Rundown Cabin to Family Dream Home | Season 1 Episode 6

Written by Jenny Marrs on November 22, 2019. Posted in Fixer to Fabulous.

I know, I know. I say it every week but I can’t help myself — this cabin was one of our absolute favorite projects! Dave grew up in a log cabin in Colorado built by his dad. Some of his first memories are of he and his brother, Matt, “helping” his dad hammer in log spikes to nail the cabin together. He was only five so while he remembers being helpful, I’m sure his dad was including the boys to create memories. So, this project was extra meaningful and we loved bringing Matt in to assist us on this one. It was a full circle moment for the Marrs boys. 🙂 I couldn’t help myself – I had to have Dave’s mom dig out a few old photos for this one…

Now that we got that out of the way, it’s time for the before and after photos of this cabin. It really is stunning in person. We spent a lot of time working out here during the summer and our kiddos wanted to go ahead and move in. They spent a lot of time splashing and catching crawdads in the river. Not only did I love this project but I love the memories I have from this special tucked-away place.

Exterior

BEFORE: a former mill dating back to the 1800’s, now an abandoned, rundown cabin.

Driving up to this rustic cabin for the first time, Dave and I both saw the potential immediately. It was rundown and full of critters BUT the character of the place was in tact and the location was absolutely picture-perfect — surrounded by trees and overlooking a gorgeous spring-fed river.

Our goal was to create a serene log-cabin in the woods and one of the most important things we needed to do so was to replace the chinking (masonry) between the logs in order to preserve the original look and seal up the cabin. We also replaced the windows (adding in new, larger ones to maximize the amazing view), sealed the logs, built an awning for depth on the front of the house and added new landscaping. We also removed the old dilapidated porch on the side of the house and painted the new siding a deep charcoal color. I wanted the color of the siding to blend seamlessly with the outdoors, while also modernizing the cabin.

AFTER: a revived and modern log cabin with gorgeous river views.

Sources

Landscaping | John Zito Landscaping LLC

Front Awning | Custom by Dave Marrs

Exterior Siding Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain

Kitchen

BEFORE: a very yellow sunroom.

We decided to take the back room of the house and rework the layout in order to make it the new kitchen. In order to really take advantage of the gorgeous views of the river from here, I opted for windows in lieu of upper cabinets. I kept the colors light and bright to draw the eye up and out the windows.

Because of the long and narrow shape of this room, I had to choose between an island or a central table, as we wouldn’t have room for both. I love the simplicity of a central dining table in the kitchen and believe it works perfectly in this space.

AFTER: a bright classic kitchen with a view.

Sources

Sconces | Kichler

Cabinetry & Range Hood | Premier Wood Concepts – Link

Appliances | Metro Appliances

Faucet | Kohler

Cabinet Hardware | Top Knobs

Kitchen Table | Avenue Design Co

Cabinet Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Ash Wood OC – 47

Wall Paint Color |Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

Living Room

BEFORE: a dated, dark room.

This room needed new windows, new flooring and a fresh coat of paint. We covered the ceiling in clear-coated pine shiplap to keep the warmth and contrast of the natural wood. Instead of going light on the walls, I wanted the room to be modern and moody, so I painted the existing rough-sewn oak on the walls the same deep charcoal color* as the exterior siding. The result is a stunning space right when you walk in the front door.

*I get a lot of questions about paint colors and I think this is the perfect example of keeping things simple. When you find a color that works with the overall aesthetic you’re working toward in your home, it’s okay to use the same color in multiple spaces! You can play with the sheen on varying surfaces to create depth.

AFTER: a moody, cozy living space.

Sources

Art| Leslie Newman – Link

Furnishings | Avenue Design Co

Pendant | Kichler

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain

Master Suite

BEFORE: a dark bedroom with an open bathroom.

The existing master suite had a lot of dark paneling and zero privacy.

The first thing we did in the master suite was frame in a new bathroom, closet and bedroom door. We also added gorgeous, large windows to maximize the views once more. We took down the original paneling and added in new whitewashed shiplap in order to keep things light and cozy. Everything about this space feels like a serene retreat, including the spa-inspired bathroom.

AFTER: a serene and bright cottage-style master suite.

Sources

Chandelier | Howse

Furnishings | Avenue Design Co

Bathroom Sconces | Kichler

Bathroom Mirror | Kichler

Faucet & Shower Hardware | Kohler

Wall Paint Color | White Washed Semi-Transparent Stain

Kid’s Space

BEFORE: an unused kitchen in the center of the home.

With only one bedroom in the house currently, the Maris family needed another room for their two-year old son, Smith. By closing off the old kitchen space and reconfiguring the first floor layout, we were able to add an additional bedroom and full bathroom.

Dave has always done an amazing job building unique and creative kid beds and this project was no exception. He created a small cabin for Smith’s custom-made bed using the rough-sewn oak we had removed from the master suite walls. I chose a Scandinavian-cabin style for this space, which kept it feeling playful and inviting. The staircase cut right into the center of the room and created quickly angles that were perfect for a reclaimed wood swing for Smith.

I wanted to keep the new bathroom playful and fun to compliment the bedroom. The light tile resembles the reflection coming off of the water and the wall-mounted sink gives a nod to a rustic cabin look.

AFTER: a fun playroom and bathroom with a custom kids cabin hideaway.

Sources

Chandelier | Shades of Light

Kids Bed | Custom by Dave Marrs

Bathroom Sink | Kohler – Link

Bathroom Tile | Ridout Lumber Co

Bedroom Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Pike’s Peak Gray

Bathroom Wall Paint Color |Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

Back Patio

BEFORE: an unusable space without a deck.

After removing the old side lean-to porch, we expanded the existing back entrance and built a wrap around porch that now directly faces the river, expanding not only the views but also the usable living space for the Maris family.

The new, large awning windows in the kitchen now open up onto a bar on the other side. Dave built the live edge bar from a milled tree that had to be torn down at another project (we always mill and reuse any trees that we have to take down). By building a new deck with unobtrusive cable railings, the Maris family will now be able to dine outside and enjoy the river views.

Lastly, every lake house needs an outdoor shower! We created a simple, natural shower underneath the porch for the Maris family to clean off when they come up from the river after fishing.