Bummer news. Five weeks after my initial call for small-retreat submissions, The Taunton Press had an unexpected and unfortunate change of heart. They’ve since given me a release and “kill fee.” It’s a bit of a blur, but from what I understand, they’re scaling back.

I was surprised by their decision, considering that there’s been great buzz and enthusiasm for the project on numerous other fronts. I greatly appreciate the web editors, writers, colleagues, friends, family, and House Enthusiasts who happily spread the word about my search for suitable projects to include in the book. Thanks in large part to their efforts, I’ve received dozens of top-notch submissions in the form of studios, guest houses, woodland and waterfront escapes, summerhouses, and quirky novelty structures.

I also want to thank the architects, designers, landscape designers, gardeners, and homeowners who embraced the book concept and generously shared their projects with me. I remain hopeful that another publisher will recognize the project’s potential. I think that many readers, in these trying times, can appreciate the appeal of creating small retreats of their own, in their backyards or beyond, where they can slow down, regroup, and refresh their lives. They simply need design inspiration. The imaginative retreats that I’ve collected over the past weeks beautifully exhibit the design characteristics that I aspire to share, so readers can create their own authentic, small retreats.

While I shop the project around to other publishers, I will continue to seek submissions. So if you have a project to suggest, please email me (Katie@katiehutchison.com). Check back with this category for updates. Together we can still shape an inspiring and informative book. We simply need the right publisher.

This is my childhood playhouse out behind the Connecticut farmhouse where I grew up. My parents think it may have originally been a corncrib. Here, it’s looking its finest, once my mother made it her own after I was grown.

She landscaped it with dwarf English boxwoods, applied a trellis, and planted geraniums in the flower boxes. A fresh coat of paint on the exterior spruced up the board siding and awning windows. She knew the weathered, white-washed interior would continue to charm as does the picket-edged detailing on the gable end. She equipped the interior with a dry sink, twig furniture, and small garden tools, supplanting my Easy-Bake Oven and miniature tea sets.

At different times, it was, for both of us, a dreamy retreat where we indulged in leisurely summer days, carefree imaginings, and everyday growing.

Do you have a small retreat that speaks to you? It may speak to others, so let me know if you’re interested in sharing it.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

Today I’m embarking on a book project with The Taunton Press. I’ll be writing about appealing, small retreats – backyard and beyond. The featured retreats will be in the U.S. or Canada and will each be less than 750 square feet. They may include such uses as: an artist studio, beach pad, bunk house, pool cabana, tea house, writer’s shack, dining pavilion, summerhouse, garden folly, mountain escape, tree house, etc… Some will be antique retreats, some will be adapted from other uses, and some will be more recently created. I aim to illuminate how they collectively portray eight characteristics of good, small-retreat design, so readers can create their own special places.

If you know of a project that you think I should consider including in the book, please let me know. For now, simply email me (Katie@katiehutchison.com) some low resolution jpegs of the exterior, interior, and context, along with some background information about what it is, where it is, who owns it, who designed it, and if it has been professionally photographed. Also, please let me know if you’re aware of any architectural drawings that depict it and its site.

I’ll be collecting projects to consider for publication in the coming weeks and look forward to reviewing those that you may recommend. Together we can create an inspiring and informative book. Please join me.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast