Behind the "Logheads" Theme Song

As you well may know if you've been reading for awhile, Rocky Top Log Furniture is a true-blue family business. Our faithful leaders, Tommy and Gwen Mitchell, started Rocky Top in their home garage more than twenty years ago and with the help of their family, friends and some good neighbors, they've built their once-humble dream into the nation's premiere manufacturer of Northern White Cedar log furniture.

If you call, you're likely to chat with Tommy's sister, Sharon, or Gwen's sister, Robin. You'll see mommas bouncing babies on their knees while they talk log furniture with customers all over the world and at lunchtime, you can find us all rubbing elbows and swapping stories around a big table like the family we are. And if you're watching the premiere of "Logheads" this Thursday on the DIY Network, you're going to hear our niece and nephew, Wesley May and Erica Martin, performing the theme song for the show. The brother and sister duo may be new on the national stage but they're legends here in Kentucky and we're thrilled and honored to count them as "logheads." Check them out on Facebook here. We're sure you'll be seeing more of them soon!

Wesley May and Erica May of "Simon Pure" wrote the original "Logheads" theme song.

Throw a Logheads Premiere Party!

Logheads premieres this Thursday, August 22nd at 10 PM on the DIY Network! We'll show you how  to throw a Rocky Top-style premiere party with these rustic-inspired recipes, decorations and more. 

Invitations:
 
Set the tone for your laid back gathering with a quick and casual invitation. Punchbowl is a party-savvy, online resource that will allow you to customize an electronic invitation. You may also want to check out evite.com or myinvites.com.


Menu:

For the ultimate Rocky Top-style party, check out this tutorial for cooking on a log!

We love this take on Kentucky's famous Hot Brown. The mini portions will make a perfect showtime snack!

If you're looking for lighter fare, consider setting up a popcorn bar. Offer guests a variety of gourmet, savory seasonings and sweet mix-ins like M&Ms or caramel drizzle.

Serve up this twist on a Southern party staple! We love the look of these cheese straws in individual cones for easy serving.

Could there be a more rustic dessert than bacon-topped, maple cupcakes? 

Then again, we're loving this chainsaw-inspired cake!

 Decorating Tips:

Shop your local crafts store or even your own backyard for wood to create rustic platters for serving.

These rustic-inspired "wine glasses" are too much fun!

For more party inspiration, check out our party planning board on Pinterest!

KY based family stars in new DIY Network show “LOGHEADS”

(Lancaster, KY) August, 2013 - A local family-owned and operated business is ready to make their mark on a nation-wide television audience on August 22, 2013.

LogHeads features Tommy and Gwen Mitchell owners of Rocky Top Log Furniture and Railing.  Specializing in custom crafted hand-made log furniture and in building log cabin homes, the husband and wife team transformed their garage-based business into a multi-million dollar success.

The premiere episode follows the Mitchells and their team of LogHeads as they face the challenging task of building a log cabin from the ground up. Not only is the log cabin build-site hours from their home headquarters but they will also juggle the stressful demands of running the rest of their business. To make things tougher, the roads to the cabin are narrow and tight, creating more tension for getting the materials and logs on site. Tommy Mitchell took on the tricky build job because he felt a sympathy and connection with the homeowners.

Tommy says, “They (the Kopple family) lost their home in a tragic fire. Years and years of memories were tied to that land and their old cabin. I couldn’t say no to the opportunity of giving them their dream back and the chance to help them build new memories.”

The episode also features Tommy constructing a very special bedroom suite that high-lights a classic piece of Americana and playfully follows Gwen Mitchell and her friends as they partake in a choreographed line dance for a music-video shot for Kentucky-based band, Simon Pure.

LogHeads, produced by Los Angeles based Media Meld Studios, will broadcast on August 22, 2013 at 10 PM and repeat again on August 24, 2013 at 11 PM on the DIY Network.

This is the first DIY show for Media Meld Studios. It’s production follows on the heels of Media Meld’s recent documentary film release, Happy on the Ground: 8 Days at GRAMMY® Camp. The film premiered at the GRAMMY® museum at LA Live.

5 Ways to Get This Look: Rustic Bedroom

Ready to upgrade your bedroom style? To celebrate our Bedroom Upgrade Sale, we've got five tips for transforming your master or guest suite into a rustic retreat!

1. Create warmth and visual interest with rustic lighting. We love this stunning antler ceiling fixture because it adds both to this master suite.

2. Choose the right size bed for your space. Before you make a purchase, determine what the maximum size bed is that will work within your space. A well-chosen bed will give you both comfort and create a stunning focal point in the room.

3. A well-placed mirror can make your space feel larger and create a interesting focal point in the room.

4. Well-chosen window treatments can quickly enhance the warmth of your master or guest suite. We love the look of these simple, no-sew burlap drapes. You can find the tutorial here.

5. Look for ways to add natural details to achieve your rustic look. Mix textures like burlap, leather and wicker. This unexpected use of antlers as a curtain tie back adds just a touch of rustic charm without being over the top.

What rustic touches have you added to your home?

Railing Reveal

Happy Friday, Logheads! It's porch-sittin' weather here at Rocky Top and boy, do we have a porch for you! We were so excited to get before and after shots from a client we've been working with and we just had to share them. As you can see, their porch needed some love...

We worked closely with them to create custom log railing to fit their needs and then they set out to make their dream porch happen. The end result is stunning!

