Taking Shape One of the many fun things of making your dream come true is picking a floor plan. We found that, given that anywhere from 70%-90% of log homes include some sort of customizations, selecting a physical layout (floor plan) can happen somewhat separately from selecting the exterior style. In other words, if you love the layout of a particular model ranch, but hate the 'flow' of the floor plan, you can readily shift it. Either create it yourself from scratch, or borrow from an interior layout you like! In our case we looked at numerous floor plans. Months of looking at magazines, websites, floorplans from different vendors. Personally, it reminded me of my search for a wedding dress. I tried on what seemed like billions, but when I found "the one", it just looked perfect! When we came across the New Castle (from the Original Lincoln Logs), we loved the two second-floor outside balconies. This was it!!

Designing the Flow Despite having found the 'perfect' log home model plan, we realized we weren't too fond of the interior. No matter. We sketched in what we wanted. Actually, 'sketched' for us, two computer geeks, was to get an off-the-shelf 3D floor plan program installed on our computer and go to town! The importance of dealers! At this point, we had also selected the dealers we would do business with (Bill & Sharon Beltz of the Original Lincoln Logs). They were instrumental in guiding us through the process of every detail. On the floor plans design, they were open to whatever our design was, and double-checked with us that we accounted for all of the basics. In doing a re-design, you can easily manage to eliminate a required "mechanicals" room, or create rooms & spaces too small or large.

Time! A final note: all of this takes time. It is well worth the effort to ensure that you are very comfortable with the home that you've created on paper. If you're like us, you expect to have it for years & years to come. After our sketch, there were also several rounds back and forth with Lincoln's Engineering staff, who does the formal official blueprints. You will find your rooms "shrink" from the thickness of walls, get feedback on everything from aesthetics (aligning 2nd and 1st floor windows and doors) to building code requirements (fire doors & egress needs). Give yourself and them time to do it RIGHT!