The Amish-built log cabin retreat in Antonito, Colorado, is a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 10-person cabin located a woodsy area with the odor of pine and soil after the rain. This reclusive cabin in the silent wilds of south Colorado is an epitome of the slow-moving beauty of the old craftsmen, whereby, each log could tell the story of the work done by the workers’ hands. It’s not just a rental; it’s a temporary home for those who want to trade the hum of city life for the rustle of leaves and the crackle of a fire, all while surrounded by the kind of scenery that makes you forget the date and time. Through its robust build and caring details, the cabin is a lovely example of Amish creative power, a place that nature seems like a longtime friend who is always there to give you a quiet welcome.
Until your arrival, the cabin façade is your catch with its sincere, bare-it-all kind of appeal. The logs are hand-hewn and stacked with great accuracy, thus, forming the walls that have a certain strength, their yellow colors are sun-warmed and just a little bit aged to indicate they have been there for a long time. The front porch, small but nice, goes along the cabin’s width, giving a shadowed place to take off trail-dusted boots or to drink your coffee when the morning fog is disappearing from the woods around.
The roof that is sharply inclined to let off the snow or water is covered with long-lasting tiles that are the same color as the line of trees and thus, the cabin seems to be a part of the forest and not its impingement. The doors and windows are made of dark wood, and they are lighted in a way that the house looks bright even from a distance and this is a sign of the inner warmth. It’s an outside that provides the necessary shelter without a show, a gorgeous stabilizer in a world that is often too refined, too short-lived.
Once you are in, you can see the beauty of the cabin’s inside and it even more spacious due to the open plan layout of the 1000 square-foot area. The living room which is the main part of the whole area is dominated by the stone fireplace which takes a whole wall and the firebox is broad enough for putting boots and thus, the flames throw the shadows up and down the walls which are made of logs.
The ceiling which is vaulted goes up to meet the rafters and thus, the room has a great height which makes it look like it is the continuation of the woods outside and also the beams look like trees that have been hand-cut. The cabin owners have put the best furniture in the area-e.g. the sectional sofa of light earth colors is very comfortable, the armchair is near the window and the coffee table is old but it is still very nice- the people are invited to come and sit down and they will soon forget their troubles as they see the light come and go through the trees. The floorboards are of broad pine and they are nicely polished; however, they are still able to make the creaky sounds thus, the fact that you are in a cabin, and not in a hotel, is brought to your mind; besides, their warmth underfoot is an indirect reference to the skill of the craftspeople that worked on every little detail.
The kitchen, which is also a part of the living area and thus the transition is smooth, is an attractive combination of usefulness and charm, the cooking should be of such kind that the food will bring together the people Socially. The wooden beams over the head are there just for a little rustic addition, and the counters are of very fine granite and they are of a soft grey color and provide enough space for the vegetables to be cut or for biscuits to be rolled out. A farmhouse sink that is very deep and white in color is getting the light from the window that is just above it, and there are cabinets that are painted in a pale green and when they are opened they expose the necessities like a coffee maker, toaster, and a set of mismatched mugs that seem to have been taken over for years from family visits. The table for eating, which is made of strong oak, is provided with two benches on either side and is capable of accommodating eight people at a time and thus, there will be a place for two more on the ends of the table for those guests who always unexpectedly come to visit cabins like this. This is a kitchen where people are inclined to stay for a long while, wherein the smell of bread being baked combines with the smell of pine coming from the walls thus, even a simple lunch becomes something you will remember.
Each two bedrooms represent a kind of refuge that is both secluded and comforting in nature, and really, each one has its own character which has been defined by the log bones of the cabin. The master bedroom is on the ground floor and is a small comfortable place with a queen bed which has been made up with the quilts in the patterns which remind one of Colorado’s pioneer past, the headboard is made of the wood which has been taken from the barn and which, therefore, adds a warm feeling of wood to the room. Close to the bed is the window which shows the woods, and the time is probably dawn when the deer come to take a rest; furthermore, the bathroom that is connected and has the clawfoot tub and pedestal sink seems to be a little spa, the steam rising and meeting the cedar ceiling.
The other bedroom, which can be found in the loft and is upstairs, is the one that is full of fun and has two beds which are under the sloped roof, the low eaves giving the treehouse-like closeness which is perfect for children or for those guests who are lovers of the quaintness of the snug hideaway. The bathroom that is in the loft and is small but efficient, has a shower and a vanity and is all finished in white so as to lighten the room and be a contrast to the wood. The cabin interior which lacks any kind of fuss with its beauty, is a space that is seemingly developed for the stories — the telling of talks by the fire, the laughing in playing the cards, and even the quiet delight of a morning spent in the sun reading a book.
The beauty of this Amish cabin is heightened by the close and easy relationship it has with the Antonito area, the place where the San Juan Mountains can be seen rising and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is going through the valleys like it is from some other time. While the cabin is located in the middle of the woods and is near the Antonito Town Park, it still gives you the best of both worlds i.e. total seclusion and easy accessibility as there are also some trails for hiking and a small Colorado town with its quiet charm which is only a few minutes’ drive away.
When the wraparound deck which is strong and very large is considered it becomes clear that the home has been extended, and it is perfect for the barbecues that you could have under the stars or even for the quiet evenings which you would spend with a book when the sun is going down beyond the trees. Some of the actions done with thought by the cabin are wireless internet if you want to stream a movie on a rainy afternoon, linens that are as soft as a cloud, and a kitchen which is well-stocked — these are the things which not only ensure the beauty of the cabin but also show that it has been interwoven into every detail which makes it a place wherein you will come as a visitor and go as a member of the family. If that’s the case, then looking for an abode capturing the soul of Colorado in a cabin form means this retreat is your beautiful and long-lasting option.
One can get the chance to experience first-hand the charm of this lovely Amish-built cabin by renting it through VRBO. For more information or to reserve your stay, please visit the listing.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 2 |
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Amenities | WiFi, linens/towels, kitchen essentials, heating, TV, parking |
| Safety Features | Carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector, fire extinguisher, first aid kit |
| Location | Antonito, Colorado, near Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad |
Source: VRBO – Amish-Built Cabin in Antonito