Solar Power for Tiny Homes and Off-Grid Living
Whether you want to go fully solar in order to reduce your carbon footprint or you are attracted to solar energy as a way to gain off-grid independence, there is a lot to consider when adding solar power to your tiny home. Figuring out exactly how much energy you will need can be daunting. Your […]
The Whimsical Charm of Cottagecore Buildings
INTRODUCTION TO COTTAGECORE Cottagecore, a lifestyle movement that emerged in the late 2010s and gained widespread popularity on platforms like Tumblr, celebrates the charm of rural living, with a particular focus on the enchanting allure of cottages and nature. This trend extends beyond aesthetics, emphasizing sustainable practices (like homesteading), promoting slow-food principles, and encouraging off-grid living. […]
Goat Houses Galore: A Comprehensive Guide to Sheltering Your Goats
Ensuring the protection and well-being of your cherished goats demands careful consideration when selecting a durable goat house. While goats are known for their hardiness and resilience, they still require adequate shelter to protect them from the elements. Giving your goats a comfortable house will promote their happiness and productivity for your homestead. Whether you […]
Vermont Woodlands and Woodworking
At Jamaica Cottage Shop, we are proud stewards of our local industries and our local environment. That’s why we are members of the Vermont Woodworks Council and the Vermont Woodlands Association. These groups uphold the ideals of supporting the local economy though American-made craftsmanship, responsible resource management, and protection of Vermont’s unique environment. We want […]
Explore Beautiful Vermont with the Vermont Huts Association
When it comes to experiencing the rugged beauty of the great outdoors, Vermont offers an abundance of opportunities. Amidst the stunning landscapes and picturesque mountains, the Vermont Huts Association (VHA) stands as a beacon of adventure and community. With their mission to promote outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community development, the VHA has become an […]
Gorgeous Glass Roundels
Glass roundels have been used as windows for centuries. Learn about their history, how they are made, and where you can buy them.
Protecting Your Garden with Enclosures
The health benefits of gardening are twofold. First, enjoying an active, outdoor hobby is good for your mind and body. Second, the fresh fruits and vegetables you grow are an excellent way to add nutrients to your diet. But if the bounty of your garden is getting eaten away by pests, you might end up […]
How to Build a Treehouse
No matter what your age, a treehouse can be a fun place to chill out, hang with friends, or enjoy some alone time. Plus, your kids or grandkids will love having a sky-high sanctuary to call their own. Building a treehouse on your property might seem like a daunting task. However, with careful planning and […]
Seven Ideas for Successful Spring Cleaning
As the weather gets warmer and the sun begins shining more often, you might find yourself with the urge to start spring cleaning. But sometimes looking at the amount you need to tidy up can be exhausting and discouraging. No matter what your living space is like, there are ways to break up your spring […]
Ideas for Turning A Shed Into A Music Studio
Are you looking for the perfect place to practice with your band, or mix music in peace? Renting a practice space or recording studio might be an option, but it can get expensive. To find the perfect place to make your music, you might not need to look any further than your own backyard! If […]
How To Turn a Shed Into a Sauna
Do you have a shed on your property that you would like to turn into a sauna? Or maybe you are looking at a Jamaica Cottage Shop shed, and think it would make a wonderful sweat lodge. Whatever the case may be, converting a shed into a sauna isn’t as hard as you might think! […]
How to Keep Your Garage Tidy
Sometimes we ask ourselves how to keep the garage tidy and more organized. The garage is usually a spacious area big enough to fit your car in securely. But besides keeping your car safe, the garage can be also be used to store many items safely. Garage organization doesn’t need to be a stress-inducing project […]
Where to find Local Vermont Products
Jamaica Cottage Shop isn’t just about building cabins, sheds and tiny homes—it’s about building our community! We’re proud to manufacture our products at our factory in Londonderry, VT using regionally sourced materials. But we also love collaborating with other businesses in the community, like Northern Sun Mercantile, who specialize in local Vermont products. Northern Sun […]
How to Convert Your Garage Into an At Home Gym
If you’re looking to renovate a space for your own at-home gym, here are some key points to help you get started.
Planning a Mini-Homestead for Urban Farming
Each year mini-homesteading and urban farming enthusiasts find new ways to make their dreams come true. Read on for some tips to plan out your mini-homestead with the help of some post and beam buildings.
