Honest Abe Living, November 2010 by Honest Abe Log Homes

HONEST ABE LIVING Vol. 2

COMPLIMENTS OF HONEST ABE LOG HOMES

www.HonestAbe.com

Retirement Never Looked So Good

Achieving A Lifelong Dream

Rocky Mountain High

A sketch comes to life near Dale Hollow Lake

A strong sense of family and heritage

Log home living in Colorado ÂŠ 2007 Honest Abe Log Homes

Always wanted Always wanted YOU’VE

IT’S WHAT

YOU’VE

Whether it’s a huge rambling log home with exposed beams and cathedral lighting, or a modest retreat to get away from it all, Honest Abe knows how to listen. And for more than a quarter century that’s just what we’ve been Whether it’s a huge rambling log home with exposed beams and cathedral doing to give people what they’ve always wanted. Visit our Web site or call lighting, or a modest retreat to get away from it all, Honest Abe knows how us to ﬁnd the Honest Abe independent dealer nearest you. to listen. And for more than a quarter century that’s just what we’ve been doing to give people what they’ve always wanted. Visit our web site or call 1-800-231-3695 • www.HONESTABE.com us to ﬁnd the Honest Abe independent dealer nearest you.

National Headquarters:

Moss, Tennessee

Share the tradition…dealership opportunities available.

Welcome to Honest Abe Living Building a log home is not a decision made on a whim. It takes a lot of thought and careful planning. Log homes are unique structures, married to the great outdoors...homes united with nature. Log home living is more than simply building a house made of logs. It’s a complete lifestyle, focusing on the good things in life, what makes us happy and comfortable. And nobody understands this better than the folks at Honest Abe Log Homes. For almost three decades, we’ve been helping home builders make their log home dreams come true. And now, through Honest Abe Living, we’re showing more people how living the log home lifestyle is better than ever. This publication is much more than the typical free brochure you receive when requesting literature from a log home company. It describes a lifestyle. In particular, it describes an Honest Abe lifestyle. We hope you enjoy it and that it encourages you to follow up with us. We invite you to go to our Web site, www.honestabe.com and look around, and order our catalog of log home plans as well. We hope this Honest Abe Living magazine motivates you to want to find out more about us. Come to the many events we host each year describing our log home products. But what is it about Honest Abe that makes us different than other log home suppliers? The answer is simple: our focus is on providing value in every log home package we sell. We know you’ve probably heard that line from other companies before. But we’re confident that after one conversation with us, you’ll have the same pleasant experience thousands of Honest Abe customers have had over

the years. We are a very tight-knit group, more like a family than a business. And we treat our customers as though they are a part of that family. Heritage and pride are big parts of the culture at Honest Abe. Our staff is full of people who love working in this industry, and living in their own Honest Abe homes. We enjoy helping people realize their dreams. Our passion for log homes is evident in every design and every package. And we’re excited to share our love of log homes with you. We’ve always believed it’s the people that make a company great. Many of our people have been here almost from the beginning. Our management team has been in place for decades. This is an important fact to consider. In this magazine, you’ll receive some insight into what our company is about, who our people are, and what we can do to help you build your very own custom log home. We strive to build relationships. We work closely with our clients, and also with independent dealer businesses across the nation, who carry our line of products in their business operations. Of course, we couldn’t have enjoyed the nearly three decades of success we’ve had without our suppliers who have helped us with thousands of log homes over the years. We want to build long-term and lasting relationships. That’s who we are. Again, thank you for your interest in Honest Abe. You can find a name, address, and location of someone with Honest Abe on the back of this issue. We encourage you to pursue your vision with a passion, because while a log home lifestyle is nice, there’s nothing like Honest Abe living.

YOU’RE INVITED! ATTEND AN HONEST ABE EVENT NEAR YOU! We want you to learn about the Honest Abe lifestyle. We feel very strongly about this. And in order to accomplish this, we realize you need much more than this magazine, our Web site, or our catalog of models. That’s why we host numerous events throughout the year, where we focus on living in log homes and learning about all the details of our Honest Abe products and services. We’d like to encourage you to attend one or many of these events. They are available at our National Headquarters in Moss, Tenn., direct sales model locations, and independent dealer business locations around the country. Call or go to our Web site for dates and locations so you can pre-register. We offer free seminars, a log home raising where we build a complete miniature log home indoors and out of the weather, tours of beautiful finished log homes, site tours of log homes under construction, open houses, and many other events. They are designed and planned especially for the intent of showing you all about the Honest Abe lifestyle, and the exciting possibilities available through our company and the log home industry. Visit www.honestabe.com

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HONEST ABE LIVING

Welcom COMPLIMENTS OF HONEST ABE LOG HOMES

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FEATURES

6 A FAMILY TRADITION

From simple beginnings on founder Doug Smith’s family farm to a nationwide network of dealers, Honest Abe has grown considerably over its 30-year history.

10 RETIREMENT NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD

A weekend getaway spot near Dale Hollow Lake became the Baumgart’s retirement dream home location.

16 TIMELESS DESIGNS FOR EVERY TASTE

Even with more than 35 high-quality designs, the Legacy Collection offers boundless possibilities limited only by the imagination.

20 DREAMING BIG IN STYLE

Living large with Honest Abe’s Big Sky System, you can have the home of your dreams with the style and rustic feel of the Pacific Northwest.

22 PRACTICAL OPTIONS TO FIT YOUR BUDGET When pricing matters, there’s no sacrifice of quality when choosing a home plan from the Genuine Select Series.

26 FIND YOUR OUTDOOR RETREAT

From hunting and fishing camps to weekend camping retreats, the affordably priced Sportsman Cabins are perfectly sized to meet your needs.

28 ACHIEVING A LIFELONG DREAM

A strong sense of family and heritage led Sharron Bilbrey to achieve her dream of living the log home lifestyle – and help others realize that dream as well.

34 QUALITY CABINETRY ADDS VALUE

Discover beauty and functionality with different cabinetry styles to compliment your log home’s interior.

36 AT HOME WITH THE “GREAT OUTDOORS”

Porches and decks can add even more function and beauty to your log home. Learn how to add personal touches to make them fit perfectly.

40 LOG HOME LIVING WITH A ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Meet Marty and Jean Birk, who enjoy their Honest Abe log home in Colorado.

HONEST ABE LIVING

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EVENTS FOR YEAR-ROUND LEARNING IN THIS ISSUE

9 Meet The Honest Abe Family

The team of professionals to help your dream become reality.

15 The Log Home Council

Learn more about Honest Abe’s affiliations and quality suppliers.

24 Log Styles And Packages

With seven styles to choose from, the possibilities are endless.

31 Business Opportunities For You

Learn more about Honest Abe’s network of independent dealers.

32 Log Home Building And Design Answers to your log home building questions.

45 Real Estate Developments

Build your log home at Swan Ridge Lake Resort, Mitchell Creek or Rockcastle Farms.

46 Planning Your Dream Home

Follow this 10-step process to make your log home dream come true.

Need some advice for building your log home? Want to see an Honest Abe home up close? Then checkout some of Honest Abe’s events. Scheduled throughout the year, our events are focused on helping our customers learn more about living the log home lifestyle. LOG HOME SEMINARS Log home buyers are information junkies. So at Honest Abe, we offer our log home seminars throughout the year. These informal seminars cover such topics as picking the perfect site, design tips, getting estimates, financing, insurance, and much more. There is always a lot of open discussion to answer all your questions. These events are free, but reservations are required.

LOG RAISING DEMONSTATIONS

These demonstrations allow you to see first-hand how an Honest Abe log home is built from the ground up. We’ll show you how each system goes together and cover topics like maintenance and design. The log raising, held indoors at our Moss, Tenn., headquarters, includes a tour of our manufacturing facility. Questions are encouraged, and many members of our staff are always on-hand to provided answers. These events are free, but reservations are required.

OPEN HOUSES & HOME TOURS

Nothing offers the feeling of true log home living like visiting one. Visiting the finished homes of our customers is an excellent way to gather ideas for your own home and to examine first hand the quality that goes into every home we make. We have numerous open houses and all-day tours of completed homes. Spring and fall tours are very popular choices and are self-guided for your convenience. These events are free, but reservations are required.

ON THE COVER

Great rooms provide a great escape and highlight the natural, rustic look of your log home.

CONSTRUCTION SEMINARS

These full-day workshops are designed for the serious do-it-yourselfer. Classroom technical instruction covers site prep, delivery, material storage, construction methods, package materials and maintenance. The construction seminar is open to customers who have already purchased a package. A minimal fee is charged. Pre-registration is required. Call any Honest Abe representative, e-mail us, or call our National Headquarters at 1-800-231-3695. PHOTO: ROGER WADE

HONEST ABE LIVING is a complimentary publication produced for log home prospects to help better understand how Honest Abe Log Homes can assist them make more informed decisions concerning their current or future log homes. No material in this issue may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission of the Honest Abe Log Homes, the publisher or copyright owners. Copyright © 2007 by Honest Abe Log Homes. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS can be addressed to the publisher’s editorial department: MMA Creative, 705 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501. LOG HOME INTERIOR PHOTOS showcased in this publication are provided by Roger Wade unless otherwise noted. All other photos have been supplied by independent dealer business owners or by publisher.

INFO You can find more information on this subject by logging on to www.honestabe.com/events.html

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A Family Tradition A HISTORIC LOOK AT THE GROWTH OF HONEST ABE LOG HOMES. By Greg LaPlant

HONEST ABE LIVING

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Oftentimes, when many people think of log homes, thoughts of heritage and family come to mind. But what about a log home company? Do those same qualities apply? At Honest Abe Log Homes they do. Honest Abe has been in business for more than 30 years. What started out as a simple log home manufacturer in Moss, Tenn., has developed into a strong company built on trust with a focus on family. In fact, it’s the company’s rich family heritage that has been the staple of Honest Abe for three decades. Doug Smith, Honest Abe’s founder and owner, developed an appreciation for wood products from his father, Lemuel, who operated a sawmill to supplement income from the family farm. “Dad put the sawmill in during the 1940s,” recalled Doug, who grew up not too far away from Honest Abe’s current headquarters in Clay County. “It wasn’t much, but just enough to keep some money coming in during the offseason. By the time I was 11, I found myself in the mill, working with dad and the few people we had on-hand to mill the lumber.” By the time Doug graduated from college (earning a degree in engineering from nearby Tennessee Tech University), his father had stopped operating the mill.

