contents february, 2012
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Cover Story: Kitchens: A Place to Gather
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Get Answers at Log Home Shows, But Go Prepared
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New Floor Plan: The Franklin
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Log Home in 2012 2011 Dealership of the Year: Log Homes of WV Exterior Wood Burning Stoves
Helen Simpson’s 3-Story Construction Project Lodge Recipe: Duck Breast with Sugar Snap Peas and Mushrooms
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1 • Honest Abe Monthly • February 2012
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Kitchens: A Place to Gather Kitchen is defined as, “a place equipped for cooking.” This may be a good technical definition, but that definition just doesn’t fully capture what most of us think of when we hear the word kitchen. A kitchen is much more than that, it is a place to gather, cook, eat, and to simply visit. It is said the kitchen is typically the most used room in any house. If you are in the design process of your new home there is a good chance you will spend more time on the kitchen layout than that of the rest of the house. You have to be honest with yourself when you think about how you will use the space. If you cook and entertain for lots of people then you will need work space. If you don’t, then you can keep it cozy. The most important thing to think about in the design of the kitchen is how you will actually use the space. www.honestabe.com
Top: A perfect “working triangle” represented by this kitchen with a great view and a spacious island. Right: Contrasting wood tones like this dark Cherry provides a beautiful look. February 2012 • Honest Abe Monthly • 2
Above & Below: Want to break up the wood tones? Don’t be afraid to be bold! Black, white and other bold colors can really add distinction and character to your kitchen area.
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Above: Want your kitchen to appear as a natural extension of the logs themselves? Choose a wood species and tone that’s similar to the logs. Right: Avoid encouraging high traffic through the kitchen with your design, but many like to take their meals outside to enjoy, and need an escape route. Having a well placed exterior door can help, but still minimize regular foot traffic.
There are lots of formal dining rooms that I know of that are currently not being occupied. I would dare to guess that more people eat in front of the television than in a formal dining room. For this reason people are seeking opening designs that allow people in the kitchen to be able to talk and visit with people in the living room. This helps to do away with the feeling of isolation while in the kitchen. You can have the space open but still divided. If you are cooking you don’t need lots of traffic and people moving through the kitchen. This can be done by adding an island or extending a peninsula to give a defined space for the kitchen and living www.honestabe.com
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room, but keeping it all open.
No obstructions (cabinets, islands, etc.) should intersect a leg of the Something to keep in mind while work triangle. Household traffic designing your kitchen space should not flow through the work is the work triangle. The “work triangle. This will help give you triangle” is defined by the National a good usable work area in the Kitchen and Bath Association as kitchen. an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink, to Todd and Kim Hickey designed the center of the cook top, to the their kitchen with the utility room center of the refrigerator and connected. This gave them the finally back to the sink. Each leg space to add a walk in pantry of the triangle should be between with lots of storage next to the 4 and 9 feet with the total of all kitchen. This helped to keep the three legs between 12 and 26 feet. kitchen area less cluttered and 5 • Honest Abe Monthly • February 2012
gave them more usable counter space by having a place to keep small appliances. They also added a bay window to the kitchen area to give them more natural light. Think about how you will use your kitchen space and plan accordingly. With a little bit of creativity combined with practicality, you can make the kitchen a place to enjoy for years to come. Article by: Dan Smith, Salesperson for Honest Abe Log Homes www.honestabe.com
Left: Marble and composite counter tops blend well with the rustic elegance of a log home. Another trend is to hang those cast iron and stainless steel pots and pans. The solid construction of a log home means you’ll never have to hunt for a framing stud to hold the weight. Above: Many choose to locate their utility room directly off of the kitchen. This design incorporates their washer and dryer into the same space used as a walk-in pantry. Combining the two has been a popular trend, making use of valuable space. This home owner chose to hang swinging doors for quick and easy access to the space, while still creating a division between the two areas. Right: Creativity is key, and designing your home around your taste is important when creating a kitchen area you’ll love. These whiskey barrels have a rustic appeal and capture the relaxed personalities of the home owners. www.honestabe.com
