Cabin Fever Magazine: Final Spread

Cabin fever, final spread. I managed to finish the magazine, and send it off to doxprinter to be printed. I chose to get it printed as a perfect bound magazine.

Cabin Fever: Kinfolk

Kinfolk magazine has been one of my main influences for Cabin Fever, as it predominately uses photography to use as content, it's almost a cheaper photo book. I feel that Kinfolk is fundamentally different from Cabin Fever in it's ethos however, because Kinfolk state that they work with creatives across the world creating lovely things that they all like, however Cabin Fever offers a point go view, rather than a promotion on everything. Not everything is looked at through rose tinted spectacles.

I admire Kinfolk's simplicity, and how it isn't really based on a lot, other than photography based on what certain people like. It takes on the rustic aesthetic, and as Cabin Fever is about the outdoors and simplicity, then Kinfolk reflects it.

Cabin Fever: The Adventure Journal

The Adventure Journal blog, weekend cabin features. Part of my research for content will come from this website, where they have a feature on cabins. The Adventure journal is like a trendy outdoors website (for want of a better description) and focuses on a plethora of outdoor activities, along with essays on anything to do with experiencing the outdoors. It feels like a general lifestyle website, and this is the type of subject matter that would suit the cabin fever magazine. Not only focusing on cabins, but looking at the outdoors as a sensory experience.

Many of the cabins they site will be researched into further, looking at any external references or sources to ensure I have a well rounded view of the types of cabins that exist.

Cabin Fever: Content Thoughts

This magazine has replaced the original brief 'Fridge Magazine', and although some of the content will talk about food, Cabin Fever magazine will be an overall lifestyle magazine, that talks about subjects such as the emotive value of going into the outdoors, camping cuisine, cabins, van life, romanticising the outdoors, rustic living and much more. I will work with contributors that go outdoors and enjoy travel and living basically, that can write articles and offer an interesting point of view on the topics I have researched. As this magazine is an ongoing research project, there have been some interesting new topics that have arisen:

The emotive value of outdoors pursuits
Cabins and isolated living
Sustainable living
Small living spaces
Van life, and 'dirt bagging'
Patagonia becoming a 'trend brand'
The new trend for paying to stay in a treehouse
Escapism
Cabin must haves
Camping food
A guide to reclaiming materials to furnish your home
Solutions for young people struggling to afford to buy a property such as flatpack homes
Travel photography
The trend for the content of this magazine, why do people want to go back to basics?

I find all of the topics really interesting, and they mostly effect me personally. I enjoy outdoor pursuits, and it seems that many young twenty somethings also enjoy just getting away from daily life, and pursuing travel ambitions, walking, isolation, van life, road tripping and more. There is also another prevalent trend for retro style cooking, interior design, coffee drinking and even dressing, with thanks to other publications such as Kinfolk, Cereal and more.

Cabin Fever: Abandoned Cabins

Abandoned cabins on the Cabin Porn blog. This could make for an interesting article on abandoned properties. Forgotten and unloved buildings that have a romanticism about them. A topic that is interesting is why they are romanticised. All abandoned properties were once functional and so they all have some kind of story behind them, and so they are relics from the past and from our history. If the 'story' is unknown then perhaps this is why they can be romanticised.

Abandoned cabin near Yellowstone, Idaho.

Abandoned cabin in Germany near the Austrian border.

Abandoned cabin near Ashland, Oregon.

Abandoned ranger hut in the Black Forest, Germany.

Seljavallalaug near Skógarfoss, Iceland.

Cabin Fever Research | Elliðaey Island

Elliðaey Island, Iceland.

I did hear that cabin was given to Bjork for services to culture from the Iclandic government, though to my dismay this was a fabrication, and the cabin here may as well be a folly, that serves no purpose. The cabin is a hunting lodge, though it's formal name does not reflect it's actual purpose, and is simply a getaway lodge for people that wish to experience isolation.

This is an image that many people have seen, (and heard the Bjork lie) and so would make for an interesting mini article and would serve a 'fun fact' type status.

'There are 15 Westmans — 11 plus three called the “small islands” – and they were named after Irish slaves brought here by Norsemen. They have a rather colorful history: After Ingólfur Arnarson’s brother Hjörleifur was murdered by the slaves he had brought with him to Iceland, Ingolfur tracked them down to the Westmans and killed them all in retribution. In the 1600s, Barbary pirates captured them. Twice in the 20th century, they had volcanic eruptions, one that created a new island and one that caused the evacuation of all 5,000 residents. Only the largest of the Westmans, Heimaey, is inhabited. Six have hunting lodges, like the one here on Elliðaey. What is there to hunt on the windswept, treeless rock? Puffins.'

Cabin Fever: Little Lost Valley Cabin

Little Lost Valley Cabin.

Adventure Journal weekend cabin:

'“Public good with private means” is not a phrase often associated with real estate development, especially in the rural west, where development all too often means splitting old agricultural land into ranchette subdivisions or erecting sprawling log castle trophy homes built on a foundation of hubris. The 700-square-foot cabin on Summit Spring Ranch, Idaho, is neither. In fact, it’s precisely the embodiment of a new approach to development, one that aims to conserve, restore, protect, and model a lighter way of living.

The structure, also known as the Little Lost Valley cabin, was designed by architect Clark Stevens for investment company Beartooth Capital, whose business is built around finding neglected ranch properties, restoring structures, waterways, and lands, and selling them sometimes with conservation easements in place. Beartooth bought the property in Idaho to the east of the Sawtooths, which had no legal road access, and then put together a deal with the Nature Conservancy that added 623 acres to the parcel and access right of way in exchange for setting aside 1,960 of the 3,783 total acres.

Since launching in 2005, Beartooth has bought 25,000 acres, protected 13,000, and restored 37 miles of creeks and rivers.

“We find properties where we can fix flaws and restore rivers, creeks, wetlands and agricultural land,” the firm says. “We seek ranches that lack access, infrastructure, amenities and curb appeal and that have legal, title and other problems that we can solve.”

The cabin at Summit Springs reflects this philosophy, and it was designed to attract a like-minded buyer — not necessarily an easy thing to find when the kinds of folks who can afford $4 million ranches in the middle of nowhere tend to like their second homes to spread out far and wide. But Beartooth is principled and patient.'

Cabin Fever: Llano Exit Strategy

Llano Exit Strategy, Texas.

I really like these cabins, and would personally love to stay in one. Texas is obviously a hot state, and so there is little need for insulation. Cabins are often thought of in nordic locations, looking moody and romantic, however we rarely think of cabins as living or leisure spaces in hot places. They are mildly eco friendly, collecting rain water for use in the household, with a insulation system that keeps the interior cool rather than hot. All is needed in the cooler months is a small heater, and so there would be minimal heating bills for living in this way. Another small living space that is open plan and cosy.

'Sometimes you just know — love at first sight and all that — and the “Llano Exit Strategy,” is it’s lyrically called, was born in an instant. Four couples from Austin, Texas, have been friends for more than two decades. They vacation together, travel together, and have longed dreamed of building a base camp together within an hour of the city — a quick weekend escape hatch. One day they were on vacation in Llano, on the LLano River west of Austin, and they stumbled upon this little parcel, fell in love with it, and bought it a month later.

Texas summers are obviously hot and winters can be cold, so each cabin was insulated with spray foam. All the windows were thermally broken and have insulated glass, and when passive tactics aren’t quite enough for comfort, the couples can temper things with miniature Energy Star heater/air conditioning units. Irrigation is via the rainwater collection tanks atop each structure.'

Cabin Fever: Lund Hagem

Lund Hagem.

Cabin Fever: Abaton

Abaton, portable houses by Spanish Architectural firm. The emerging trend for 'flat pack' housing is current and topical, that coincidently takes the buyer into more rural areas. The housing problem in the UK especially is relevant to reflect on this article, with house pricing going up, and young buyers unable to afford to buy a first home. I will look at how this type of housing could be a solution for the future. It also brings up the subject of living in a small space, and utilising small spaces.

Inadvertently, some of this type of housing does tend to work in more rural areas, and so this kind of lifestyle may go hand in hand with an life outdoors, and being in closer proximity to nature.

