Great Reads to Keep You Inspired at Home

Starting to run out of things to clean during social distancing? Check out eight of our favorite books about rustic homes! (All available online — no human interaction required.)

Written by Donna Peak

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American Rustic

By Chase Reynolds Ewald

Author Chase Reynolds Ewald and photographer Audrey Hall take us down long country roads and mountain paths to some of the most picturesque log, timber and hybrid homes in the U.S. Buy here.

Mary Emmerling knows her way around a flea market, and in this book, she takes us to one of the biggest: Round Top, Texas. Where some folks see junk, Mary sees treasure, effortlessly pulling her finds together in a casual-yet-polished way. Buy here.

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Log Cabins: Past & Present

By Tommi Jamison and Tina Skinner

From the earliest rudimentary settlers’ cabins to the gorgeous, technologically advanced log homes of today, the authors take us on a picturesque journey showcasing the way log homes have left their legacy on housing. Buy here.

Cabin Living

By The Editors of Cabin Living

Whether you’re dreaming of owing your own cozy cabin in the woods, or you are you are already living the cabin life, this anthology showcases hundreds of vibrant photos, inspiring stories and smart design ideas from cabin-dwellers across the country. Buy here.

Vintage Cottages

By Molly Hyde English

Vintage Cottages reads more like a collection of short stories than a home-and-garden book — perfect for a Sunday morning cuddled up in your favorite chair with a cup of coffee. Prepare to be as entertained as you are inspired. Buy here.

Wood Houses: From Log Cabins to Beach Houses

By Judith Miller

Think of this title as one part history lesson, one part design guide and one part decorating seminar, all artfully combined into an exquisite coffee-table style book. Buy here.

Cabin Style

By Chase Reynolds Ewald

Fifteen homes ranging from a quaint Arkansas cabin to a modern-rustic chalet are artfully photographed and carefully chronicled, showcasing the diversity of log, timber and stone house design. Buy here.

Hand Hewn

By Jack Sobon

A brand-new title from one of the founding fathers of the modern timber home movement, this delightful read shares the legacy and unparalleled beauty of timber-framed homes. Buy here.