After a few years putting his engineering degree to work in the professional world, Doug decided to return home to start up the sawmill again. “Something about working with the wood just appealed to me. It was like I was being called to discover how I could combine that appreciation with what I learned in school,” said Doug. It took a few years, but eventually, Doug found the answer to that burning call.

THE BIRTH OF HONEST ABE It was 1970 when Doug started milling wood again. Except it wasn’t on the Smith farm anymore. He relocated to the small town of Moss, where it still sits today. Green Forest Wood Products started with only a handful of employees, focusing on supplying milled products for area businesses. In 1974, Doug and his father decided to use some of the mill’s larger logs to build himself a log home, the first of what would become many over the next three decades. “I still live in this home, but it’s not of the same quality you see today. As soon as we built it, I started looking at it and trying to figure out how we could make it better. I guess it was the engineer in me coming out,” said Doug. So Doug went to work, experimenting

…We wanted to put up a sales model to provide retirees a log home option to their custom home desires.

MURFREESBORO SALES MODEL

DOUG SMITH

with different cuts and processes to eliminate the gaps between the logs. Creating an airtight seal was paramount to making log homes not only livable, but a desirable alternative to other custom home options. Eventually, after much trial and error, Doug came up with the tongue-andgroove, dovetail cornering system seen today in Honest Abe’s Original Chinked log style (see pages 24 and 25 for more on Honest Abe’s log styles). By 1979, Doug was ready to move ahead with his idea. That’s when he incorporated Honest Abe Log Homes to design floorplans and sell the log packages. Around the same time, Doug ran into an old friend, Rick Denton, who he asked to head the company’s day-to-day operations. Providing a guiding hand of leadership for 20-plus years, Rick’s vision helped Honest Abe reach new achievements in growth. Today, Doug’s son Shane heads the company, serving as chief operating officer.

THE GROWTH OF A COMPANY The initial idea was to use Poplar logs because they were so plentiful locally. However, a switch to White Pine was made because Poplar checked too much, while White Pine retained its integrity and cracked less. Another industry standard by Honest Abe: using kiln-dried logs. The kiln drying process brings the logs’ moisture content down to 18 percent or less, drastically reducing the wood’s propensity to crack and shrink. “That was what really started setting

us apart from the competition,” observed Doug. “At that point, in the mid-80s, the other log home companies were focusing more on price, price, price. But the product was inferior. We were – and always will be – committed to quality and value. When we started using kilndried logs, we raised the bar.” In addition to product developments, Honest Abe also began to expand its reach in the Tennessee area. Stretching out beyond its rural headquarters, Honest Abe established its first sales model in Murfreesboro, just south of Nashville. Soon, other sales models sprung up across Middle Tennessee. Cookeville and Crossville, each located on the Cumberland Plateau, were natural locations for Honest Abe. “Cookeville was growing at a steady rate, so it only made sense to develop a presence there. Crossville has always had a reputation for being an ideal retirement area. We wanted to put up a sales model to provide retirees a log home option to their custom home desires,” commented Doug. By the time the 1990s rolled around, many of Honest Abe’s competitors had fallen by the wayside. But Doug (who had brought his son, Shane, into the family business) continued to see the potential of what had started out as a small enterprise and had now grown into a very large operation. But even with this larger group, Doug saw the opportunity to extend the family even more. By setting up a wholesale pricing structure and recruiting businesses across the nation to carry

CROSSVILLE SALES MODEL

COOKEVILLE SALES MODEL

MOSS SALES MODEL

HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL “We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Honest Abe. We decided to purchase an Honest Abe log home for a number of reasons. First and foremost is the absolute professionalism of your representative. I would highly recommend Honest Abe for anyone deciding to build a log home.” Robert E. Hilinski and Kathleen N. Glenn Iselin, N.J.

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1-800-231-3695

A FAMILY TRADITION

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS - MOSS, TN Honest Abe’s line of log home packages and products, the company was able to increase its national presence. Today, Honest Abe supplies a large network of independent dealerships across the country with products for them to sell and market.

HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL

THE FUTURE OF HONEST ABE

“We recently had our camp on Lake St. Catherine torn down and purchased an Honest Abe Highlander. We could not have been happier with the service and cooperation we received through the entire process.”

The future still burns brightly for Honest Abe Log Homes. More and more people are choosing to build custom log homes, and many are selecting Honest Abe as their log home producer.

MOSS

Rich and Diane Shovak Wethersfield, Conn.

HONEST ABE LIVING

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Today, Honest Abe is a part of a very large diversified wood products operation at Moss, Tenn. Three large hardwood saw mills supply their own lumber company with a steady supply of hardwood lumber. There’s a mulch company supplying landscaping mulch products made of bark from the saw mills. A trucking company ships these products and a variety of other wood related products nationwide. If history is any indication, it seems as though Honest Abe Log Homes is heading in the right direction.

WE’RE ALWAYS READY TO HELP

What do you look for in a log home company? Is it simply a source of logs for your home? Or do you look for a true log home manufacturer that can help you build the home of your dreams? Most people spend years searching for the latter; for that, there are plenty of companies that sell log kits. However, few provide the personal touch and excellent customer service of Honest Abe Log Homes. From the pre-sales and sales phases to the design and manufacturing processes, even right up through delivery and after the sale, Honest Abe offers the support and expertise many log home buyers are looking for. And Honest Abe takes great pride in having a team of dedicated professionals whose experience in the log home industry is unmatched. Since the beginning, Honest Abe employees have built a strong reputation for their customer service skills and manufacturing excellence. They even extend the family-like atmosphere that’s helped them grow over the last 30 years to their customers. And that’s something you don’t find with just any log home company. At Honest Abe, we believe that the most important asset of our company is our people. That’s why we consider ourselves as a family. And that extends beyond just our corporate staff. Our network of dealers, even our suppliers and our customers, are a part of the Honest Abe family. Working together handin-hand, our family of employees has built a heritage and culture of teamwork where everyone comes together to help you realize your dream home. We invite you to stop by our headquarters in Moss, Tenn. or any or our direct sales models in Cookeville, Crossville and Murfreesboro to meet our family of employees. Or feel free to drop in at one of our independent dealer locations found across the country. Visit www. honestabe.com for locations near you!

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F E A T U R E

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HONEST ABE LIVING

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ÂŠ 2007 Honest Abe Log Homes

retirement

never looked so good THE BAUMGARTS ENJOY LOG HOME LIVING IN MOSS, TENN. By Bobbie Maynard

ÂŠ 2007 Honest Abe Log Homes

www.honestabe.com

1-800-231-3695

RETIREMENT SOUNDS GOOD

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Above: The Baumgarts’ 1,676

square-foot home uses Eastern White Pine in the D-log style and incorporates several model designs. Inset: Ginna and Donnie Baumgart. Below: The Baumgart’s home started as a sketch on a paper bag.

HONEST ABE LIVING

Some have said living out your golden years in retirement is like taking a permanent vacation, one filled with your favorite pastimes and places. If so, then the Baumgarts of Clay County, Tenn., are right where they want to be. Originally from the town of Lanesville in southern Indiana (about 18 miles outside of Louisville, Ky.) Donnie and Ginna Baumgart have been frequent visitors to Dale Hollow Lake for the past 30 years. “It was about a three-hour drive to get here from Lanesville, and we came every week,” recalled Ginna. “We got tired of renting cabins on the weekends, so we bought property, along with a trailer to stay in when we visited.” The Baumgarts said they always knew they wanted to retire close to the lake that had provided so much enjoyment for them over the years. After rewarding careers – Ginna working in the banking industry and later her own marketing business, and Donnie retiring from Ford

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Motor Co. following more than 35 years of service – the couple was ready to build their dream home. Recalling they had always loved the look of warm wood tones and the appearance of log homes in general, Ginna said a lot of planning was required before making the big decision on which company to use. However, it was an Honest Abe Tour of Homes that hooked them on the log home lifestyle. “We did a lot of research before deciding on our home,” said Ginna. “My husband and I attended home shows and even visited different log home manufacturers, but we didn’t find anyone better than Honest Abe Log Homes. “The Tour of Homes was just a great experience for us,” she continued. “We got to see first-hand the quality of homes that Honest Abe produces and the differences and personal touches that go into each one.” In a scene that reads like a movie script, Ginna and Donnie entered

Honest Abe’s headquarters in Moss three years ago with a sketch of their dream home on the back of a brown paper bag, seeking advice and help on making their idea a reality. They found what they were looking for at Honest Abe. “It was just a rough concept of what we wanted,” said Donnie. “We had our floor plan sketched out on this paper bag. Honest Abe’s team sat down with us, and we started tailoring our home using our sketch and components from some of their other models. We still have our original sketch on the bag.” The end result was the Baumgarts’ dream home, which is situated on 31 peaceful acres and totals 1,676 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, custom kitchen, great room on the main level and a large recreation room in the lower level. The home incorporates several model designs, including the Madison, and has vaulted ceilings in every room. “The vaulted ceilings with the scissor truss were a must for us,” said Donnie. “We love the feeling of openness and freedom it gives the whole house.” Created out of sturdy Eastern White Pine and fashioned in the D-log style, the Baumgarts’ home allows the natural beauty of wood to flow throughout the interior. Personal touches, like the unique “barrel stand” bar that was converted into a freestanding island and Ginna’s special quilting space, give the home a distinctive look and feel. The roomy kitchen has hard maple cabinetry with a natural finish and brass hardware. The cabinets were custom designed with pullout shelves for easy accessibility. “I always wanted a big kitchen because I love to cook,” said Ginna. “The look is very open with the kitchen, dining room and great room flowing together. I also love that we were able to incorporate

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Above: The “barrel stand” island,

complete with barrel-style chairs, create a unique look in the kitchen. Below: Only five sheets of drywall were used for the interior (and apparently none in the bathroom).

our barrel bar into a functional island with a sink.” The log home also has a large front porch and backyard deck, which make great spaces for entertaining. Ginna and Donnie agree that their log home was a labor of love with both working tirelessly through its finishing phase. “We attended a lot of log raisings and seminars to cover all of our bases and educate ourselves on what it takes to get a home like this built,” said Donnie. “We took advantage of Honest Abe’s dry-in service, but we did all the finishing work on the inside walls and even put in the window casings and jams. We did all of the railing and trim work, as well as the fireplace mantle. It took about two and a

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BABY BOOMERS

RETIREMENT SOUNDS GOOD

It’s a great experience to be able to meet new people and show them our log home, knowing that they are interested in the same dream that we’ve achieved.

