer time and has a very nice hardscaping, and access to water(maybe yours does too), and all. Maybe that what makes it brighter, all the water and sun reflection, makes it appealing to you.

But it's not more modern.
jay06
5 years ago
It's a beautiful cabin and I think power washing will go a long way into improving its appearance. The blackish roof trim and posts detract from its look. What color is the roof? If you'd like to add a bit of color to freshen the look, how about painting the roof trim, deck trim and the posts a classic forest green if that color would complement the roof?
cat_ky
5 years ago
I am in agreement with the others. The top one is the more attractive and modern looking of the two. I also agree with the poster above, that the railings should be redone, as they look to be a safety issue. I do like the vertical railings on the second house. It is a beautiful house, please dont change it to something its not.
ci_lantro
5 years ago
I like the top cabin better, too. As mentioned, replace the railing. I like the vertical railing on the second house. Also, I would replace that crosshatch door on the bottom level. Much prefer the roof detailing on the old '70's cabin. The roof looks very modern whereas the details on the 'modern' cabin look rustic.
Joe T.
5 years ago
Replace the door and windows with sliders, and update the railing.

I much prefer your parents' house as well.

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