You design it. DIY builds it. You could win it!
In the next few days, DIY to the Rescue’s Amy Devers will be blogging about the construction
of DIY’s log cabin retreat in historic Kinzel Springs, a gated community development on the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
She’ll be discussing the design choices that YOU make (go to the poll), the ongoing construction of the cabin and any questions or observations you have. Let’s hear from you!
Watson Hawkins
Content Manager, DIYnetwork.com
This is SUPER!! My husband and I have been restoring a 1920’s home for years now. We have learned alot from your network, DIY. By doing the remodel ourself we have come to find out how important storage spaces are. I hope that this home will have many storage spaces; niches, closets and extra storage space, walk in pantry and a large mud-laundry area. I forgot to mention that we also have four children and you can never hide the clutter.
I spent many of my childhood years in Cumberland Gap. A small area settled amongst Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. This is a beautiful area and I am certain that your winner(maybe us)will be extremely happy.
Good Luck,
Jennifer
Florida
I am having second thoughts about the tin roof because of the noise factor during heavy rains. I think I should have chosen slate unless there is some way that the tin could be insulated for noise. I’m torn.
I almost picked every thing that is most popular in the home was surprised the railings they wanted were more ordinary but everything else i picked—and a fireplace out side to sit out and keep warm on the smokey mtn nights should be the perfect getaway–now what about the lighting fixtures–?how about some metal cutout of bear and woodlans creatures–from the twisted twig in wisconsin or roughing it in style.com in fitchburg wisconsin they have some of the most unusal lighting,bedding,wallcoverings,plug outlets i furnished my chalet type home therethat i have now sold and it was furnished beautifully all the electrical outlets had animals or trees on them and the lighting was extrordinary i miss my chalet we moved into a victoraian style home UGH
My suggestion would be to build this cabin as a Green Home. Clean save materials, facing South, and so forth.
HG builds mammoth houses that are not environmentally friendly it seems. Also…………use space more efficiently and not have mamoth house in the end…..just well done and responsible
Parts of each of the three “cabins” were good/great. One had a 1st floor bathroom too close to the kitchen. Some codes do not permit such an arrangement — code may require two doors between the kitchen/bathroom that are within “x” number of feet of each other. That could easily be “fixed” by turning the kitchen toward the great room with a solid wall near bathroom. One floor plan has a 1st floor bathroom only accessible after entering the bedroom. What if one has guests — a small child or handicapped person? Almost all new construction should take handicapped guests/owners and young children in mind. Grandparents, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren may come for a visit. It is so easy to have wide doors/doorways, hallways, etc. While spending so much money to build such a beautiful and large “cabin”, create a downstairs bath that is wheelchair accessible — wide doors and possibly a shower with bars and room for a portable bench or a tub with bars that can accomodate a portable bench. The longer people continue to live, the more likely the cabin owner will have a need for facilities for physically challenged people (themselves, guests, or young children). I wonder how “Arnold” navigates his “cabin”. How about an outdoor ramp for wheelchairs, strollers, or moving heavy furniture/appliances, etc?
One bathroom was layed out very nicely. When the door was opened, the toilet was not the first thing to see.
If your “cabin” is in the woods, do you want closets taking up an outside wall that could be a view wall? A closet on an outside wall would be great if the view is a landfill. If the wall is a north facing wall in a very cold climate or a very hot climate, I guess the closets would act as insulation.
On an outside corner, windows that wrap the corner are nice if there is a good view. Have you ever looked out a window and wished that you could see around the corner?
We’ve have lived in a log home in east TN for about 10 years now and the thing that sticks out most in our mind about the design is that whomever draws these plans usually does not include a utility room. It seems to be the norm in log homes or cabins not to even think of a space to do the laundry. We actually had to change the plans to ours (permanent home)to use a third, (not needed or logical) bathroom space and change it to make it a utility room. These architects/ designers seemed to assume that a closet or under the stairs space could be used as a place for a washer and dryer and nobody had space for a hot water heater. Most of those “closets” barely left room or none to turn around in, let alone put in plumbing for that purpose or even have litter boxes as we do for our cats.We also wanted a laundry/utility tub to clean or wash out other things besides clothes.
The other point I wish to mention is that although a cabin is a place to get away from it all, a vacation place, some may want to retire there too and it does not need to be super fancy or have the extreme, unnecessary luxuries as in those fancy, permanent homes shown on HGTV or some of the log homes models, but, don’t most people have a shower-tub combination? Perhaps the majority of people do take showers nowadays as we do, but we do use the bathtub for visitors who wish to take a bath, (like our mothers, or small children) and to wash our dogs in inclement weather, or even to soak a large comforter,tarp,grandchild who is covered in mud or any outdoor stuff to get cleaned and do not really fit in a utility tub. I hope this gave someone some ideas and even if it is a cabin, most people want some kind of extra to make things easier, not necessarily a luxury.
Thank you for hearing me out.
Sylvia from the hills of TN.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for the fun opportunity to pick and choose design elements for my dream cabin. Wish I could see my cabin as I designed it once I made all my choices. Is there any way that can be done?
Thanks, Marisa
Wow Amy, This has got to be the most exciting idea DIY has had. I love your show and can’t think of a better person to be involved with this undertaking. The blog idea is super. I plan on logging in everyday if possible.
My family has always spoke of having a cabin to get away, but like most folks, could never afford it. This is such a great thing DIY is doing.
I hope to read your blog soon.
This too cool an idea for DIY’ers. We can feel involved in the process. The smokies are a great place for a cabin. I have visited the area many times even been on my honeymoon at a B&B. Please the floor plane open and utilize the view. One suggestion Find a claw foot tub that can accomadate two people. Most of the cabins have hot tubs on the screened in back porches. start a scrap book for the house for who ever gets it can see the progress and charish it most people who are building their own house try to get some before and after photos. Keep up the great work. Thanks your loyal viewer,
Charles Ditmore
I really like the rustic cabin in the Smokey Mountains idea along with using some of the beautiful native plants and landscaping, some of the native wood in the house and windows overlooking the terrain would be nice! Have a great build!
My husband is a woodworker and we love all your programs!