Some homes are built on land. Others are built on stories.
Before a single log was stacked, before stain colors were debated or chinking lines were planned, this property already mattered. A lot. It’s where Jerry Fekete spent his younger years training as a competitive road bike racer, pedaling the roads that wind through the countryside. Years later, after life took him to other states, he returned with his wife, Jennifer, showed her the land, and she fell in love with it too.
They didn’t just choose this property for their future log home. They chose it for their wedding.
They were married right there on the land, before the house existed, and then decided to build a log home that honored the place, the past, and the future they were creating together.
That’s where Jeffus Log Home Stain & Service comes in.
When Weather Has Other Plans
Jeffus was first contacted by the homeowners in 2023, referred by Sashco’s own Paul Peebles. The home had already been stacked. Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo about timelines.
Monsoon-like weather delays meant the roofing crew couldn’t get the roof on in time, leaving the logs exposed to prolonged rain and heat. As you can imagine, that combination led to staining and mildew, inside and out.
At the same time, Jerry and Jennifer were living in another home while slowly completing this one themselves, carefully working within a yearly budget and doing as much hands-on work as possible. (Both engineers, both extremely detail-oriented, and yes, every bit as meticulous as you’d expect.)
The goal wasn’t just to “fix” the damage. It was to do it right.
Prep, Patience, and a Custom Vision
The homeowners had a clear vision: A custom color blend using Capture Log Stain in Chestnut and Hazelnut, paired with Log Jam Woodtone Cedar chinking. Rich, warm, timeless, but precise.
Every non-log wood surface was sanded with 60-grit to remove mill glaze and properly prep for stain. The logs were treated with CPR Log Cleaner, pressure-washed and then treated with borates for long-term protection.
From there, Jeffus applied Colorfast Pre-Stain Base Coat, followed by a first coat of Chestnut Capture Log Stain and a second coat in Hazelnut. Window trim, fascia, rafters, and deck railings were stained to match the logs, while the board-and-batten siding was finished in Capture Log Stain Natural. Cascade Semi-Gloss went on last to protect all exterior wood surfaces, including the T&G soffits, and Conceal was used to address checking and cracks.
This was about restoring confidence in the home and setting it up to last.
Bringing the Story Inside
In 2024, the Jeffus crew returned to focus on the interior. Upper-level log-look siding was installed, sanded to 80-grit, along with the upstairs tongue & groove ceilings and beams. Interior logs were carefully sanded to remove mildew damage and prepped for stain.
The interior color choice (it deserves a pause, yes, it’s that beautiful), Capture Autumn Aspen, completely transformed the space. Warm, inviting, and perfectly balanced. All interior wood surfaces were sealed with Symphony Interior Clear Coat for durability and depth.
That same year, the deck was sanded and stained using Transformation Stain Siding & Trim in Woodtone Cedar, tying the outdoor spaces seamlessly into the home’s natural surroundings.
The Details That Matter (Especially to Engineers)
By 2025, it was time for exterior chinking. Log Jam was installed, followed by stain correction, touch-ups, and a fresh, clear coat to seal and protect everything, including the chinking itself.
Interior work continued with first-floor log-look siding, and plans were set to stain the downstairs interior walls to match the rest of the home. Window trim and additional interior details are still ahead.
Over the coming winter, oak flooring will be installed, more interior siding added, and Jeffus will continue helping Jerry and Jennifer tackle the remaining projects with one shared goal in mind: moving in by spring of 2026.
A Home Rooted in Place
Jeffrey Jeffus, owner of Jeffus Log Home Stain & Service, told us, “One of the best parts of working on this home is how connected it is to its surroundings. Harmony Hill Market at Bryant-Thomas Ranch sits just next door, and when we’re on site, we grab beef, pork, and chicken from their little ranch store. All grass-fed, humanely raised, and literally within walking distance of the driveway. It feels right. Like the house belongs here.”
This isn’t just a log home. It’s a lifetime of memories coming full circle. Built with intention, patience, and a whole lot of care.
Jerry and Jennifer, we’re honored to be part of your story.
Jeffus Log Home Stain & Service, loghomeartist.com
Instagram: @loghomeartist
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About Sashco Log Home Products
When it comes to protecting and beautifying your log home, Sashco isn’t just another stain on the market — it’s the high-performance choice for serious log lovers. With industry-leading products like Capture, Cascade, and Transformation, Sashco combines cutting-edge technology and rugged durability to keep your logs looking stunning and standing strong year after year. Whether you’re chasing that perfect finish or just want to avoid the heartbreak of costly repairs, Sashco’s got your back. Because your log home deserves more than “good enough,” it deserves Sashco. Made for logs. Made to last. Made to make your neighbors jealous.
