The popularity of rusticating – city folks retiring or escaping the stress and hubbub of the city and seeking a quieter life in the countryside – began in the late nineteenth century as city life became more complicated and unpleasant. It got a shot in the arm from the hippie movement with its “back to the land” ideal. The popularity of rusticating has been increased with the ability to make a good living anywhere in the world over the internet. It is no longer necessary to give up the dream of a simple and natural lifestyle in the name of Mammon. The original nineteenth century rusticators were wealthy families who only spent their summer months at their log house plans camps, but their household staffs often remained behind during the winters fashioning furniture for their patron’s homes. The designs of these pieces reflected a desire to create interesting furniture – from chairs to mirror frames to tables to lamps – using only materials such as logs and twigs found naturally nearby. Nowadays rustic furniture-makers follow the same tradition of utilizing natural local materials to create beautiful pieces of authentic log furniture and decorative pieces; however they often use modern accents and materials such as glues and finishes. Most of these furniture-makers are small mom and pop businesses, which often offer their wares for sale over the internet.
Deciding what wood species is best for the furniture in your log home floor plans is often a matter of personal taste and lifestyle, as well as availability and price. The most interesting fact about red cedar (which is also called “aromatic cedar” because of its pleasant scent) is that it isn’t a cedar at all. Actually, it is a member of the juniper family, and its popularity is due not only to its scent but to the fact that it naturally resists insect and rot damage, so that clothes stored in red cedar chests have automatic protection from moths. This wood also has tight knots which add beauty and character to finished pieces. Red cedar is a wood of medium strength and varies in color from pinkish- to darkish- brown. White cedar is an actual cedar which is lightweight and dimensionally stable. It lies flat and it stays straight, which means that it is resistant to the tendency to check and crack. It is popular for outdoor furniture because its cell structure allows it to dry faster than most other hardwoods, so that it resists moisture rot. It is quite strong, and varies in color from light brown to medium brown.
Because hickory trunks usually don’t grow wider than 3″, hickory furniture typically is constructed of small diameter logs. This makes it a good choice for side tables and chairs, but it isn’t sturdy enough for larger pieces such as beds. It is very strong, and it varies in color from tan to darkish brown. Another popular wood species in log homes plans is cypress, which naturally produces an oil which acts like a built-in preservative. This characteristic makes cypress extremely durable and resistant to insects, fungus, and extreme weather conditions. Because cypress lacks sap and hence doesn’t bleed, it also takes stains, paints, and sealants quite well.