With more than 70 million baby boomers set to retire soon, many are opting for log homes as their residences of choice to live out and enjoy their golden years.

GINNA BAUMGART

Born between 1946 and 1964, the baby boomer generation has been a trendsetter from the beginning. For this group, combining the log home lifestyle is easy with many one-story home options. These large-scale, single-story homes are the ideal retreat for active baby boomers or for extended families with older parents or grandparents. Honest Abe Log Homes offers such home plans in its Legacy Collection, which can all be customized to accommodate any special needs. These large, sprawling one-level plans that average around 3,000 square feet are filled with lots of amenities the baby boomer generation will love. Exercise rooms, large kitchens and home office areas are just a few of the special things found in this line of log homes. For more information, visit honestabe.com.

HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL “I recently purchased an Honest Abe Log Home kit and couldn’t be happier. The quality of the kit is excellent, as was dealing with the company and developing the plans.” Dr. Ron Dell’Amore, D.M.D Williston, V.T.

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half months for us to finish the inside.” During that time, the Baumgarts had sold their home in Indiana and were living in their vacation trailer nearby, allowing them to work day and night on their new log home. “We did everything we thought we could do,” added Ginna. “By working on some things ourselves, we were able to justify other costs of having to hire the work out to local contractors.” All of the hard work finally paid off when the couple moved in July 2004, spending the first night in their new home on the same day as their 31st wedding anniversary. “We didn’t plan it like that,” said

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The Baumgarts took advantage of Honest Abe’s dry-in service, but completed the interior on their own. They finished just in time to celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary.

Ginna. “The dates just came out that way, but it did make it even more special.” Today, the Baumgarts said they couldn’t be happier living in their rustic log home out in the country, only five miles from Honest Abe’s headquarters in Moss. In fact, Ginna said they get a lot of exposure. “Our home is now on Honest Abe’s Tour of Homes every year,” said Ginna. “It’s a great experience to be able to meet new people and show them our log home, knowing that they are interested in the same dream that we’ve achieved.”

HONEST ABE & THE LOG HOMES COUNCIL

Honest Abe Log Homes is a proud member of the Log Homes Council. Established in 1977, the Log Homes Council is a national organization composed of leading log home manufacturers committed to promoting the unique benefits of log building systems. As part of both the Building Systems Council and the National Association of Home Builders, the Council upholds ethical business practices by participation in both mandatory and voluntary programs designed to benefit log home customers. As a member of this well-respected organization, Honest Abe can offer customers peace of mind in building their new log homes. Honest Abe adheres to the Council’s log grading standards to assure safety and quality construction. In fact, the Council’s standards are accepted by both building officials and mortgage lenders. This can streamline the customers’ planning and financing processes. While the Council’s standards and practices have been adopted by Honest Abe since the beginning, the Council recently embraced a charity initiative spearheaded by Honest Abe employees. Several years ago, direct sales staff employees worked together with

independent dealers from across the country to create a one-of-a-kind cookbook named Cookin for a Cure. The cookbook included recipes from Yankee Pot Roast to Southern Grits and Hominy. The cookbooks were sold with proceeds going to families facing cancer through the National Cancer Awareness Foundation. The initiative was such a success the first time with donations, the Log Homes Council agreed to adopt its own version. Today, in its second printing, this cookbook is a collection of recipes compiled by members of the Log Homes Council of the NAHB. A full 100% of monies raised from the sales of the cookbook will go right back out to families in need through the National Cancer Awareness Foundation. All the printing expenses for the cookbook were supported by private funds and corporate supporters. The National Cancer Awareness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To date, proceeds from the cookbook sales going to donations total more than $11,000. To learn more about the Log Homes Council and Cookin for a Cure, visit www.loghomes.org.

QUALITY SUPPLIERS

Suppliers are a vital part of the Honest Abe living process. Programs are developed with each supplier, all geared to long-term relationships. Suppliers are carefully chosen because of this. It’s a process involving their product quality, prices, log home industry experience,

Randy Fudge, vice president of company operations at Honest Abe, accepted a plaque from the Log Homes Council in recognition of the company’s dedication to the log home industry.

dependability and whether or not they are a good match for Honest Abe. “I have suppliers that I have been buying from for over 20 years,” said Jackie Cherry, vice president of manufacturing. “They know what I expect in terms of quality, price and dependability. We’ve sort of become partners, each good for the other. We have formed very close relationships over the years of working together. I have been to their locations, and they come regularly to ours.” Randy Fudge, vice president of company operations adds, “We build very strong relationships with our suppliers. That benefits both of us. We both help each other out in many ways. We are constantly getting together to plan new programs and products. We bring suppliers to our many different events throughout the year so they can interact with our customers and potential home buyers. We like to make them part of our company family concept. It just makes the overall process much better for everyone.”

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LEGACY COLLECTION

Timeless designs for every taste HONEST ABE’S LEGACY COLLECTION SHOWCASES THE BEST IN LOG HOMES. By Greg LaPlant

Incorporating classical design standards with customizable floorplans, the Legacy Collection from Honest Abe Log Homes has become a favorite among log home owners nationwide. From traditional layouts to homes for extended families, the Legacy Collection offers something for everyone. “Our staff of home designers has developed 35 high-quality plans for our Legacy Collection,” said Fred Kendall,

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Honest Abe’s Design Manager. “But we know that everyone’s dream is different, everyone’s idea of a perfect log home is not the same. So flexibility and adaptability have become some of our key strengths.” Don’t like the way a room is set up? Move some walls. Need another bedroom? Add it to the floorplans. But that’s not to say the Legacy Collection needs to be tweaked and adjusted in every case. Honest Abe’s team designed the homes to appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences, ensuring even the most selective of home buyers will find something they like about the Legacy Collection. “Often someone will look through our Legacy Collection to get a general idea of what they want – number of bedrooms, one or two stories, square footage. And more times than not, they’ll see a number of designs they like. So they’ll borrow elements from each to put their own twist on the home they desire,” said Kendall. What might scare someone away from purchasing a customized log home is price. After all, when you start talking about adding rooms, moving walls and changing the floorplans, the cost has to skyrocket, right? Not with Honest Abe Log Homes’ Legacy Collection. Although the price is adjusted during the customization process, the company’s experienced sales staff works closely with the design team to keep costs within a customer’s budget. The entire Legacy Collection of beautiful models and floorplans is presented on the Honest Abe Web site, and in our large, full-color catalog. The models shown here are only a sample. Be sure you go to the Web site at www. honestabe.com or order your very own catalog.

F E AT U R E D L E G A C Y C O L L E C T I O N M O D E L S

INFO To learn more about the Legacy Collection, visit the Honest Abe web site at www.honestabe. com. Or call 1-800-231-3695 to order a Legacy Collection catalog.

AVALON

EAGLEDALE

INFO Many more models and floorplans can be seen at www.honestabe.com/packages_legacy.html and are featured in our Legacy Collection catalog. Contact us at 1-800-231-3695 to order your copy today. See page 24 for package contents.

13'-7 7/8"

31'-7"

28'-0"

13'-7 7/8"

12'-9 1/8"

17'-9 7/8"

DECK

M.BATH

8'-0"

MASTER BEDROOM 16'-5" X 18'-0" DECK

36'-0"

14'-0"

DINING AREA 17'-6" X 12'-9"

KITCHEN 17'-3" X 12'-0"

46'-0"

14'-0"

W.I.C. DECK

OFFICE/STUDY MUD ROOM

UTILITY

13'-0" X 11'-9" BATH

PORCH

CLO.

BEDROOM BEDROOM 12'-9" X 11'-0" 13'-9" X 11'-0"

14'-0"

10'-0"

GLENROCK

GREAT ROOM 24'-9" X 14'-0" (CATHEDRAL CEILING)

CLO.

6'-0"

DECK

14'-0"

8'-0"

LIN. FOYER 12'-9" X 10'-5"

14'-9" X 10'-0"

8'-0"

10'-0"

5'-0"

16'-0"

5'-0"

4'-0"

6'-0"

4'-0"

28'-0"

See more Legacy Collection models on page 19, 24 and 25.

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LEGACY COLLECTION

MORE THAN YOUR DREAM HOME

All of the floorplans in Honest Abe’s Legacy Collection are fully customizable. Add an extra room. Move some walls. Make your dining room bigger for entertaining guests. Honest Abe’s design team will work with you to make your log home dreams come true.

Honest Abe offers more than just a complete log package. They provide a complete log home experience. They know how important building a home is, whether it’s a first home or a new home for a growing family. Taking all of that into account, Honest Abe offers a friendly, experienced design team to assist customers through the entire process. After all, Honest Abe has been doing this for almost three

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decades. Every home they design and manufacture is a masterpiece with different shapes and sizes to meet each individual customer’s needs. Whether customers select one of the standard Legacy Collection designs, modify the floorplans, or desire a complete custom-designed home, the design team stands ready to help make the perfect plans.

HONEST VALUE GUARANTEE MIL L ED - D

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HONEST ABE LIVING

www.honestabe.com

But anybody can talk about how great their products are. Honest Abe stands behind their log home packages with the Honest Value Guarantee. It’s our promise that Honest Abe will meet or beat the price of any competitor’s comparable home package. The basic premise is this: simply acquire a detailed item-for-item quote from another company. If it’s lower than the Honest Abe package, we’ll meet it, dollar for dollar for the same quality items.

F E AT U R E D L E G A C Y C O L L E C T I O N M O D E L S

SUNNYVALE

PINEBLUFF 80'-0" 30'-0"

25'-0"

LN.

SCREENED PORCH

KITCHEN 12'-11" X 14'-3"

CLO.

M. BATH

38'-0"

EXERCISE/ BEDROOM 9'-9" X 14'-11"

CLO.

MUD ROOM

8'-0"

38'-0"

30'-0"

GARAGE 29'-3" X 29'-3"

CLO.

25'-0"

BEDROOM 9'-9" X 14'-11"

LN. BATH

10'-0"

DINING AREA 18'-9" X 9'-4" ( CATHEDRAL CEILING )

GREAT ROOM 18'-9" X 23'-6" ( CATHEDRAL CEILING )

40'-0"

M. BEDROOM 18'-9" X 19'-9" ( CATHEDRAL CEILING )

BREAKFAST NOOK

20'-0"

CLO.

STUDY 10'-9" X 11'-0"

CLOSET

20'-0"

10'-0"

20'-0"

DECK

10'-0"

20'-0"

DECK

8'-0"

PORCH

DECK

80'-0"

20'-0"

8'-0"

20'-0"

24'-0"

M.BATH LIN.

DECK

GREAT ROOM 18'-9" X 20'-8" (CATHEDRAL CEILING)

OFFICE/ STUDY 9'-7" X 14-'11"

KITCHEN 9'-8" X 14'-0"

DINING AREA LAV.

CLO.

GARAGE 23'-8" X 23'-4"

CLO.

UTILITY

CLO.

FOYER 20'-0" X 9'-6"

48'-0"

W.I.C.

24'-0"

DECK

10'-0"

DECK

MASTER BEDROOM 19'-1" X 17'-3"

8'-0"

BEDROOM 19'-1" X 17'-3" PORCH

WOLFDALE

8'-0"

2/8

BATH

SEAT

10'-0"

20'-0" 60'-0"

10'-0"

10'-0" 24'-0"

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BIG SKY SYSTEM

Dreaming big in style HONEST ABE’S BIG SKY SYSTEM BRINGS TO MIND THE RUSTIC PAST. By Bobbie Maynard

Whether tucked away among the trees and surrounded by majestic mountains or on a sprawling hillside overlooking a tranquil lake below, you want your log home to naturally fit in with your chosen landscape. With Honest Abe Log Homes’ Big Sky System, you can have the log home of your dreams that calls to mind the large, rustic lodges found in the Pacific Northwest. With this option, your log home package will be cut using 10” round milled timbers for the log walls, ceiling beams and rafter or roof purlins. Honest Abe can style any Legacy model

BI G SK Y SYS T EM

INFO You can find more information on the Big Sky Style by requesting our new catalog. Visit www.honestabe.com.

HONEST ABE LIVING

to fit your picturesque setting with the Big Sky System. Using large, heavy timbers, this system offers the very best warmth and security of living in a house made of solid wood. Recalling America’s great legacy of the western frontier, Big Sky’s style will evoke pride-filled memories of pioneers in the wilderness, cutting

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trees and turning them into honestmade shelters. One of the most impressive features of the Big Sky System is its round milled timbers, which are fully rounded logs both on the interior and exterior walls. These timbers give your home a uniquely authentic appearance. These solid timbers are also notched for precision stacking during the construction phase, giving your new home extra stability and security. Plus, using heavy timbers like those found in the Big Sky System enhances the logs’ natural insulating ability since the full-round design offers greater wood mass. Big Sky’s genuine beauty combined with the innate strength of natural wood can give your new log home a stately and distinct look. Whether you desire a custom luxury home as your primary residence or as a relaxing vacation retreat, the round log profiles of Honest Abe’s Big Sky System will provide you with timeless design and superior craftsmanship. Visit honestabe.com to learn more about the Big Sky System.

F E AT U R E D B I G S K Y M O D E L S

CLEARBROOK

BELLEWOOD

INFO Many more models and floorplans can be seen at www.honestabe.com/packages_ legacy.html and are featured in our Legacy Collection catalog. Contact us at 1-800-231-3695 to order your copy today.

92'-0" 24'-0"

20'-0"

8'-0"

14'-0"

20'-0"

14'-0"

6'-0"

PORCH

VENTLESS FIREPLACE

DEN/STUDY 11'-8" X 15'-1"

MASTER BEDROOM 19'-8" X 18'-5"

BEDROOM 11'-1" X 15'-1"

BEDROOM 13'-1" X 15'-1"

BATH

PAN. LAUNDRY

22'-0"

CLOSET CL.

'-0 "

R/A DINING ROOM 19'-8" X 12'-11"

6'-0"

LAV. LIVING ROOM 22'-9" X 25'-5"

GARAGE 23'-4" X 23'-4"

20'-0"

8'-0"

25 '-1 0"

8'-0"

20'-0"

HOME GYM 13'-9" X 14'-0"

BREEZEWAY

KITCHEN 13'-8" X 13'-6" W.I. CLOSET

SPIRITWOOD

CLOSET

22'-0"

MASTER BATH

14'-0"

12'-0"

8'-0"

24'-0"

8'-0"

12'-0"

14'-0"

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GENUINE SELECT SERIES

Practical options to fit your budget HONEST ABE’S GENUINE SELECT SERIES SHOWCASES FUNCTIONALITY & AFFORDABILITY. By Bobbie Maynard

When pursuing your dream of a new log home, don’t let big package costs deter your interest. Honest Abe’s Genuine Select Series presents sensible designs at cost-effective prices. With this line of home plans, Honest Abe offers quality log home packages to meet any budget. The Genuine Select Series provides 13 pre-designed log home plans that can be tailored to individual preferences. Whether you want a two-bedroom home, a second floor or more square footage, this series has something for everyone at easy-to-understand prices. “We began this chain of log homes to offer our customers more,” said Rachel Meadows, sales manager for the Honest Abe models in Moss, Murfreesboro, Cookeville and Crossville, Tenn. “We first started this group to target general

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INFO You can find more

information on the Genuine Select series by logging on to

www.honestabe.com/plans_ genuine.html. See page 25 for package contents.

HONEST ABE LIVING

contractors who were interested in building log homes on lake lots. Then, interest grew in them, and the designs are now available to all customers.” This series gives home buyers the freedom to custom-design their log home while staying within a certain

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budget. Besides the different floorplans to choose from, home builders can choose what type of log style to use as well as what options to include. Honest Abe offers five distinct wall styles in the Genuine Select Series – Genesis, Milled-D, Original Chinked, Interlocking Round and Timber Frames. The 13 log home packages in the Genuine Select Series place emphasis on functionality while incorporating personal styles to create an ideal home. Once you’ve decided on a package, you can also consider ways to enhance the overall design of your home. With Honest Abe, these options can include window upgrades, interior 1” x 5” trim, interior log siding for gables, interior doors, and much more. “The log homes that I have sold out of the Genuine Select Series are all very pretty and have unbeatable prices,” said Meadows. “I can’t describe the level of satisfaction I get when people realize that they can truly afford their dream log home. When they see the price and square footage and know that it’s within their budget, they become very excited. And I love it. Their enthusiasm is contagious.” Another great benefit to this series is that each home uses the same quality Eastern White Pine logs that are found in the Legacy Collection (see pages 1619 for more on the Legacy Collection). These logs have been kiln-dried for greater stability. Honest Abe will also provide home builders a complete construction guide, three sets of blueprints and home site delivery of the log home package. So what are you waiting for? Stop daydreaming of your new log home and start planning. Honest Abe’s Genuine Select Series is a great place to start if quality and affordability are your two driving forces.

F E AT U R E D G E N U I N E S E L E C T M O D E L S

JAMESTOWN

CREEKSIDE

INFO Many more models and floorplans can be seen at www.honestabe.com/plans_genuine. html and are featured in our new catalog. Contact us at 1-800-231-3695 to order your copy today. See page 25 for package contents.

WILMINGTON

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LOG STYLES AVAILABLE

GENESIS

ORIGINAL CHINKED

6” X 12”

6” X 10”

MILLED-D

SPORTSMAN CABIN

8” X 8”

TIMBER FRAME

4” X 6”

CONVENTIONAL ROOF

8” X 8”

CONVENTIONAL TRUSS ROOF 25

21 27

INTERLOCKING ROUND 8” X 8”

BIG SKY

10” ROUND

27 26

HEAVY TIMBER ROOF

LEGACY COLLECTION PACKAGE CONTENTS

16 19

SUBFLOOR SYSTEM 1. Foundation (By Owner) 2. Treated Sill with Termite Shield 3. Joist (2”x10” @16” O/C) 4. Double Header 5. Subfloor Girder 6. Decking (3/4” T&G Advantech OSB)

29 13

10 38

LOG WALL SYSTEM 7. Log Walls ( includes all fasteners, caulking, gaskets. etc.) 8. Window & Door Rough Opening Frames

47 3

42 5

37 2

SECOND FLOOR SYSTEM 9. Support Post 10. Ceiling Beam Girder 11. Ceiling Beams 12. Header 13. Tongue & Groove Decking (2”x6”) ROOF SYSTEM 14. Heavy Timber Rafter (4”x8”) 15. Heavy Timber Ridgepole (3”x12”) 16. Collar Ties 17. Tongue & Groove Decking (2”x6”) 18. Insulation (R-30) 19. Sheathing (7/16” OSB) 20. Felt 30# 21. Fascia (Cedar) 22. Trim – Not Shown 23. Conventional Rafter (2”x10” @16” O/C and T&G ceiling) 24. Overhang Rafter (2”x6) – Not Shown 25. Conventional Ridgepole (2”x12”) 26. Soffit Framing 27. Soffit/Vents 28. Dormer Framing (2”x4”) 29. Gable End Framing (2”x4”)

36 1

30. 31. 32. 33. 34.

35 Gable End Sheathing OSB Nail Base (Log Siding) – Not Shown Log Siding (standard on Milled-D, Genesis, Round and Original Log Gables) Cedar Lap Siding (standard on Timber Frame System) – Not Shown Roof Truss & T&G Ceiling

PORCH AND DECK SYSTEM 35. Porch/Deck Pier (by owner) 36. Porch/Deck Framing (treated) 37. Decking (treated) 38. Porch Post/Plate/Angle Braces (6”x6”) 39. Porch Rafter (4”x6”) 40. Porch Roof Decking (2”x6” T&G) WINDOW & DOOR UNITS 41. Insulated, Double Hung, Tilt-Sash Wood Windows 42. Insulated, Wood Grained, Fiberglass Doors Interior Items 43. Interior Wall Framing

44. 45. 46. 47. 48.

Stair Stringer (2”x12”) Stair Tread (2”x10”) 1”x6” T&G for Interior Walls* – Not Shown Baseboard/ Ceiling Trim (1”x5”) Interior Doors

Items not shown: • Ventilated Roof Components • Interior Gable Siding • Porch Rails and Spindles • Exterior Finish • Borate Wood Preservative • Clad Windows* • Engineered I-Joist* • Heavy-Timber Stair Package*

* These items are not included in standard package price but are availabe for optional purchase.

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OPTIONAL RAILING PACKAGES

GENUINE SELECT SERIES PACKAGE CONTENTS

Our standard porch rails and spindles are made of white pine and are rectangular/square in shape. An available option is a round railing and spindle system.

23 24

25 22

27 28

19 20

12 11

15 29

30 16 6

5 10

3 2

WOOD SPECIES AVAILABLE

8 9

SUBFLOOR SYSTEM 1. Foundation (by owner) 2. Treated Sill with Termite Shield 3. Double Header 4. Subfloor Girder 5. Joists (2”x10” 16” o/c) 6. Decking (3/4” Advantech) 7. Joist Band

ROOF SYSTEM – CONVENTIONAL 20. Fascia (cedar) 21. Collar Ties (2x) 22. Rafters (2x or Trusses) 23. Ridgepole (2x) 24. Decking (7/16” OSB) 25. Felt Paper 26. Soffit Framing with Vents

PORCH & DECK SYSTEM 8. Porch/Deck Framing (treated) 9. Porch/Deck Pier (by owner) 10. Decking (treated) 11. Porch Post/Angle Bracing (4”x6”) 12. Porch Plate (4”x6”) 13. Porch Rafters (2”x6”) 14. Tongue & Groove Decking (1”x6”)

GABLE END AND DORMER FRAMING 27. Gable End and/or Dormer Framing (2”x4”) with 7/16” OSB Nail Base 28. Exterior Gable End and/or Dormer Siding

LOG WALL SYSTEM 15. Log Walls (the same 5 choices offered in the Legacy Collection) includes all fasteners, caulking, gaskets, etc.; special pricing for 10” Big Sky 16. Window and Door Rough Opening Frames SECOND FLOOR SYSTEM – CONVENTIONAL 17. Second Floor Joist (2”x10”) 18. Second Floor Girder 19. Second Floor Decking (3/4” Advantech)

INTERIOR FRAMING SYSTEM 29. Interior Wall Framing (studs, plates) 30. Stair Stringer (2”x12”) Stair Tread (2”x10”) WINDOW AND DOOR UNITS 31. Wood Window Units 32. Exterior Fiberglass Door Units AVAILABLE OPTIONS INCLUDE • Interior 1”x6” Tongue & Groove • Interior Log Siding • Interior Doors • Wide Plank Flooring • Interior 1”x5” Trim

EASTERN WHITE PINE A beautiful wood to work with. This is our primary wood species and standard for most systems unless noted below. It’s found in abundance in the Eastern United States. ENGELMAN SPRUCE, LODGEPOLE PINE Cut from standing dead timbers found in the Western United States. It is only used in our 10” Round Swedish Cope System. DOUGLAS FIR Beautiful grained wood found in the Western United States and used for our Timber Frame System and structural beams for all systems.

HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL “I just wanted to drop you a note about the product Honest Abe Log Homes delivered to my land in upstate New York. I am very happy with every part of the process. I went with Honest Abe Log Homes for several reasons. First, they worked with me to make the house fit my needs and budget. Second, they are one of the few companies that offer the full round, interlocking corners with logs that are round on the inside and outside – a great look. ” John Brasefield

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SPORTSMAN CABIN SERIES

Find your outdoor retreat SPORTSMAN CABINS PROVIDE THE PERFECT GETAWAY. By Greg LaPlant

HONEST ABE LIVING

Everyone needs a little time away from the rush of everyday life. With Honest Abe’s selection of Sportsman Cabins, you can find the ideal haven to enjoy your favorite pastime. From hunting and fishing camps to weekend camping retreats, these cabins are perfectly sized to meet your needs. The Sportsman Cabins’ log walls are made of 4” x 6” white pine. They use the D-Log shape, with a flat surface inside and a rounded surface on the outside. Each log is kiln dried and inspected to provide the highest quality of materials. The logs are not pre-cut, allowing the option of locating necessary door and window openings. They come in linear footage allowing flexibility and choices. Affordably priced, they can make great backyard playhouses for the kids or a remote office for your business. Both attractive and functional, they can

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also serve as a creative space for writing or an art studio. However, Sportsman Cabins are not intended as residences, and are not designed to meet residential building codes. “The Legacy Collection, Genuine Select Series and Timber Frame homes are our residential lines,” said Fred Kendall, Honest Abe’s Design Manager. Package upgrades for the Sportsman Cabins include high-quality, 2” x 6” tongue-and-groove decking for the floor and roof; exterior windows and doors; interior doors and trim; and metal roofing. The cabins range in size from the small, single-room Little Trace to the two-story River Bottom. But regardless of size, all 12 designs carry the same standard of pride and quality that can be found in all Honest Abe log homes.

SPORTSMAN CABINS PACKAGE CONTENTS

THREE PACKAGE OPTIONS BASIC PACKAGE • Wall 4” x 6” D-Logs, linear footage for 18 courses and gables • Wall screws, caulk, gasket seal and joint pegs • Roof rafters, ridgepole, collar ties, bolts and spikes • Materials cutting and assembly instructions PREMIUM PACKAGE (Add to the Basic Package) • Foundation Pier PT Posts (for level site; sloped site requires more) • Sub-floor and 2” x 6” tongue-and-groove flooring • Porch and deck floor systems, treated • Porch posts, plates, rafters and railing, all untreated • Loft 2” x 6” tongue-and-groove flooring • Roof 2” x 6” decking and roof trim • Windows, exterior door & rough opening frames for each ULTIMATE PACKAGE (Add to the Premium Package) • Interior stairs and railing • Interior studs • Interior 1”x 6” tongue-and-groove for walls • Interior doors • Interior trim for windows, doors, baseboard and ceiling

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS INCLUDE Pre-cut metal roof (green only) Exterior Stain Roof Insulation DECK

10'-0" 16’ X 19’-5”

16'-0"

6'-8" HEADROOM @ THIS POINT

12’ X 20’ 28'-0"

11’-5” X 9'-6 3/4"

28'-0"

OPEN TO AREA BELOW

6'-8" HEADROOM @ THIS POINT

18'-0"

28' -0"

3 4'- 0"

11’-5” X 9'-6 3/4"

12'-0"

L ADDER

6'-0"

6'- 0"

11’-5” X 7'-8 1/2"

PORCH

FLAT CEILING THIS AREA

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

28'-0"

Dale Hollow floor plan

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F E A T U R E

dream

Achieving a lifelong ONE FAMILY FINDS FULFILLMENT, ENJOYING TRUE LOG HOME LIVING. By Bobbie Maynard

HONEST ABE LIVING

www.honestabe.com

O RI GIN A L C HIN K ED

Most people who are drawn to a log home will tell you that they like the home’s look and style or that it brings to mind a special memory, like a summer vacation at the lake. But for some, that attraction runs deeper, evoking a strong sense of heritage, family and a simpler way of life that can be hard to put into words. That’s true for Sharron Bilbrey, who turned her lifelong love of log homes into a tangible reality. Sharron recalled that it was around the age of 14 that she first found herself drawn to log homes and their rich history. “I grew up close to Cades Cove and the Museum of Appalachia in East Tennessee,” said Sharron. “So log cabins have always been a part of my life. I love the heritage and legacy of them. My mother bought me a painting of a log cabin while I was still in high school, and even my needlepoint reflected my love of log homes with cabin snow scenes – long before I ever lived in one.”

O RI GIN A L C HIN K ED

As Sharron had mentioned, Cades Cove is a winding driving tour through an early pioneer settlement in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee. The Cove has been preserved to look much the way it did in the 1800s with original pioneer homesteads, barns, businesses, pasture and farmland. “My love of log homes has always been there, and I was blessed to marry someone who also shared that dream,” said Sharron. After a lifetime of love and many months of planning, Sharron, along with her husband Roy and son Wade, realized the family dream of a log home in 2001. In a peaceful haven at the end of a country

Opposite: Maple cabinetry in

the kitchen compliments the Bilbrey’s original chinked log home. Above: The great room’s fireplace was constructed using stone’s from Roy’s grandfather’s property. Below: Seen in a snowy setting, the Bilbreys’ 2,600 square-foot log home features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great room, custom kitchen and a bonus office/den area.

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ACHIEVING A DREAM

It was a lot of work, but sure was worth it. It makes the whole experience more meaningful when you work on it yourself. ROY BILBREY

Below: A cozy bedroom upstairs

is the perfect place for relaxation. Opposite top: A stain glass inset depicting a cabin in the snow adds a unique touch.

road, situated on 42 acres near Monterey, Tenn., the Bilbreys have embraced the log home lifestyle. Surrounded by natural beauty and serenity, the Bilbreys’ 2,600 squarefoot log home features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great room, custom kitchen and a bonus office/den area. “It was a very special time when our dream came together for us,” said Sharron. “From the time I had moved to Cookeville, living in the Algood area, I would drive by Honest Abe’s Cookeville model, and I started going in. I met Ed and Irene White, the sales people there, and that’s how the whole process got started for us.” Sharron said the custom log home is a combination of three different floorplans, with unique considerations including three specific pieces of furniture with rooms designed for

O RI GIN A L C HIN K ED

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them to fit perfectly. The log home is constructed of Eastern White Pine with the original chinked log style. “When it came to the chinked log style, there really wasn’t any other choice for us,” she commented. “It has the more traditional look like you see in the Smoky Mountain log cabins, which is what I wanted.” Both Roy and Sharron did the finishing work on the inside and outside of their log home, sanding, staining and sealing everything. They also completed the tile work in the kitchen and bathrooms. Sharron also served as the point of contact for the numerous contractors needed to finish the home. Personal touches planned for during the construction phase gives the home a unique sense of legacy. “The fireplace, which is the focus of our great room, is very special to us,” said Sharron. “We gathered the field stones for the fireplace from Roy’s grandfather’s land. Quarried stone from the same property is also a part of our driveway. In fact, my favorite place is sitting next to the fire in the winter time and looking out the windows at the stars.” Roy added that the house has no drywall in it at all. Various wood, such as ash floors, maple cabinets, a cherry fireplace mantle and rustic barn wood frames, are used throughout the home, creating a welcoming, warm atmosphere. Large floor-to-ceiling windows invite natural sunlight into the home, giving all the wood tones a spectacular glow throughout the day. “It was a lot of work,” said Roy, “but sure was worth it. It makes the whole experience more meaningful when you work on it yourself.” Sharron’s collection of handmade needlepoint featuring many log cabin scenes and red cardinal décor are themes seen throughout the home, providing an authentic feeling of both heritage and

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU

the beauty of nature inside the home. With Sharron’s dream of a log home finally realized in 2001, her career took a surprising turn several years later. Coming from a 20-year background as a collegiate volleyball coach followed by nine years as an office manager for Roy’s private psychology practice, Sharron’s expertise as a teacher combined with her own log homebuilding experience has made her a valuable member of the Honest Abe Log Homes team at the direct sales model in Crossville, Tenn. “When I first approached Honest Abe about the possibility of working for them, I really wanted to put all the knowledge I had learned from building my own log home to use and help others locate and work with contractors,” said Sharron. “I really see my role as more of facilitator than salesperson. There are a lot of carry-overs from my previous jobs. Now, instead of drawing out volleyball plays, I’m drawing designs, and of course I will always be a teacher at heart.” For Sharron, one of the most rewarding aspects of her new career is educating others interested in log homes about what to expect during every phase of the process from design to construction, and working with them to make sure their new log home meets both their expectations and needs. “My new career is very satisfying,” added Sharron. “God has blessed me so much by combining so many things about me – my love of log homes, my house, my career. I had such a great experience as an Honest Abe customer that I want to help others realize their dream homes too.”

The Honest Abe Dealer Network at the company’s dealer convention in Nashville, Tenn.

A large number of Honest Abe log home owners have taken their satisfying home buying and building experience to the next level and started businesses offering Honest Abe’s line of products. Honest Abe sells log home packages and products through companyowned sales models in Tennessee, and also through independent wholesale businesses across the nation that carry Honest Abe’s complete line of log home packages and products. With a very attractive wholesale cost program to these businesses, it’s easy to see why this program continues to grow each year, and why someone would be very interested in pursuing this business opportunity. “All of our independent dealer businesses receive support from our corporate office,” said Jeff Clements, vice president of Honest Abe’s Dealer Business Network. “But that’s not what makes our independent dealer business program so unique. What sets us apart is that the independent dealer businesses are as much a part of our family as anyone in our models or corporate office.” Any individual with the vision to see a great opportunity will immediately recognize the benefit of carrying the line of products offered by Honest Abe Log Homes. Completely independent, dealer businesses are supported in their business efforts by a company that can supply excellent home packages, and back them up with a national advertising program. Quality and value are strong elements in the Honest Abe experience. Using only top-notch materials and a manufacturing process honed over almost 30 years, Honest Abe can give builders the edge they need in the everexpanding custom home market. Builders and log home enthusiasts wanting to get into another business, or even people living in a log home and looking for a business opportunity, are encouraged to call 866-524-5647 (toll-free) to learn more about this exciting business opportunity.

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Log home building and design LOOKING FOR A LOG HOME? TAILOR AN HONEST ABE PACKAGE TO FIT YOUR NEEDS. By Bobbie Maynard

Building a new log home can be a daunting challenge, let alone trying to start from scratch. That’s why Honest Abe offers a wide selection of pre-designed homes, customizable floorplans, packages and the HELP Build Program to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible, especially for the first-time home builder. Like any future homeowner, first establish some basic guidelines. The budget is probably the most important. Find a price range you’re comfortable with to help narrow down the selection. Next, decide on the total square footage for the log home. Lastly, choose a log profile. The profile is a determining factor in the overall look and feel of your home (see pages 24 and 25 for more on Honest Abe’s log styles). Now you’re ready to choose or design your floorplan and begin looking at different packages. “Here at Honest Abe, we strive to have the best quality in every process from log manufacturing to providing blueprints and construction guides,” said Fred Kendall, design manager for the drafting department at Honest Abe’s headquarters in Moss, Tenn. “Honest Abe offers more complete packages than many companies. When comparing

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WHAT’S IN A PACKAGE? A log home package is generally a group of building materials that a log producer, like Honest Abe, offers to its customers. Each one is unique in its contents. And as with other highend purchases, log home packages are distinct to what the customer wants. Honest Abe offers a variety of choices when selecting a package. From only logs to a completed outside shell structure, the decision is up to you as to what type and how many materials Honest Abe provides for your log home. In addition to supplying materials, Honest Abe offers (through their direct sales models and independent dealers within pre-set mileage) a unique “dryin” service within pre-set mileage of the national headquarters. Once the home’s foundation is completed, and electricity is available, Honest Abe can provide labor for the following: • first floor framing and subfloor • log or timber frame walls • ceiling beam system • roof system through the felt paper • gable ends • soffits, fascia and dormer trim • exterior doors and windows • interior parts on walls and stairs (roughed in) • porches and decks “If a customer has an idea or image of what they want their log home to

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price, it becomes clear that we have a larger quantity and more quality materials to include in the packages. “The customer usually comes to us with ideas on how they want to finish their homes and where on their property they want the home placed. Our representatives are here ready to advise on things related to what the customer wants in a particular package and how Honest Abe can provide those materials,” said Kendall.

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look like, we work with them to help fine-tune their concept,” said Kendall. “Sometimes, people only have pictures of kitchens or baths that they like. We take down what details they want and work with the size of the home to make sure everything is included in the layout. We do revisions on the floorplan until the design is the way they want it.”

HELP BUILD PROGRAM As an added service to customers, Honest Abe offers the HELP Build Program, which helps everyone locate professional (HELP) builders to complete the construction and finishing process of their Honest Abe log home package. Grounded in Honest Abe’s original dry-in service that is available in limited areas, Honest Abe makes it possible for new log home owners to get the kind of assistance they need for finishing their log home package – with help from local independent contractors in their area. Honest Abe assists new homeowners in locating qualified tradesmen, such as log home builders, electricians, plumbers, masons, etc. All are professionals, experienced in their crafts. Honest Abe’s goal is to help new homeowners in establishing a business relationship with only the best qualified people to finish their homes. HELP Build’s contractor network includes professionals who specialize in: • Excavation • Foundation • Septic systems • Plumbing • Drywall • Tile • Carpet • HVAC • Roofing • Landscaping • Stain application • Painting • Trim • Electrical “A lot of log home packages are sold separately from the labor it takes to put it together,” said Randy Fudge, vice president of company operations at Honest Abe. “Sometimes you will have customers who are the do-it-yourself

types that want to be hands-on in the construction process. However, there’s a growing market that wants a turnkey solution. With this new program, we want to make it easier for people to find subcontactors to help them finish their log homes.”

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOOK With logs being the central building materials of your home, it’s crucial to make the right decision as to the kind of wood to use. A longterm benefit in choosing Honest Abe is the high quality of its logs. Honest Abe uses Eastern White Pine that has been kiln-dried as the standard choice for logs. The drying process helps minimize movement, shrinkage and settling of timbers over time. The end result is more stable logs and tighter joints once construction is complete. “We use the Eastern White Pine logs because they are readily available for manufacturing, which means less of a wait for our customers,” said Jackie Cherry, vice president of manufacturing. “We kiln-dry our logs because it cuts down on the time allotted for settling. If you use green logs, you would have to allow for three to four inches for settling, which can make a difference in the logs’ final appearance. “With Honest Abe’s kiln-drying process, we only have to leave very little space for settling around doors and windows. Another great benefit of kilndrying is that it kills all the insects that may be present in the logs.” Honest Abe makes the customer the top priority when planning out each step of a log home design. This means that Honest Abe offers construction seminars, supplies building guides, provides blueprints, and is ready to answer any question a new home builder might have.

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Opposite: A minature log home

being constructed indoors at an Honest Abe log raising event. Above: Randy Fudge, vice president of company operations, at a construction seminar event teaching a future Honest Abe homeowner the basics of log home construction.

HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL “For 30 years, we dreamed of building a log home and never thought it would come true. Honest Abe took a plan we had tucked into a draw for years and turned our dreams into reality at an affordable price. Now when friends see our home for the first time, they say, ‘Wow, your dreams really did come true.” Wayne and Sherry Williamson

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CABINETRY

Quality cabinetry adds value LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT STYLES AND WOOD SPECIES. By Bobbie Maynard

Below: The islands in these kitchens help bridge the gap from the cooking area to the dining room. Combining door styles in the same finish is a good way to avoid a repetitive look. MIL L ED - D

One of the centerpieces of a log home’s design is the layout and look of cabinetry for the kitchen, bathrooms and other areas where at-hand storage is needed. When you want to showcase these high-use rooms, your choice in cabinetry can become the hallmark of true quality, expressing your tastes and blending in seamlessly with the surrounding décor. In order to provide you quality choices, Honest Abe Log Homes is now featuring Timberlake Cabinetry to offer a wide selection of styles for your new log home. As one of the country’s leading manufacturers of cabinetry, Timberlake has earned a reputation for well-crafted, full-featured cabinets that can bring a sense of style and beauty to your new log home. When it comes to cabinetry, there are many options, including stock and custommade. The stock option comes from a manufacturer, and its dimensions are preset. But if you go the custom-made route, you can personally design your cabinets’ size and style. Most custom cabinetmakers

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offer the choice of using specialty woods or exotic finishes in paint or stain, which can add a unique feel to your kitchen. Having your cabinets custom-made also gives you the freedom to really match woods that best compliment the interior look of your log home. The premium and standard lines of finishes offered by Timberlake include: Cherry Chocolate, Maple Coffee, Painted Maple Cream, Painted Maple Butterscotch, Cherry Spice, Maple Natural, Oak Natural, Hickory Natural, Cherry Bordeaux, Maple Honey, Oak Honey, Hickory Spice, Maple Spice, Oak Tawny Timberlake has developed three categories showcasing the best in semicustom cabinetry. See sidebar for more information.

WOOD SPECIES & CABINETRY Some of the finest hardwood forests in North America can be found near Honest Abe’s facilities in Moss, Tenn. Wood species available for Timberlake’s line of cabinetry include oak, maple, hickory and cherry. Many finishing options are available, including thermo foil and painted styles. Oak is one of the most popular wood species used for cabinetry due to its open-grained striation that when stained shows varying color patterns. Cherry is another popular wood for fine cabinetry that is known for its uniform look and warm, rich color. Two other heavy hardwoods used for cabinetry are hickory and maple. Hickory’s natural color streaks can create a unique look when stained, while maple presents a fine, even texture. From a rich, rustic appearance to a more uniform and elegant finish, Timberlake’s selection of cabinetry will be a beautiful addition to your new log home. In order to allow your wood cabinets to age well, be sure to perform

HONEST ABE FEATURES TIMBERLAKE CABINETRY

PORTFOLIO SELECT SERIES routine care and cleaning. You can help preserve your cabinets’ finish by cleaning with mild soaps only.

SPECIAL CABINETRY FEATURES & DETAILS Once you have selected the right wood species, finish and look for your new cabinetry, you may want to consider adding on extra features for both aesthetics and functionality. Additions like crown molding can enhance your cabinetry’s overall appearance by placing a finishing touch on top of your wall cabinets where they meet the ceiling. Other decorative moldings, trims and valances can also give you many design options. Incorporating these fine details will compliment your cabinetry for years to come. More architectural facets include an arched valance to set off a display area for prized items, such as fine dinnerware or family heirlooms. Glass door inserts are also popular items for a more upscale look on open frame cabinets. Another great feature that can be tailored to fit your cabinets’ style is selecting the accompanying hardware, such as hinges, handles and knobs. For a modern look, try brushed or polished nickel. The Old World look is also popular with finishes that include etched porcelain or weathered, oilrubbed metals. Current trends in customized cabinetry also place an emphasis on organization, especially in the kitchen. These time-saving solutions include organizational dividers to conserve space, deep drawers for extra storage, and pull-out shelves that eliminate digging in cabinets to find a needed item. Recycling and trash bins can also now be built right into the cabinetry for easy access. Additionally, chopping blocks can be incorporated into the countertop along with pull-out workspace.

• Nine door style families, including eight full overlay and one standard overlay • Choice of cherry, maple, hickory and oak hardwoods, plus white thermo foil. Cherry and maple available with premium finishes • Standard hardwood dovetail drawers with Full Access Hidden Glides • Raised panel and recessed panel designs available in square, Roman and classic arch styles • Upgrade options – reduced and increased depths, glass front doors, matching interiors, plywood veneered sides (PVS), CushionClose drawer, void door and cabinet front only options PORTFOLIO SERIES

• Five door style families, including three full overlay and two standard overlay • Choice of cherry, maple, hickory and oak, plus white thermo foil. Cherry and maple available in premium finishes. • Raised panel and recessed panel designs available in square, Roman and classic arch styles • Upgrade options – reduced and increased depths, glass front doors, matching interiors, hardwood dovetail drawers with Full Access Hidden Glides, plywood veneered sides (PVS), void door and cabinet front only options VALUE-BUILT SERIES

• Three door style families, including three standard overlay • Choice of maple, oak and thermo foil • Raised panel and recessed panel designs available in square and Roman arch styles • Upgrade options – reduced and increased depths, glass front doors, matching interiors, void door and cabinet front only options

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P O R C HES & DECKS

At home with the ‘Great Outdoors’ PORCHES AND DECKS ADD BEAUTY AND VALUE TO YOUR LOG HOME. By Catherine Cella

You don’t have to go on a two-week vacation to unwind and find peace in nature. It can be just as easy as opening your door and stepping outside with the addition of a porch or deck to your log home. Create a special retreat with your imagination, using plants, structures and furniture to extend living spaces and craft a haven for relaxing and entertaining.

CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS Consider your budget as well as how you might use your porches and decks. If your log home is a romantic cabin getaway, a few small ones will do. A porch off the master bedroom, for example, will allow for a special little place to get away. Even in the rain, you’ll be protected from the elements. Make it a deck if you prefer feeling even more in nature, whether soaking in the morning sun or basking in a starlit night. On the other hand, if you plan to entertain guests in your log home, you will want plenty of outdoor floor space. Porches and decks can wrap around corners and even surround your home. They can be multi-leveled and contain built-in hot tubs and barbeque grills.

FIND YOUR STYLE HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL “I am very impressed with my Honest Abe Log Home. I am very pleased with the quality, service and professionalism I experienced during the construction of my home. The Honest Abe staff was extremely helpful and accommodating.” Karolyn Welty Honest Abe Homeowner

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Maybe you’re a traditionalist and will choose a nestled front porch and a deck out back. Or perhaps you prefer the classic yet contemporary lines of a porch extending the length of your home, with a deck across the back. Today, you have the additional option of a designer look. Multiple porches and decks create interesting lines as well as offer different uses. A front porch, for instance, can turn the corner to provide entry to a second door. Voila – you have functional flow as well as a fun visual!

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ÂŠ 2007 Honest Abe Log Homes

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PORCHES & DECKS

MATCH YOUR INTERIOR

BLEND WITH YOUR EXTERIOR

Connecting your porch or deck with the home’s interior is especially important where windows are present. Fortunately, today’s designs can accommodate various window placements, glass doors, even such elements as cathedral ceilings. Stones in the chimney can repeat in porch and deck piers. And, of course, log types can mix and match in many pleasing looks. Some of the design principles for indoor spaces can be applied to porches and decks. Let’s say that inside you have chosen moss green as a unifying color, pairing it with ivory, orchid or chestnut to distinguish “rooms” within a room. Bring some of that moss green outdoors – pairing it with a new color – to further the effect and bring indoor and outdoor together.

Whatever colors you choose – for exterior door, trim, furniture and so forth – consider nature’s palette in your corner of the world. Do rhododendrons grow on your land? Borrow that purple! Are you redolent with redbuds? Think pink! The layout of your lot will have its own suggestions. A spectacular southwest view means the perfect place for a porch. Lovely woods to the north beckon a deck that abuts – and possibly incorporates – the trees. Go with the flow – this is living with nature at its best! Finally, remember that your exterior includes wild critters. Your porch or deck could use a birdfeeder or two, including one for those special charmers, hummingbirds. While you may not want to feed other animals,

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INTERLOCKING ROUND

your exterior décor could feature those that share the land with you.

ADD PERSONAL TOUCHES A home’s décor – inside and out – is where we can best express ourselves, our interests and our individuality. At the same time, certain places have expectations and functions to consider. Take the front porch. It’s roofed so that people are protected while waiting at the door. It is also the welcoming place, with its doormat and inviting furniture. In log homes, typically you’ll find rocking chairs and hanging or potted plants as well. But if you “think outside the porch,” you open yourself to more personal expressions. If you love the beach, you might favor Adirondack chairs and seashells. Antique collectors may fancy wicker and statuary. Bent willow furniture paired with vintage baskets lend a rustic yet artistic air. Think theme, too, in adding such features as pennants, plaques, wind

chimes and wreaths. They can either fit with your overall porch design or change with the seasons. Wreaths – made with virtually anything these days – especially lend themselves to customizing. As with furniture, personal touches can both express yourself and appeal to guests. Like bluegrass? Put a fiddle on your front porch. Play games? Make it a checkerboard. Sports fan? Lean a tennis racket in the corner. All these things tell your guests a little about yourself and invite them to join in the fun. On your decks, the sky’s the limit – literally! Sure, you’ll want to dine there, whether in picnic-style or alfresco ambiance. But you could also craft a haven-within-a-haven, an herb, flower or miniature garden, or a special place you have yet to dream up! By fitting them into your home and your life, porches and decks can do more than literally link your home and its surroundings. They become integral to both, making your dream of living in nature even more of a reality.

Above: Entertaining outside is

made easy with a wraparound porch. Opposite: Rocking chairs and a dinette set make this porch perfect for relaxation.

HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL “The entire Honest Abe experience was outstanding! These are people you can trust, with a product and services that won’t disappoint you!” Steve Hayes The Human Capital Group Inc.

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Log home living with a

Rocky Mountain high

MEET MARTY AND JEAN BIRK, WHO ENJOY THEIR HONEST ABE LOG HOME IN COLORADO. By Bobbie Maynard

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Despite having an independent dealer network stretching across the country, plus direct sales model staff at varying locations, Honest Abe Log Homes’ sense of fellowship and camaraderie continues to bring employees and associates together and feels much like one big family. That’s especially true for Marty and Jean Birk of Colorado. The Birks’ custom Honest Abe log home is situated near the impressive Rocky Mountain range. This inspiring region, according to the USDA Forest Service, includes 11 national forests and grasslands with peaks towering above 14,000 feet in elevation. From there the landscape slopes down to the alpine tundra, through coniferous and

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aspen forests, to pinyon-juniper and sagebrush, and finally to the expansive grasslands at an elevation of 2,500 feet. Both Marty and Jean agree that a log home seemed like a natural fit for this extraordinary location and their lifestyle. “Our construction company, Tarryall River Log Homes, has been in operation for seven years, and we have been independent dealers for Honest Abe Log Homes for the past nine years,” said Marty. “We are quite at home in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and live in an Honest Abe log home we built in 1998.” Originally from Oregon, Marty previously served in the Army and the Marine Corps Reserve and then worked

in the defense industry for 22 years prior to starting his own business as a general contractor and builder. His wife Jean, who is originally from Virginia, worked in the information technology sector for both government and private industry for 19 years, including 11 years for MCI. Jean now assists Marty with office responsibilities, Web site development and has her own business making custom jewelry. According to Marty, his family’s retreat borders the Pike National Forest on two sides with the Lost Creek Wilderness area behind that, making for a large backyard. Lake George is the nearest community to the Birks in Colorado. “We enjoy sitting on the front porch and watching the wildlife, and the Tarryall River runs past the house, so we take time to catch a trout every now and then,” added Marty. “I try to keep the freezer stocked with plenty of elk, venison and antelope during the hunting seasons, and Jean loves to hike and take photographs. Country relaxing is our kind of action.” Before building their log home, Marty and Jean recalled that they studied many

industry publications for a couple of years and visited homes in their area. “After narrowing our ‘want list’ to something manageable, we were able to come up with the top three candidates, all milled log producers – two in Tennessee and one in Montana,” said Jean. “After getting quotes, and quite by chance, we visited Honest Abe Log Homes first. That was the end of our search. Sometimes you just know when it feels right.” The Birks’ 2,400 square-foot log home is a custom Darlington model with two levels plus a basement complete with a two-car garage. The home has three bedrooms, two baths, a utility room and a recreation room. Their cozy living room is complete with a wood stove, and they have tile counter tops in the kitchen and bathroom areas. “We used tongue-and-groove spruce fir on our home’s interior, and Eastern White Pine in the D-log style on the outside,” said Marty. He added that he and Jean did the complete construction and finish work on the home. When asked about their favorite spot in the home, Jean replied that it is “the living room on a cold winter day with a good fire in the stove, and watching the sun set over the mountains from my front porch on a summer’s eve.” © 2007 Honest Abe Log Homes

Opposite: A large fireplace in

this home constructed by the Birks’ company, Tarryall River Log Homes, make this room the place to be when it’s cold outside. Above: The Birks’ log home is a custom Darlington model. Below left: Jean and Marty Birk are independent dealers and run their own construction company – Tarryall River Log Homes. construction company – Tarryall River Log Homes.

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HAPPY CUSTOMERS

distinctive

EXPOSED TIMBERS ADD UNIQUE STYLE By Greg LaPlant

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Many times, the interior look of natural, warm wood is a big attraction for those considering a log home. But what if you want a more traditional exterior appearance? Honest Abe has an alternative for you – the Timber Frame. Honest Abe offers Timber Frame construction allowing for the choice of using cedar or lap log siding, and even

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timber frame option

brick, stone or vinyl. “We sell a lot of Timber Frame houses to people who want exposed timbers on the inside of their homes,” said Randy Fudge, vice president of company operations for Honest Abe. “These people also want the exterior of their home to have a conventional look. “However, in some cases, restrictions

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may play a role in choosing the Timber Frame style. Some subdivisions may require brick homes, so you couldn’t build a log home there. Instead, the Timber Frame option gives you the flexibility to design the kind of home you want.” In the construction of a Timber Frame, Honest Abe uses heavy beams to build a framework, which becomes the skeleton of the house. Next, the roof system is placed, and insulating panels are attached to the framework. The timbers are left exposed on the inside. The customer can then decide to cover the exterior of the home in cedar lap or log siding, or provide their own brick, vinyl or stone. “Honest Abe’s timber frames are easier to construct than others,” said Fudge. “It doesn’t require the use of heavy equipment like cranes or require a special foundation. This makes it more convenient for the homeowner.”

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TIMBER FRAME OPTION

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HOMEOWNER TESTIMONIAL “My wife and I looked for 15 years for the perfect log home. After meeting with Honest Abe, we found the house we were looking for. Honest Abe answered all of our questions including making changes to our house plans without hesitation. The entire staff was great to work with. The experienced construction crew did an exceptional job from floor to roof. With Honest Abe, someone is always a phone call away. Thanks Honest Abe for our “DREAM HOME.” Todd and Kim Hickey Lascassas, T.N.

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Using Honest Abe’s heavy timber roof system gives the home large exposed beams and rafters as well as a tongue-and-groove interior ceiling finish. The timbers provide a strong and durable roof structure with all the warmth and beauty of natural wood. This also presents the opportunity for you to incorporate spacious lofts or cathedral ceilings into the design. Honest Abe post and beam timbers are dressed smooth and exposed on the inside. Homeowners can custom-color inside timbers using stains or oils. Oils tend to preserve the timbers’ natural beauty and showcase the individuality of the wood texture. Framework is pre-cut, numbered,

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packaged and delivered to the home site. Honest Abe’s Timber Frames feature large Douglas Fir timbers for the framework and “sandwich” wall panels made of sheetrock, insulation and exterior sheathing. In addition to all the aesthetic benefits of a Timber Frame home, cost is another factor to consider. Timber Frames are attractive to the budget-minded homeowner because they offer the look of a traditional, handcrafted timber home without the expense. This can leave you with more money to customize your home and still enjoy all the comforts of true timber frame living.

NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS PROVIDE PERFECT BACKDROP TO YOUR NEW LOG HOME

S P E C TA C U

LAR

L A K EVAVILIAEBW LE LOTS A

SWAN RIDGE LAKE DEVELOPMENT Swan Ridge Lake Development is more than 800 acres of beautifully wooded property located at scenic Dale Hollow Lake in Clay County, Tenn. The gated community has been cleared and made ready for building. What better way to enjoy the lakeside view than from the porch of your Honest Abe log home? A spacious lodge with swimming pool and tennis courts is available for use by property owners. Builders are encouraged to take advantage of Swan Ridge’s natural beauty by erecting an Honest Abe log home. Approximately 200 sites have currently been cleared, with seemingly endless acres of property available for future expansion. Whether it’s a second home, a rental home, or a retirement home, Swan Ridge can provide you with the perfect location for it. Dale Hollow Lake has been cited as one of the premier smallmouth bass fishing locations in the country. In fact, it is home to many high-profile tournaments, including official B.A.S.S. events and fundraisers. In addition to the smallmouth bass, anglers can also find trout and striper on Dale Hollow Lake’s many ideal fishing spots. You can also visit Mitchell Creek Marina for great fishing on Dale Hollow Lake, as well as for boat storage, camping and cabin rentals. But fishing isn’t the only outdoor activity that’s popular at Swan Ridge. Though some of land has been cleared for homebuilding, there are still plenty of wooded areas best suited for hiking and exploring nature. As an added bonus, Swan Ridge is located in Middle Tennessee, close enough to Nashville and Knoxville for those times when you want to experience some “big city life.” Certain incentives are available for those who wish to build an Honest Abe log home at Swan Ridge because it’s part of our family of companies. To learn more about home and land packages, visit Swan Ridge online at www.swanridgedevelopment.com or call 1-800-231-3695.

ROCKCASTLE FARMS DEVELOPMENT Getting back to nature is definitely what it’s all about at Rockcastle Farms. Whether your pastimes include fishing, boating, camping or cooking out, you’ll live immersed by nature’s majesty at this new residential development in Tennessee. Surrounded by dozens of state parks, lakes, hundreds of miles of horsebackriding trails, Rockcastle Farms will provide residents with endless hours of outdoor enjoyment. Located just up the road from Crossville, Tenn., RockCastle Farms can be found nestled in the hills of Jamestown. Much like Swan Ridge, this new development is conveniently located in the Upper Cumberland region of Middle Tennessee, halfway between Nashville and Knoxville. Visit Rockcastle Farms online at www. rockcastlefarms.com or call 1-800-708-8157 to schedule a private viewing.

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Planning for your dream home USE THESE 10 STEPS AS A GUIDE FOR PURCHASING YOUR LOG HOME. By Marcia Mansell

STEP ONE: RESEARCH

Learn all there is to know about log homes. Knowledge is power. Pour through log home magazines and books. Request literature from log home companies. If there is an opportunity, attend log home events in your area. Additionally, the Internet is an excellent tool in researching your log home. As you’re compiling all this information, make notes of what you like. Clip pictures of different styles and keep them in a binder for future reference. Once you’ve narrowed your choices of log home companies down to a few, tour their facilities or go to a seminar. Make sure the company you choose will work well with you and your vision.

STEP TWO: PREQUALIFY & ESTABLISH A BUDGET

Before getting too far into the process, know how much money you will have to work with. That is why becoming prequalified through a bank or lending institution is one of the first steps in purchasing your new log home.

STEP THREE: PURCHASE YOUR LAND

First and foremost, make sure the land you have your eye on is suitable for building. Because, as beautiful as it may be, some land may not support the kind of home you are planning. Some land may even prohibit construction due to environmental restrictions or zoning regulations. Questions to ask: • Is the property accessible to construction equipment? • Does the land have access to water and good drainage? • Will you have access to utilities, especially telephone service and electricity? • Are there any rules, restrictions or covenants that affect the land and its buildability? • Will the ground percolate well enough to handle a septic tank? Having “land in hand” is very important early on in the process. Many times, homeowners get inspiration for the design of their new homes from the landscape. Research your property choices well.

STEP FOUR: DESIGN YOUR HOME

The sky is virtually the limit in designing your customized log home. Meet with your chosen log home producer. Look through design catalogs. Discuss ideas with the representative. And bring out the three-ring binder of clippings you’ve collected during your research. Talking out your ideas with a designer will help make them a reality.

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STEP FIVE: DEVELOP A TIMELINE

If you’ve already established a date to move into your new log home, be prepared and willing to change it. Move-in dates must factor in time for construction and always allow for delays due to weather or other rescheduling issues. Check with your log home producer to determine the delivery date of your chosen log home package.

STEP SIX: ORDER BLUEPRINTS

STEP SEVEN: OBTAIN CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES

Industry professionals recommend ordering a preliminary set of blueprints for the log home well in advance of package delivery.

Your contractor or subcontractor must see your set of preliminary blueprints in order to prepare an estimate for labor and materials required to complete your project. Your lending institution will want to see the construction estimate when you apply for a loan.

STEP EIGHT: CHOOSE A GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Determine the level of involvement you will have in building the log home. Being your own contractor can save a lot of money. But keep in mind that you will be responsible for hiring and scheduling all subcontractors. Unless you have experience in this, you can end up spending more money than having gone with a general contractor. Many lenders will not approve a loan unless a professional contractor is building the home or acting as a builder

of record. Even if you don’t serve as your own general contractor, find ways to remain hands-on during the process and save money doing some of the labor.

STEP NINE: APPLY FOR LOANS

You will possibly need two loans when building your new log home. The first, the construction loan, pays for the assembly of the home. Once construction is completed, the construction loan must be paid off either with cash or a permanent mortgage. Many lenders today offer “construction-to-perm” loans. This type of loan allows one closing instead of the two associated with a construction and mortgage loan. Lenders charge more for the “construction-to-perm” loan, but many home builders consider it worth the cost to not have to go through the paperwork and hassle of two closings. Make sure you do your homework. Consult with lenders and real estate agents to determine the best loan for you.

STEP TEN: ORDER PACKAGE & PLACE A DEPOSIT

Log home companies have different requirements for payment, but most require some money down when you place your order, more to schedule manufacturing and the rest upon delivery. Delivery is usually arranged within a couple months of placing the order. Keep in mind that delivery is by semi-truck and requires an accessible jobsite. This means no sharp curves or steep hills, and a driveway already rocked.

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LOG ON ANYTIME! HONEST ABE NEWS UPCOMING EVENTS MODEL LOCATIONS PRODUCTS & SERVICES HOME PLANS FLOORPLANS LOGS & STYLES ROOF STYLES PHOTO GALLERY FEATURED ARTICLES TESTIMONIALS ONLINE STORE AND MORE…

www. HONESTABE .com For a complete overview of Honest Abe Log Home’s models and floorplans visit www.honestabe.com or call your nearest sales location to request your own copy of our new catalog.

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