Ready to get started on your porch or deck makeover? Let us help you get started! You'll be sitting pretty on your porch soon enough.

5 Rustic Fire Pits

Here at Rocky Top, we don't have to have much of a reason to gather with friends and family. We believe that just an ordinary Wednesday can be made special with some good food and conversation and we build our furniture with that philosophy in mind. Our rustic, outdoor furniture in particular is designed to draw folks in to sit a spell. Add a fire, some tasty treats, and you have the makings for a memorable evening.

To get you inspired, here's a few of our favorite, rustic fire pits that would work beautifully with our Northern White Cedar outdoor furniture for a variety of budgets.

1. Shabby But Chic

This budget-friendly fire pit is big on character without the big price tag. Transform an old wheelbarrow into a unique centerpiece for bonfires.

2. Get Handy!

Another budget-friendly option, this unique fire pit would be a great weekend project to do with the family!

3. Bowl of Fun!

Get the rustic yet modern look of this stunning fire pit bowl with this creative tutorial.

4. Fabulous Fireplace

If you're ready to add something more permanent to your landscape, consider building a rustic, outdoor fireplace on your deck or in your yard.

5. Go Bold with Built-Ins

Make the most of a beautiful view with a built-in gathering place like this one. We can just picture our Northern White Cedar Adirondacks circled up in the cozy, waterside nook.

NEW! Grizzly Square Cedar Log Dining Table

Happy Monday, Friends! We're so excited to share with you the newest design in our collection of rustic, log dining tables. Our Grizzly Square Cedar Log Dining Table boasts lots of character and a timeless design.

The table is beautifully crafted of Northern White Cedar and features unique, natural details. With lots of serving space, it's the perfect table for low-key and intimate gatherings. To help you get out of the kitchen and to the table faster for good food and conversation, here's some of our favorite easy and delicious summer meals!

Pepper-Grilled Steak with Chopped Summer Salad

 Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Salmon

 Stuffed Cabbage with Beef and Rice

Slow-Cooked Ham in Cider Gravy

Blackberry Farm's Blackberry Cobbler

For more rustic recipes, follow us here on Pinterest!

5 Inspired Rustic Summer Homes

We love to feature rustic homes that inspire us and this week, we have found some stunning summer homes that marry beautifully man-made design and nature. Of course, it's this same pursuit to bring the outdoors in that drives us to create rustic, log furniture that is both functional and beautiful or long-last outdoor pieces that let you sit center stage to nature's glory. So without further ado, here's a few rustic summer homes that have us inspired this week. Sit back with a glass of sweet tea and get inspired with us!

With it's popsicle-red trim and rich, natural details, this home is a summer-stunner. Recreate the look of this charming patio at home with our Cedar Log Chaise Lounge.

 

We're loving the deep greens of this rustic, summer home and how it gracefully works with nature. Create your own fireside gathering place with our Signature Cedar Log Adirondack Chairs.

This water-side retreat dazzles with it's warm, glowing lights and gorgeous, rustic craftsmanship. We can't help but dream of lounging on that deck on our extra-wide, Double Chaise Lounge.

How stunning is this outdoor fireplace? We would love to cozy up here with friends in our Blue Ridge Cedar Log Chair.

How fun is this rustic tree house? The only thing it's missing is a set of bunk beds to make it the ultimate summer retreat! Taking inspiration from the house's rustic design, we'd style the home with our Logheads Grizzly Cabin Log Bed. We just wouldn't want to carry it up those stairs!

Which house has you inspired? For more rustic home inspiration, follow us on Pinterest!

New at Rocky Top!

Hey, Friends! Hope your week is off to a great start! There are so many exciting things happening here at Rocky Top, from wrapping up filming on our first episode of "Logheads" to adding new, beautifully-crafted pieces of furniture to our collection. One thing's for sure, it's a great time to be a Loghead!


Speaking of new designs, we've added two new dressers to our collection today and we're thrilled over both of them. Combining form and function, these pieces are sure to be treasured for generations to come. Both pieces are crafted of Northern White Cedar, a low maintenance and long-lasting wood known for its beauty and richness of character. Which piece would you love to bring home?

Full Grizzly 6 Drawer Dresser

Rough Sawn 12 Drawer Dresser

Also, don't miss our "Deal of the Week," featuring our best-loved sofa chair and ottoman!

Get the Look: Kids' Camp Bedroom

Stay weekend-ready with a fun and nostalgic, camp-themed bedroom for the little ones. With it's summer-year-round vibe, this bedroom is made for making memories. Here's how to get the look:

Source

With it's rustic-vibe and natural details, our Logheads Grizzly Cabin Log Bunk Bed is big on character. The beautifully-crafted, Northern White Cedar log bunk bed is built to withstand years of rough-housing, making it an ideal choice for kids with big imaginations.

Our well-loved Cedar Log Desk boasts a classic design that will fit your child's needs for years to come. We love this desk as a workplace for coloring or homework but here it pulls double-duty as a nightstand to keep a lamp within arm's reach.

Perfect for a shared-bedroom, our 12 Drawer Log Dresser boasts tons of storage space in one, stunning piece of furniture.

We're loving this upcycled Coleman lantern, that's been cleverly reimagined as a bedside lamp. You can find this and other vintage camp finds on etsy.com.

Snag a vintage quilt or Buffalo Check bedding at an estate sale or online auction. We found this vintage, red check quilt on Etsy for a song!

Did you have a bunk bed growing up?