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Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Log Home in 2012 If your New Year’s resolution was to make your dream log home a reality in 2012, the Log Homes Council has 10 economic trends why now is the time to make your move. 1. Single-Family Construction on the Rise Last year closed out with an increase in single family housing starts, according to a report from the National Association of Home Builders. Single-family housing starts increased 4.4% in December to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 470,000, the best monthly number since May 2010 when the home buyer tax credit ended. 2. Housing Market Hit Bottom Last Year The new home construction market hit bottom in 2011 and has started to rebound, according to John Burns of John Burns Real Estate Consulting, which offers nationwide housing analysis and forecasts for builders, banks, investors and building product suppliers. 7 • Honest Abe Monthly • February 2012
3. Prices Have Stabilized Home prices have generally stabilized in most markets where investor activity is high, according to John Burns. Renters can become homeowners without increasing their monthly payment, which is in many neighborhoods. 4. Strong Increase in Existing Home Sales Existing home sales continued to grow on a month-to-month basis in December, rising for a third consecutive month. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported sales of existing homes comprised of completed transactions of single-family, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops rose 5.0 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.61 million.
5. Builders’ Outlook Improving for Fourth Straight Month The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose to 25 in January, the highest reading since June 2007. This marks the fourth consecutive monthly increase for a total change of 11 points and the largest four month increase since 2003. All three components increased and all four regions showed positive change. 6. New Home Construction Will Grow 21% in 2012 New home construction will grow by 21 percent in 2012, predicts John Burns. Even with this growth, it will make it the fourth www.honestabe.com
lowest year of new housing starts in U.S. history. 7. Improved Mortgage Availability John Burns predicts increased mortgage availability in 2012, thanks to aggressive credit being provided by FHA and government sponsored enterprises or GSE’s. He also predicts loans will get more expensive, as these entities increase their fees. “I am also betting that we will get some more underwriting clarity, which will make it easier to get a mortgage. Right now, the banks don’t know what the putback risk and risk retention rules are, so they are lending more conservatively than they would otherwise,” John Burns says. 8. It’s About Monthly Payment, Not Price Because media reports are often focused on home prices instead of monthly mortgage payments, home buyers are www.honestabe.com
focused on the wrong metric, according to Wayne Yamano, vice president at John Burns Real Estate Consulting. “The media is also overly focused on price because they tend to live in the expensive markets like New York and Washington D.C.,” Yamano says. “What consumers and the media are ignoring is the monthly payment, which is absolutely fantastic right now and highly unlikely to get much better. Everyone is just assuming that mortgages rates will stay low forever. “Did you know that if prices fall another 10%, but mortgage rates rise 1 percentage point, fewer people will be able to qualify to buy a house? Add to the equation the discussion in D.C. about reducing the allowable Debt/ Income ratios on mortgages, and even more people will be unlikely to qualify.” 9. Time to Buy is Now For those in the market for a
new log home, John Burns advises that the time to buy is now. “If I had to wager on three things going up in the next 5-10 years, it would be 1) home prices, 2) mortgage rates, and 3) rental rates. Things could get more affordable next year, but if you are a qualified, prospective home buyer sitting on the fence waiting for affordability to get even better, at some point you are going to get burned. I would buy now.” 10. Make Your Dream Home a Reality If you’re ready to make your dream of log home living a reality this year, turn to the companies that belong to the Log Homes Council. These companies offer peace of mind. All have adopted policies designed to protect your investment, as well as assist everyone involved in this project. Editor’s Note: Honest Abe Log Homes is a long-time member of the NAHB and Log Homes Council. Article by: The Log Homes Council | http://www.loghomes.org/content/top10-reasons-buy-log-home-2012 February 2012 • Honest Abe Monthly • 8
2011 Dealership of the Year
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Log Homes of WV
onest Abe Log Homes would like to extend congratulations to our 2011 Dealership of the Year, Log Homes of West Virginia, owned and operated by Russell Saunders.
Russ has been an independent dealer with Honest Abe since 1999. He has delivered numerous homes in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia. He has consistently maintained high standings in our dealership rankings each year, including being in the top 5 on three occasions. Russ is an exemplary dealer within all aspects of his business. From the Log Homes of WV web site (www. loghomesofwv.com), relationships with clients, and exceptionally finished projects, Russ has done a great job with his business in the interest of his customers. He has developed a stellar
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reputation for Log Homes of West Virginia as well as Honest Abe Log Homes. Honest Abe Log Homes is proud of our association with Russ Saunders of Log Homes of West Virginia, and are thrilled with his accomplishment of Dealership of the Year for 2011. Representatives from Honest Abe will be visiting with Russ in the near future to congratulate him personally, and present him with the award. Look for that story in next month’s issue of Honest Abe Monthly. Article by: David Everitt, Dealer Manager for Honest Abe Log Homes
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Exterior Wood Burning Stoves
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to flow through a closed copper coil located within the stove. The heated water is then fed directly into the electric or gas water heater inside. Since the incoming water is already heated, the water heater’s only job is to maintain the temperature, not to heat up cold water.
n ever evolving but long-standing issue has been the search for efficient and cost-effective alternative energy sources for homes. Some owners do so to offset their utility bills, others to go completely off the grid and become energy independent. In the log home industry, we’ve seen our share of customers who incorporate a variety of non-traditional Jackie believes this is a great sources of energy including; geothermal, solar, and wind. option for many log home owners, Absent from that list is arguably one of the most popular, which because so many build their home is exterior wood burning stoves. on farmland or in wooded areas. Springing up in the late 1970’s and early 80’s, two of the most prominent names in wood burning stoves and boilers are Taylor and Hardy Stoves. Honest Abe Log Homes just happens to have two well qualified people able to weigh in on the subject. Ronnie Bagwell, independent dealer of Honest Abe Log Homes, has also been a dealer and customer of Hardy Stoves for over two decades. Jackie Cherry, Vice President of Honest Abe, has owned and operated a Taylor stove to heat his log home for just about as long. While there are differences between the two brands, such as the type and quality of steel and overall design, the two company’s products basically do the same thing. They provide safe, efficient heat for your home and also aid in heating your homes hot water supply. This article’s objective isn’t to promote one over the other, but to educate customers on a popular alternative energy source. “What will it cost me?” That’s always the first question, www.honestabe.com
especially when it involves a product such as this. Ronnie stated that a stove for an average home would likely run around
$6,500, not including labor which can vary based on the home. A stove works by heating water with a fire located outside of your home, which is then pumped into the residence. A heat exchanger allows your home’s heat and air unit to circulate the warmed air. The cooled water is then cycled back to the stove to be reheated. The system also heats a home’s water, which is a significant cost savings. This is done by allowing cold water from the home’s source
Jackie noted that he doesn’t pay for wood, and hasn’t cut down a living tree in years. Instead, he looks for standing dead or fallen trees on his land, then harvests them as fuel for his stove. For the past three months, each of his electric bills has been less than $80. “I only have to fill my stove once per day as long as the temperature stays above 30 degrees Fahrenheit,” commented Jackie, which was echoed by Ronnie. “There’s a wide variety of sizes as well,” stated Ronnie. “A 2,500 square foot home would be fine with a 120,000 BTU stove, but you can go much bigger if you want.” The stoves even have the capability of heating multiple floors or buildings by incorporating more pumps and heat exchangers. For more information on exterior wood burning stoves and to locate dealers, visit: Hardy (www.hardyheater.com), or Taylor (www.taylormfg.com).
