Buying a cabin fully furnished with all items inside that remained untouched for 30 years, complete with 1980’s plug in phones, baskets of dusty fake ivy, mismatched silverware and bedding, is a unique and difficult design challenge.

But hey, we LOVE a good challenge!

The biggest question — where to begin? It’s almost the question most of you ask yourselves in some rooms in your room. You truly have you go piece by piece to decide what to keep or toss (don’t miss our other blog linked below).

If you got rid of everything and started fresh that wouldn’t be cost effective nor is it the sustainable choice.

We got straight to work with our keep/toss method, and figured out how we could keep pieces that would work with newer and more modern pieces. This starts with thinking about what pieces you like vs what pieces you don’t. Don’t overthink it.

In this blog, I am going to walk you through key challenges that we faced when designing the Sweet Flag cabin and how we overcame them, along with PRO-TIPS we have for you, and some stoppable items from the cabin of course.

Challenges:

Blending Old with New
Working with Dominant Colors, like ORANGE!
Overcoming Lighting Limitations
Embracing Imperfection

I hope how we solved these challenges helps you at home figure out how to do the same in your space.

Mixing Old and New

*The traditional look of the logs, stone fireplace, and old coffee table, contrasts against modern elements such as these blue swivel chairs from* *Room & Board.*

Finding hidden gems at thrift stores can be such a rewarding adventure. I decided to make a $7 thrift store find the focal point of a wall, and it completely elevated the overall look and feel of our home. It was a charming cowboy painting, which challenged my design instincts while adding a touch of rustic flair that complements the space beautifully.
Another creative pairing we included is an old sewing desk teamed up with a modern bed. This unexpected combination creates a contrast that adds character to the room. We also featured a painting that's been passed down through generations.
Lastly, I recommend tying together an old table paired with new chairs. This combination takes the pressure off making everything match perfectly.

Working with a Prominent Color: Orange

*We painted these benches in the living room in* *Essex Green by Benjamin Moore* *and re-upholstered them with Pendleton fabric to contrast against the orange of the wood. You can see the subtle orange color coming through from the fabric that pulls the look together.*

EMBRACE CONTRAST Complementary colors like blue and green can help balance the vibrancy of orange. If you prefer neutrals, natural colors such as white or gray can provide a comfortable backdrop while still allowing the orange to stand out. Challenge yourself to embrace orange fully by incorporating these complementary hues to create a harmonious and visually appealing space.
INTEGRATE NATURAL ELEMENTS Incorporating wood elements can ground the space and provide a sense of balance. Wood's natural tones and textures work well with orange, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, embracing natural materials is beneficial for your mental health, offering a comforting contrast to the vibrant energy of orange.
MODERNIZING WITH A TWIST There's an irony in trying to modernize a space to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life. By blending orange with natural elements and complementary colors, you can create a modern aesthetic that still feels grounded and relaxing. This approach allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds—contemporary design with a touch of timeless comfort.

Overcoming Lighting Challenges in Log Homes

*These plug-in wall sconces frame the bed in the Primary Bedroom and offer light in a way that wouldn’t be possible with traditional installation methods in this log home.*

Log homes offer a unique charm and warmth, but they also come with their own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to lighting. Running wires through the logs is often not an option, which can limit your choices, Here's how we've creatively tackled these challenges and turned them into opportunities for unique design elements:

PLUG IN SCONCES Cords that hang down can feel like a bummer, but when they give the light you need and look great… it’s a solid choice!
LARGE MIRRORS To reflect more light and combat lighting limitations, mirror help tremendously. This not only brightens the room but also makes it feel more spacious.
MATCHING BULBS 2700K color temperature is the easiest way to transform the feel of your home. This simple change can make a huge difference!
UPDATE OLD LAMPSHADES If your lamp shades are over five years old, it's time for an update. UV exposure and dust can cause them to yellow. Replacing them will make your lamps look new again and improve the overall lighting in your room.

Embracing Imperfection

*This art featuring Crater Lake almost seems to float above the wooden logs on an angle in the Primary Bedroom.*

With logs, you can’t fix the irregularities in the wood, instead, we had to find ways to embrace them. Because the logs have so much character and irregularities, we opted to continue the imperfections throughout the entire project:

HANGING ART ON LOGS We did not shy away from hanging art on the logs themselves. And the best part about it? The logs already have so many holes and irregularities, you don’t have to worry about patching!
OLD DATED TABLES We didn’t want to feel the house was too precious to use. We want to come here and RELAX, so it felt like the best choice to continue wearing certain pieces out, so long as they looked okay with more modern finishes we brought in.

Accent pillows are a perfect way to add some personality to a room. We featured this “Apres All Day” pillow.

PRO-TIPS:

We learned our fair share of tips and tricks while tackling this project. Here are some of our takeaways that can help you in your design journey:

TV AS ART To blend technology with aesthetics, we framed our TV to look like art. This approach ensures that the TV doesn't dominate the room but instead complements the overall design.
GROUNDING WITH A FIREPLACE Positioning the fireplace straight on provides a grounding effect. We wanted to keep the room earthy and relaxing, so we honored the natural texture of the logs. If a fireplace is well-made, it deserves to be a focal point. With that said, don’t block the view with a sofa! The biggest mistake the previous owners made was blocking the gorgeous view with a sofa to make the fireplace the focal point. We opted for swivel chairs, so you can get both views.
UNEXPECTED STYLING Even small, unexpected areas can be styled beautifully. For instance, a low-hanging piece of art at the landing adds an element of surprise and charm to an often-overlooked space.
SENTIMENTAL PIECES Incorporating sentimental pieces, like a cherished painting in the dining room, adds personal meaning and warmth to the space.
COORDINATING BEDDING AND SHADES Choosing the right shades to complement your bedding can tie the room together, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
UPDATING FIXTURES Swapping out old fixtures for new ones can instantly modernize your space and make a big impact.

Currently, we are tackling outdoor projects at the cabin, by making the gravel pathway smaller so you see more grasses and plants when you walk up vs a gravel pit. We are adding a drip irrigation system so a few plants can thrive in front of the cabin to give it more life and curb appeal. We are also in the final stages of bathroom selections for the upcoming remodel!

Stay tuned as next week we will be talking about the log restoration process!

Questions? Please drop them below!

Thanks for tuning in,
Wendy

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HELPFUL LINKS

For more on Sweet Flag, see our YouTube video where we go more intro the process behind the magic!
Check out our Keep or Toss blog for tips on how to start this process!
Stay tuned for more on the exterior of Sweet Flag next week as we look at how to restore the logs through a process called Sandblasting!