Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Log Furniture Pieces for Your Rustic Lifestyle

Relaxed, down-to-earth, stylish and comfortable. This is the overall look and feel that wood furniture exudes. With a rustic setup, you feel that you are right in the heart of the forest and that the sight of pine wood forests and nature in all its glory is just at your doorstep.

Rustic furniture is perfect for the log cabin lifestyle. They also add a rustic feel to your contemporary home. The furniture themselves are great statement pieces, their larger than life presence and natural beauty. And with furniture from The GoodTimber Fine Log Furnishings, you have exquisite craftsmanship and design that make the furniture excellent conversational pieces and that are built to last.

Here are some furniture pieces you can add to your home décor for that rustic, log cabin furniture  look:

Bed. Snuggle up in your comfy bed made up of quality logs. The GoodTimber beds come in standard twin, full, queen and king-sized beds. These beds feature vertical or sunburst pattern log rails for the headboard and the foot board. You have the option of having oversized wood, extra rails or rustic rungs. If you also want to maximize bedroom space, you can have some trundle drawers installed underneath the bed. You can also complete the whole set of rustic bedroom furniture.


Armoire. This can be placed in the bedroom or in the family room as an entertainment center. This usually features solid kiln-dried lumber, as well as solid wood dovetailed drawers and wood handles. The drawer slides are sturdy and are able to bear heavy weights – ideal for your storage requirements. The armoire also has concealed European-style hinges. Since these are handcrafted, you have the option of having standard, single slab and double slab drawers, as well as an optional toe kick at the bottom.

Log bench. This is great for dining table seating, at the foot of bed, the deck, the garden or wherever you need extra seating. The length of the bench is made from a halved log or quality lumber. The legs are made from matching logs. You can also opt to add cushions for extra comfort.

Living room sets. The couches, love seat and the chairs of the rustic line feature log or lumber support systems in the back, the arm rests and sides. The seats are made of kiln-dried lumber. You can add cushions on the seats, as well as leather armrests. The seating is crafted for your comfort where you can enjoy a soft feel that comes from the lumber support system. Other pieces you can add to the living room set include a log Ottoman, a coffee table, a rocking chair and entry bench. You can also have upholstered and cushioned couches with log trimmings as accents on the armrests and bottoms.


Dining set. Sit down to dinners in vintage style with a rustic dining table, chairs or bench. The table is made of quality thick, kiln-dried solid lumber and can be trimmed with logs or tacks. The backs and table support are made from uniform logs. Tables with measurements less than 72” can have a leaf installed. The dining set is also great for outdoor use, in your backyard garden or patio.
Bookcase. Finely crafted bookcases made out of uniform logs and kiln-dried lumber. This makes for an eye-catching storage area that displays your favourite knick-knacks and books. 

Thursday, 9 April 2015

An Introduction to Log Furniture


As far as furniture goes, log furniture is a species all its own. It was, in fact, the first primitive form of furniture. But despite its early beginnings, it has endured the test of time.
Log furniture is beautiful and simple, yet unique. It lends itself to environments that are calm, inviting and comforting. It is the style-of-choice for many log homes, cabins, retreats, and second residences. It seems to pull us away from the cares of the world and bring us back to nature.


Log furniture brings art and beauty into the comforts of the modern day. It creates awe-inspiring decor with healthy doses of conversation. There is probably no better expression of the outdoors being brought in than through furniture created from the natural elements themselves.

This blog’s intention is to give the reader a general overview of the history of log furniture and the mechanisms of its current creation. It covers the basic terminology used in the log furniture world as well as some of the different materials. Its purpose is to bring enough understanding to the everyday consumer so that they can make a conscious and informed choice when purchasing log furniture of their own. It also covers details of the quality of good log furniture as well as the maintenance of it to ensure it is something that can be passed on for generations to come.

Hopefully, this blog will provide enough information and detail to give consumers confidence as they sort through the many options before them. Our intent is to help readers find high-quality log furniture to grace their homes or cabins for many future years.

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Using Log Furniture for Interior Decorating

Log home furniture provides its special brand of charm. Perhaps this is brought about by the simple beauty and uniqueness of the wood, as well as the passion that the makers put into fashioning it into pieces of furniture. Indeed, well-made, handcrafted log furnishings are works of art in their own right. They make for interesting conversation pieces, but most importantly, they provide a cozy and inviting atmosphere.