Article by: Joshua Beasley, Marketing & Advertising for Honest Abe Log Homes Editors Note: Special thanks to Ronnie Bagwell and Jackie Cherry for contributing to this story. February 2012 • Honest Abe Monthly • 10
Find Honest Abe Log Homes at these Home Shows Soon! March 2 - 4, 2012 Nashville, Tennessee The Log & Timber Home Shows March 16 - 18, 2012 Fort Wayne, Indiana The Mountain Sports, Cabin & Travel Show March 30 - April 1, 2012 Lakeland, Florida The Log & TImber Home Shows
Get Answers at Log Home Shows, But Go Prepared
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o you’re planning your dream log home. All of a sudden, reality hits and you’re faced with a barrage of questions. What floor plan do I want? Which company do I chose? Do I want a round or square log? Is one wood species better than the rest? How will I match my décor to the log walls? Which stain best suits my need? The questions seem endless. Nevertheless, these are decisions that must be made. So how do you decide? Fortunately, the answers to these and many more of your questions can be found at your local home show. Winter months are the most popular time of the year for shows. Whether it’s a traditional home show, a remodeling show, a home and garden show, an outdoor show or a log home show, the opportunity exists for potential home buyers to research products, services and the companies that provide them. Log and Timber home shows are one of the best resources available to those interested in a log structure. Manufacturers from all over display their log 11 • Honest Abe Monthly • February 2012
and timber frame systems, floor plans and customer services. In addition, one will find an array of vendors showcasing everything from gutters to log furniture. The variety is often so extensive that it may lead to confusion for the customer. There are so many different products and companies to choose from. And, each claims to have the best log system, the perfect wood, and the best price. But how do you decide what’s really best for you? Here are a few
thoughts to keep in mind as you make your journey around the show. First of all, a good first impression means a lot. Consider the sales representative staffing the booth. Make sure you feel comfortable dealing with this person. Keep in mind this is the one you are intrusting with your lifelong dream… and money. Is he or she a good communicator? Do they listen to you? Are they more interested in your needs or getting a sale? If you can’t find it in your heart to trust this person, then move on. Should something sound too good to be true it probably is. Beware the special deals or cut rate pricing. In the end, you always get what you pay for. Never do business with someone who runs down their www.honestabe.com
competition. Not only is this unprofessional, it only proves he or she cannot compete with honest comparisons.
facility can tell you a lot about financial stability. Beware of a company that you can’t see. Ask for customer referrals and see for yourself. Past customers are generally eager to share both the good and the bad of their own building experience.
There is no such thing as the “perfect log.” There are many good log species and building systems available, but like any other product, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Go If you feel pressured, move with the one whose characteristics on! The show experience is you desire the most. designed for your benefit and should be entirely stress free. Make it a point to extend your research outside the showroom Finally, trust your own floor. Many companies sponsor instincts. Only you will know if post show events. Attend one if at it feels right. If your gut says tells all possible. A visit to the company you it’s OK, do it! headquarters and manufacturing
So get out to a home show near you and begin your quest for answers. The knowledge gained will be well worth your time. For a complete listing of Honest Abe sponsored shows in your area, check out the upcoming events tab on our web page. We hope to see you soon! Honest Abe Log Homes exhibits at a number of shows around the country. For our complete calendar of events, visit: www.honestabe. com/events/ Article by: Randy Fudge, President of Honest Abe Log Homes
Congratulations to Bill Cody and WSM Radio! Bill Cody has been nominated for the ACM “On Air Personality of the Year” (Large Market)! www.honestabe.com
February 2012 • Honest Abe Monthly • 12
Helen Simpson’s 3 Story Construction Project Customer: Helen Simpson Crew: Ricky Hatcher Construction Log Profile: Genesis Salesperson: Dan Smith of the Murfreesboro, TN Model.
Simpson’s log home in the “dry”. The natural darkening or weathering which occurred during the construction phase will be washed off prior to the exterior stain being applied.
