Jason's Log Furniture Reviews

Isn’t technology amazing?  Just a few short years ago you wouldn’t have been able to find any blogs like this one on the Web, let alone shop for log furniture from the comfort of your own home.  Communicating and shopping electronically has become very popular in our modern society that demands convenience and instant gratification.  I’m just as guilty as the next person.  I have two small children that can make it difficult to get out for shopping trips and social events.  I appreciate that I can search the web for an item I need and have it shipped to my doorstep and that I can communicate with all of my friends without having to arrange childcare.

The means by which I electronically reach out to my friends and family is typically through social media, Facebook in particular.  I am amazed, and a little scared, of how this simple idea at a college has caught on and connected the world.  Facebook is a household term, and you can hardly go anywhere without hearing people utter the word in their conversations.  An entire movie was created about it.  If you are a business, it is said that you must have a Facebook presence in order to reach out to present and future clients.

JHE’s Furniture Place is not one to fall behind.  They, too, have jumped on the Facebook bandwagon.  You can search, find, and “like” them easily.  I highly recommend that you do so.  It may seem a little like a contradiction, mixing the rustic simplicity of log furniture with such a high-tech way of communicating.  However, once you become a fan of JHE’s on Facebook, you can gain a whole new insight into the world of log furniture, how it’s handcrafted, and enjoy discounts that are only available to Facebook fans.  One area of particular interest on JHE’s Facebook page is the “In the Works” photos that are posted on a regular basis.  In this section, a fan can see how log furniture is crafted, from start to finish.  In the photo above, a log is being peeled and readied for use in a Cedar Lake Twin Over Queen Log Bunk Bed.

If you are one of the people who would rather not subscribe to the social media craze, you can still get plenty of information and photos on the traditional JHE’s Log Furniture website.  However, if you are curious about the “In the Works” photos, it is worth it to just set up a profile on Facebook and go out and “like” the JHE’s page.  If you are worried about people seeing the information you entered for your profile, just be sure to set all your security settings so that your profile is private and can’t be seen by anyone who isn’t your Facebook friend.  Then enjoy all the information that your friends at JHE’s Furniture Place have to offer!

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Okay, okay, I will admit it.  I am an online shopping fanatic.  Sometimes the thought will strike me that there is something that we need and I race to the computer to find the best deal online.  There are occasions when I do research prices online, weigh the negative and positive reviews left by other customers, then I will go to a brick and mortar store in my area to eventually purchase the item.

The flexibility and ease of shopping online is what intrigues me the most.  I can shop at midnight, 2am, 2pm… whenever the mood strikes me and I have the opportunity.  I can wear whatever I want to peruse the items for sale.  No makeup or hairdo required.  This is particularly useful since the addition of a little one to our house.  I don’t have to get him and me ready, work the trip into the schedule and make sure that he has everything needed to keep him entertained while I scour the racks.  It’s so much easier to let him dig through his own toys and tear through the house while I surf the ‘net.

However, one of the definite downfalls to online shopping is the cost of shipping.  I have found items that I want/need, only to discover that the cost of shipping is equal or greater to the purchase price of the actual item.  Sometimes the price tag of an online item seems quite reduced from what it is in an actual store, but then you consider the price of having it sent to your home and going to the store is actually a better deal for you. Unless you live a long ways from any stores that sell what you’re after. Then the shipping cost could be a great bargain!

It is a rare and wonderful occasion to shop at an online store that is offering free shipping.  Not only do you buy an item at a reduced price at a time and place that is convenient for you, but it is shipped to your front doorstep at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!  Tell me, how can shopping get any better than that?

Here is something even more exciting… JHE’s Log Furniture Place extends free shipping on most of their items every day of the year.  It’s not just a special sale or a holiday clearance.  That means that you can a Rustic Natural Cedar Low Back 6ft. Log Settee at a special price and it will be shipped to your home for free.  You may have to do a little easy assembly before you can use the settee, but that is a small price to pay for what you are gaining.  If you are in the market for log furniture, visit JHE’s website today and take advantage of the value of free shipping.

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My husband brought up a good point the other day.  It was so good that unlike usual, I didn’t have a good counter for his argument.  Normally I wouldn’t admit this in a public venue, but it is directly related to placing furniture in a home, so I figure it can be of benefit, or at least humorous, to some readers out there.

If you read some of my recent blogs, you will know that my family is moving into a new home.  We are very excited to become homeowners and have a place to call our own.  However, when it comes to what furniture to put into the various rooms and how to place it, we are frequently butting heads.

