Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
My personal aesthetic is quite minimalist, I like clean lines and sleek design but recently I’ve been drawn to the idea of cosy, rustic retreats. Wood-panelled walls, luxury textiles and a roaring fire just seem to appeal to me at this time of year. Here are some ways you can achieve a modern and understated cabin-like feel at home:
Warm up with Wood
In this gorgeous kitchen designed by Jessica Helgerson, white cabinets and walls are warmed up with reclaimed wood panelling and a dark timber table. The whole space has a very neutral – and natural – colour scheme. The room is laid-back and light-filled, yet somehow still cosy and inviting; the perfect balance!
Steal Scandinavian Style
This cabin in the Swedish mountains is a modern marvel. It has all the elements of a more traditional retreat; wood-burning stove, neutral colour scheme, stunning location, timber interior walls… but it combines these with ultra modern features, like a sleek grey kitchen and minimalist furniture. You can see images of this beautiful home here.
Borrow From Nature
When you think old log cabin, you think taxidermy lining the walls, stone fireplaces and bearskin rugs. It’s that feeling of being immersed in nature that we want to borrow for our modern incarnation. Decorate with neatly stacked wood for the fire, antlers above the mantle and soft grey sheepskin – don’t overdo it, keep it simple with just a hint of rustic charm, like in the living room above.
Mix and Match Styles
To prevent your home becoming a tired cliché, avoid decorating in just one style. Mix rustic cabin chic with mid-century design, or modern industrial, or minimalist boho. This cabin (located in a forest in Segovia) features a charming mash-up of styles, but it’s not heavy-handed so it doesn’t look too busy. They’ve kept it simple with a restricted colour palette and limited clutter. The result is a uniquely personal home suitable for modern living.
Reclaimed Materials
One of my favourite design studios, Bert and May, has recently launched a new project; Bert’s Boxes. The four cabin-like buildings are made entirely from reclaimed materials. They combine excellent design and respectful craftsmanship for a new era of pre-fab housing, and are wonderful inspiration for your own cabin in the woods.
