Customer Reviews

The Cabin: Inspiration for the Classic American Getaway

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This lovely dream book is just that. It's a dreamy look at cabins, which is great, but I had hoped it would go further in writing about the details of each home. There is very little information about the homes in this book, so the authors obviously considered it just a pretty picture book. Which it is. For my money, though, I wanted a little more. What I wanted but DID NOT GET was more information on choosing a cabin location, on having a new cabin designed and built, on remodeling an older cabin, and so forth. I wanted the pretty pictures as well as some information I could use. In researching second home books, the one I recommend is called simply SECOND HOME, and it not only works as a dream book but is chockful of informational tidbits that we are using as we plan our own retreat.

I already have my heart set on 3 or 4 of the cabins from the book! I was looking for something that depicted simple dwellings, not necessary for a weekend or vacation home, but potentially for a year-round residence. Some of the cabins in the book fit the bill very well and the others give many options for every kind of taste, lifestyle goal, and toterance for "roughing it." The descriptions, photos, and details were delightful and informative. I received the book on Thursday and had it completely read by Saturday and am now going back to study!

The word "inspiration" in the title says it all. This book of true cabins - all are under 1200 sqft, not the 3000 sqft ones you see in some books- is full of ideas for all types of cabins. From rustic to modern, the text and beautiful color pictures convey ideas for "the simple life" focusing on efficiency, relaxing and connecting with the outdoors and family. Truly recommended for anyone building or buying a cabin.

Getting away has taken on a certain urgency in the past week. The second home we've been wanting now seems like a good idea for our primary residence, instead. Getting our family of the metro area is something we are seriously considering. Books that help include:
SECOND HOME (shows great houses around the country but also includes real estate shopping information, tips on evaluating a region or a small town, and so forth. inspiring and helpful too. houses includes new homes as well as refurbished older ones. A handsome but realistic book.)
CABIN FEVER (a style book that does show how delightful a small cabin can be)
SMALL HOUSE BIG STYLE (a very helpful book that also shows how to live in smaller spaces)
NEW COTTAGE HOME (interesting smaller cottages -- they look mostly architect designed -- lots of good ideas if you plan to have a house built)

This is such a lovely book to look at. Turning the pages is a pleasure for us. We are looking for second home ideas and plan to buy or build a home next year. My favorite book on the subject is called SECOND HOME because it also is lovely and inspiring but it offers much more information than this CABIN book. Both books are gorgeous but SECOND HOME blends that beauty with helpful tips we are using to plan our own place.

One of the reviews here said that there were floor plans included this is not the case there is a VERY basic tiny drawing for each which really just sets out the locations of the rooms. For one tiny log cabin called "the marsh" which is a one room cabin it doesn't even say the size of the cabin. If anyone knows the size of the marsh cabin I would love to know! There is really not enough detail to follow through if you do love one of the cabins, such as what kind of wood did they use for the logs for the marsh cabin? I suggest you first look at the book in a book store.

Having said that I do love the book! I found one that fits with my dream and will use it as an example when approaching log cabin builders so they know what I am aiming for as far as the "look". Wish they had included more about simple things such as how a cabin set out on a marsh and obviously raised up off the ground with nothing under it but poles has a toilet! what kind of toilet is that? these are the kinds of serious questions facing us when trying to erect a retreat. What are these buildings using for an electric source, and waste water? and water for that matter. It seems many have kitchens and bathrooms but are in locations that would prohibit it. I for one would like to know!

Also another point that would have been very interesting to read about is the cost of the buildings to create and also how the owners overcame obstacles.

This is a great "coffee table book"

This is a good survey of cabins in various locations that would fit most people's idea what a cabin is in terms of size, material and use. Included for each is a description of why the cabin was build and how it's used, floor plan(s), site plan (sometimes of limited value), interior and exterior photographs; as well as a general introduction to why cabins are considered by many to be the "classic American getaway." While I might argue about the inclusion of a few of the homes, overall it's one of the better books I've seen on cabins and why they occupy a special place in the minds of some of us. The quality of the photographs and the book in general is also very good (especially considering the price of the book). It is a book for the imagination or for those considering ideas and makes no attempt to be a construction 'how to' book however. I'd also recommend the books by Tedd Benson on timber framing (if you are at all considering a timber frame), the Jim Tolpin book on cottages, and the Donald Berg books on building in the country.

If you are into the simple life and not looking for a huge, elaborate pretentious retreat, this book is for you. The cabins presented here are varied and there will surely be one here to fit even the most discriminating taste. Cozy, efficient, homey and attractively designed, there are approximately thirty designs contained in this book.

Can't you just picture yourself snuggled up inside a country cabin, set among the peace and tranquility of majestic pines abundant with wildlife, or nestled beside a gently flowing brook? The book is very well illustrated and is so intriguing the reader will not want to put it down until the final page has been read. There is something about "The Cabin" that reminds us of what is truly important in life and what is not. The designs are not overly showy or extravagant, but there is great variety ranging from rustic to modern. Whatever your preference, these cabins conjure up dreams of romantic nights, leisurely sun-drenched days and unforgettable memories. The book is definitely rated a five-star plus and highly recommended.

It was a little disconcerting to see that the maximum-size threshold the authors set for the cabins covered in this book was actually a fair deal larger than the home I live in full-time now. But nevertheless, I was able to enjoy this look at intriguing and often innovative designs for getaway living. The color photos are frequently beautiful, and the authors also helpfully include layout designs for the cabins' interiors as well as illustrations of how the cabins fit onto the owners' land. The text tells the stories of the individual cabins and their owners, and also has useful insights on the process of planning and building these kinds of structures.

People who have, or plan to have, getaway retreats of their own will probably find much inspiration, as well as many good ideas, here. And even those of us who don't have a cabin of our own, now or in the foreseeable future, can always imagine ourselves in one of these great homes and locales (I dibs the one on page 160).

God, this book is so lushly illustrated with cozy spaces and intimate hideaways that you just want to scramble for the hills after one read-through. All the houses in it are deliciously comfy and cozy, illustrating the forgotten principle of 'just enough', all look just big enough,a nd all look terribly inviting and tempting. This book is cabin porn, basically.