BROKEN OAK HILL(R) Dispatches from the heart of Wisconsin Cabin and Lakefront Living Show
From start to finish, show offers guide
to better cabin life
The Cabin and Lakefront Living Show was held April 16-18 at the Wisconsin Expo Center at State Fair Park in Milwaukee.
The exhibitors ran the gamut, from real estate people and builders to artists and furniture makers, as well as boats and lakeside equipment like dock systems. There was a garage organizing system on display, steel and aluminum roofing, kitchen cultlery and cooking equipment, herbs and specialty food products, and even a home security company.
The last place we stopped on the way out was Green Design & Construction, where we talked to Christopher Schmidt, the president. His firm builds log and timber frame homes, often using reclaimed wood products. They also specialize in restoration services. We wish they could have been around 50 years ago when we pulled down the old barn on our farm that had hand-hewn beams and wood-peg construction. We didn't even save the lumber. What a waste that seems now.
Earlier we visited with Larry Larsen of Token Creek Cedar, one of several exhibitors showing their cabin furniture. One of his specialties is table tops inlaid with
small coin shaped slices of wood from various trees. It creates a beautiful effect, especially if you're in to wood creations. Token Creek Cedar is north of Madison, near DeForest.
We made lots of stops, even checked out a $20,000 pontoon boat, the 20-foot Osprey offered by Cedar Lake Sales. If a boat of any kind is in our future, it's a ways down the road, though, so we moved on.
Another artisan who caught our eye was John Dorn, artist/owner of Wisconsin Wrought Iron of Milton. His creations of cattails and cranes and pheasants flying would add a nice accent to any cabin, and the prices seemed reasonable. His number is 608-290-6027.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves, because we don't even have the new cabin to furnish yet.
We did spend a good deal of time talking with various builders at the show, looking for ideas, particularly on the design front. One company that builds interesting "alternative technologies" cabins was Blowin in the Wind, offering completely self-contained units that leaves no carbon footprint. It has a composting toilet and battery, wind and solar power for electricity, and a rainwater catch system.
A little too advanced for our needs, perhaps, but with some good ideas. Other stops where we picked up more good information were Tomahawk Log and Country Homes, Timberpeg, Waldman Construction as well as the garage-organizing booth called Monkey-Bars.
A complete list of the exhibitors is available on the show's website.
to better cabin life
The Cabin and Lakefront Living Show was held April 16-18 at the Wisconsin Expo Center at State Fair Park in Milwaukee.
The exhibitors ran the gamut, from real estate people and builders to artists and furniture makers, as well as boats and lakeside equipment like dock systems. There was a garage organizing system on display, steel and aluminum roofing, kitchen cultlery and cooking equipment, herbs and specialty food products, and even a home security company.
The last place we stopped on the way out was Green Design & Construction, where we talked to Christopher Schmidt, the president. His firm builds log and timber frame homes, often using reclaimed wood products. They also specialize in restoration services. We wish they could have been around 50 years ago when we pulled down the old barn on our farm that had hand-hewn beams and wood-peg construction. We didn't even save the lumber. What a waste that seems now.
Earlier we visited with Larry Larsen of Token Creek Cedar, one of several exhibitors showing their cabin furniture. One of his specialties is table tops inlaid with
small coin shaped slices of wood from various trees. It creates a beautiful effect, especially if you're in to wood creations. Token Creek Cedar is north of Madison, near DeForest.We made lots of stops, even checked out a $20,000 pontoon boat, the 20-foot Osprey offered by Cedar Lake Sales. If a boat of any kind is in our future, it's a ways down the road, though, so we moved on.
Another artisan who caught our eye was John Dorn, artist/owner of Wisconsin Wrought Iron of Milton. His creations of cattails and cranes and pheasants flying would add a nice accent to any cabin, and the prices seemed reasonable. His number is 608-290-6027.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves, because we don't even have the new cabin to furnish yet.
We did spend a good deal of time talking with various builders at the show, looking for ideas, particularly on the design front. One company that builds interesting "alternative technologies" cabins was Blowin in the Wind, offering completely self-contained units that leaves no carbon footprint. It has a composting toilet and battery, wind and solar power for electricity, and a rainwater catch system.
A little too advanced for our needs, perhaps, but with some good ideas. Other stops where we picked up more good information were Tomahawk Log and Country Homes, Timberpeg, Waldman Construction as well as the garage-organizing booth called Monkey-Bars.
A complete list of the exhibitors is available on the show's website.
Photo above: Hand-painted ceramic sinks from Pueblo Southwest Shops, if you're seeking something distinctive for your cabin or country home. Their exhibit also features sinks and a full-size bath tub made of hammered copper.
Workers were putting the finishing touches on the show cabin Friday afternoon. This two-bedroom model is offered by Distinct Discovery Homes for about $120,000. You can see a neat time-lapse video of the cabin going up at the show's website.
Even pool tables like this one from Lonesome Cottage Furniture Co. in Pequot Lake, Minn., are available with the rustic look, if that's your desire.
A sample of the metal sculptures on display by John Dorn of Milton.
When we do get our new house built, I might just get something like this glider chair from Amish Craftsmen Guild II, which has a showroom in Cedarburg. We gave it a test ride and really didn't want to get back up. The furniture is made with recycled plastic and stainless steel fasteners, so it can stay outside year-round.
Workers were putting the finishing touches on the show cabin Friday afternoon. This two-bedroom model is offered by Distinct Discovery Homes for about $120,000. You can see a neat time-lapse video of the cabin going up at the show's website.
Even pool tables like this one from Lonesome Cottage Furniture Co. in Pequot Lake, Minn., are available with the rustic look, if that's your desire.
A sample of the metal sculptures on display by John Dorn of Milton.
When we do get our new house built, I might just get something like this glider chair from Amish Craftsmen Guild II, which has a showroom in Cedarburg. We gave it a test ride and really didn't want to get back up. The furniture is made with recycled plastic and stainless steel fasteners, so it can stay outside year-round.
