From the Scottish lads we love – we mean Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, of course – comes the new book, Escapology: Modern Cabins, Cottages and Retreats (Figure 1 Publishing, October 2020).

Expect to be wowed by immersive pictorial visits to 24 homes around the world (including Colin and Justin’s Ontario getaway, pictured here). That’s followed up by a deep dive into what makes each home work in terms of architecture, interior design and as escapes into the natural world. There is a ton of useful info for those dreaming about or planning their ideal escape, but even if a second home isn’t on your radar, Escapology is really about creating a home that best suits you. “We both love home design that references the people who live there,” says Colin. “The perfect home should be personal, practical and beautiful.” We couldn’t agree more.

Escapology: Modern Cabins, Cottages and Retreats (Figure 1 Publishing, October 2020)

Style at Home: What are the most important elements in a vacation home?

Justin: Vacation home must-haves: shared congregational spaces are everything – a sitting/dining/kitchen/outdoor space is essential. Learn to blur the lines between the interior and exterior by using similar colours or building materials across zones. You can’t have too much glass – views and natural light are so important.

Style at Home: From the featured escapes, was there one that stood out, that once you saw you couldn't get out of your mind?

Colin: I absolutely adore the VIPP shelter in Sweden. It’s totally black and made of steel. Hmm: on paper, that sounds like it might be harsh and cold. However, the massive use of glass across the front and rear elevations creates two “living feature walls” of trees that take the idea of forest bathing to the next level. It’s a space that offers complete immersion in nature and ultimate relaxation. Move over “little black dress,” the “little black shelter” is the way forward.

Escapology: Modern Cabins, Cottages and Retreats (Figure 1 Publishing, October 2020) | Photography: Brandon Barré

Style at Home: What was the most important thing you learned about design in different regions of the world by working on this book?

Justin: We learned that being critically aware of – and sensitive to – one’s environment is crucial. None of the featured escapologists rushed into building: instead, they studied their individual properties, taking note of where the sun was, the natural shelter available and how their site changed throughout the seasons.

Colin: Each home is designed to complement nature and capture the very best of what’s on offer, each a celebration of individuality. In a cookie-cutter world, that excites us. It follows that if readers are inspired to make their regular homes truly personal, they’ll “escape” every day.

Escapology: Modern Cabins, Cottages and Retreats (Figure 1 Publishing, October 2020) | Photography: Brandon Barré

Style at Home: If you could escape to anywhere you wanted right now, where would it be?

Colin: We visited Nova Scotia last year, where we enjoyed amazing seafood cooked by local chef Craig Flinn. Later, we sat around a bonfire on the beach drinking delicious local beer. It was misty and atmospheric, and as we settled into our adventure a lighthouse beam cut through the air like a knife through butter.

Justin: We’ve talked about those perfect evenings at least 3,000 times during our lockdown, so we’d love to escape back there all over again.