BEFORE & AFTER – A Log Cabin gets the luxury treatment

Anne-Marie Brunet, CMKBD, CAPS

A cozy Log Cabin gets the luxury treatment!

When I first met with these clients late 2017 it was for a kitchen design consultation.  They told me the history about building the house 20 years ago, and how they knew at the time they didn’t have the money to do everything they wanted and instead focused on getting a solid infrastructure including the mechanicals – what I like to call the heart and lungs of a building – knowing full well that they would update the interior as the budget allowed in the future.   We can all relate to that right? Do what you can when you can but have a plan!

The log cabin itself is gorgeous and sits on the banks of the Raisin River in Williamstown, Ont. (the home of Canada’s oldest annual county fair!)   

The exterior of the home is everything you’d imagine a log cabin to be, beautiful substantial logs with the windows and doors painted green, high pitched roofs, floor to ceiling river rock stone fireplace and chimney, a welcoming front porch and a separate garage that looks like its own little fairy tale.

The clients took me on a tour of their home, giving me a sense of the renovations they’d already done; main floor bathroom and master bathroom which were painstakingly researched and lovingly executed to complement the vernacular of a log cabin – kudos to them on those two fronts!

Back in the kitchen the client tells me everything they dislike about it; floors, cabinets, countertops, lighting, etc – the list was long haha!!…and then they described the feeling they wanted and what they were hoping to end up with in terms of style that would suit a log cabin; rustic, old-world European and with a bit of a twist of industrial vibe. 

During our discussions I made observations and diagnosed a few problem areas and shared with them my suggestion on how we could get the design more in line with what they were hoping for and what the log cabin deserved.

Here’s some of the ‘Before’ snaps with observations;

APPLIANCES

While the appliances had a vintage look they were too big for the diminutive kitchen footprint.  The fridge in particular stuck out so far into the work aisle that when the door was open no one else could get by it.

DISHWASHER

The dishwasher was opposite the sink, in the island, which meant wet floors pretty much at every meal time.

ISLAND

While the island seemed large, its lazy ‘L’ shape served only to make the space feel more cramped than it needed to be.

LIGHTING

The lighting was pretty much basic with cloud fluorescent ceiling fixtures while functional they were not very attractive.  

KITCHEN DESK

There was the ubiquitous kitchen desk of the 80’s design era that became more of a repository for anything and everything else, over and above pens and pencils.

Except for the vintage-looking appliances the kitchen looked like a base-camp kitchen.  It had all the basics but was, well, pretty basic.

STAIRCASE

As we were discussing the vision for the kitchen, my eyes kept darting over to the staircase – repeatedly.

I guess they must have noticed because one of them asked for my unbiased, professional and honest opinion about the staircase. 

Now at a first meeting I’m always a bit nervous when someone asks for THAT opinion – before we’ve finished ‘dinner and a movie’ haha…  I’ve learned over the years that while people ‘think’ they want that opinion not everyone can necessarily handle the message, and I certainly don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings over materials things.  After all most clients have been
‘living with’ and ‘living in’ these surroundings for a long time and it’s easy to get inured by daily routine and surroundings.  

Sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes to shine some light on the subject.

BUT after everything we’d discussed and understanding their style and having a vision of what that kitchen could be I was happy to broach the staircase subject albeit delicately. 

For anyone who thinks that because one component in a space is not in the intended scope of work and shouldn’t be discussed,  I will usually address it at some point if it will greatly impact the design or layout. I would be doing my clients a disservice by not showing them ALL the possibilities as they relate to the overall design and flow.   

BACK TO THE STAIRCASE

While I understood the location of it, it was so disruptive to the whole flow of the main floor with its deck style railing.  You know the ones that are popular with contractors and lumber yards.

I explained how the staircase was visually heavy, how it choked the interior and cut off the kitchen from the rest of the house.  I think they ‘felt’ that but it was never articulated out loud nor was there ever a solution brought forth for a remedy.   

In their initial budget consideration the staircase was not part of the equation, but after articulating the whys and why nots, we were talking about it…they were considering it… so that’s a good starting point.  More on this a little later – you won’t want to miss the ‘after’ picture.

LIGHTING A LOG CABIN Part 1

The other challenge was going to be the lighting – and getting it where we needed it.  IT’S A LOG CABIN – THERE’S NOWHERE TO RUN OR HIDE WIRES – other than where they already are from the original construction.  Read on to Lighting A Log Cabin Part 2 and find out how we overcame that challenge.

WANTS & WISH LIST – APPLIANCES

The client was excited to let me know that they would be purchasing new appliances – yay for them! – and had their eye on a French Range from Lacanche. Can I just say that it is GORGEOUS and absolutely STUNNING in person!!

Julia Childs move over – it’s game on!

What a great jumping off point for me and one that would inform future decisions and considerations for style and finishes. The French range fell into the category of old-world European look they wanted. 
Check that box off !

Other than the French range they were purchasing,  I had free reign to have at it and design something incredible. 

TIME TO DESIGN

When I set off on a new project I like to create the inspiration board for the project. This helps to narrow the focus and visualize the overall ‘feel’ of the project and what colours and texture I’d like to incorporate. I call these ‘Setting the Mood’ boards.

Back in the office I got busy first laying out the space and seeing what the possibilities could be while keeping in mind the limitations of log cabin construction, and all of their kitchen requirements; appliances, dishes, cooking styles, food prep, food preferences, storage etc. 
Anyone whose worked with me knows that…

* I WILL BE TAKING PICTURES OF ALL YOUR STUFF *
– yes I will –
This is not the time to clean up before the designer comes – trust me.

“If I don’t know whats you gots to store – I can’ts give you a solution“

Once the layout was defined I set out selecting and coordinating all of the materials that would go into this project – and there was A LOT!  

Making these selections and curating the look and feel for this project was the most liberating journey for me as a designer, as the clients allowed me
carte-blanche to create and curate the perfect ensemble.

I ended up with a total of 10 different materials/finishes for this small space.  Yep 10!!…. I know right??  I even surprised myself but it all looked sooooo good together in my brain and on paper. 

I feel pretty good about arriving at the layered look that I was going for, and I have to say is part of what makes this renovation look like it was always there and grew over time, and not just another NEW kitchen that so glaringly doesn’t belong in a log cabin. 

TIME TO SHOW IT ALL OFF

Now I have to admit that the presentation meeting portion of a project gets me excited and nervous all at the same time.  It’s sort of a good/bad addiction..haha!!

I always start out presenting the layout first and explaining how everything works, where things are located and how each item relates to another. 

The first reaction and comment was “Oh you didn’t change the layout” 
Ummm no it’s a log cabin –  we can’t move walls or stairs, and electrical is going to be a pretty big challenge –  this is the footprint we have to work with. 

I tell myself just wait… they’ll ‘get it’ when we get to the 3D elevations and views on the computer.  It’s easy to overlook how changing out materials can make a huge impact on how a space looks and feels….read on.

During the meeting the staircase subject came up again.  Of course I came prepared with inspirations and ideas for the staircase railings, after all I’d been thinking of it since I first saw it. 

After reviewing the whys and why not’s of the plan, seeing the colour 3D renderings, the proposed materials, shapes, colours and finishes, they were excited and I think I might have won them over.

* It was country, it was rustic, and it had the industrial vibe they were looking for and it all felt authentic to the cabin and their style – check that! *

Their vision was coming to life – on paper at least at this point. 

After seeing their plan in 3D, they now understood how including this staircase transformation would enhance the overall renovation, and it would not make sense to keep the old staircase when so much attention and detail was being showered on the kitchen and dining areas, and so it was added to the scope of the project.

Below is the template that was produced to fabricate staircase railings. A wonderful artistic effect of trees in the forest, by artist Noella Cotnam.