Helen Simpson is getting ready to begin the process of finishing her new Honest Abe Log Home! The crew (Ricky Hatcher Construction) just completed the dry-in on this three story house the last week in January. With a three story home, you have to think ahead on certain things such as the master bedroom being on the 3rd floor while the laundry room is on the 1st floor. Obviously thinking of climbing stairs and the time it would take transporting clothes back and forth, Helen designed a dumb waiter near the laundry room of the home. Also located between the 1st and 2nd floor is a set of spiral stairs. The 2nd floor also holds a deck and a porch on either side. Though it’s only 24’x32’, the home ends up being a roomy 2,304 sq. ft. (Shown above and to the side are construction photos of her home.) Enjoy! Article by: Josh Watson, Construction Coordinator for Honest Abe Log Homes. 13 • Honest Abe Monthly • February 2012
Interior stud framed walls can be seen here, along with the floor trusses used to create the ceiling and subfloors of the first and second floor system, which allows easy access for duct work and utilities. www.honestabe.com
Duck Breast with Sugar Snap Peas and Mushrooms Duck breast is a treat to enjoy at fine restaurants, but many people are hesitant to try it themselves at home. This recipe from Al Hernandez, food and wine editor of The Vine Times, helps you bring that tasty and elegant meal home. Serves 4 4 duck breasts (6 to 8 ounces each) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3/4 pound sugar snap peas, ends trimmed 8 ounces mushrooms (cremini and button mushrooms preferred), thinly sliced 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar 1. Remove any silverskin from the duck breasts and pat dry with a paper towel. Score the duck skin approximately 1/2 inch apart in a crisscross pattern (be sure not to cut into the duck meat). Season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place the duck breasts in the hot skillet, fat side down, and sear until golden brown, 7 to 9 minutes. Turn the breasts over and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. (The recommended serving temperature for duck is 145°F for medium rare.) 3. Transfer the breasts to a plate. Pour the rendered duck fat into a heatproof container. Measure 1 1/2 tablespoons of the rendered duck fat back into the skillet (refrigerate any remaining fat and use it to cook potatoes). Add the garlic, snap peas, and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the vinegar and cook, stirring, over medium heat to heat everything through, 5 to 7 minutes. 4. Cut the duck breasts into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Serve the duck with the vegetables on the side. www.honestabe.com
“The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook: A Treasury of Timeless, Delicious Recipes” - Oxmoor House. 2012
We hope you enjoy this recipe from the new Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook: A Treasury of Timeless Delicious Recipes. The book’s release is scheduled for February 7th, and it can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com. We appreciate the folks at Lodge for allowing Honest Abe Log Homes to bring you one of their delicious recipes each month! For more information about Lodge and their cast iron cookware, visit: www.lodgemfg.com February 2012 • Honest Abe Monthly • 14
FLOOR PLAN OF THE MONTH: Franklin
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he third release of the Honest Abe Cottage series, the Franklin offers incredible bang-for-the-buck! At 1,340 square feet, this cottage is designed to sleep up to eight people, thanks in part 15 • Honest Abe Monthly • February 2012
to a loft specially designed to accommodate four twin-sized beds. The main level features two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The master bedroom is essentially a rear wing of the home, providing more privacy. Wasted space will not be found in
this floor plan! An open design allows family and friends to easily converse from the living area and kitchen, and a spacious screened in porch off the kitchen will be a wonderful place to share evening meals. www.honestabe.com
FLOOR PLAN: 1,340 Square Feet 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Sleeping Loft Stack Washer / Dryer Closet Front Porch Screened Porch Back Stoop Living Room features Cathedral Ceiling
This cottage was designed as a get-a-way. Providing the opportunity to build lasting memories with family and friends. For more information on the Franklin, download the PDF available through the members area of Honest Abe Extra! www.honestabe.com
Want More Great Plans?
Check out the floor plans section dedicated to log and timber home plans created by Honest Abe Log Home customers! February 2012 • Honest Abe Monthly • 16