Naming Your Log Cabin |
Naming Your Log Cabin
Once you build the log home of your dreams, what will you call it? Our guidelines begin here.
Naming your home has a bad reputation. After all, think about all the times you've driven by a driveway the length of a most airstrips and glanced at a sign that read: "The Glens of Comstock" or "Royal Viscount Hills."
Your reaction: What a bunch of pretentious jerks.
Our sentiments exactly—but we also believe, as it seems many log-home owners do, that naming your property can take a more creative and less haughty approach. In fact, the process of naming the cabin in the woods can say a lot about who you are, the area that surrounds your property and your feelings on creating a family legacy.
"Our cabin is going to be our retirement home, but it's also a place for our four kids to bring their families, in-laws and friends—so we wanted the home to have a welcoming name: Big Pine Lodge," says Debbie Chapoton, who lives on 62 acres in northern Michigan with her husband Paul. "We chose a name that conveyed woodsy—we're surrounded by pine—and laidback."
And it's anything but pretentious.
While there's no formula to follow when naming your cabin and perpetuating its "legend," there are definitely some loose ground rules.
Name it after a region, indigenous animals or something that resonates with guests. Greg and Shelley Martinez named their Michigan getaway cabin "The Loon's Nest" to reflect the lonely cry of Shelley's favorite waterfowl. "Greg and I wanted the name to express our love of nature and wildlife," says Shelley. "We were inspired by a pair of nesting loons that return to our lake every spring to raise their family."
Over the years, we've featured homes that have been named after local mountains, nearby waterways, Native American tribes, bears, coyotes, deer and different types of flora (think "Dogwood Lodge.")
Make it sound like a dream retreat. Your home's name should sound like a shelter from a world that is getting increasingly complicated. We've seen the word "rest" capped on to the end of many monikers, including "Hiker's Rest" and "Fisherman's Rest." Of course, the word "retreat" also conveys the easygoing nature and purpose of your new home.
Create a "brand" for your home. A house's name is more than a sign nailed to a tree or a front-porch post. It should be a state of mind, not only for family but everyone who knows you and might visit. Debbie and Paul had tee shirts and sweatshirts made with the home's "logo" on the front, and Shelley burned CDs ("The Loon's Nest Jazz") that she gives to friends who visit—just after she places a sweet jar of "The Loon's Nest Jam" in their hands. These gestures make your home and its name more memorable and, as Debbie says, everyone who wears one of those Big Pine Lodge sweatshirts knows he or she is part of something special.
Make it personal. When Coloradans Kathryn and Mark Scott-Witthar began searching for the perfect piece of property a few years ago, a realtor showed them 40-acre lots that were outrageously priced. "We told him we could buy 40 acres for much less, and he disagreed," says Kathryn. So the couple dragged the realtor to a gorgeous lot. His response: "Is that all you want? Nothing but dirt?" Of course, that's where the couple bought and promptly named their cherished property "Nothin But Dirt," as if to thumb their noses at conventional wisdom.
Plenty of companies cater to your creativity and will craft signs as elaborately or down-home as suits your lifestyle (see "Sign of the Times" on page 18 for suggestions). Paul even took on the task himself by using quarter-log pine siding and tongue-and-groove paneling leftover from construction. He used a jigsaw to cut pine-tree patterns in his family's 4-foot-square sign.
One thing soon becomes clear: People refer to your home by its name. "They don't simply say, 'the cabin,' they refer to it as BPL—Big Pine Lodge," says Debbie.
Which proves that, like people, a home delivers more meaning once we know its name.
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By Isa Persello on Jun 26, 2009
My husband & I bought a log home in Pollock Pines, CA in 2006. The home was built in 1999 by Precision Craft. The owner's name was George Widdows. He had a bronze plaque made & installed it on one of the cabin's lower front walls. On the day we had our "walk-thru" George said he was taking the plaque w/him as we certainly didn't need it.
I told him of course we wanted the plaque! The house WAS the "Widdows" house & will always be the "Widdows House". At that, he started crying & put the plaque back.
By Ronnie & Gail Lane on Jun 28, 2009
We loved the article about naming one's log home! Our dream is now in its 38th year of development--we finally found the perfect 3 acres in Park County Colorado a few years ago and will build within the next couple of years. Meanwhile, as 4th generation Arkansans and Razorback "Hog" fans, we've already decided to name our place "Razorback Roost", as that is where we will retire. One of our design elements will be the guest powder room which will be Razorback Red-themed and the sign on the door will be "The Roostroom".
By Linda Biggs on Jul 01, 2009
We have a name for our Mountainview Lodge from Tennessee Log Homes once completed. Using our name and understating the gorgeous design, we will call it Biggs Little Cabin. How fun is that? It is nestled in the Amish country of central Ohio's rolling hills...dotted with dreamily rural and idyllic farms and horse-carted buggies.
By Jack Johnson on Jul 02, 2009
Great article. Loved the sign in the photo but didn't see who or where it was made. Googled Cabin Signs and found some very similar at lodgesigns.com. Good stuff Mr. Henry. I'm happy I found you and I'll be placing my order for one when I return from the cabin next week. J. Johnson, Johnson's Peak, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
By William Lee on Jul 28, 2009
Our log cabin along the shores of Lake Erie faces the morning sun. We named it "Due East". Thanks for the tip on Matthew Henry's Lodge Signs Jack. We're thinking of having him make us a sign for out by the road as soon as we figure out which of his many beautiful designs to choose from. Love his loon scene in the photo.
By Margie Ubben on Aug 15, 2009
Greetings from the Far North Matthew Henry,I recently ordered one of your signs customized. My husband LOVED IT! I really appreciate all the time you took, about 4 emails back and forth. Within 3 days time span. To get the personalized perfect product I wanted. I will recommend you to all my friends! You may use this recommendation! THANK YOU AGAIN! A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER! Margie Ubben,Kotzebue,Alaska.
By Margie Ubben on Aug 15, 2009
Greetings from the Far North Matthew Henry,I recently ordered one of your signs customized. My husband LOVED IT! I really appreciate all the time you took, about 4 emails back and forth. Within 3 days time span. To get the personalized perfect product I wanted. I will recommend you to all my friends! You may use this recommendation! Our sign fits our style: "Ubben Fishn" It had a King Salmon it.
THANK YOU AGAIN! A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER! Margie Ubben,Kotzebue,Alaska.
By Mike Sinsigalli on Sep 14, 2009
As a sailor who subscribes to the old seafaring superstition that one nevers changes the name of a boat, I am wondering if the same holds true with log homes. Eva and I are in the process of purchasing our first log home in New Hampshire and would hate to evoke the rath of the north woods our first time out.