We have been thinking a lot about your log cabins. With our slow grown spruce timber light in colour and low in knots, we were quite content with it having nothing on the walls and furniture installed – until that is, we saw what you have done.
For customers, buying a log cabin is a huge deal, so they want to ensure it is right for them and represents them fully. We have seen these converted into shops, offices, hobby rooms, places of rest or just used simply as a storage space. Before you start, ask yourself these simple questions:
What am I using it for?
This is the single most important question you will ask yourself. What you are using your log cabin for is instrumental in how you decorate it. Is it a place where you will work, but no clients will see? Does it need to exhibit your work? Are you using it for work or as a place of rest and relaxation?
By sitting down and asking yourself the above questions, you will start to mentally shape the inside of your log cabin.
Colour
We personally don’t think you need to paint the cabin, the rich colour speaks for itself, but if you feel that you would like a different colour then ensure it is light. Light colours depict open, airy rooms with loads of space whereas rich colours are notoriously known for making a place seem smaller.
If you choose to use a dark colour, why not have a statement wall? One wall painted in the colour of your choice with the rest painted in a neutral colour such as white, light blue, ivory etc. We love what Donna did with her salon (pictured left); with a bright colour on the dividing wall, ivory walls elsewhere and the clever use of accessories, Donna made her cabin perfectly eye-catching.
Furniture
You don’t want your furniture to overwhelm your cabin, we have seen some amazing transformations with just a few statement pieces of furniture. If you are going for a warm look, choose rich colours on your furniture such as terracotta, dark brown etc, and of course you have to have a recliner for curling up on when the weather turns.
If you are planning to have people come and stay then you may want to invest in a futon – don’t worry about a pull out bed damaging the floor, ours come thick enough to withstand it.
David Quinn had just a few simple, cream coloured, pieces of furniture in his log cabin. It made a huge impact. So much so that he came second in our GBGR competition. He was also featured in the local press, the one thing he reiterated was that he had a plan for how the inside of his cabin should look.
If you are using your log cabin as an office
Just because it is an office, does not mean it has to be boring. There are many reasons to work from home, one of them being self-employed. Regardless, the office should represent you. Ensure it has a personality with your choice of decoration and placement.
Feel free to place those vacation photos on your wall, have post-it notes stuck all over the place. Or your favourite inspirational quote on the wall. However, don’t overdo it. A cluttered office will simply look disorganised and messy to any clients that come to the office.