How To Install Odd Shaped Windows
Each of our customers has unique tastes and styles. That is a given with the DIY mindset that so many of our creative clientele share. Because of this, we get tons of requests for uncommon design features. While we offer various siding, roofing, and flooring options for personalization, odd, shaped windows and doors become less […]
Convert a Shed into a Backyard Grill Station
What if you converted a storage shed or small cottage into a sheltered backyard grilling station? It wouldn’t be that hard to do, but we have some ideas to make it incredible.
Snazzy Roof Upgrades
The Roof of your building can really make a statement, and not just aesthetic ones. You can enhance the strength of your structure and add functionally, like shed water and snow away from doors.
How To Design A Rustic Log Cabin
Log cabins evoke feelings of comfort and serenity for many. Whether serving as a main home or a home away from home, these cabins are commonly situated in areas far from cities, usually in settings close to nature, such as forests, lakes, and beaches.
Get Inspired: Simple Garage Layouts
Planning the organizational flow before you start putting stuff in your garage is a helpful task that can be done fairly quickly. We created some examples with the 24×24 Simple Garage in mind.
Community Spotlight: Little Chebeague Island
We are very proud to announce another year sponsoring the Maine Island and Trails Association. Our sponsorship helped them build a cabin for the caretaker of Little Chebeague Island.
The Benefits of Dormers
Dormers are a fantastic way to add architectural interest to your cabin. Learn about all of the benefits of dormers.
Four Sugar Shack Building Essentials
Learn about the four Sugar Shack building essentials and components that you will want to consider before construction.
Why Natural Wood is Better
Why is natural wood a better choice for your post and beam storage shed or home? Learn why we use hemlock, pine and cedar in our buildings, as a default.
Crafty Ideas for Using Up Your EL (Extra Lumber)
Repurpose the extra lumber, pallet and temporary bracing that comes with your project into these crafty ideas.
Convert Your Shed into a Backyard Office
With remote working opportunities on the rise, it’s an ideal time to get set up with a home office. Create a separation from your work and household by converting your shed into a backyard office.
The Vermont Cottage as a Beach House
Waterfront property, as everyone knows, is highly sought after. Having a place by an ocean, lake, pond, or river to live and relax is invaluable.
Tackle Fishing Gear Storage
Keeping your fishing supplies accessible and tidy means more time for enjoying your favorite pastime.
Batten Down the Hatches: Boat Storage Ideas
Summer is a fun time for sailing, paddling, and zooming through the water. Even though winter may be a long way off it is a good idea to plan ahead. Protect your investment in a motorboat, sailboat, kayak, or canoe. Properly sheltering your boat in a storage shed, garage, or under an overhang will keep your […]
Rustic Glamping With Cabins
Summer is here and undoubtedly is the best time get outdoors and go camping. Setting up a perfect site for cabin camping can enhance the overall outdoors experience.
Fun in the Sun: Nifty Summer Builds
Creating an inviting, beautiful space on your property can help you feel like you are on vacation without going anywhere. Here are some ways that our post and beam backyard buildings can help you achieve an outdoor zone for relaxing, parties, and fun!
Featured Build: Garden Shed
Our post and beam Garden Shed is a tidy little build that is ideal for a variety of uses, almost too many to count! First, it was designed with gardeners in mind of course. The small footprint creates a dedicated space for storing tools, potting soil, pots, watering cans and seeds, all protected from the […]
Build of the Month: The Vermont Cabin
Our timber frame cabin kit is probably our most popular housing choice amongst our customers. This small home design comes with a full loft making it spacious enough for a family to have room to stretch and to avoid being on top of each other. The simplicity of the design is attractive with its shiplap pine siding, metal roof and the mortise and tenon framing makes this cabin kit very strong once the construction has been completed.
Rustic Charm: 5 Wooden Storage Shed Ideas for a Small Yard
Are you looking for ideas to upgrade your small yard with a rustic flair? Check out 5 ideas with wooden storage sheds to achieve this.
Creative Storage With Wooden Furnishings
The Jamaica Cottage Shop has some native wood products sourced in the USA from Eastern White Pine, spruce, and cedar that can be fun and practical additions to your home. All these products mentioned here are not only great additions to your home but make lovely gifts. The natural, untouched finish can be embellished with a little paint and a bow, or a wood engraving tool to add a picture or a name and give as thoughtful gifts to your friends and family.
5 Unusual Roofing Types for Cabins
For some inspiration, here are 5 unusual types of roofing materials that are beneficial to the environment.