This project was deeply personal for our client. Their family cabin, originally built by their grandparents, had been destroyed by arson earlier that year. They wanted to rebuild something better — not overly formal, but warm, open, practical, and full of life again.

The main request was a cabin of around 1,640 sq. ft. with high ceilings, an open kitchen and living room, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pantry, mudroom, laundry area, attached garage, and a large front deck with an outdoor kitchen. The deck was especially important because summer family time happened mostly outside — with kids, dogs, barbecue, and evenings near the creek.

After the first direction, the client asked us to adjust the floor plan so the kitchen and living room faced the deck, creating a stronger connection between the main indoor spaces and the outdoor gathering area. They also requested an additional garage and a better drive-in layout.

We refined the plan around these priorities, keeping the cabin casual, functional, and welcoming. The final design preserved the feeling of a family mountain retreat while making the layout more comfortable for everyday use, hosting, and long summer days outdoors.