Mkotch

Red is traditional for log cabins, but it is your quilt. Use whatever color(s) you think looks best. If it were me and I wanted to stick to the brown/beige color pallet, I think I'd do gold/yellow.

illinois

The hearth is "supposed to be" warm as was the hearth in a log cabin so red has been traditional. Since you are using browns and cream, I believe I would use a darker red that has a hint of brown in the dye. I suggest you put several test groups together and leave them on the guest bed for a day or two to walk by. See which one pleases you most. It may be that your browns tend to the red or to the gold and that may let you know which hearth is most pleasing.
Nix the black--the fire in the hearth went out! Need a bit of a spark.

WMUTeach

I would go with the deeper red also. If you have enough options and like the scrappy look, use different red fabrics for the red hearth. On the other hand, that center square is usually so small having it consistent through out the quilt can sooth the multiple colors you are using in your logs. In my opinion, black, yellow or orange would pop and you would lose the soft warmth of the hearth. In the end, it is all about what you want to achieve and what pleases your eye.

quiltsfor

This may help in choices. This is the fabric I'm thinking about and also the colors of Browns and Creams (jelly rolls) I'll be using. I leaning toward either the gold on the right in the first picture and the red on the right in the second picture. But open to suggestions.

lindaschipper

What about a deep mustard yellow?

quiltsfor

Very pretty. The red does pop out and completes the design.

quiltsfor

Now I'm thinking of the gold (mustard color) on the left in the first picture (posted above) or the red on the right in the second picture. I'm leaning more toward the gold then the red. But, I keep flipping on which gold. I don't want to mix as I want the center 'hearth' square to be the same fabric throughout. But, some of the browns/gold almost is the same color as the golds I have. So, now I'm leaning more to the red on the right of the second picture. The reds in the third picture, I'm kind of 'nah'. But, looking at the fabric again, I kind of like the gold, but would it blend in too much?

cjsews

Now that I see your choices I like either red in the second picture if you want that pop. If you want the center to blend or kind of fade the gold would be a better choice

greensleeves

I originally suggested golden yellow but looking at your browns I think your red in the second picture is the best choice. The red gives the contrast you want against the other colors. Looking forward to seeing your finished quilt.

sewbizgirl

You have some strips in your batiks that are close to the yellow, so I wouldn't use yellow for centers. I like the look of the middle pic, with the dark red for centers.