DIY Network

Hello Blog Cabin Enthusiasts!

The above title might sound a little redundant given that we dish on all things Blog Cabin right here in the Blog. But with interest at an all-time high, we’ve created a gallery where you can review all the great photos, provide comments and rate the space from one to five stars.

So head on over there and give us your ratings, thoughts on the decor or whatever is on your mind. And, as I’m sure you know, the sweepstakes is ongoing and we’d love for your name to be in the hat when we draw for the winner! Enter every day until October 2 to increase your chance of winning.

Cheers,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Sweepstakes-Loving Bloggers,

Sometimes lost amidst the hype of the sweepstakes run (which lasts appx. 6 weeks) and the launch of the panoramic 360-degree tour are the valuable how-to projects that ride alongside all the other Blog Cabin features.

Projects range from the standard-but-extremely-popular How to Install Bathroom Tile to the practical-and-still-somewhat-seasonal How to Build a Screened-In Back Porch to the fun and family-friendly How to Build a Treehouse.

Editor extraordinaire Mary has also created a handy spot where all Blog Cabin projects reside, which you can find here. And of course there is the Best of the Best Photo Gallery collection with high-quality images from all rooms and exteriors – and a handful of guest host/expert videos to watch.

One more thing: I don’t have to remind you to enter for your chance to win, right? Every day between now and October 2.

Cheers!

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Diehard Bloggers,

What a long, strange trip it has been. But finally, at long last, we can reveal to you the 360-degree room tour for Blog Cabin 2009! Take a virtual tour of the rooms and exteriors (and be sure to use the handy interactive floor plan on the right), flip through tons of slide shows, watch videos and, of course, be sure to enter for your chance to win.

Remember, you can enter once daily through October 2. And here’s a tip: once you’ve entered all your information the first time, every subsequent entry only requires your email address (and email confirmation). So it’s easy to revisit the site and drop in an entry.

And I’m sure you have invited your friends over to watch the premiere of Blog Cabin: Back to the Mountains tonight (Thursday, Aug. 20) at 9pm/8c, right? Right?? Then just watch Thursdays @ 9.

I want to express from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am for you guys hanging in there while we remodeled DIYnetwork.com. Our resources were (and are) stretched to the max, and we had to make some tough choices along the way.

But with the new site up and running (do you guys like it?), we’re sure that Blog Cabin will build on its success – thanks to the bedrock bloggers we have here.

Good luck everyone – I hope you win it!

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Trusty Blogcabinites,

Update (6/4/2009): Our Editor Extraordinaire Mary Graff has spotlighted Blog Cabin guest carpenters Ryan James Heryford and Allen Crawford. Both have interesting stories and we couldn’t be happier with their involvement in making Blog Cabin a success. More spotlights of special guests to come. 

Update (5/22/2009): Brand-spanking new slide show for your review from North Carolina – with several photos taken by yours truly. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Please take a look at our latest Blog Cabin progress report in the form of a time-lapse video! This video will live in the Blog Cabin Videos area of the Blog Cabin Central page that you’ve come to know and love.

In addition to the interior and exterior photos we’ve added to the site, along with the Builder Q&A with Phillip Richardson, we’re actually starting to get some solid content in here. But it doesn’t stop there.

You can anticipate more slide shows in the future as well as video interviews with some of the Blog Cabin experts – so stay tuned!

Cheers,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Pat Kirkland, AIA, Kirkland + Assoc.

Hello Patient Bloggers,

I am pleased to present to you the Blogger Q & A as provided by Pat Kirkland, AIA, the architect of Blog Cabin 2009. Pat graciously took the time to thoughtfully and specifically answer as many questions as he could; we hope this adds to the dialogue. Rather than list all responses in this space, we’ve created an article for you. If you’d like to comment, however, please do so below. Here’s the first question to get things started:

I think the floor plan is perfect, but the kitchen seems a tad closed in. If you are in the kitchen, would you be able to see into the living area?  — Belinda J

Belinda, the kitchen is in fact very open. There is not a wall or other obstruction between the kitchen and living area. There is a “lunch” bar that will have some stools for on-the-go families. Essentially two sides of the kitchen are wide open … (read more)

Hello Bloggers,

Now that we’ve moved into the next phase of Blog Cabin – the construction – I thought we would take a moment to highlight the winning floor plan design, the Vaulted View Lodge.

Our lead editor has a chance to interview the architect, Pat Kirkland, AIA of Kirkland + Associates. I’ve noticed continuing comments on various aspects of the floor plan – whether it can be modified, changes you would like to see (if at all possible), etc. So why not post your questions for the architect below and we’ll try to get as many answered as we can.

Cheers,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Bloggers,

I wanted to take a moment to let you know I have reviewed your comments carefully and would like to address some concerns. Some of you are disappointed in the street names. I can oly say that we did the best we could. There are many involved who have a vested interest in the Blog Cabin and the surrounding community (including county codes and development regulations) and we strove to find the right balance of a street name that reflects well on everyone.

A number of you are also disappointed in the amount of voting categories. Because every building situation is different, this year we tightened up the schedule for site preparation, the actual building of the cabin, the TV production and the deadline for a finished cabin. We’ve heard your concerns and will certainly take them into consideration as we develop future Blog Cabin projects.

Rest assured, we are working even harder to create a deeper, richer experience for you, the bloggers. Launching soon, not one but two “cabin cams” will give you daily options to watch the Blog Cabin take shape. We’ll also have more slideshows as the project progresses, as well as occasional video updates from the site. Plus, I can’t give you any specific details yet, but the DIYnetwork.com staff is hard at work on a new feature being built just for the bloggers – stay tuned, because I think you’ll be surprised and delighted.

Again, thank you for your passionate support. The bloggers are the lifeblood of Blog Cabin and we are always listening.

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Trusty Band of Dedicated Bloggers,

The end is in sight … but Blog Cabin 2009 is just getting started.

Our final week of voting begins today with some very cool and original choices. Our Interactive Planning Manager Patty has been working overtime to bring you the wall color choice for the Man Cave, an all-new selection of the Blog Cabin treehouse design and the vote we’ve all been waiting for: the street name! 

In the posts below I’ll reveal the street name ”quarter-finalists” and “semi-finalists.” The finalists for the street name are the selections up for consideration. A big thank you to everyone who submitted street names – we had fantastic choices to consider.

Happy voting,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Always-Informed Bloggers,

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more competitive, we just closed the book on three incredibly close votes. Kudos to the winning wine fridge (691 vote margin, over 193,000 cast), window door (4572 vote margin, over 353,000 cast) and driftwood roof color (5276 vote margin / over 248,000 cast).

We have two important voting features for your consideration this week: favorite exterior trim color and the much-anticipated hardwood flooring choice. Also, today and tomorrow are the last days to get your street names submitted. We’ve been impressed with the submissions so far, so make ‘em good here at the end and our judges will take notice.

At this stage, we also want to make sure that you’ve entered for your chance to win the HGTV Dream Home in Sonoma, California. You’ve entered, right? Givin’ away a house right now. You’ve got every day until Thursday, Feb. 19, so make it happen!

Cheers,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

P.S. Some quick housekeeping. After our episode with a profane blogger, we installed a strict language filter that managed to flag just about everyone’s comment. I think we’ve got all the kinks worked out, so thank you for your understanding!

Greetings Fellow Eyes-on-the-Prize Bloggers,

I have exciting instructions for you: starting today, you have the opportunity to submit a potential street name for Blog Cabin 2009. That’s right – YOU will be naming the street! Enter as many potential street names as you like starting today until Tuesday, Feb. 17. Then, from Feb. 23 – March 2 (the last week of voting), you’ll vote on four street names that have been selected by our Prestigious Panel of Street Name Judges.

For inspiration, think about the lifestyle and surroundings Little Pine offers. Consider the city of Asheville, even the cabin itself. Stay focused everyone! “Geraldine Circle” as an entry because your name is Geraldine is not necessarily what we are looking for, charming as it may be – but don’t limit yourself either. Don’t get hung up on lane, circle, road, street or any suffix – we’ll take care of that.

Oh, and we’ve got new voting features for you: is the roof color teak or driftwood? How about your favorite exterior stone? Take a hard look at the beautiful, hand-crafted front door style and revel in the choices for luxury kitchen appliance from our friends at Sears (shameless plug). As always, you can check the results before you vote. 

Happy voting and street naming,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager