Field Notes

Insights, how-to guides, and real-world advice for planning, building, and living with less.

Field Notes

Who Builds Their Own Cabin?

Who Builds Their Own Cabin?

Darin Botts

You won’t see them bragging about it. They’re probably not influencers. But there’s a kind of person out there—the kind who decides to build a cabin with their own two hands. Not...

Who Builds Their Own Cabin?

Darin Botts

You won’t see them bragging about it. They’re probably not influencers. But there’s a kind of person out there—the kind who decides to build a cabin with their own two hands. Not...

How Good Design Saves Money — and Builds Something That Lasts

How Good Design Saves Money — and Builds Someth...

Darin Botts

When you’re building something as personal and meaningful as a cabin, it’s tempting to think bigger is better. But the truth is, good design isn’t about building bigger — it’s...

How Good Design Saves Money — and Builds Someth...

Darin Botts

When you’re building something as personal and meaningful as a cabin, it’s tempting to think bigger is better. But the truth is, good design isn’t about building bigger — it’s...

Understanding Specifications

Understanding Specifications

Darin Botts

Construction specifications outline the standards, materials, and methods required for a project, ensuring the design is executed as intended. This guide simplifies the key components and offers tips to help...

Understanding Specifications

Darin Botts

Construction specifications outline the standards, materials, and methods required for a project, ensuring the design is executed as intended. This guide simplifies the key components and offers tips to help...

Understanding Building Plans

Understanding Building Plans

Darin Botts

Building plans are detailed drawings that show the layout, dimensions, and construction details of a project. This guide breaks down the essentials, helps you interpret plans with ease, and explains...

Understanding Building Plans

Darin Botts

Building plans are detailed drawings that show the layout, dimensions, and construction details of a project. This guide breaks down the essentials, helps you interpret plans with ease, and explains...

The Cabin Pricing Guide

The Cabin Pricing Guide

Darin Botts

Gain the confidence and the know-how of pricing out your small cabin project. This guide will equip you with the tools and information to embark on your building journey, ensuring...

The Cabin Pricing Guide

Darin Botts

Gain the confidence and the know-how of pricing out your small cabin project. This guide will equip you with the tools and information to embark on your building journey, ensuring...

The Cabin Plan Catalog

The Cabin Plan Catalog

Darin Botts

This downloadable, printable catalog brings together all of my cabin plans in a single, easy-to-use format. Inspired by the timeless style of vintage Sears kit home advertisements, it features detailed...

The Cabin Plan Catalog

Darin Botts

This downloadable, printable catalog brings together all of my cabin plans in a single, easy-to-use format. Inspired by the timeless style of vintage Sears kit home advertisements, it features detailed...