The Cabin Search Continues
Hi, all! I’m back from New York and want to talk about something completely different today: our cabin search. I’m happy to report that I think we’ve finally narrowed down the area where we want to focus our search. It may not sound like much progress, I know, but we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off all over Washington. And being the smart people that we are, we’ve realized that that just ain’t the best way to go about it. Duh, right?
Anyway, now that we have a better idea of where – and also I think because it’s summer – all I can think about is the outdoor space and how I want it to look. I know I want it to be surrounded by trees like this:
The word enchanting actually comes to mind when I see this house. I apologize but it is kind of enchanting, no?
Come dinner time, I would love more green space where we can dine under a big tree like this:
or this:
or this:
or this:
minus the kids. Nothing against kids. We just don’t have any so it would be weird if they were in the picture.
And I’m sure you’ve all seen this bit of sweetness around the blogosphere:
It is so cute, I can hardly stand it.
And look at the location!
I’ve always been more of an ocean person but from our house, that’s a longer drive than we’d like. But there are lakes as well as the sound closer to home so I think it’s more realistic to look for something like this.
One of my main reasons for starting this blog was to have a place where I can collect house ideas and gather my thoughts and I have to say, it’s been working so well! For example, writing this post reaffirmed for me that I really do want a rustic vibe in our cabin. I’ve had lots other ideas but I’m really leaning toward something like this house right now.
Because I live in a contemporary house, I’d really like something entirely different for the weekends. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I want a vacation house in the first place – to indulge the design schizophrenia that I have(!)
Do you think most people decorate vacation homes in the same style as their primary houses? Do you think the decor should be related to the setting? What would you do if you were to decorate a second home?
(Photos: 1&2.Marie Claire Maison 3.via Emmas Designblogg 4&5.via Four Walls and a Roof 6.via Set Design Thinking 7-10.Chicago Home Magazine via Apartment Therapy)
I'm right with you on no. 2; it really looks enchanting! I'm a sea person also – but I wouldn't include any nautical stuff in the decor, I think. I'm sure the decor would be different from my primary home, but hard to say in which way. It would depend on the building style!
.-= The Deco Detective´s last post ..HAPPY MONDAY: TURQUOISES FROM DOMINO =-.
I think my initial approach would be rustic and wooden but then something modern in the country can look amazing. And not as many nooks and crannys to dust. I am like you and have (half) very modern house (half) 100 years old so can see both sides. But to get the modern you want you would have to build whereas you will probably be able to buy something pre-rusticated for you.
.-= Jane´s last post ..Spanish tasting dinner with Movida food =-.
While I have absolutely no experience decorating a vacation home, I would tend to think people go a little more outside their normal decoration style… Experiment a bit more, have fun with it.
Your inspiration pictures have me wanting to pack my bags and head somewhere remote!
.-= PS~Erin´s last post ..Monday Meal Plan =-.
They are all such great pictures, I like something in everyone! Good luck
I LOVE the second picture from Marie Claire Maison. I've had it sitting on my desktop for months trying to find the perfect use for it on my blog.
My apartment is nothing modern but I would still definitely go for a rustic cabin look. I think my general theme for any space I'm decorating is comfortable, personal, and very livable.
.-= Brandie´s last post ..My Dining Room =-.
The setting to me is definitely a determining factor for the interiors, as well as the home itself. For a cabin, be it lake or oceanside, I'd go rustic, relaxed, outdoorsy…, and maybe a bit crazy (the non decorated look), so yes, I would try something completely different from the "main" home.
.-= Maya@Completely-Coastal´s last post ..The Remodel of a Beach Cottage on Tybee Island =-.
These images just transport me. Not literally, sadly, but I'll take what I can get! I would probably be fairly minimal (though not necessarily modern) in my imaginary cabin. I don't like clutter – in any environment – and I wouldn't want to have to take care of one unnecessary thing in my weekend home. Dusting and cleaning around stuff isn't appealing to me. Or competing with the natural beauty around me.
.-= K-Line´s last post ..My Latest Online Acquisition =-.
These are all so relaxing and crisp. That is what I would want at the beach or lake, a house that says relax, but also has style and interesting areas. But first and foremost, it has to say put your feet up and enjoy. I like the idea of many different areas for people to go in and outside, so people can have time alone as well.
.-= g.´s last post ...i spy =-.
SO exciting! And SUCH a great opportunity to do something totally different! I love an old vintage 'been around for ages' feel! Kinda like it's been passed down in the family, old furniture, worn, comfortable fabrics. How fun!
.-= Meg´s last post ..Tim's Perfect Dining Table =-.
The top image’s color palette is amazing! I love it!
I’m so curious to know what area you’ve decided on. Have you and the hubby thought about the San Juan Islands? We used to go to a cabin there growing up and I still have yet to see a more beautiful place in the Pacific Northwest! Oh and if you guys are thinking of having one built to your liking, we have an amazing family friend who is a builder/architect in Seattle and just so talented! I’ve seen lots of the cabins/homes he’s created and they are gorgeous and charming!! Let me know if you need the name
.-= Plush Palate´s last post ..Rushing out the door… =-.
Hello, I have been following your blog for a while and really like it.
I think the first one is amazing! Can you recommend any websites where one can find cabins for sale?
Thanks, Monika
.-= eco-stylista´s last post ..The finest of green fashion from Alabama =-.
Plush Palate: How lucky were you?! The San Juans are gorgeous. It would be PERFECT except that we're trying to keep the trip to two hours and as you know, with the ferries, etc., it can take much, much longer. I'm hoping for one that's worn in but will let you know if decide to build. Thanks!
eco-stylista: Thanks for visiting! I'm using a local realtor to find ours. If you're looking for one, I think that's the best way. Sorry but I don't know of any sites that just list cabins.
if i had a dream second home it would be on the beach with tons of white and a bit of aqua. sigh.
.-= Down and Out Chic´s last post ..Unframed mirrors =-.
I would definitely want something very different from my "main" house (oh how I long to be able to speak of that seriously someday – you lucky girl!). To me, the whole POINT of a vacation home would be to get away from your every day life. Plus like you, my design tastes vary so wildly, and it would be fun to try something different than what you've grown accustomed to :]
.-= Macy´s last post ..Hurry! While Supplies Last! =-.
Beautiful, simple, inviting, cozy, these images are all of these and so much more. And these characteristics are precisely what I would look for in a vacation home. That said, I think part of the fun is to go outside your norm, do it up in a style that compliments your taste, but strays from what you would normally do. But I also think that modern elements in a rustic setting make for a spectacular duo. And I want to crawl in and hide within the shadows of that second pic!
.-= nkp´s last post ..Living Rooms =-.
We always joke and say we are living in our second home and still searching for our first one?!?! Makes us feel as if we are always on vacation!
Love these photos and know whatever you choose – the decor is going to be off-the-charts spectacular!
.-= Melissa´s last post ..Sweet Tooth =-.
I actually think that ppl would tend to decorate all their houses in a somewhat same way… maybe different colors, but almost the same style. That's the way they feel comfortable I think… not sure though! What are you planning to do then?
*loves*
.-= toothfairynotes´s last post ..Help, I suffer from Ophidiophobia! =-.
a cabin. oh my, may I be jealous? If I were to have one I think I would decorate somewhat the same as my home. It's just what I like.
.-= paula´s last post ..Feeling Plain =-.
I think it's a great idea to have a weekend home that's very different from your weekday, working, stressing home. It will help make every weekend feel like a long vacation! Gorgeous images!
.-= Alissa´s last post ..I've Got Some Big Pillows =-.
great post, i want a cabin too! alas, not for a while…but your question is good – i think my style will come through regardless of the medium, so if i were to have a dream cabin it would be modern, but also rusticified (a word?) as a nod to the location and purpose. modern design but executed in worn wood, metal, durable fabrics, etc. Gorgeous lake photo.
.-= eva´s last post ..Henry Clarke glamourousness =-.
oh, I do look forward to seeing your cabin – when you find it! lovely photos
.-= Kristina´s last post ..second day in berlin, part 1 =-.
I like the idea of decorating a vacation home in a different style from your primary home because it's supposed to be an escape from the realities of daily life. Your pics are just magical!
I don't know where to begin. I love this post so much I can hardly think of what to say! hahah You've done a great job when you manage to make me speechless! Great pics
.-= Candi´s last post ..My Latest- California Pink & Yellow Hydrangea =-.
These are perfect! I love the treehouse idea. I just love this post so much, it's so summery & fun.
.-= TheBeautyFile´s last post ..The Lady Noire Affair {A Short Film} =-.
Oh I adore these pictures- and yes, enchanting IS the right word. Outdoor, garden, table = total perfection to me.
I'd love a weekend house and would love to do casual/coastal/slightly rustic- definitely different than my day-to-day living. I think it does vary some by location.
.-= Aspirations of a Southern Housewife´s last post ..The Genius of Leila Ross Wilburn: Houses and Words of Wisdom from Georgia's First Female Architect =-.
Design Schizophrenia. Love it.
Have fun with it. I would definitely pick up the vibe of the location and I would do something differen than my main place. And, as long as we are dreaming here, it would probably be more rough and rustic and maybe cottage-y..
.-= Bromeliad´s last post ..DIY Wednesday: How to make a jewelry tree =-.
All of these look lovely… even if you're an ocean person now, you will become a lake person, I promise! Cabins and lakes are so peaceful and cozy and quaint. How fun!
.-= Kristen Sara´s last post ..I'm So Excited!! =-.