Cabin Fever: A Restless Transplant

A Restless Transplant is the story of Foster Huntington and his life living and travelling in a van. Lots of pretty and rustic Instagram's to be viewed in this book. Huntington is someone that many young men are probably slightly envious of. This kind of culture of travel-dirt bagging, and pursuing outdoor activities at the same time is becoming ever more prevalent through use of the internet, and there is certainly a trend for 'van life', and images of vans can be found on many a mood board. Even young professionals are getting in on this, with 1 - 2 week getaways in their vans, or cars enjoying a a cheaper alternative to a flight somewhere. Foster's way of doing things additionally feel boyish and reckless, where life changing experience can be obtained easily and cheaply.

Not exclusive to men, plenty of couples and women enjoy getting in the van and driving to a beach or a local rural area and picnicking, climbing, walking etc. So this trend really has a certain appeal. Huntington has even manage to compile his photographs into a physical book, a nice little money earner for him, so he continue to travel, drive and surf his way around the world.

Cabin Fever: Cabin Porn Blog

Cabin Porn.

Cabin Porn is a basic Tumblr blog that welcomes submissions of cabins. It states where every cabin can be found, and also has posts promoting books on simple living and DIY.

'Inspiration for your quiet place somewhere' is the site motto, and simplicity is how the content is displayed, with minimal writing, the blog celebrates photography and the art of viewing and has great emotive value. An emotive value is something that I want to achieve in the overall feel of cabin fever magazine.

Cabin Fever: Forum Q&A UKC

I decided to post onto the UK Climbing website, as it is well known for long debates, casual conversations and popular threads. People are guaranteed to give at least some form of opinion, and everyone goes on this website to log climbs, and to talk about climbing.

This was my topic:

The Simple Life?


I would like to ask an open ended question that will help with some research I am collecting for my degree. I hope that it sparks some interesting answers, whether they are positive or negative, opinion is what I am looking for:

Firstly I want to gather opinions on simplistic living, getting back to basics and the idea of living in a self sufficient way. This could mean to a small extent such as keeping a greenhouse, or going the whole hog and having as little outgoings as possible. 

Is this way of life practiced by anyone and why? Is this an idea any of you have that is possibly romanticised? Is this an idea any of you have ever had and for what reasons?

Who likes cabins? Or rustic buildings that can be found in sparsely populated areas (national parks, wilderness) to either live in, or to use as a recreational getaway. Does anyone like the idea of going back to basics to stay in a cabin for a limited amount of time for a lifestyle change or for a of change perspective on life? Does anyone enjoy being in the outdoors (you all should I expect if you're on this forum!), and the idea of staying in a cosy cabin with a logfire (romanticising) and living in a rustic way? Who has ever stayed in a cabin/owns a cabin?! 

There is a small trend at the moment for the idea of getting away and into the outdoors, cooking being with friends staying cabins and living in a traditional way. This is by way of publication such as Kinfolk, Gather journal, Cereal, and websites such as Cabin Porn, and the Adventure Journal has a page dedicated to 'Weekend Getaway' with just loads of cabins displayed. 

Ta! Aplologies for the length of the post...

 Some replies from the UKC forum:

Cabin Fever: Storm Cottage

Fearon Hay Architects have designed the Storm Cottage located on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. Found on The Contemporist. Beautiful architecture is a popular subject, enjoyed through television programmes such as Grand Designs and George Clarks amazing spaces. More people are enjoying interior and exterior design for their own homes, creating more rustic and modest living spaces, and paying attention to the quality and texture of materials used. This could be a potential subject for the magazine.

Cabin Fever: $500 Glass House

I found an interesting article about a young creative couple who have quit both their jobs and built this beautiful and rustic retreat. This story and been so popular on various blogs, and has even influenced Urban Outfitters window display. Nothing is more romantic than a young couple building their own cabin from reclaimed material it would seem. The trend for going to back to rustic and basic living has been diffused from stories such as this, and exploring why this is would be interesting. It takes an insight into the culture of today's twenty and early thirty somethings, and how rustic and simple living is so attractive.

A house is not a home, it's one's own story.