Again kudos to the client for seeing and understanding the value of a good design and how it impacts the whole.

We now have consensus on layout and they love the 3D elevations.  Time to dive into materials and finishes – all 10 of them – yikes!  Now I have to say that I was a bit nervous and confident all at the same time (crazy addiction that is) presenting so many different materials and finishes for such a small space and moreover how it would be received. 

The reaction was the one I was hoping for…

Clients’ comments  – ” You nailed it ” !!
That was music to my ears I tell you, I was going to sleep well that night…haha!

Here are just a few of the finishes and materials for the project.

…and I can’t forget to include the stunning wood flooring supplied by Gaylord Flooring from their 1850’s collection ♥

The cabinetry was finished on site and has a 7 layer process for each colour. The base cabinets were to be in a blue-y green and the uppers a linen colour.

Another challenge was getting a range hood in the right size (to fit between the beams), shape (old-world European) and colour (to match the range). Since we wanted an old world European look, and had exhausted my search for something ‘authentic’, I specified this shaped and curved wood hood and had a local artisan do a porcelain-like finish on it, and the crown moulding, to match the Lacanche French Blue colour. I think it turned out beautifully ♥!

LIGHTING A LOG CABIN Part 2

As the plan was being formalized I had to address the lighting issue.  How was I going to get the lighting exactly where I needed it at the island, sink, under the cabinets and dining areas..?

Industrial vibe to the rescue.  I had a meeting with the electrician and suggested using piping and bending it around the beams and then we were off to the races! 
Let me tell you though there was quite a bit of referring back to the floor plan on the computer, measuring on site (several times) taping on the floor and figuring out if we could get the new wiring from the basement without it showing on the front of the logs.  That was a stressful couple of days for sure!!  I’m happy and relieved to report that it all worked out with some sly manoeuvering and it looks great for the cabin.  Industrial Vibe – check that!

You can read the testimonials here

DETAILS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

CABINETY HARDWARE

Over the years the client had collected railway spikes on her daily walks with the dog. She didn’t know exactly what she would use them for at the time but this was the perfect opportunity to include them in the renovation. We had some of them cut into knobs and handles and had a local welder fit them with the appropriate extensions so that we could screw them to the door and drawer fronts. The image below shows one of them in their sandblasted state. We added a rusted patina to age them and a top coat to protect them for daily use.

EXTERIOR DOORS

The other glaring distraction was the white steel doors everywhere. These could not stay white but the budget did not allow for replacement as the doors were in still good operating condition. I got my local artisan to do a faux-finish ‘graining’ on them to first of all make them feel like they were an intended architectural element of this log cabin, and secondly to carry through the authentic feel I was focused on for this renovation.

I also had the white door hinges changed out for Oil-Rubbed Bronze.

Dining Table Quest

The last piece of the puzzle was finding a dining table that would accommodate the required number of guests, fit in the diminutive space and had an industrial vibe. After coming up short with my regular vendors, I turned to my artisan contacts and got in touch with an artisan from the US to make us the custom sized table.

The bases were perfect and had the industrial look we were after. The table top is one solid piece of white oak and the edges were left irregular on purpose. The voids in the table top were filled with turquoise coloured resin that coordinates with the colour scheme of the space and the light above the kitchen sink.

There were a lot of people and trades involved in making this vision come to life, and we all worked really well together, which took the stress level down a notch.  There was a lot of ‘behind the scenes work’ on my end that went on, probably the most I’ve ever put out for a space this size…. but it was definitely Worth The Wait!

Most clients don’t see or understand the amount of work (read hours) it takes to get a project to the ‘finish line’ as they say, and or how much myself and my team agonize over the smallest of details, but then if clients did know that they’d probably never do any renovations haha! 

See the completed project and amazing transformation here ♥

Thank you for reading to the end…here’s a cute puppy for your troubles :)!

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