SubscribeSign In
Collection by Two Paddles Design

Mid Century Cabins

The American getaway may have peaked with Mid Century Modernism. Simple designs, clean lines, open concepts and a focus on the outdoors were often unintentional side effects of families building their escapes from city life. These retreats serve as inspiration as we imagine the generations that have enjoyed the times well spent together.

View 12 Photos
Proximity to nature is a hallmark of any cabin and the relationship between interior spaces and their environments should be at the core of any cabin design.
Proximity to nature is a hallmark of any cabin and the relationship between interior spaces and their environments should be at the core of any cabin design.
Mid Century cabin interiors are often warm and comfortable with an emphasis on family gathering paces like dining tables or areas to gather around the fire.
Mid Century cabin interiors are often warm and comfortable with an emphasis on family gathering paces like dining tables or areas to gather around the fire.
Stilt houses are a common site on Puget Sound and offer families a nearby escape from urban centers such as Seattle and Tacoma. The architectural focus is often on outdoor living with large decks and windows.
Stilt houses are a common site on Puget Sound and offer families a nearby escape from urban centers such as Seattle and Tacoma. The architectural focus is often on outdoor living with large decks and windows.
Architecture and design were often an afterthought as many families were simply looking for the quickest way to build a cabin and enjoy their time away from the city. Yet somehow by nature they stumbled upon the core principles of modern design including simple lines, large windows, open concepts and a focus on outdoor living.
Architecture and design were often an afterthought as many families were simply looking for the quickest way to build a cabin and enjoy their time away from the city. Yet somehow by nature they stumbled upon the core principles of modern design including simple lines, large windows, open concepts and a focus on outdoor living.
The humble A frame cabin is perhaps one of the most iconic modern designs. The simple structure was a mainstay of DIY building and the durability provided by ample roofing made for a durable family get away with little maintenance.
The humble A frame cabin is perhaps one of the most iconic modern designs. The simple structure was a mainstay of DIY building and the durability provided by ample roofing made for a durable family get away with little maintenance.
We found endless inspiration exploring this abandoned summer camp. It was difficult not to imagine the ghosts of the 100's of campers that once spent their summers away from the city making lifelong friends and telling stories around the campfire.
We found endless inspiration exploring this abandoned summer camp. It was difficult not to imagine the ghosts of the 100's of campers that once spent their summers away from the city making lifelong friends and telling stories around the campfire.
Many times the focus is not on the home at all but rather the property or a natural feature such as this cabins lake exposure. The cabin was simply a retreat to rest and eat after a long day at the lake.
Many times the focus is not on the home at all but rather the property or a natural feature such as this cabins lake exposure. The cabin was simply a retreat to rest and eat after a long day at the lake.
Maintenance is often an after thought as time at the cabin focuses on family fun rather than than the constant work of maintaining a home. As a side effect building materials are often chosen for their durable qualities rather than their aesthetic value.
Maintenance is often an after thought as time at the cabin focuses on family fun rather than than the constant work of maintaining a home. As a side effect building materials are often chosen for their durable qualities rather than their aesthetic value.
Cabins can some times be found in clusters like these on Puget Sound to take advantage of shared utilities like wells and septic systems.
Cabins can some times be found in clusters like these on Puget Sound to take advantage of shared utilities like wells and septic systems.
Kitschy decorations are common side effect at the family retreat as well as decorations pulled directly from the environment like sea shells and pine cones.
Kitschy decorations are common side effect at the family retreat as well as decorations pulled directly from the environment like sea shells and pine cones.
Some of these are no more than a box in the woods boiled down to the most basic elements that a family might need for a short vacation stay.
Some of these are no more than a box in the woods boiled down to the most basic elements that a family might need for a short vacation stay.