If you’re putting windows facing the forest, you have a high chance of bird strikes. If you are putting in high end windows, please review the possibility of getting glass with 1st surface etched pattern to prevent bird strikes. It’s much cheaper on build than worrying about trying to retrofit later on (retrofit using a product like Feather Friendly is doable but much better to have it permanent from the beginning).
As someone who lives year round in the woods in Upstate NY, you MUST have a screen porch. You can’t even imagine how bad the bugs can get. There will be times that you want to be outside but the bugs will hinder that. I can picture a large screen porch with your hot tub and sauna and a cozy space to relax and even enjoy meals. I promise you’ll thank me later! Welcome to upstate!
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. After years of harassment, I quit my job. I had interviewed and interviewed, and I has not getting second interviews or call backs. I watched a few of your videos and applied what I learned to this interview. They called me the next day and said I was one of the best interviews they had in 10 years and would I like to have come work for them. When the salary question came up, I used what you said in one of your videos. I was so scared they were going to say NO and you don't have the job! They did say we would call me back after talking about it. It was the longest 2 hours of my life. They said YES and you start on Monday. Thank you so much!
A mud room is essential if you visit in the winter or spring (aka mud season). Apartment buildings have foyers. Think: an airlock. You can have an unheated one as part of the deck, but then your shoes and coats are cold when you put them on (not optimal.) And don't forget a ridge line or top gable escape for hot air in the summer. The wrap-around porch/deck suggestion sounds great. What a lovely project! Thanks for bringing us along!
Residential construction has been my career, so it's been fun to see y'all enter into that space. Framing looks great! My wife's family cabin has only been partially finished for 40+years and not fancy either, and it's been really special for them! Don't worry about everything being perfect, it's the people who make it that way!
It looks promising ! If it's freezing cold in winter, you may want to put some wood at the floating bottom of the cabin to prevent your floors from getting too cold because of the air circulation under the cabin.
Got the no trespassing/no hunting signs up? You'd be surprised how often people pop up when you think there is no one around. Also, some kind of power generation. When the power goes out it can be several days in the remote parts during a storm.
I don’t usually comment on things but as someone who has been in a similar housing situation, waiting forever (still waiting!) I can feel how happy you are and excited about this and I’m SO happy for you! I can’t wait for this day for me!
100%, I would plant a bunch of pollinator plants outside. Nothing formal. Not like a real garden or flowerbed, but I would just kinda tuck in some plants here and there to really set the space
Don’t, DON’T do open fireplace, it’s the least efficient form of heating. Opt for glass door wood burning stove, they come in all sizes and quality of craftsmanship. The most efficient I know of is made by Bullerjan. Best of luck!
Wow it looks amazing! My parents have in their backyard a small pond and man made creek and I 100% recommend a water feature if you like to look at wildlife. Plus the sound and view of flowing water is so peaceful. Maybe a bit more work than beautiful ferns though 😂
*Friendly suggestions: 1. You should plan for a large deck at the rear where you have that huge window 2. Thus, you should add a patio door to that area, you will hate yourself later if you don't do it 3.Because the house is so small, it probably makes more sense to have the fireplace near a wall. 4.We built our own house years ago and have some regrets on things we did not do. Remember that this is amortized over 30 years, e.g. 360 payments, so even adding a $3600 deck adds only ~$10/month. Cheers*
I love tiny homes. Fellow New Yorker moved to PA same as the Catskills.. some things I learned.. Well and septic? Build a huge shed outside for your generator, extra gasoline, cut wood, and extra things you will need. Propane for the generator to run the well and septic. Wood fireplaces do not provide heat, only ambience. They are dirty and you’ll appreciate wood delivery. Screened in porch because being in the forest , the bugs will be crazy! Being from a coop, I had to learn the need for a generator, wood delivery service, well & septic insurance if you can get it, etc and when you build outside, sauna or anything, make sure you have a screened in ability because again… bugs! Cannot wait to see the progress!
Honestly? I haven't done any of this before, but when I saw you were planning on a ladder, all I could think was that that doesn't sound very practical in terms of getting to bed when you're tired. Imo? I think you'd be better served with a tightly wound spiral staircase. It'd take a bit more room, but if you budget the wall out just another foot when coming into the house towards the living room, you'd get steps instead of a ladder which will make it much easier to get up to the loft, even while carrying things, like a late night snack or let your dog follow you, since the dog can't climb the ladder.
I feel like a wrap around deck would be very cool, but maybe just 2 or 3 sides so you can still have that desired privacy in the back. If you are planning on putting a hot tub/sauna, i assume youd want it on a nice deck/platform. A walkway from the deck to those spots would be ideal for functionality. Personally, i hate having a beautiful pool area so far away and having to walk through grass/dirt/gravel to get to it and back.
I would definitely recommend putting the fireplace in the center. Then you can change up the looks on either side of it instead of just one side. Love your cabin and it's coming along great!
Love the way it looks at the back with the window so beautiful. Would try to disturb it as little as possible and perhaps do a secret path with bigger flagstone something like that that meanders in - would also already now think of disabled access and bathroom to the house build it in from the start so that you can enjoy the house for the rest of your life including in old age as well as invite friends etc .
Beautiful space love your cabin! My one huge suggestion is to please use plants that are native to your area when landscaping. Keep us posted on your progress!
The question of if you have concerns about heavy rains or if there is any reason why the ground might slide/crumble underneath thus causing foundation issues. Some sort of a lift system to the upper level would be helpful in case you are injured thus making climbing to the next level a challenge.
wrap around deck and all the plant vibes for sure if budget allows! also that wall of windows is 😍fireplace center so you can sit on a couch and see unobstructed. Does Restoration Hardware The Cloud couch do a pull out version? non spreading Bamboo? not sure if it'll be ok in the winter. what about Ginko trees? :)
@advicewitherin Hi Erin, I have a video suggestion for you: one about how you’re usually handling clients paying late on their bills? What steps are typical when you’ve provided freelance services for other firms and need to push these firms to pay on time? Schedule of reminders, payment plans, when to contact lawyers/collection agencies, etc. As you provide freelance services, I thought you might face this from time to time. Just an idea… Thanks for your other great advice
I know zero about construction, but it looks like from the video your home is built on a cliff or at least a drop off. Do you have plans for a retaining wall or something to prevent soil erosion under your house.?
So nice to see a different setting for you Erin. Not sure about this, are the windows insulated against heat and colder temps? All the best, it seems that your content regardless of the subject matter is interesting.
My vote is for the wood stove toward the right side. Will that be your only source of heat? May want to at least prep for a mini split in the future, especially for sleeping in the loft space.
Yea defs skip the ladder and get some sort of staircase even a really steep one. Ladders are no fun when tired or drunk. Plus doggo cant use. Fire in the centre for sure
You defenitly need to block off the crawl space. Unless you really like the idea of a rabid coyote or badger livung under your house attacking you every day you leave 😅
Uhm… You HAVE to do a wrap around porch. OR just wrapped around the sides and front! One cohesive deck!!! That would be tits. lol. Taking tips for your video. We’re looking into buying an acre and doing the same! We have 3 big dogs and live in north Idaho. Hoping we find something soon. Love this!!
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram! instagram.com/thecairocabin
If you’re putting windows facing the forest, you have a high chance of bird strikes. If you are putting in high end windows, please review the possibility of getting glass with 1st surface etched pattern to prevent bird strikes. It’s much cheaper on build than worrying about trying to retrofit later on (retrofit using a product like Feather Friendly is doable but much better to have it permanent from the beginning).
❤yes❤
Oh... Good point! I wouldn't even have thought about that on my own.
As someone who lives year round in the woods in Upstate NY, you MUST have a screen porch. You can’t even imagine how bad the bugs can get. There will be times that you want to be outside but the bugs will hinder that. I can picture a large screen porch with your hot tub and sauna and a cozy space to relax and even enjoy meals. I promise you’ll thank me later! Welcome to upstate!
+
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. After years of harassment, I quit my job. I had interviewed and interviewed, and I has not getting second interviews or call backs. I watched a few of your videos and applied what I learned to this interview. They called me the next day and said I was one of the best interviews they had in 10 years and would I like to have come work for them. When the salary question came up, I used what you said in one of your videos. I was so scared they were going to say NO and you don't have the job! They did say we would call me back after talking about it. It was the longest 2 hours of my life. They said YES and you start on Monday. Thank you so much!
WOW!!! 🎉
A mud room is essential if you visit in the winter or spring (aka mud season). Apartment buildings have foyers. Think: an airlock. You can have an unheated one as part of the deck, but then your shoes and coats are cold when you put them on (not optimal.)
And don't forget a ridge line or top gable escape for hot air in the summer. The wrap-around porch/deck suggestion sounds great.
What a lovely project! Thanks for bringing us along!
Residential construction has been my career, so it's been fun to see y'all enter into that space.
Framing looks great!
My wife's family cabin has only been partially finished for 40+years and not fancy either, and it's been really special for them! Don't worry about everything being perfect, it's the people who make it that way!
It looks promising !
If it's freezing cold in winter, you may want to put some wood at the floating bottom of the cabin to prevent your floors from getting too cold because of the air circulation under the cabin.
Got the no trespassing/no hunting signs up? You'd be surprised how often people pop up when you think there is no one around. Also, some kind of power generation. When the power goes out it can be several days in the remote parts during a storm.
Seconded! Friends of mine in NY state had hunters trespassing often, even though their land was posted.
I don’t usually comment on things but as someone who has been in a similar housing situation, waiting forever (still waiting!) I can feel how happy you are and excited about this and I’m SO happy for you! I can’t wait for this day for me!
building a home and owning land is the best feeling.
100%, I would plant a bunch of pollinator plants outside. Nothing formal. Not like a real garden or flowerbed, but I would just kinda tuck in some plants here and there to really set the space
Erin, you should add some greenery and patio furniture around the house (and maybe hammocks!)
That sounds great fr!
Don’t, DON’T do open fireplace, it’s the least efficient form of heating. Opt for glass door wood burning stove, they come in all sizes and quality of craftsmanship. The most efficient I know of is made by Bullerjan. Best of luck!
Girl this is my dream. My family owns property in the Catskills and I want my own property someday too. Maybe we will be neighbors 😊
Wow it looks amazing! My parents have in their backyard a small pond and man made creek and I 100% recommend a water feature if you like to look at wildlife. Plus the sound and view of flowing water is so peaceful. Maybe a bit more work than beautiful ferns though 😂
*Friendly suggestions: 1. You should plan for a large deck at the rear where you have that huge window 2. Thus, you should add a patio door to that area, you will hate yourself later if you don't do it 3.Because the house is so small, it probably makes more sense to have the fireplace near a wall. 4.We built our own house years ago and have some regrets on things we did not do. Remember that this is amortized over 30 years, e.g. 360 payments, so even adding a $3600 deck adds only ~$10/month. Cheers*
I love tiny homes. Fellow New Yorker moved to PA same as the Catskills.. some things I learned.. Well and septic? Build a huge shed outside for your generator, extra gasoline, cut wood, and extra things you will need. Propane for the generator to run the well and septic. Wood fireplaces do not provide heat, only ambience. They are dirty and you’ll appreciate wood delivery. Screened in porch because being in the forest , the bugs will be crazy! Being from a coop, I had to learn the need for a generator, wood delivery service, well & septic insurance if you can get it, etc and when you build outside, sauna or anything, make sure you have a screened in ability because again… bugs! Cannot wait to see the progress!
Honestly? I haven't done any of this before, but when I saw you were planning on a ladder, all I could think was that that doesn't sound very practical in terms of getting to bed when you're tired. Imo? I think you'd be better served with a tightly wound spiral staircase. It'd take a bit more room, but if you budget the wall out just another foot when coming into the house towards the living room, you'd get steps instead of a ladder which will make it much easier to get up to the loft, even while carrying things, like a late night snack or let your dog follow you, since the dog can't climb the ladder.
Erin please choose between an induction or a gas range. Friends don't let friends have electric ranges by choice lol.
Oops sorry that’s what I meant lol. We went with gas!
I feel like a wrap around deck would be very cool, but maybe just 2 or 3 sides so you can still have that desired privacy in the back.
If you are planning on putting a hot tub/sauna, i assume youd want it on a nice deck/platform. A walkway from the deck to those spots would be ideal for functionality.
Personally, i hate having a beautiful pool area so far away and having to walk through grass/dirt/gravel to get to it and back.
I would definitely recommend putting the fireplace in the center. Then you can change up the looks on either side of it instead of just one side. Love your cabin and it's coming along great!
Love the way it looks at the back with the window so beautiful. Would try to disturb it as little as possible and perhaps do a secret path with bigger flagstone something like that that meanders in - would also already now think of disabled access and bathroom to the house build it in from the start so that you can enjoy the house for the rest of your life including in old age as well as invite friends etc .
Living the dream!!! Good for you guys!!!❤
Beautiful, going to be a great place to be on winter days - with the fire going!
CONGRATS.... 🎉🎉🎉!!! It already looks amazing!!
Wow it looks amazing!! Good job on the design and goold luck! I cant wait to see the end result😍
Really like your ideas! Can't wait to see when its finished!
Deck the 3 sides that don't have the massive windows. Ground cover in the back is good. I suggest a natural pathway to get to the hot tub.
I think you should put the fireplace in the middle and maybe at like a tiny coffee table in front of the couch😊
Beautiful space love your cabin! My one huge suggestion is to please use plants that are native to your area when landscaping. Keep us posted on your progress!
Yes! We are definitely researching native plants. 🪴
@@AdviceWithErin so happy to hear! 🌱
So cute! its so big on the inside.
The question of if you have concerns about heavy rains or if there is any reason why the ground might slide/crumble underneath thus causing foundation issues. Some sort of a lift system to the upper level would be helpful in case you are injured thus making climbing to the next level a challenge.
Agree , exterior lift .
wrap around deck and all the plant vibes for sure if budget allows! also that wall of windows is 😍fireplace center so you can sit on a couch and see unobstructed. Does Restoration Hardware The Cloud couch do a pull out version? non spreading Bamboo? not sure if it'll be ok in the winter. what about Ginko trees? :)
So VERY happy for you! Congratulations 🎉!
That’s going to look awesome!
I think the fireplace should be on the right so it’ll be directly in front of the couch IMO :)
The deck should be placed based on the direction the house faces, which hopefully is SE (IMHO)
Wrap around porch, maybe? Could be cute and provide an outdoor space.
Erin, It is going to be so cute. ❤
Wrap around porch? That leads to the back with a lower level of the hot tub
@advicewitherin
Hi Erin,
I have a video suggestion for you: one about how you’re usually handling clients paying late on their bills?
What steps are typical when you’ve provided freelance services for other firms and need to push these firms to pay on time? Schedule of reminders, payment plans, when to contact lawyers/collection agencies, etc.
As you provide freelance services, I thought you might face this from time to time.
Just an idea…
Thanks for your other great advice
I know zero about construction, but it looks like from the video your home is built on a cliff or at least a drop off. Do you have plans for a retaining wall or something to prevent soil erosion under your house.?
So nice to see a different setting for you Erin. Not sure about this, are the windows insulated against heat and colder temps? All the best, it seems that your content regardless of the subject matter is interesting.
My vote is for the wood stove toward the right side. Will that be your only source of heat? May want to at least prep for a mini split in the future, especially for sleeping in the loft space.
We have a mini split!
Yea defs skip the ladder and get some sort of staircase even a really steep one. Ladders are no fun when tired or drunk. Plus doggo cant use. Fire in the centre for sure
You defenitly need to block off the crawl space. Unless you really like the idea of a rabid coyote or badger livung under your house attacking you every day you leave 😅
Very cool!
I LOVE IT!!! ❤🤩❤
Uhm…
You HAVE to do a wrap around porch. OR just wrapped around the sides and front! One cohesive deck!!! That would be tits. lol. Taking tips for your video. We’re looking into buying an acre and doing the same! We have 3 big dogs and live in north Idaho. Hoping we find something soon. Love this!!
How far off the main road are you?.❤🎉
But wait, you gonna move there? 😬
It looks lovely and all but if one of you farts (including the dog) it will stink up the entire place
valid
lol! elderly dog farts are a real thing. But that's why there's a cathedral ceiling!
Excellent progress! Wish we would have thought of the full kitchen idea. @clearlakecottages