Couple Deems New Log Home “Experience of a Lifetime”

Last Christmas (2018) Penelope Branson contacted Honest Abe Log Homes to share some of her holiday photos. At the time, she and husband Randy were still working on the house, but the Christmas photos were just too good not to share! The nine-room log home, located on family land in Dixon, Kentucky is a 6″x8″ D-log with an inserted corner notch. It has a living room, kitchen, dining, laundry, two baths, two bedrooms and a bonus room, which has become Randy’s man cave.

“We’re from a small town and coal mining families,” Penelope said. “We have three beautiful girls and two gorgeous grandchildren and are empty nesters. We love our family, pets, fishing, arrowhead hunting, deer hunting and spending time with family and friends. Being able to design and work on your log home has been one of the greatest accomplishments we have experienced. There’s no way to describe the pride in building your own log home. Experience of a lifetime.”

Randy Branson made this bed from cedar trees on the Branson property.

Greg Watson, Sales Representative at Honest Abe Log Homes Cookeville, helped guide the Bransons though designing and building their log home. The Bransons looked a numerous home plans, but ultimately they presented their own original drawing to Greg so that the Honest Abe design team could draw the plans they wanted. The home’s main floor is 1,678 SF, and the second floor is 628 SF. There’s a 743 SF garage, 387 SF of porches and a back deck that’s 564 SF. 

“We loved the D-log,” Penelope said, explaining their choice of log style. “I wanted a flat surface for hanging pictures and other things inside yet loved the round logs on the outside. We made sure we could place Indian arrowheads that we have found into the hearth of the fireplace. We also made sure our dining room was large enough for a farm table.”

As construction progressed they realized they wanted a bonus room and did not want to waste any space that could be used. It’s become a man cave for Randy. They say the home’s most outstanding features are the fireplace, the front door, two bathrooms with copper tubs, the back deck and trim work they did themselves.

“We always believed a fireplace was an important part of a log home, Penelope said, adding that it’s their favorite feature.

Stair rails inside and railing on the exterior decks were made from trees from the property where the home is situated by Randy Branson.

The Bransons said they were happy they chose Honest Abe Log Homes after much careful research and several visits with other companies “At Honest Abe, we felt the quality of the Homes, material and mill, were top notch as well as Honest Abe being a family oriented business,” Penelope said. “Also, Greg was super nice and answered all questions and concerns we had.”

Penelope says the experience was “perfect for us” and was very pleased with the building crew as well as their choice of manufacturer.
“The builders did an awesome job and were great people,” she said. My husband and I did a lot of interior work ourselves, and we feel that it was very satisfying and rewarding.”

Interview by Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes

Photos provided by the homeowner