During one of these “discussions”, I announced to him that we are purging our house of the modern metal, stone, and glass pieces that we have had for several years in favor of more traditional, country, “homey” wood furniture.  Now, we have always been the “matchy-matchy” couple, wanting to ensure that a room has a seamless look when it comes to color and patterns.  This extends to the color of the furniture matching the trim of the room.

Our new home, contrary to other homes we have previously lived in, has dark wood kitchen cabinetry and trim in the living room.  The laminate floors are more of a medium hue.  All of the baseboards, interior doors, and other trim is white.  My hubby hesitates to add wood furniture to our home for fear it will clash with the wood colors that are already incorporated.  His argument is that glass, stone, and metal won’t clash with any wood colors.  To which…I had no reply.  He is right; those are materials that won’t clash, especially since the brushed nickel finish of the metal furniture pieces matches the nickel hardware in the house.

However, even though log furniture is unique in character and color, that does not mean it cannot match other colors or even different styles.  Because most log furniture has been hand draw-knifed to retain some its natural appearance, different shades of the original tree are all displayed in the finished product.  This enables the furniture to match with dark, medium, or light tones.  Various colors can also be accented in accessories like sofa cushions and throw pillows.  Just look at the Aspen Mountain Sofa in the picture.  You can see how the wood naturally holds different shades, and how colors from the walls of the cabin are brought to life in the cushions that are on the sofa and by the runner on the coffee table.

So, in order to settle this “discussion”, I will admit that my husband is correct.  However, if you want to decorate your home in a more traditional sense, maybe give your family and friends a homey place to sit and relax, don’t be afraid to mix and match your furniture.  It gives your home more depth and character than several pieces that are all “matchy-matchy”, and probably is more visually pleasing as well.  Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that both my husband and I are correct about this subject.

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As I’ve written about previously, my husband and I are very excited about purchasing a new home.  This new house contains a room that is technically called a den, but I am happy to be making it into my office.  It is a room right inside the front entry door, and can be closed off from the rest of the house with a pair of glass-paned doors.  Needless to say it is already my favorite room in the house; my own private retreat from which to work, read, and just enjoy some “me time”.

One of the challenges I face with this room is how to decorate it.  I want it to be cozy and comfortable yet stimulating and inspiring, reminiscent of a coffee shop atmosphere.  Contrary to the table and chairs from which I work in the local latte café, I want to set my office up with a simple desk layout that gives me plenty of work space while affording storage to keep tools I need nearby.  Most of all I want the space to remain uncluttered, so areas to stash needed items and keep them hidden is essential.

In order to keep the look of my office simple and to maintain the feeling of openness, I am planning to pair two open bottom desks together into an “L” shape.  The Cottage Log File Desk works perfectly for this configuration.  Because it is customizable and I can specify on which side to install the file drawers, I can order one desk with drawers on the right and with the second, drawers to the left.   This allows me to butt the two desks together so I can move freely back and forth between the two.

Because I work with a laptop, I have no need for the optional keyboard tray in either desk.  My printer can be situated at the end of one of the pair, close to the wall and the outlets.  Accessories, tools, and paperwork can be stashed away into the drawers.  The log furniture leaves them easily accessible but out of sight.  Bookshelves can be added for display of treasured books and memorabilia.  Walls provide a great space to hang inspirational pictures, signs, chalkboards, or large calendars.  By placing the desks into an “L” shape, the layout of the room is really open for many different uses and allows traffic to flow through the area freely.

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The number of homeowners that own a computer has grown exponentially over the past few years.  According to Nielsen Ratings, in 2009 the percentage was as high as 80%, and that was a significant increase over the year prior.  Of course, those computers are usually accompanied by equipment such as printers, modems, and speakers.  Some households even have an entire network set up with multiple computing locations.

There is a mismatch with modern home design and home computing.  Many homes have bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms but few floor plans are designed with a dedicated office space.  As a result, computers and equipment are sometimes placed in precarious areas.  I watched a home buying show the other evening where the only desk space the homeowner had was a laptop on a TV tray.  Not only is this a nonproductive working environment, but sometimes a hazard when multiple pieces of hardware are plugged into a single outlet and wires are running everywhere haphazardly.