Log cabin furniture can be used in your cabin or lodge, as well as in your den or other parts of the home. Here are some decorating tips when using rustic furniture to decorate your home:

  • Know your design peg. If you are fairly new at decorating your home, feel free to browse through magazines that feature the rustic style, log cabin style or modern cottage style to find decorating ideas. You do not have to exactly copy what you find in the magazines but finding examples of what you want can help.
  • Incorporate your personality and sense of style. Even as you look at other people’s ideas of how to decorate with log furniture, your own personal sense of aesthetics should shine through. This adds your personal touch to a room, making it uniquely yours. You can go with one style or try to mix and match, depending on your own personality.
  • Go for quality furniture. Carefully choose log furniture pieces that are crafted by those who are committed to providing quality pieces. The workmanship and quality of your furniture pieces can go a long way in lending the room with style. The furniture can be the accent pieces or the highlights of the room.
  • Add related accessories. Do not go overboard with a certain theme! The walls, flooring and furniture can convey a rustic theme. The rest of the accessories should not compete with these basics, rather, these should complement. For instance, on plain walls, you can add wood picture frames, wildlife or scenic paintings or prints, wood-framed mirrors, deer antlers and stone accents. Other accessories you can use include quilts, wildlife items such as pottery, some plants, a few books on the table, baskets that can act as magazine holders or planters and throw rugs. Do not put a lot of clutter on the walls, on the shelves or coffee tables. Remember, the overall atmosphere should reflect simplicity and tranquility.
  • Choose your color combinations wisely. Neutral and earth colors are the ideal choices since they are in keeping with a rustic and relaxed theme. These colors match the log furniture well. However, you can also add touches of color that can brighten the room. If you do not have wooden ceilings or floors, you can paint the walls with creamy beige, autumn colors, spruce green, warm brown or brick red. Keep accessories in neutral colors, with occasional splashes of bright colors for variation.
  • Use soft, natural light. As much as possible, try to bring the outdoors in with natural lighting. Use light and airy curtains, rather than those that use heavy fabric. You can also add light sconces on the wall and neutral-tone lampshades as accent lighting. If you have dark wood walls, you may need to use strong lighting to offset the walls at night time.

Caring for Your Log Furniture

The GoodTimber log furniture is hand-made and built to last. They are carefully crafted using 100% mortise and tenon construction and are then finished to protect the wood from water and sun damage. However, homeowners should also do their part to preserve the appearance of their log cabin furniture to keep these in their best condition.

Here are some tips to remember so that you can enjoy your log home furniture for years to come:

Everyday use. There are some things you need to note when you have log furniture that you use regularly, such as furniture in the living room or the bedroom:



  • When moving objects along the surface of the furniture, don’t slide. Rather, lift the object to prevent scratching. Also, when you need to place lamps and other decorative items, stick on felt bottoms or use doilies or tablecloths.
  • For the dining table, be sure to use insulated pads whenever you place hot plates or bowls on the table. It is also best to use placemats during meals.
  • The finish, although water and stain-resistant, needs special care. Some of the items that can cause discoloration and staining include substances with alcohol (perfumes, alcoholic drinks and colognes), paint thinner, nail polish remover, flower nectar, as well as substances containing ammonia. Keep these away from the wooden surfaces.
  • Avoid covering the table or other surfaces with plastic, especially colored plastic tablecloths. Over time, the plastic can trap moisture inside. The plastic can also stick to the surface so that lifting it up can damage the finish.
  • When writing, always use a writing board or thick cardboard to prevent indentations on the wood.

Cleaning. You need to regularly dust and clean the furniture to avoid dust buildup, particularly in the cracks and grooves of the furniture.


  • When cleaning the surface of the furniture, use a soft, lint-free and washable cloth. Check that your cleaning cloth is free of any hard material such as buttons or zippers that can scratch the surface.
  • Avoid using a feather duster, as the feather tips can break. The remaining quills can be sharp and also result in scratching.
  • Rub the furniture gently with a damp cloth. It should just be wet enough to remove the dust but not too wet that the moisture will damage the wood. Using gentle strokes, wipe off the dust and moisture.
  • You can use polishing products, but choose the products that are recommended by the manufacturer.

Exposure to water. Never allow your furniture to be soaked with water. Prolonged exposure to water can cause surface stains, as well as swelling, splitting, warping or cracking. Wipe away spills immediately.

You should also use protective covers such as table runners and glass coasters to minimize potential damage.

Exposure to humidity. Changes in weather and the humidity levels can also affect the wood. You can protect your log cabin furniture from humidity damage by:


  • Maintaining ideal temperatures (between 70° to 72° F) inside the home. This can be done by using an air conditioner during the summer and a humidifier in winter or during the rainy season.
  • Placing the furniture away from potential drips and from heat sources.Keep the furniture far from fireplaces, radiators or vents. If you need to place the furniture near an air duct, attach a guard plate or shield to the vent so that the heat flows away from the furniture.
  • Avoid storing the furniture in humid areas such as the basement.

Exposure to sunlight. Avoid exposing the wood to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. These can result in cracking and warping. Thus, note the placement of your log furniture, so that their exposure to direct sunlight is kept to a minimum. You can also use blinds, shades and drapes on the windows.

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

The History of Log Furniture

Log cabins have been around since 3500 BC. But the Westward expansion in the United States in the 1800’s brought a large increase in the building of such cabins. These cabins were necessary since the pioneers of the expansion did not have much in the way of tools and machinery to build their homes. Once the cabins were built, there was very little to furnish them with…so, the inhabitants began constructing log furniture.

These early forms of log furniture were similar to the more rustic forms of log furniture found today in that they were built directly from the raw trees found in nature. The sturdiness of the furniture was an asset to the settlers as well as the longevity of it. Even when the first cities began to be built in the West, log furniture remained popular because of its reminder of the calmness of the outdoors.


Today, log furniture still holds with it that feeling of comfort as it pulls us away from the busyness of modern life and gives us the rugged feeling that the country provides. Although log furniture today is often found in the retreat towns outside of our modern day cities, it is becoming more and more popular within the walls of everyday homes. It is a symbol of slowing down, resting up, and remembering the things that are important in our lives.

Why Use Log Furniture from GoodTimber?


Wood, with all its knots, color variety, texture and grains, has its own stories to tell. It reminds one of the great outdoors and the peace and tranquility you enjoy when you are in natural surroundings. This is, perhaps, the secret to the popularity of log furniture. Unlike conventional furniture that is all about lines and symmetry, rustic furniture feature wood in all its glories – grain irregularities, knots and all. It harks back to the time of the country’s founding fathers, who created their own log furniture for their log cabins.


GoodTimber remains committed to this centuries-old tradition of making excellent log furniture and showing the natural beauty of logs as furniture pieces in the home. Here are some reasons why we should be your manufacture of choice for quality log furniture:

-Superior materials. All logs are carefully chosen. These are primarily cedar, aspen, alder and pine logs that go through a rigid selection process for their beauty, grain, texture and durability.
-Excellent workmanship. Log bed frames and other furniture are made with excellence in mind. Because of GoodTimber’s commitment to quality, you get something that is a work of art in itself. The logs are hand peeled and sanded, then assembled then finished by a team of wood crafting experts. Also, the furniture is finished with multiple coats of Benjamin Moore finish, which preserves the beauty of the wood, as well as minimizes damage due to ageing, as well as sun and water damage. You are assured that these pieces that are built to last and will be enjoyed for years and years to come.
-Options for add-ons. Clients can make requests to customize their log furniture. They can opt for sunburst patterns for the head board and foot board rungs, use oversized wood instead of normal sized wood, opt for rustic rungs, extra headboard or side rails. These are just some of the add-ons you can request for your chosen log furniture.
-Uniqueness of the furniture. Since the logs themselves are unique, no two pieces of furniture are exactly the same. This means you get a one-of-a-kind furniture piece. However, it should also be noted that the furniture are made to fit standard sizes of mattresses and cushions.
-Log furniture makes a great statement. These pieces can imbibe a room with its romantic charm. The natural appearance of the wood, the thick lines and rustic look can epitomize character, boldness and elegance. GoodTimber offers carefully designed and gorgeous furniture styles that will make a perfect fit for a country home, cabin or resort. But it can also fit your home in the city.
-Functional and comfortable. Rustic furniture is also very functional and comfortable. It provides a warm and cozy atmosphere so that you will love to relax and unwind in your rooms.
-Versatility. Log furniture can be used both indoors and outdoors. They can be placed in the porch, in the living room, the den or the bedroom.
-Good value for money. GoodTimber offers these quality wood furniture at highly affordable prices. For the workmanship and wood used, these are well worth the investment.