Imagine getting lost in a tangled forest and stumbling upon a cozy cabin. Every instinct would tell you to avoid said cabin because happy endings don’t usually start with entering a strange cabin while you’re alone in the woods, right? But if said cabin was one of Dan Pauly‘s creations? You’d risk it. Because Pauly has been crafting simple and picturesque buildings for his businessâThe Rustic Wayâfor 20 years, and his work looks like it’s right out of the pages of a fairy tale or a fantasy novel. I want one to turn into my office. Look:
Pauly works on a few different scales, but all of the builds are small and enchanting. The wee cabins are typically 13.5 feet tall and vary in length from 8 to 12 feet. And yes, in case you’re curious, they can be shipped: he’s made garden sheds, playhouses, outhouses, saunas, and complete guest cottages. He’s all about craftsmanship, that Pauly, considering he comes from four generations of woodworking artisans and uses reclaimed wood. He looks around the Midwest for resources, “taking utmost care in dismantling/deconstructing aging structures to preserve as much usable wood as possible in its natural, weathered condition.” His work isn’t only lovely, it has a story. And isn’t it great for a building to have that kind of character?
Visit the gallery below for more ridiculously charming examples of Pauly’s work. Would you live in a tiny cottage like these or would you opt for a shed or sauna option? Tell me in the comments.
HT: Twisted Sifter
Image Credit: The Rustic Way