Fortunately there are pieces of furniture like the Cedar Lake Log Computer Center that can efficiently hide and store computing equipment in a very attractive package.  This center offers a significant amount of storage in a fairly small footprint.  If placed in the kitchen, it could easily be mistaken for a rustic pantry.  When someone needs to use the computer, they merely need to pull up a dining room chair, open the doors and pull out the keyboard tray.  When they are finished, the chair goes back under the dining room table, the doors get closed back up, and unassuming guests just admire the piece for what it is…a beautiful specimen of log furniture.

If you are struggling with setting up an area for a home office in one of your rooms, consider adding this beautiful piece.  It is versatile enough to be used in any room of the home, offers plenty of storage, and becomes part of the rustic charm of your home when it’s all closed up.  You may feel a bit sly when a client or friend comes over and you open up your undercover office.  They may even tell you they had no idea what was behind those rugged doors.  You can’t help but smile a little to yourself now that they know your secret.

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My mother writes in a diary every day.  I’m not exactly sure what she puts in it, but I do know that she references it from time to time in an effort to figure out when something happened.  Lately I have been feeling the need to put pencil to paper and scrawl out the craziness that is my life.

I can’t help but think that documenting events that happen might help me to feel some sort of peace, like a to-do list can do for you.  But, instead of things that need to be done, I’m making a list of things that have already been done.  And maybe, just maybe, I can look at it and know that I really am getting things accomplished every day instead of just “spinning my wheels”.

So, lying in my log bed the other night, I looked at my Rustic Natural Cedar One Drawer Nightstand and contemplated the best way to outfit it with a journal, light, and writing utensils.  After all, most of my best ideas happen at night.  I also figured that I could close each day with a cleansing dump of everything that is on my mind.  What better way to drift off to dreamland.

But then, as I thought about it, I began to shift my thinking from my mother’s methods to those of today.  I’ve often wondered why the small little tablet with an apple insignia on it is so popular these days.  I mean, it’s not really a computer and it doesn’t have an actual keyboard.  I know its compact size makes it easily transportable.  But I have not really found a good reason to have one for myself.

Until now.  How awesome would that be!  This is not your mother’s diary.  This is a new generation of journaling, of organizing posts, of sharing your life’s events (if you choose).  This is a world of electronic blogging.  Keep the tablet on the log nightstand beside your bed, then pick it up and type an entry when the feeling comes.  You don’t even have to hide under the covers with a flashlight.  This little beauty has its own backlight.  Whether for blogging, journaling, or both, this modern day diary will patiently wait for your thoughts while sitting on the rustic stand beside your log bed.

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Eating meals outdoors has been a cherished part of my life since childhood.  My parents would load me up, along with the dog and a cooler full of goodies, and head out to the park or lake for a day of relaxation and fun.  We would walk the trails with the dog, play some ball or Frisbee, and maybe do some fishing.  At the heart of the day, though, was a picnic lunch or supper.  If it was my birthday or another special occasion, mom may have made some of her potato salad that I (still) love so much.  Looking back, I can’t think of a better way to spend time together as a family.  I plan to continue that activity with my own husband and sons.

As I grew older, I discovered patio dining at restaurants.  I would gather with friends at a local establishment and enjoy conversation over appetizers and beverages.  I remember one place in particular; it was known for its awesome oversized patio with a great view, along with the delicious food that was served there.  The time I spent on patios with my friends was both relaxing and cherished.  An entire afternoon chatting it up never felt like a waste of time, but more like recharging my batteries.

Then, after I married and moved to another part of the country, a more formal kind of outdoor dining was introduced to me.  The Washington, D.C. metro area enjoys some spectacular weather during the warmer months, and many cafes and restaurants take full advantage of that fact.  It is not an uncommon sight to walk along sidewalks and see four, five, or six tables and chairs outside an eating establishment, set with cloth napkins, fine china, fresh flowers, and lighted candles.  These are places where patrons usually go for a dinner date, complete with fancy clothes.  Truly this is the upper echelon of outdoor dining experiences.

You can combine all three of these elements at your own home.  By incorporating rustic log furniture into your patio arrangement, you bring a casual, comfortable atmosphere to your dining ensemble. A couple of Contoured Comfort Log Dining Chairs, along with a sturdy log table and perhaps a couple of log benches, suit this purpose perfectly.  Add cloth napkins, fresh flowers, and fine china, and you have a more formal setting for a nice dinner date with your spouse or special someone.  Invite friends over for some appetizers and cold beverages and let the good times flow.  Bring the family together at the table for sandwiches with some potato salad and you have a fun and relaxing outdoor picnic.  This log dining ensemble is truly multi-tasking furniture with the ability to combine three different outdoor dining experiences in one.

