Storybook Cabin Front Elevation

This 834 square foot architect designed cabin (with an optional 159 square feet of two loft spaces) is built for comfort and includes a comparatively large great room with open picturesque trusses and beams set amidst the curved roofs.  The home is loosely inspired by the playful Storybook Style from English and French medieval farmhouse design. This style has several style variations, including English Country Cottage, Cotswald Cottage, Hansel and Gretel, Fairy Tale House, Disneyesque, Hobbit House and Storybook House.  All were designed to create a cozy, homelike atmosphere.

A little more history, the Storybook Style is a whimsical variant of the Tudor Revival in the 1920′s and 1930′s.  The Tudor Revival was based on late medieval styles and the Arts and Crafts movement.  Many of the home buyers (as well as architects and builders) were veterans of World War I, and brought back memories of the English and French countryside.  In the meantime, Hollywood was creating movies set in historic time periods in faraway lands.  In pure Hollywood fashion, liberties were taken with the local styles by enhancing the charm and cuteness of these places.

The Storybook Style surged in popularity after a subdivision of cottage homes, called Hollywoodland, was built in 1923.  The theatrically designed homes served as residences in Los Angeles for a number of movie stars and received nationwide media attention as America’s first themed residential community.  The themed neighborhood included such places as The Humpty Dumpty Store.  The Hollywood sign actually used to say Hollywoodland and was built to promote the neighborhood, which housed such notables as Bela Lugosi and Humphrey Bogart.  The developers bowed out in the 1940′s and now the stars build to suit their own tastes.  The neighborhood is now referenced as Upper Beachwood Canyon.   For more information please see Southern California Storybook Style Architecture: Hollywoodland.

Storybook Cabin Plan

Whereas the historical homes were identified with false, distressed, ornamental half-timbering, this particular home includes fully exposed architectural and structural timbers on the interiors and exterior, which may or may not be distressed.  The original Storybook houses had modern interiors resembling the homes of the 20′s, whereas this home has rustic interiors (yet modern in function) to match the exterior.

The home includes a comfortable two person bedroom with a built-in desk.  An open loft sleeps two more in twin beds.  The quality designed home also includes built-in cabinets, bookshelves and a window seat, as well as wrought iron lighting and hardware.  A pantry/storage/laundry room is included, along with a storage attic (which could also be incorporated into a larger loft area) over the back rooms.  The home includes an energy efficient stone masonry fireplace while still retaining the Old World look and feel.

The Storybook Cabin is our second stock cabin plan.  Prices include:

• Preliminary Sketches – Schematic 8-1/2″ x 11″  drawings showing Floor Plans and the Front & Rear Elevations, for $200
• Study Home Plans – Developed 24″ X 36″ drawings showing Floor Plans & all Exterior Elevations, for $400
• Construction Set – A full set of 24″ X 36″ detailed drawings and specifications including Floor Plans, Foundation and Framing Plans, Exterior Elevations, Building Sections, Wall Sections, Details, Interior Elevations, Reflected Ceiling Plans, Window/Door Schedules, Electrical Plans, Finish Plans, and all Products and Materials Specified per the original design, all for $1150
• Each Additional Construction Set $200
• Construction Set PDF Files $1150

This energy efficient cabin is designed for “rustic elegant” comfort.  Plans can be modified to be more unique per individual preferences.  Preliminary drawings and Construction Documents are drawn with cad software, and are designed per the latest International Residential Codes.  Plans may need to be modified for certain jurisdictions.  Please note that with the curved roofs, timbers and other detailing, along with a higher quality of specified materials, that construction prices are higher than the typical home.

For our first stock cabin plan, see cabin plan.  While we are beginning to delve into the stock plan arena, I  still recommend a custom home design for maximum living and cost efficiency for individual lifestyles.  For more information see Good Quality Architecture Adds Value to Your Home.  Please visit our portfolio for examples of some of our recently completed custom projects.  Sorry but we don’t sell plans of our client’s custom homes.

