They Built a Glass Cabin in the Woods and Turned It Into a Life
A couple left stable jobs to build a 1,000-square-foot cabin where 60% is windows. Their idea was simple: live slow, merge with nature, and share it with others.
The Moment Everything Felt Different
They walk in and the air feels wide. The space invites calm.
Silence stretches out. Only trees sway and a fire crackles.
Slow living is the rule here. The design keeps that promise.
Why Everyone Said It Was Impossible
Travel shaped the plan. Nordic ideas met Quebec snow and ice.
They chose a forest clearing and called it hinter house.
The house can change with the light, the shutters, and simple objects.
It’s only 1,000 square feet. Yet most of it feels like sky.
Sixty percent is glass, wrapped in insulation built for brutal winters.
The Wild Trick Hidden in the Walls
Exterior shutters slide and fold. They shape light and privacy in seconds.
Every window can disappear behind wood. The house turns into a lantern.
Local carpenters made the pieces. Artists shaped the furniture.
The Living Room That Breathes
Storage hides by the door. Clutter vanishes. Space opens up.
The living room stays simple, but never cold.
A deep couch begs for naps. Odd-shaped chairs spark smiles.
Even tiny ledges hold a mug or a book.
A playful round seat sits in the circle. Friends gather around it.
In summer, a third of the wall slides open on both sides.
Fresh air rushes through. It feels like a quiet tent in the woods.
Fine screens pull across to block bugs and keep the forest smells.
The Fire That Turns to Face You
Heat starts underfoot. Warm floors carry comfort through the day.
A freestanding stove sits in the middle so everyone shares the glow.
It rotates. Dinner comes with flames turned toward the table.
The Kitchen With a Garden in the Middle
A freestanding island holds everything: sink, seating, and a tiny herb bed.
Hands reach down, pinch basil, and slice on the built-in board.
Cookbooks tuck in one end. Firewood stacks close to the stove.
Four seats slide under the ledge. Everyone fits.
Appliances hide behind clean panels. The room stays quiet and clear.
The pantry door blends in. The dishwasher does, too.
The fridge is small, on purpose. It does the job without taking over.
Waste and recycling vanish into drawers. Nothing breaks the line.
The Light You Feel but Don’t See
Warm LEDs glow from hidden tracks in the ceiling. No glare, just calm.
Soft tones keep eyes relaxed. Night feels gentle, not dim.
A black core runs through the home. It holds the kitchen and the rooms.
The cedar stays pale and bright. The dark block sets it off.
The Secret Room No One Expected
The guest room is small, smart, and full of storage under the bed.
Most of one wall hides closets. A TV sinks into the wood.
A door swings to a compact laundry tucked from sight.
The bathroom opens like a breath. White walls, earthy tones, and light.
A walk-in shower looks into the trees. Shutters close if someone feels shy.
Water turns on from the entrance. No cold shock under the spray.
A towel rack looks like art. It also hides a door.
Behind it, the mechanical room lives in a clean steel frame.
The frame carries towels, a paper holder, and slim drawers.
The Bedroom at the Edge of the Forest
The master sits at the far end. A pocket door seals the quiet.
Built-in bed, deep drawers, and an almost invisible TV.
Soft LED reading lights glow like warm moons.
The Crazy Thing the Wood Does Outside
Cedar wraps the house. It weathers on its own without chemicals.
Sun and rain paint each side differently over time.
A short path leads to a separate sauna in the trees.
Inside the sauna, a huge window frames the forest. Steam rises.
What Happened Next Will Blow Your Mind
For every booking, they plant ten trees. About 1,500 each year.
They choose local makers for furniture and daily products.
Even soaps and cleaners come from a small Montreal company.
They met in 2018. One worked in software, the other taught kids.
They left both jobs and pushed all in on hinter.
The next step is bold: 50 forest homes near Montreal, aiming carbon negative.
Same spirit, bigger plan. The forest stays center stage.
