Country Cabin Facelift

Location: Front Royal, VA

The transformation of this tired old stucco home into the rustic cabin you see today was an exercise in creativity and vision. Located on a 1500-acre parcel near Front Royal, VA, and the owners wanted a cozy retreat for guests. They envisioned something that reflected their German heritage in the form of an old hunting cabin.

The existing home was in a poor state of repair. The white stucco exterior was cracked in several places and the green standing seam roof was rusty and leaking. The interior didn’t fare much better and was in need of total renovation.

Our solution for the exterior included a new stone foundation, siding, windows, roof and chimney. To introduce the rustic feel and appearance the owners wanted, we wrapped three sides of the cabin with reclaimed, hand-hewn log beams and traditional chinking. The upper level was finished with vertically applied cedar boards. The posts used on the front and rear porch are naturally finished cedar logs that give the cabin an added sense of authenticity and character. The red clad windows and trim ad richness and compliment the rustic finishes.

Inside, the floors were refinished and the ceilings feature exposed wood beams. Baseboard and all window and door trim is clear finished knotty pine as are the built-in bookcase and newel post at the base of the stairs. The fireplace is clad in stone that matched the exterior foundation and chimney. This generous use of wood and stone on the interior creates a very rich and inviting space and is what you might expect upon entering a log cabin.

Thought the interior layout remained the same, there is no visible evidence of the previous dwelling. Without pictures to catalog the transformation, everyone assumes this place has always been a rustic cabin.