WHat is a cabin?
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The term "cabin" has been used pretty fast and loose in recent years to encompass a wide range of structures, from rustic and off-grid retreats to modern and luxurious getaways. By definition a cabin is, “a small shelter or house, made of wood and situated in a wild or remote area.” Regardless of size, a cabin is usually associated with the notion of an escape from the pressures of modern living, offering a space for solitude and reflection.
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Funny enough the word cabin is nautical by nature with its first definition having nothing to do with a small wooden structure but has everything to do with ships. Cabin is what the private rooms are referred to on any floating vessel. Webster's Dictionary can rank that the number #1 definition all they want because to me a cabin is and always has been a place to escape to in the woods.
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I am no fair weather friend of the cabin, our history goes back to at least seven years old. Unless of course you count Lincoln Logs, then we’re life long! As a city kid I wasn’t completely estranged from nature and things like cabins, tents and outhouses but when I had my first taste of sleep away camp a life long obsession was ignited. Our bunks were in decommissioned canvas army tents but the rest of our indoor activities took place in old wood structures and cabins. The “big house” had a wrap-around porch built with logs, the nubs of branches still sticking out. Every building was beautiful and I was mesmerized. A few years later my mom and gram rented a cabin in Mohawk Trail State Forest on the Franklin/Berkshires line in Massachusetts. Most of these cabins were built in the early to mid 1900’s, by hand, with horsehair insulation and real logs. It was fascinating to me, this scraggly old hair was keeping us warm? These logs came from trees in the forest surrounding us? Also for my undeveloped brain anything older than 1963 (when mom was born) felt as primitive as cavemen to me. In the decades since my childhood the fascination continues to grow past the superficial, “oh look a pretty cabin” to “I must know everything and become a cabin expert”. I’m not expert, not yet at least but I am proud to say that my husband Chris and I have built our own cabin and plan to take a crack at building a true log cabin in the future, minus the horsehair.
All this to say, cabins have always played a huge part in my life and that love runs deep.
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So, back to the original question.
“What is a Cabin?”
When we asked you all what you thought I was honestly surprised at what some of you considered when answering this question. I broke your answers down and simplified some of them to 13 general categories then tallied it all up then broke it down into percentages. Things I did not include, proximity to wild animals (if you cant stand the bears, stay outta the forest), murders(seriously why is this such a common fear?), peeping toms and just a general sense of imminent danger (some of you need to get out more). So, without further ado, here are the 13 most popular answers of what makes a cabin!
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Wood Stove / Fireplace
46% of you said a cabin is not a cabin without some sort of wood burning element inside the home. Not surprising that this ranked the highest, I would have to agree that a cabin stay doesn’t really feel like one unless I’m building a fire indoors. The act of building a fire and then tending it is a very meditative experience for me. Not only am I creating warmth but the flickering of a fire, the crackle and the scent of burning wood is the ultimate vibe.
2. In the Woods/Secluded
This is absolutely, hands down my #1 priority when it comes to the concept of cabin. 37% of you agreed! I need to see trees, I need to hear nothing but the gently swaying of trees in a pleasant breeze, I need minimal neighbor action but most of all I need to feel like I am away.
3. Wood Walls / Wood Structure
I feel like if I were to ask anyone to draw a cabin they would hand me a drawing of a true to form log cabin. 35% of you think wood is what makes a cabin. Logs from trees that perhaps grew on the very property the cabin now stands. Nothing really beats that classic style. In the first two books of the Woodswoman series by Anne LaBastille she recounts two separate cabin builds, all with logs she felled herself, hauled in and worked just right to build her escapes. I mention this because she does not mince words when describing the labor that went into these builds. It just makes me love a log cabin that much more.
4. COZY
Coziness is non-negotiable and 25% of you agree. What do we want? Cozy! When do we want it? When we are staying at a cabin! So that means I am about to say something controversial. Squeaky, slippery, pleather/poor quality leather couches can not and will never be cozy. You can throw as many blankets and pillows as you want on them and they will probably just slide off anyways. I want something to flop onto after I’ve finished building the fire! What things specifically makes a cabin cozy?
Lets wait until #7 to answer that.
5. Vibe
15% of you said as long as you’ve got the cabin vibes going thats all you need. I can dig that, a cabin is a state of mind not a destination. If thats the case even my trip to the dentist is a cabin because I’m always vibing baby.
6. Close to Nature
Similar but different to #2, not every cabin is completely secluded BUT every cabin should be close to nature. 13% of you agreed that there is a need for nature accessibility. Maybe a short jaunt to the nearest hiking trail or it butts up against national forest. Either way there should be grass available for touching.
7. Decor
While 10% of you mentioned decor in your answers, there were a lot of different decor preferences mentioned. Plaid, antiques, moose & bears, sturdy wooden furniture, and twinkle lights were all called out as true cabin decor. Where is the love for old, dusty, crusty taxidermy?
8. Small Space
If we are following the definition of cabin then the place would be small, and 10% agree. Small is good, small is cozy and small is easier to heat! I like a pint sized cabin, it is good for nesting and snuggling up real good. A few people specifically said less than 2,000 sqft but I see your 2000 and I lower it by 1,000. My house isn’t even 2,000 sqft!
9. Fire pit
I was honestly pretty hurt that only 8% of you said a fire pit. That’s ok, I guess but hear me out! We’ve all heard of cabin fever right? So what better an excuse to get out of the cabin for a little bit than a roaring fire outdoors. S’more, best enjoyed outside. Hot dog on stick? Obviously best enjoyed outside. Hyper children who won’t stop saying they’re bored? Better running around outside while you sip a tasty bev by the fire. Don’t worry fire pit, you might only be 8% important to them but you’re 100% important to me.
10. Rustic
Rough-sawn wood, antiques, exposed wood, old. Rustic is imperfect, mix-matched, has history and tells a story. I love the richness of a rustic dwelling, it feels like I am living in the past (in a good and not afraid of change kind of way). It is never trying to be anything else. I hadn’t considered rustic as it’s own category because I figured it fit into the top two but enough of you (7%) thought a cabin should have some rustic characteristics and I agree.
11. Stacks of Wood
Seems pretty straight forward to me! 5% of you think you need some good stacks and I can’t agree more. How else are we supposed to build our fires without a solid, seasoned, perfectly chopped stack of wood?
12. NO WIFI
So as much as I do love the concept of no wifi and 5% of you are with me, I am afraid in this day and age that might be hard to come by. In our new post covid WFH lives, wifi has become a necessity as well as most short term rentals need the wifi on for security reasons. However, maybe we need to shut off the wifi in our minds, I know that sounds looney but hear me out. Put your phone in airplane mode without wifi and put it in the kitchen drawer. Or maybe we should just shut it off? As long as you can engage your brain with other activities you’ll hardly notice the wifi and luckily most cabins are chock full of puzzles, books and board games.
13. Outhouse
So at a 3% the outhouse is last but certainly not least! To have a bathroom in a cabin is quite the modern luxury that I think most of us take for granted. So let us take this moment to thank the humble commode of the outdoors, the loo where you can hear the loons, and the privy that we’re privy to. We’d still be digging a deep hole if not for you, my dear outhouse.