Binker Barn designed in 1967 by William Turnbull for the Sea Ranch community in Sonoma County, California sits serenely in its surroundings. The interiors have been reimagined by Kay Kollar, emphasising a fabulous collection of mid-century pieces and jewell-like pops of colour. It’s a successful marriage of styles with an acknowledgement of the mid-century bones of this otherwise rustic space.
Photography by Richard Powers.
Some people may be “over” the rustic barn/cabin vibe but when it is an actual, authentic barn and cabin I will never be over it. In this case it is the sympathetic renovation of a horse barn and pondside fishing cabin on a 200-acre estate in Sharon, Connecticut by designer Virginia Tupker. This is sooooo warm and inviting and “leave your shoes on” and “I hope the dog’s paws aren’t muddy but if they are we can just laugh about it”. Some photos: Dylan Chandler.
Back in 2017 Jo featured a home with knotty pine walls that has gotten lots of traffic ever since, and when I spotted the cottage of Barrie, ON based designer Ashley Montgomery I had to share another wonderful example of knotty pine done right. What was once her family’s horse stable (with stalls) outside of Toronto, then became storage, then was transformed into a cool “bunkie” or sorts that sleeps ten. The pine is original from when it was built in the 1950s, and was in such great condition it was simple cleaned and lacquered. She added in some flagstone on top of the concrete floors and with a colour scheme of black and white, it turned into a functional and modernized rustic space. Knotty pine at its finest.
The Becker Barn is an ongoing project on the Toandos Penninsula in the Hood Canal (Washington). The property was lost by the family in a drunken Poker game by Saul’s Grandfather “Babe” in the 70’s (Saul Becker of Mutuus). The opportunity presented itself in 2020 to purchase the property which was adjacent to the tiny cabin that Saul spent his childhood in. Mutuus partners Saul and Kristen spend most weekends with their children there slowly remodeling, dreaming, and testing their design ideas. They see it as an opportunity to prototype Mutuus Made lighting, try out ideas, dabble in landscape design, harvest oysters, spend time with their family, and entertain friends. The gambrel roofed structure has a commanding presence in the landscape that Saul has known since birth. The Becker’s are a restless bunch and this project keeps them in their happy place, constantly dreaming.
Give me all the rustic, barn-like cabins in the woods. The perfect weekend getaway to escape to.
This Austin ranch designed by Light and Dwell is “mountain ranch” style and I am loving every inch of it. Stone walls and fireplaces (mostly painted white…..ugh but does lighten things up), exposed wood ceiling beams in almost every room, the warmed wood kitchen, lots of furry chairs I want to sink into, and everything bathed in soothing neutrals. Timeless and classic but make it a bit rustic but also a bit sophisticated. Photos: Harry Crowder.