Thursday, January 28, 2010

Houzz Ideabook- Lodge Love: 7 Ways to Land the Look



Every couple of years, Kevin and I visit a charming little cabin that sits atop a woodsy mountain ridge in northern Alabama...



The place we visit is called Bear Creek Log Cabins. It's about three hours from our Lettered Cottage.



It is a place of clarity, beauty, happiness and tranquility.



Whenever I'm feeling stressed, I think about going there to get up, up and away from it all.

Do you have a peaceful, primitive place you like to visit too? I'd love to hear about it. (And if it's in the South- please leave a link to their website if they have one!)

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Looking back at our vacation photos, I was inspired to create an Ideabook about all things "lodge" this week. So if you're interested in checking it out- click on the badge below to view some fabulous photos of lodge-style homes, and read my tips on how to capture some cozy cabin style in your home too!




36 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll take a place like this over a 5 star hotel any day -- and I've been to plenty. What a beautiful getaway. Thank you for sharing. I recently posted my emergency exit aka my back yard.

Deborah

Design A-Peele said...

Oh I wish I had a place I went to regularly. We hope around whenever we can get away...and afford it!

Jacquelyn said...

We just installed knotty pine planks to our basement ceiling, along with a slate fireplace surround! Love the lodge look!

DustyLu said...

wow! so tranquil and serene! i love lodges because i love to snowboard and have everywhere. Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, Big Bear, and the list goes on..but haven't been on vacation since my honeymoon..(that was all pre hubby) my husband and I have been working on our business for 9 years now ..as you guys know..but, i do remember in big bear they have theme cottages up there. some enchanted with crazy statues of wildlife..http://www.castlewoodcottages.com/..so funny but that was all i could think of..with that said..I THINK we need a little,RR..lulu

The Langham's said...

I've recently discovered TLC and I love it! My husband and I live in Alabama too. We regularly escape to our family farm in Brewton, AL. I've posted about it (link below).
http://abbyandjuddlangham.blogspot.com/2009/06/cabin-chic.html

It's a work in progress. It's so nice to have a project to work on as a family and place to get get away.

Teresa said...

Hello there!
Greetings from Bainbridg Island WA!
We just moved to the Northwest having spent my entire life in Alabama!
Had NO IDEA after all these years...that ADORALBE primitive cabin was in our lovely state!!!!
Oh how I would have loved to spend a romantic weekend in it!
XXOOXX
I know those eggs were delish the hubby is making!

Loui♥ said...

Kevin and Layla..
Have you been up to Mt Cheaha, the highest point in the state of Alabama? There is much to see and do if you enjoy hiking and being outdoors. There are rustic cabins and chalets, primitive camp sites, Camper hook ups, and a motel with beautiful resturant. The stone buildings were built as a CCC project.
Take hiway 9 north from Montgomery for 85 miles to Lineville, turn left on Hiway 49 north for 12 miles And ..did I mention all the neat ANTIQUE shops in both Ashland and Lineville?
check it out..I loved visiting there in early may when the red flame azaleas were blooming..
enjoy your day trip!
warm hugs..
Loui♥

Carbzilla said...

s is our idea of heaven: http://www.springcreekwinthrop.com/roomrates.html#3. Haven't been there yet but maybe in the spring. What more could you ask for - they'll even allow us to bring our dog!

duchess said...

What a great little cabin. If it had a stream running somewhere nearby my hubby would move in.

Kitty said...

Lovely pictures! My favourite place is a trail by my mother's house... It goes up a mountain to a clearing with the most beautiful views. I like to sit there for hours with a book in the summer time. I feel at home there, and it gives me a sense of clarity and calm. :) Love your blog.

Cookie said...

We live in Florida and we LOVE the beach...We found a very cute little place over at the beach that has a Key West Cottage feel to it...Very colorful with lots of palms and cottage rooms...Theres even grass in the back around the pool and grilling gazebo areas...and all with a gorgeous view of the ocean! We LOVE it! I LOVE your blog here too...Heres a link to the Tropical Manor...
http://www.tropicalmanor.com/

Spring Lake Farm said...

I love that cabin! How awesome. I live in Georgia and if you like to hike here are two rustic getaways:

LeConte Lodge in the Smokey Mountains near Gatlinburg, TN. We've been going since I was a kid.
http://www.leconte-lodge.com

Len Foote Inn in the North Georgia Mountains.
http://hike-inn.com/default.asp

I've really enjoyed your blog.

Sandy

Low Tide High Style said...

We have a tiny cabin in the woods that my father built for all of the grandchildren. It has a little wood stove and a sleeping loft that was just big enough for my parents and the 6 grandkids. He built it all by hand and my mom added all of the wonderful decorative touches. It's such a special place, even though we don't go to it nearly as often now that our children are older. We had many wonderful dinners by candlelight in that storybook little "lodge" though!

Kat :)

Unknown said...

Here is our favorite spot:

http://www.thelastresort.com/

Lots of cabins, rustic and deluxe, to choose from. All with hot tubs and incredible mountain views.

We love it there.

Amber said...

We run away to the YMCA of Estes Park, Colorado. Simplicity would be the word--no TV, no nothing, but the breathtaking beauty of the forests and mountains and animals of Rocky Mtn Natl Park...and it's cheap! Going there for Valentine's Day. http://www.ymcarockies.org/

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

We go to our family vacation home in Highlands, NC. It has 3,000 square feet of porches, which is where I got married! I have many wonderful memories there!

Julie said...

We DO live in in a log cabin! And I jokingly call it "The Vacation House".

LOVE the idea book - we're in the middle of a renovation right now and I'm always looking for good ideas.

Julie
www.CabinChronicles.com

The Little Red Shop said...

Those are definitely cozy spaces! I live in the mountains (in the Pacific NW) where I am restoring a 100 year old row turned farmstyle house. The back porch and family room have barn board ceilings...and walls..which are still in need of restoration....loads of restoration! I've yet to uncover them all.

Thank you for sharing such inspiring photos!

: )

Julie M.

Kristi said...

My family owns a 105 year old Cottage at the end of a 'camp road' on the edge of a lake about 2 hours from my house. It is a place where my Dad and his brothers grew up visiting and my sister, brother & I too. Now our children come with us for 2 weeks in the summers & it is just about the most perfect place to swim, hike, relax & eat! The kitchen is a separate building because back when it was built the ovens were too hot to have inside the camp in summer. It is just CHARMING & I'm so glad you have a place you love to go too!

The Working Housewife said...

First of all, hi-five from an Alabama native! My husband and I live in Atlanta. One of our favorite places is a B&B in Dahlonega called Mountain Top Lodge. No phones or TV, just peaceful, tranquil and beautiful. A full country breakfast is served every morning. It's a short drive from historic downtown Dahlonega, and about a half hour's drive to Amicalola Falls, a GORGEOUS family and hiking spot. The lodge owner, Paul, is wonderful. Check it out!!!

Bonnie said...

I just passed a stone fireplace that sat all alone and thought what a lovely picture. AND there you have one when I come to your blog. :)

Love it, thanks so much for sharing your cozy hide-away.

If you are ever find yourself along the northern coast of California, try Elk Cove Inn or Glendeven Inn. Walk around Mendocino and enjoy all the vintage homes. I love to hide there. :)

annie said...

The cabin looks delightful! It's always good to step away and get out of the "race".
We like to pack in to a great little camping spot along the shore of Lake Michigan in the fall.
There's nothing better than a lobster boil over the campfire!
annie

Concord Carpenter said...

Beautiful cottage and pictures.

Im hosting a tool giveaway, based on your profile description, you may be interested in it.

http://aconcordcarpentercomments.blogspot.com/2010/01/tool-giveaway-sign-making-jig.html

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! I went to school at Covenant College, just a few miles away on Lookout Mt...I love Bear Creek! Oh my goodness I miss that area (live in central Illinois now :).

Sarah {The Student Knitter} said...

My husband and I have a very similar getaway up here in Virginia you may want to visit called Douthat State Park. They have wood burning fireplaces and are one story, not two, but other than that almost the exact same! We should swap cabins! :)

LesleySW said...

What a fabulous retreat. Love the high ceilings and beams. And you guys look adorable.

Me said...

Here's our sweet cabin on 90 acres in the Adirondacks. My husband built it.
http://cultivatinghome.blogspot.com/2007/07/glimpses-of-our-cabin-for-three-summers.html

Staci at Craftify It ! said...

This post reminds me that I need a vacation...

that place looks heavenly.

Donatella said...

what a lovly little place... wish we had a place like that close by one of my vavorit place to visit is Villa Tuscana winery in los Arobales

Lauren1964 said...

I haven't enjoyed a getaway for some time, but if I did, I would visit the Lake Rabun Hotel in northern Georgia. It's a historical building tucked in the woods and the photos on the sight are gorgeous! Check it out at www.lakerabunhotel.com.

Lauren

Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama said...

Several years back when we still owned our camper, my husband and the kids and I went to this small little campground in Edwards,MS called , although we had been to many campgrounds this by far was the most peaceful place I had ever been.. and it was simply beautiful.. I can still feel how at peace I felt that weekend. I'm looking this place of yours up,, it looks like a great getaway. Thanks for sharing.

Stacey Merriman said...

Hey There,

I absolutely love your blog. You have given me so much inspiration! I Live right outside of nashville and when I saw your bolg about the rustic cabin I knew I had to share one of my favorite places. I actually found this place on a b & b site by mistake but every since our first trip we cant get enough. Its located south of Nashville (closer to you!) in walking horse country and the clock creek cabin is by far the best. It really feels like your in another time when you surled up inside. The site can share much more than I. Check it out and keep up the inspiration!!

http://www.bbonline.com/tn/lairdland/rates.html

DecRenew Interiors said...

We LOVE our RV. We can get away from it all for the weekend and go to a beautiful setting. Love sitting by the fire and hearing the kids have a blast outdoors. Sitting with friends or just having time with the family or as a couple is amazing. We can take our lake house to any lake or beautiful setting. We've made it cozy and comfortable and we have created many memories!!!! Nothing like going back to the basics!

sanjeet said...

We hope around whenever we can get away...and afford it!

Work from home India

Patina Soul said...

Great little retreat! Thanks for sharing it.
Oh Layla!! Do I have a place for you!!...
You will adore this cottage!! I stay there often. I wrote about it awhile back in two separate posts... enjoy! Let me know what you think. :)

www.patinasoul.blogspot.com/2009/02/can-you-say-adorable-i-love-this-little.html

PART TWO to that post is here...
www.patinasoul.blogspot.com/2009/03/shelby-outpost-inn-part-two.html

Newman Family Blog said...

What a great post! I love, love your blog and all of your creative ideas. Best of all, I love that y'all live in AL and are Auburn fans! My mother is actually from Fort Payne, so I have spent lots of time there over the years. I was so excited to read about this precious cabin. Lookout Mountain is the best! I spent many a summer at Camp Desoto and now we try to escape to my aunt and uncle's great cabin on the mountain at least once a year. Such a great place to rest and enjoy the peace and quiet. So different and lovely from Dallas! Thanks for sharing!