For more information on our plans please contact us by phone at 208.265.4001, by email, or by filling out your information on our contact page.

John Hendricks, Architect AIA

Hendricks Architecture, listed as one of Mountain Living Magazine’s top mountain architects, is located in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog.

Cabin Front Entry Elevation

This moderate sized cabin could be used as a rustic cabin retreat, a full time residence, a temporary home, a retirement home, or even as a guest house for in-laws, children or friends.  All of the typical residential features are included for everyday living.

Unlike traditional stock plans or book plans, this architect designed open floor plan comes with well thought out wood interiors, including exposed rustic posts, beams, purlins, rafters, detailed wood paneling, and built-in cabinetry.  Materials are designed for a comfortable rustic cabin, but are flexible per owner preferences.  The energy efficient home also includes large windows to capture the views as well as bring in abundant natural light.

The 1,222 square foot cabin has a smaller footprint, but includes spaces often found in large residences.  The plan consists of a Master Bedroom, a cozy Guest Room with built-ins, an open Entry/Great Room/Kitchen/Dining area, a Laundry Room, a detailed trussed entry porch and adjacent covered porches.

Cabin Floor Plan

Among other energy efficient products and materials in the home, the Great Room includes an efficient wood burning fireplace that exceeds the 75% efficiency standard and qualifies for the Federal Tax Credit program.

Accurate and detailed drawings and specifications speed up construction time and efficiency.  Our detailed plan sets are far superior to standard stock plans or book plans, and include:

• Specifications
• Dimensioned Floor Plans
• Structural Plans
• Exterior Elevations
• Building Sections
• Wall Sections and Details
• Interior Elevations
• Reflected Ceiling Plans
• Window and Door Schedules
• Electrical Plans
• Finish Plans

Plans are drawn with cad software and can be reversed.  Our plans include the option to customize them, rather than starting from scratch.  We will give you an approximate value before beginning work.

Plans are designed per the latest International Residential Codes.  As many areas have different requirements, the plans may need to be reviewed by a licensed professional in that jurisdiction.

This Cabin Plan is our first “stock” cabin plan.  Prices include:

• Preliminary Sketches – Schematic 8-1/2″ x 11″  drawings showing Floor Plans and the Front & Rear Elevations, for $200
• Study Home Plans – Developed 24″ X 36″ drawings showing Floor Plans & all Exterior Elevations, for $400
• Construction Set – A full set of 24″ X 36″ detailed drawings and specifications including Floor Plans, Foundation and Framing Plans, Exterior Elevations, Building Sections, Wall Sections, Details, Interior Elevations, Reflected Ceiling Plans, Window/Door Schedules, Electrical Plans, Finish Plans, and all Products and Materials Specified per the original design, all for $1450
• Each Additional Construction Set $200
• Construction Set PDF Files $1450

While we have started to delve into the stock plan arena, I would still recommend having a custom home designed for maximum living and cost efficiency.  For more information see Good Quality Architecture Adds Value to Your Home.

Please visit Storybook Cabin Plan for our most recent stock plan, or our Projects for examples of some of our recently completed custom projects.  We do not sell plans of our client’s custom homes.

For more information on our plans please contact us by phone at 208.265.4001, by email, or by filling out your information on our contact page.

John Hendricks, Architect AIA

Hendricks Architecture, mountain architects located in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture Blog.

This “not so big” house on a big site was also featured in the March 2008 issue of Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living.  Natural elements of wood, stone, and natural light flow from the rugged exterior into the interior, adding a sense of connection with nature.  Natural materials that could be recycled were of importance to the owners.  The house is perched on the top of a nob, yet the profile is kept low to blend into the site.  All of the main rooms are situated to have great views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding mountains.  For those unfamiliar, Coeur d’Alene (often called CDA) is a resort town in North Idaho, 35 minutes east of Spokane and 35 minutes south of Sandpoint.  Our clients have generously offered their plan to us to sell as a stock cabin plan for those interested.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect, NCARB

Hendricks Architecture, Idaho mountain home architects