Customer Reviews

Cabin

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book, like "The New Cottage Home", takes you on a tour of homes that reflect a particular lifestyle as much--if not more--than a particular home style. In the small homes featured here, that lifestyle is one of rustic retreat and recreation. For us cottage-folk, these little houses may be a bit coarse, but they are filled with great ideas for living simply and efficiently in a small and delightful space. The book lives up to Taunton's reputation for superb photography and extensive explanatory text.

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).

This book is must-read for anyone who has experienced or would like to experience second-home living. It has a wonderful presentation about it, with great pictures, text and site illustrations. The diversity of the many different styles and settings for these cabins makes it a real pleasure to read as well as a great reference source to inspire the reader to his and her own creations. I highly recommend it and find that Amazon.com offers it at the best value available.

I loved this book! The featured cabins each offer a delightful tour into the owners' imaginations and dreams. Loaded with colorful photographs, each cabin features unique ideas and themes to keep the reader "hooked". My husband and I are currently building a cabin and are incorporating many of the ideas into our own plans.

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 the best idea book for truly small houses that I have found. Most of the included homes have bathrooms and kitchens, unlike many other "retreat" and "tiny home" books. Intelligent, beautiful designs, well presented. The excellent photography is enhanced by measured floorplans for every home. I'm ready to build!

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.

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.

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.