let the light in

photograph by kristen bach

abandoned shack

i have seen many shacks that look just like this one.  somehow they never get old.  i love peeking inside and getting a glimpse of what once was and seeing how the vines have worked their way in and are making it their home.  it is part of southern beauty.

photographs and words by kristen bach

blue ceiling

i've seen this twice in old shacks; plaster walls over horsehair and lathe, and a ceiling faded to denim blue. i would love to have seen it in full glory; white plaster walls, polished heart pine floors, and a bright blue ceiling! it would look so wonderful. not sure what kind of blue pigment was used, but it's a pretty universal color for doors, trim, and ceilings.

words and photographs by rebecca wood

sun spot shack

photograph by rebecca wood

sons of sawdust: schoolhouse demolition

i have really enjoyed following along with the gang from sons of sawdust on all of their fun adventures...if you haven't already, check out their instagram feed, as they chronicle these adventures in salvaging materials and repurposing them into tables and furniture...they are doing a great job of storytelling through words & pictures!

recently, i followed them for the day as they took apart an old schoolhouse outside of bishop, georgia. the owner of the building wanted to remove the building, but rather than just trashing it, he called in the guys to salvage what they could. there was lots of dust (and wasps!), but it was fun to watch them take apart the building, board by board. there was a beautiful patina to some of the wood, almost like milk paint, and a few remnants of the former owners remained like where they had scratched out a math problem on the wall or practiced their handwriting.

at the end of the day, the sons of sawdust guys hauled the wood back to their shop and will eventually turn it into furniture or they even had one request to turn the wood into flooring.

one of the highlights of the day was when a carriage pulled by two huge clydesdales pulled up and i was offered a ride around the neighboring fields...of course, i said yes!

it was a gorgeous day to be in the country!

words and photographs by rinne allen

growing over

photograph by rebecca wood

tiny house

in north carolina, near marshall, i had a great time going around hairpin turns among green hills searching for old tobacco barns and deserted houses. our last stop was to visit suzy and todd in their handmade house. it's only 10 x 15 feet,but has a huge yard and gardens,and old barn,an outdoor shower and an outhouse. it's a mini paradise.

photographs and words by rebecca wood

almost lost

this one sat by a crossroads in the middle of nowhere. i spied the old chimney and pulled over. as usual, the house was filled with hay, so i couldn't get a good look inside. right next to the house was a brick chimney of a no longer present house .

this time of year it gets harder to explore old shack, what with the bugs, overgrowth and possibility of snakes. usually blackberries or other prickly vines are growing around the house,too. dangers of shack exploring, but always fun!

photographs and words by rebecca wood

closed up shop

while driving home from florida we passed small town after small towns seeing hundreds of closed up shops. while driving by this one, i caught a glimpse of the interior color and had to turn around.  this beauty of a building was aging with a lovely patina of peeling paint and great colors.  a charming artist studio waiting to happen.

photos and words by kristen bach

a beautiful shack

well, we all know about my shack habit. this weekend i had a craving, so i drove up towards maysville and gillsville on a grey day. i found some treasures. i'm going back for more soon!

here is a little shack on the property of an old farm. i love how it looks like a corbet painting.

words and photographs by rebecca wood

rust and wood

photograph by rebecca wood

deserted

near an old farmstead i spied this one a little further down the red dirt road. no chimneys. now it's full of old posts and lumber. still sitting under the pecan trees like it always has.

words and photographs by rebecca wood

adorable shacks in madison

i love a shack! right now i'm craving seeing some old weathered wood. don't know what it is, but here's some cute ones i saw while exploring nearby madison.

words and photographs by rebecca wood

side of the road

i have passed by this old place for 20 years and wondered about it. i finally decided to get trespassing and document it. there were black cows all around the house. you could tell they had never seen a human around that place, and they watched intently from a distance. it was the biggest excitement they'd had in awhile.

as usually happens, looks like it was used for a hunting lodge or a party place after it quit being lived in, but still lots of beauty!

words and photographs by rebecca wood

one more little shack

this one had more beauty to share, inside and out.

words and photographs by rebecca wood

a mysterious past

another little shack on the side of the road. wondering who lived here and what life was like.

words and photographs by rebecca wood

Under a Tree

who wouldn't want to live under a sheltering tree hung with moss? the insides had a strange light from the ceiling being caved in. all so quiet now...

photos and words by rebecca wood