Even though many areas of the country are now warming up, or are at least seeing some warm days here and there, the nights can still be chilly all spring and summer long.  An outdoor patio is a wonderful place to hang out and entertain on a warm, sunny day.  However, when the evening chill sets in, the party has a tendency to move inside where the temperature is a bit more comfortable.

With some preparation and forethought, your sunny afternoon patio party can turn into a cozy nighttime gathering.  Start with some sort of a fire ring, either built by hand or one commercially purchased.  Situate tables and chairs around the fire so that all in attendance can enjoy the heat and mesmerizing flames.  Log furniture is very suitable for bonfire seating.  The heat from the fire will not melt the logs as it can chairs and tables that contain plastic.

A good choice for your bonfire seating arrangement is the Rustic Natural Cedar Low Back Arm Chair.  Because it is made of cedar logs, this furniture is resistant to weather and insect decay.  Its slightly reclined position makes it quite comfortable to sit in, and you have the option of adding a cushion to the seat for added “cushiness”.

Bonfire gatherings are fun for friends and family alike.  Marshmallow roasting and beverage toasting are two activities frequently enjoyed by the side of the fire.  Many stories are told, embellished, and retold by the fire.  Don’t let the chill of evening push your party into the house.  Brave the cold and belly up to the bonfire with some rustic cedar log furniture, marshmallows, and warm beverages for all.

You are a fan of rustic décor and have decided that log furniture is the right choice for your home or cabin.  In excitement, you ponder over the number of choices available in catalogs.  You even consult some log cabin magazines and the internet in a quest to find the perfect pieces for your rooms.  However, as you search your frustration builds and your excitement wanes.

There are so many choices available!  That is both good and bad news.  It’s good because the pieces you finally decide upon will be unique and distinctive.  The very nature of log furniture deems it unique.  The process in which the wood is debarked, along with how much of the natural characteristics of the log are left intact, lends an individual personality to each piece of furniture.

So how do you choose?  Most of that decision is left to you and your own personal taste.  However, the location, nature, and function of a room may also play an important part in how you choose.  Some homes have a “sun room”; a space that is usually dedicated to lounging, relaxing, and reading or conversing.  As you may guess by its name, there are typically several windows around the perimeter of the room to let in a maximum amount of natural sunlight.  The structure of those windows plays a major factor in determining whether the sun room can be used year-round, during the warm months, or only when the weather is fair.

If you are outfitting a sun room with log furniture and are unsure of how much impact the elements will deliver, cedar furniture is your best choice.  This is a very durable wood, and is naturally resistant to decay and insect damage.  A versatile piece of cedar furniture that is perfect for a sunroom is the Rustic Lakeland Cedar Log Daybed.  Not only does it make a comfortable place for everyday lounging, but it can be ordered with a pop-up trundle frame that makes it into a king-sized bed, a perfect sleeping arrangement for visiting guests.  You can also choose one of two debarking processes and between three different finishes.  Not only does this daybed fit the bill for unique and distinctive, but it eliminates worry over the possibility of Mother Nature whittling away the wood before its time.  It makes your choice much easier, at least for the sun room.

Not all log furniture is massive and masculine, like this stylish hickory dining room set.

This past weekend I attended an area Tour of Homes.  I relish the opportunity to gain a glimpse into how others decorate their homes and to at the creativity and talent that others have.  I always leave events such as that with renewed inspiration and energy for new projects in my own home.

One of the rooms that stood out in nearly every home was the dining room.  Where the décor in the rest of the rooms may more accurately reflect the everyday personality of the family that inhabits the home, often the dining room is furnished and decorated in a bit more formal manner.

The style of the Cottage Hickory Dining Room is perfect for the casual family that desires a bit more polish in the dining room.  The rustic style of the log furniture invites a casual atmosphere into the room, while the combination of dark hickory bark and the lighter color of the tabletop work together to create a dramatic elegance.  The vast array of material available for cushions is a strategic step towards setting the tone for the accessories in the room.

If you wish to create an impact in your dining room that will leave an impression on your home’s visitors, consider the natural play on colors that hickory furniture can provide.  It is as comfortable as your favorite pair of blue jeans, yet formal enough for a black tie affair.  If your residence is ever honored in a Tour of Homes, visitors will certainly remember the rustic decor beauty of your hickory dickory dining room.

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