Restoring Serenity at #WeekendCabinInTheWoods

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We’re thrilled to take you behind the scenes of a very special remodel and restoration project. Our client from Columbus, Ohio bought a charming old cabin to serve as his weekend retreat. Nestled on stilts and cantilevered over a gorge with a winding ravine snaking through the surrounding trees, this cabin was always a peaceful haven, abundant with surrounding wildlife. However, it had been left in rough shape, needing a new furnace, plumbing, and roof repairs. Unfortunately, the cabin’s interior looked equally dismal, with small, narrow rooms and no closets, making it feel cramped and outdated. 

Envisioning a modern space that complemented the surrounding lush greenery, the homeowner brought us in to remodel and restore his second home. Excited by the challenge, we couldn’t wait to get to work and bring this cabin retreat back to life.

A Grand Entrance

Perched high atop a rocky facade, the cabin is accessed via a bridge that blends seamlessly into the woods. To retain the hidden cabin feel, we kept the original siding intact but re-stained it in a deep, moody black to modernize it and make it blend into the surrounding trees. Our team also stained the porch and railing to match. 

Upon entering the second floor, where the bedrooms are located, guests pass through a narrow hallway overlooking the living space. To tie these spaces together, we retained the authentic, classic wood railing and painted it a neutral, serene green. A close look reveals the railing’s hardware, adding an industrial, hand-crafted touch.


Also located upstairs, the original primary bedroom was dark and muted, so we added substantial new windows and painted the space a welcoming white to brighten it up. As a nod to the outdoors, we selected a deep, mossy green trim that blends right into the tree line. To address the overall lack of storage, we added closets with custom-made paneled doors that match the rest of the cabin and built custom storage into the bedframe.


Though the upstairs floor plan was tight, the homeowner wanted to add another bathroom. So to bring his vision to life, we closed off a hallway and reoriented the second floor to accommodate his request. Now, this small cabin boasts two full baths! One is located off the primary suite, where we installed natural-looking terracotta tile and a glass shower. Due to the limited space, we chose a slim-profile vessel sink with a natural wood slab counter. The materials here are warm and organic, reflecting the surrounding environment, with masculine black fixtures for a touch of sophistication.

Reimagining the Kitchen & Living Spaces

Because #WeekendCabinInTheWoods was equal parts restoration and remodel, we wanted to retain as many original materials as possible while still giving the space an updated, fresh look. Much of the flooring needed replacing, so we matched the mid-toned wood throughout to maintain continuity. To enhance the vintage cabin aesthetic, we installed sleek, mid-century lighting with copper accents and painted the ceilings a soft brown, which adds warmth to the space.

To brighten the already functional living room, we added a massive 4-pane sliding door and custom-made low-profile furniture. We even included a classic, masculine leather Eames chair at the client’s request. Of course, no cabin retreat would be complete without room for games, so we created a spot in the corner where the homeowner can enjoy a puzzle or some cards in view of the TV, located on a movable cart since it doesn’t quite fit above the mantle. 

Opposite the living room is the kitchen, which we completely reimagined and enlarged. Adding more functional room to the kitchen allowed us to alter the location of appliances and add ample storage. We chose streamlined, black cabinetry with a wood-grain texture and deep green painted walls to blend seamlessly with the outdoors. A movable island sits in the middle of the space, surrounded by fun yet sophisticated features, like a curved metal range hood, smooth concrete countertops in matte black, and lots of copper accents. And given the cabin’s remote location, we added a large-scale pantry cabinet for substantial food storage, ensuring the space stays practical for weekend getaways.

To make this second home as functional for forest life as possible, we built a proper mudroom with lockers and extra space for storing cots by moving the laundry down to the basement, which we’re currently redesigning for phase 2 of this project. Additionally, we designed an adjacent black, moody bathroom with an integrated sink and black tile, similar to the kitchen, enhancing a cohesive design throughout the cabin.

This project was a massive undertaking with some dangerous elements—carrying materials across the entryway bridge was no easy feat! But our client absolutely loved his updated and restored second home. And so do we! Kyle and I had the pleasure of staying there to experience the natural bliss ourselves! 
The transformation from a neglected cabin to a serene, modern retreat was truly rewarding. Our team is passionate about bringing new life to old spaces, and we’re ready to help you with your next project. If you’ve been dreaming of updating your second home, contact S. Flynn Design + Build today.

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