Beautifying the Cabin

The cabin that is in a gloomy forest can be made more lively by introducing some color into the roof. Stain several batches of shingles different colors and apply them in random fashion, to produce a mottled effect. It will not be found out of harmony with the setting, if properly done, even when bright colors are used.

The use of paints for exterior and interior finishing is applicable to all types of cabins, lodges, and the like. Even a log house can be made more attractive and durable by proper use of paint on doors, window sash, and floors. The paint can be of the prepared type obtainable everywhere, or can be mixed on the job from white lead, linseed oil, color pigments, and drier. Turpentine is added with the oil for exterior prime coats, to hasten penetration. When using prepared paint, thin each gallon with 1 to 1 ½, quarts of turpen­tine, for the prime coat.

A highly important matter is to mix all paint thoroughly just before using. Paint, when left stand­ing, settles, so that it should be mixed each time it is used. Proper mixing will eliminate a lot of painting grief.

Knots and streaks in pine and other woods, which are likely to ooze resin and cause later scaling of paint, should be treated with a coat of shellac or an applica­tion of turpentine before the paint is put on.

After the prime coat has dried for three or four days, putty all holes in the wood and apply the second coat. Use the paint as it normally is mixed, if but two coats are to be given. This gives a glossy surface. Addition of a little turpentine, say a pint to the gallon, will pro­duce a slightly matte surface. If three coats are to be applied, the second coat can be thinned slightly with turpentine. When applying the paint, remember that the secret of producing a good job is not to pile it on thickly, but rather to brush it well into the wood. Paint in thick layers will peel sooner or later.

Floor paint differs from ordinary exterior paint in that it contains varnish that increases its durability. For shutters there is a special chrome-green shutter paint that is used for the finish coat.

There is a trick that can be used to make the small lake cottage or other summer home look larger. This

This rustic gate, somewhat elaborate in construction, will lend an air of distinction to your vacation home.

trick is to use proper colors that give the impression of greater size. Cream, ivory, and other light, warm tints will do the trick, and will harmonize with a great many other colors. When there are no near-by trees, grayish greens and light grays can be used with a similar effect. A long, low, rambling effect, so desirable when the building nestles among the trees and has aspirations to be informal like an old-fashioned log cabin, can be enhanced by proper use of color. Thus a weather-boarded lake cottage can be divided by a horizontal line running around it about half-way between eaves and foundation, and the lower half painted a dark tone and the upper part a lighter color. Another way is to shingle the upper half and stain it a light gray and paint the lower half a darker tone. With these schemes a dark-colored roof should be employed. When the process is reversed and the lower part of the house made lighter than the upper half, a top-heavy effect is produced.
When the surface has been painted before, it is im­portant that all old, scaly paint be removed by a vigorous work-out with a wire brush. The prime coat should be properly thinned with turpentine and thoroughly brushed into the wood.

Outside beautification of the cabin other than paint­ing will consist mostly of the erection of fences and gates, arbors, pergolas for open-air dining, and the like; and the planting of shrubs and flowers.

For the woodland cabin, a yard that looks as nearly like the native woods as possible is desirable. When
building the cabin do not cut or let anyone else cut any trees that are not dangerous or that do not stand where the cabin is to be placed. Likewise, refrain from trimming trees and removing branches near the ground, unless the branches constitute a hazard to heads of the cabin occupants. After the cabin is completed and has been in use for a while, you will be able to decide what trees should be removed or what branches cut away, so that you can enjoy a beautiful vista or take advantage of prevailing breezes. Native shrubs are de­sirable in the cabin yard. These can be transplanted without trouble. The same is true of wild flowers. Domesticated flowers such as pansies and begonias somehow look out of place in the woods. They may, however, appear perfectly at home by the lake cottage.

Trellises and rose arbors are useful for general decoration and for camouflaging outdoor privies and the walks that lead to them. The usual white-painted framework is out of place in a rustic setting. A better way is to use poles of some wood, such as California redwood, that does not require painting in order to keep it from rotting. Redwood and cypress are naturally resistant to weather and decay. Unpainted pine and other woods will last a long time, too. It is a good idea to apply hot creosote to the portions of poles and stakes that will be buried in the ground. Pergolas and summer houses can be built of poles or any of the various inexpensive woods. Such structures should, of course, always be in harmony with the main cabin, in design, material, and color.

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How To Build A Log Cabin