From Publishers Weekly
A distinctly American style of home design—marked by twig art, natural log railings, bunk rooms, rustic furniture and covered porches—gets enthusiastic treatment by Obomsawin and Battaglia in this attractive yet functional book. As inspirational as it is prescriptive, the work celebrates not only the forms and lines of Adirondack architectural style (which, Obomsawin explains, "blends with nature's own structural décor"), but also the environs in which such architecture is typically found, which abound with rock formations, mountains and lakes. Obomsawin (The Arts & Crafts Cabin; etc.) does provide some building plans and technical detail, including diagrams of vertical log siding, floor plans for an upstairs loft complete with multiple bunks and a reading nook, and renderings of multiple variations of trusses (although the book hardly serves as a do-it-yourself guide to building a cabin). But even readers who aren't planning to construct or renovate this kind of home will appreciate the warmth and character of the book's style and might want to add it to the stack on the coffee table—preferably a rustic-looking one made from rough-hewn logs and natural wood. (May) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description
Best-selling author and log home expert Robbin Obomsawin features the rustic and charming architecture of the Adirondack great camps of the Northeast in her newest book. Established during the early twentieth century by wealthy rail and oil barons such as the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers, the Adirondack camps served as the preeminent playground for those who wanted to escape industrial city life and reconnect with nature. Today, these classic camps represent the best of rustic style.

From the Inside Flap
Acknowledgments Introduction Details of Adirondack Great Camps Today Distinctive Architectural Exteriors Details at a Glance Porches, Patios and Decks Windows Window Seats Railings and Twig Art Doors Shutters Bunk Rooms Outdoor Showers Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Furniture Log and Timber Trusses Our Dance with Nature Small Gems Good Design The Importance of Proper Engineering Adirondack Camps Resources

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Nothing can capture our hearts and imaginations quite the same as the pure simplicity of an Adirondack camp. It is without a doubt the most refined rustic form of architecture. The use of natural materials with their myriad imperfections creates the ironic effect of perfection itself. Many designers and home owners have fallen in love with and borrowed the Adirondack style of architecture and interior design to use in their homes the world over because its rustic decor is casual, yet romantic. Even from a distance, the Adirondack camp radiates romance as it wraps itself in spectacular terrain. It is a love affair with nature that has caused this form of architecture and design to be so popular in many areas. It is our ideal human experience to integrate nature into every possible aspect of daily living, where man and nature can coexist in harmony with one another. The Adirondack architectural style is one in which the structure blends with nature's own structural decor. This age-old design has stood the test of time and continues to remain a classic. This symbiotic arrangement allows us the chance to live in harmony with nature as well as give back to the land. It is our individual spirits that bring life into a home and our passion and dedication that creates what each of us considers the "perfect" home. During the early twentieth century, Adirondack great camps were established by wealthy rail and oil barons such as the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers who wanted to get away and enjoy nature to its fullest. These camp structures incorporated natural materials into every aspect of the constructions in an effort to create a complete natural effect. Although not all of us want or need a large ornate camp to enjoy nature, we can create our own modern-day great camp where the simplicity of nature itself echoes throughout our modest dwellings. The great camps of today are designed to not compete with nature but to work with it by blending in with the natural landscapes and disturbing the environment as little as possible. The Adirondack tradition is to build and design camps that respect, protect and preserve Mother Nature. What a wonderful gift and privilege to be her caretaker, even if for just a short period of time.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly