HOME & GARDEN Home for the Holidays, Log Cabin Style

"Our dream home has always been a log home," says Robin Lawler, standing on the porch of her family's two-bedroom retreat in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. &emsp;When she and her husband, Steven, first went house-hunting, they thought they'd have to build from scratch to find something in their price range. But as it turned out, their future was waiting for them right here in a pocket of Southern New Hampshire, where only about 2,400 people call home. &emsp;Fitzwilliam (the only town with that name in the United States) is known for the tradition and historic character it possesses. There are many reasons to be delighted by this uniquely New England village, but for the Lawlers, it wasn't the town itself that drew them in — it was their home-to-be. &emsp;"We grew up in Milford (NH), and we kept moving farther west because this is where we feel most at home: In the woods," Robin says with a laugh. And here in the heart of the Monadnock Region, she and her husband finally found the house they'd been searching for, built in 2006 by Hiawatha Log Homes. &emsp;The Lawlers are the fourth owners of the house to the best of their knowledge, and they revel in every detail of their special property. &emsp;"There are a lot of custom and non-cookie-cutter features about this house that every family has added to during their time here," she says. &emsp;Some include the home's gorgeous farmers porch, a Juliette balcony off the primary bedroom, and a 500-square-foot Trex deck. Those touches make daily rhythms feel like a retreat, whether it's morning coffee under the porch roof while rain taps the railing or supper on the deck as evening drifts over the trees. &emsp;But what the Lawlers enjoy most is that "living in a log home makes us feel connected to nature 24/7, which is something we are really passionate about," she explains. Theirs is a true log home, with open logs on the interior, as well. They had the exterior completely stripped and resealed/re-caulked in 2022. &emsp;"Log homes can be intimidating because they do require some extra maintenance. But as long as it's done right, the extra work is absolutely worth it," Robin says. &emsp;Regular washing, sealing, and chinking repairs are typically needed to protect the logs from moisture, insects and UV damage. That care pays off in both beauty and longevity. When the sun hits the home's honey-colored timbers, the glow seems almost alive, and when snow piles gently along the beams, it looks straight out of a storybook. &emsp;Inside, the space is equally entrancing, with an open-concept living area that feels both cozy and expansive. Inside a log home, additional lighting may be needed to compensate for the dark-colored logs. And Robin admits she worried about things looking too dark when they first moved in. &emsp;"Where we lived previously, we found ourselves decorating with darker-toned furniture and fixtures to make the place feel more homey," Robin says. &emsp;When they arrived at their log home, they were surprised by how well their existing furniture blended seamlessly into the surroundings. Their style is rustic, featuring earth tones, cast iron, dark plaids, exposed beams and lanterns. And much of the look has come together seamlessly, with the couple's favorite pieces helping to define the space and balance the rugged beam work. &emsp;Wall treatments have been trickier, including trying to hang a new item on the uneven surfaces. &emsp;"I have to move (items) a few times until it sits flat, since all the logs aren't completely level with each other," Robin says. She has also had to swap out some formerly wooden frames or pieces of art, as well, because "it blends in and you don't get the effect you were looking for." &emsp;But aside from those few technicalities, she hasn't found it hard to create an all-around homey feel, especially during the holiday season. &emsp;"We really do go all out during Christmas, from hundreds of feet of lit and unlit garland all throughout the house to our 13-foot real Christmas tree we cut ourselves," she says. &emsp;Robin and her husband consider winter, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas, one of the best seasons to live in their log home, which overlooks their nearly 10-acre property. &emsp;"There is nothing like sitting in your living room next to a wood stove while watching the snow fall outside," Robin says. "Spending Christmas in a log home is truly magical, and I look forward to it every year." &emsp;The rhythms continue after the holidays, when days are crisp, quiet, and clear. During the rest of the winter season, the Lawlers enjoy home cooking and being near the wood stove. &emsp;"And sometimes if the power goes out — home cooking on the wood stove!" she notes. For simmering stew or a pot of cocoa, the fire adds both utility and atmosphere. &emsp;When the winter winds blow, the Lawlers have one other staple they rely on — flannel everything. Because if winter calls for flannel, a good log home delivers with doorways for garland, a kettle for the stove, and a porch that practically begs you to sit for a while. The Lawlers' log home does just that, fitting them perfectly and making cozy a way of life.