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Visit a Victorian Fairy-Tale Retreat in the Woods
Renovated Cabin is Ultra-Feminine Getaway
Between career stops at a lifestyle magazine and now at a major home furnishings retailer, and owning a 1915 bungalow whose repair situation was once described as akin to playing Wack-A-Mole, I've spent a lot of time considering home design ideas. Sometimes I'm surprised by the things that capture my attention.
Between career stops at a lifestyle magazine and now at a major home furnishings... More »
Not everyone looks at an isolated hunting cabin in the woods and thinks "dream house." But Sandra Foster has vision to spare, combined with exceptional resourcefulness and determination. Her ultra-feminine cabin in upstate New York is on the same 14 acres as the 1971 mobile home she shares with her husband and their dogs, separated by a stream and an uphill climb.
She renovated the cabin herself, turning it into a retreat that looks like a fugitive wing of a fairy-tale Victorian mansion. It was truly a labor of love, using mostly vintage or salvaged materials combined with a few bargain finds.
She renovated the cabin herself, turning it into a retreat that looks like a fugitive wing of a fairy-tale Victorian mansion. It was truly a labor of love, using mostly vintage or salvaged materials combined with a few bargain finds.
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The cabin is 9 by 14 feet. Here, Foster stands on the front porch, which is supported by three vintage columns topped with gingerbread trim she cut herself. "I use [the cabin] to get away from it all—ringing cell phones, email, my husband’s man cave," Foster says. "I create art and decorations for it when I'm there, groom my two Maltese dogs, take pictures for my blog, garden, read, eat ice cream, nap."
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Though the cabin doesn't currently have a kitchen or bathroom, Foster says she hopes it will someday. It has electricity, which provides heat and powers the vintage chandelier. She installed shelves for the built-ins behind the couch, then added salvaged doors and filled the cabinets with her collection of Limoges china.
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| Foster says she doesn't entertain at the cabin very often. "I have little get-togethers there, but it’s not popular," she says. "Crossing the stream and hiking up is difficult for some. The bathroom is your choice of fallen logs in 14 acres of woods. People think twice." |
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When asked why everything in the cabin is white, Foster says, "I love it. It’s relaxing, pure, feminine, light, clean, sophisticated and dainty."
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| The cabin includes a sleeping loft, accessed by a ladder. "I installed batts of insulation, then used an electric stapler to attach Tyvek to the rafters," Foster says, describing the tented ceiling. "I started from the bottom up. It got easier the higher I went, because I could just slide the batts into the Tyvek 'pockets.' Then, I attached a bolt of Walmart lace with the electric stapler along the rafters. Bada bing." |
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"I wanted a tented ceiling because it's ultra feminine. It’s also infinitely easier to do than measuring and fitting wood or tin in a dormer that small. I can stand up only in the center," says Foster. White tissue-paper garlands along the side of the loft call to mind an elaborately frosted wedding cake.
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| The idea for a dreamy Victorian retreat "originated the first time I walked up to the old hunting cabin the evening we found it," Foster says. "The proportions have a vertical emphasis, like Victorian architecture. That's my favorite style. I've kept a scrapbook of all the pretty houses I've ever seen, and this cottage incorporates their best features. The fact it's inaccessible by car didn’t hurt, either!" |
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"When I sold my first home, I kept only the things that resonated with me," Foster says. "My first home was large, and if I found free furniture on the side of the road that 'would do' after I painted it, I grabbed it, just to fill an empty house. I jettisoned all that in a moving sale. If it doesn’t completely delight me, it doesn’t come in the door."
Ideabook updated on Dec. 29, 2010.
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1
This looks like something out of a horror movie...
Although may not be everyone's taste, the most important thing is the woman who created this loves it.
Thank you for sharing your photos.
I can see the place just not being your style, but verging into "she's batty" territory is kinda weird in itself.
Hats of to you Sandra!
Many have had negative comments...why? it may not be your taste, but so what! Grow up!
Carolyn
But, Sandra be careful with the candles...especially with so much of the lovely drapery.
And, for those leaving nasty comments, I don't think it's even necessary.
If the style is not your cup of tea, just ignore....besides, isn't' style subjective?
Even though the cabin was created for her alone, the photos were posted here to share with everyone and get feedback, comments. If the negative comments hurt feelings, then the photos shouldn't be posted publicly on a decor site where people WILL and DO give feedback.
see different settings. It's just a picture for heaven sakes; it's not personal.
http://thewomenseye.com/2011/12/15/guest-blog-sandy-foster-star-of-wonder-star-of-night/#more-17401