Bonus photos and floor plans for "A Simple Nature Retreat"
The February 2015 issue had a special theme of small cabins, and one of the tiny getaways featured was this 1,077-square-foot renovated retreat in the Adirondacks. This cabin sits on Piseco Lake and belongs to David and Maura Paler, who love escaping the city and getting closer to nature. Here are some bonus photos and before and after floor plans of the cabin that weren't shown in the printed magazine. Enjoy!
Simple and inviting
Photo by David PalerBefore David and Maura Paler bought the cabin, the previous owner Scott Bradshaw made small additions to improve the floor plan and open up the view of the lake.
Before the renovations
Photo by Scott BradshawThis is what the cabin, built in 1956, looked like before Scott Bradshaw renovated it in 2011. The original cabin had three bedrooms, one of which contained the water heater and a shower.
The happy couple
Photo by David PalerDavid and Maura love to escape to Piseco Lake whenever possible, making the 230-mile drive from New York City to their Adirondack retreat at least once a month. There they enjoy hiking, kayaking, and just spending time in the great outdoors interacting with nature.
Summer blooms
Photo by David PalerNative pickerelweed grows tall along the lakeshore, but the Palers' cabin and boathouse are visible from the middle of the Piseco Outlet.
TV room
Photo by David PalerWhen Scott Bradshaw renovated the cabin, he made this lakeside room into a bunkroom. The Palers don't need three bedrooms, so they use the space as a TV room (though there's usually more to look at outside the large windows).
Cozy bedroom
Photo by David PalerWhen Scott Bradshaw was putting the finishing touches on the cabin for the Palers, Maura asked him to cover all walls and ceilings with pine tongue-and-groove. Another one of her requests was black hardware on the doors.
Outdoor shower
Photo by David PalerSince buying the place, the Palers have installed an outdoor shower on the south side of the cabin. It comes in handy for washing up and cooling off when they return from day-long hikes or kayak outings.
Bear bell
Photo by David PalerThere are a lot of bears in Adirondack country, so the Palers have a bear bell hanging on the outside of the cabin. They ring it whenever they step outside, alerting any nearby bears to their presence.
View from the cabin
Photo by David PalerThe views of Piseco Lake from the cabin are stunning, especially in autumn when the leaves are changing color.
A restful spot
Photo by David PalerThe Palers also enjoy views of Piseco Lake from their fire pit. Often, they sit in Adirondack chairs and watch kayakers paddle by.
Stargazing
Photo by David PalerAt night, the Palers enjoy stargazing near the shore. David, an architectural photographer, took this dramatic shot, capturing the starry (and partly cloudy) sky.
Photo by David Paler
Photo by Scott Bradshaw
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
Photo by David Paler
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