Decorating & Design
May 3, 2016
Look Inside Two Must-See Modern Cottages
If H&H editor-in-chief Suzanne Dimma’s modern cottage is any indication, Scandinavian design is heading to the country. Think clean exteriors, minimalist interiors and simple palettes all combining to make a bold impression. 150 Best Cottage and Cabin Ideas, by Francesc Zamora Mola, has collected some of the world’s best modern cottages and cabins — from Chile, to Finland to Greece — and gives tips on how to create your own contemporary retreat. Here, two cabins taken from the book explore accessible modern designs that are anything but cold. Take a look!
At just 690-square-feet, this Idaho cabin may be small, but it is mighty. The design and construction of the structure, which is part of a ranch conservation real estate fund, relied totally on local materials and skills. Expansive windows are perfect for taking in the mountain views from all sides.
At the left end of the cabin is a loft bedroom accessible by ladder, perfect for guests or children. Towards the rear of the house is the porch, which fronts the principal bedroom.
Inside, the cabin adopted some urban dewlling principles and kept the space open and adaptable to allow for different activities. To the right of the dining table is the ladder that leads up to the loft area. Beyond the arm chairs are green shutters, which can be used to close off the bathing area. Modern lighting gives it a fresh update.
Nestled among the tall redwoods of the Californian wilderness, the Spudich Cabin is “modest in size but spacious in feeling.” The vertical siding outside and inside echo the woodsy setting.
Seen from the back, the unusual window placements become apparent. Keeping windows high can make a dramatic statement as well as contribute to the light level while still maintaining some privacy in bedrooms and washrooms.
The kitchen and great room, despite being clad in floor-to-ceiling wood, skew contemporary thanks to minimalist decor, an absence of cottage tchotchkes and modern built-ins. Woven rugs and weavings used as wall hangings, with their bold colors and unique forms, evoke abstract artworks.
Black window frames give a wall of windows a fresh feel, while the different sizes of the windows up top and down below create a focal point. The angular support beam made of glued laminated timber is just as strong as steel or concrete, but with a more natural look.