When we started this renovation, we had no idea what was in store. Dave had stumbled upon a rundown cabin for sale for only $5k, and he and our neighbor, Bob, conspired to renovate it as a surprise for Bob’s wife, Jill. Bob and Jill were headed for their annual trip to South Africa, so we planned to renovate the cabin while they were away and surprise Jill with it when they returned. 

While Bob and Jill were away in Africa, and we were working on their renovation, Bob had a sudden heart attack and passed away. I shared more in a separate post about how much he meant to our family. There wasn’t a memory on our farm that didn’t include Mr. Bob. I hope you’ll take the time to read a bit more about this wonderful human whom we were fortunate enough to call neighbor and friend. 

Jill had not known about the cabin. Bob was planning for it to be a complete surprise. Understandably, when Jill learned about it, she didn’t feel up to going and being by herself in the woods. We gave Jill the money Bob had paid so far and took the project on ourselves to create a little getaway for our family in his honor. There was no way we could sell this place. It will always be Mr. Bob’s cabin to us. Our hope is that we can honor him with weekends camping, fishing and laughing together. That’s how he lived – embracing the slow, intentionally being present and lovingly caring for his people. 

BEFORE

Originally, the cabin had a mobile home attached to it, but it had rolled away in a tornado that had also caused damage to the structure and taken down all the surrounding trees. The house was in bad shape. The house was in bad shape. Any other contractor probably would have torn it down and started fresh on this lakeview lot, but that didn’t feel right to us.  Instead, we worked with what we had and renovated it into a cozy cottage.

We removed the portions of the walls and foundation that were rotting and replaced them with durable composite siding that resembles cedar shake. The porch we added is also composite decking, keeping everything more durable and low-maintenance.

After going through so many recent tornadoes and storms, we knew it was the right move to add solar panels to the roof. That way, we have a backup energy source and don’t have to worry as much about losing power.

We added a stone chimney to give the cabin a more rustic feel. New black-trimmed windows, light fixtures, and a new front door balance that rustic look with a few modern touches.

Landscaping was added to help fill in what had been left bare by the tornado. We also installed a flagstone floor that leads up to the porch and wraps around the house, surrounded by easy-to-maintain plants that feel established, as if they’ve been here for a long time.

AFTER

SOURCES

Flag | Allegiance Flag Supply

Exterior Light | Capital Lighting

Front Door Hardware | Emtek

Stone | Buechel Stone

Windows | Plygem Mira Series – Cornerstone

Vinyl Railing | Plygem Vinyl Railing by Cornerstone

Trim | Plygem Trim by Cornerstone

Siding | Mastic Cedar Shingles by Cornerstone

Solar Panels | Barron Heating

Solar Battery Back-Up | Franklin 

Landscaping | Sharum’s Garden Center

BEFORE

I love how this kitchen turned out. When I first started making design choices, I had Jill in mind. I know her taste so well after spending so much time in her home over the years. I chose a soft, muted buttery yellow that feels cheerful, happy, and sweet. It feels like stepping back in time. I had Chris create a sink out of the Italian marble slab I had selected, and I love how elegant and old-world it feels in this kitchen. 

Dave built a large dining table to fit our family. He designed it with two hourglass-shaped legs on the ends, connected by a single thick wooden beam running across. It’s perfect for gathering and doubles as a kitchen counter, taking the place of a traditional island.

We’ve held onto some dishes from Grandma Marrs for over twenty years. They’re from the 1970s and fit perfectly with the yellow cabinets, along with an adorable chip-and-dip platter Nate made for me in school years ago when he was little.

We also added a pellet stove, similar to the one I have in my office at home. I love how it has an old-fashioned look that fits the cabin perfectly, keeps the space so warm, and is easy to turn on with just the touch of a button.

AFTER

SOURCES

Range | Smeg

Refrigerator | Smeg

Dishwasher | Smeg

Toaster | Smeg

Kettle | Smeg

Sconces | Shades of Light

Kitchen Rail | deVOL

Rug | Turkish Trunk

Dining Table Chairs | Wayfair

Art | Krista Kim

Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Duster

Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth

BEFORE

When you enter the cabin, you step right into the living room. We added a sign here, just next to the door, that reads “MR BOB’S CABIN,” a small reminder of how much we love him and that this home is a tribute to his memory.

I really wanted slate flooring in this space to keep the feel of a true cabin in the woods. But winters in Northwest Arkansas can be cold, so we added heated floors to make sure it stayed comfortable.

The stone fireplace truly pulled the room together and gave us the perfect place to add my favorite reminder of Bob. Normally, I’m not a fan of animal mounts, but this one fits naturally with the fireplace stone and always makes us smile. Bob loved everything about Africa, and this warthog came from his travels. Jill let us choose it to bring it to the cabin in his memory, and having it here means so much to all of us.

AFTER

SOURCES

Ceiling Fan | Fanimation 

Pellet Stove | Forge & Flame 

Art | Light Your Home

Slate Flooring | Triton Stone

HVAC | Daikin

Under Floor Heating System | Warmup

Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth

BEFORE

When we first checked out the house, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the attic had quite a bit of space. By increasing the pitch of the roof, we gained enough room to create a cozy loft. The challenge was figuring out access. With an 800-square-foot house, there wasn’t an easy way to add a traditional staircase without taking up nearly half of the living room. Dave came up with a solution in the form of a foldaway staircase that can be pressed against the wall when it’s not in use.

The original plan for the loft was to create a reading nook for Jill. We added custom-built shelves to make a spot where she could enjoy some quiet time. Since there was enough room, we also added a daybed, making the space more comfortable and functional for our family.

AFTER

SOURCES

Loft Stairs | Veritas Living Co.

Flooring | AHF

Built-In Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Dibber

I love the soothing feel of this bedroom. Dave welded a bed with a simple iron base and a low-profile, arched headboard that fit the room perfectly. The addition of an antique Italian armoire was the perfect finishing touch.

SOURCES

Bedroom Lights | Capital Lighting

Door Knob | Emtek

Ceiling Fan | Fanimation

Armoire and Nightstands | Marrs on Main

Bedroom Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Broccoli Brown

I chose white oak cabinets and a white countertop for the vanity, which contrast beautifully with the darker tones of the handmade checkerboard tile in the shower. The yellow shower tile also pairs perfectly with the color used in the kitchen, and for the floors, we went with traditional hardwood.

SOURCES

Bathroom Sconces | Shades of Light

Shower Wall & Floor Tile | Triton Stone –  Tiles of Ezra

Shower Side Wall Tile | Triton Stone Tiles of Ezra

Cabinet Knobs | Emtek

Cabinet Latch | Emtek

Faucet | Atmosphyre 

Bathroom Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Reduced Green

This area was completely bare after all the trees were lost in a tornado. We added a large flagstone patio with a firepit, seating surrounded by trees for privacy, and a wood-fired hot tub. Luke was especially excited about that part.

In honor of Bob and Jill’s love for Africa, we also added a large tent, similar to what you might find on safari. The kids love it, and now when we stay here, they have a fun place to sleep. They’ll get to enjoy many of the things Mr. Bob loved most—camping, fishing, and spending time outdoors.

Between the sitting area, tent area, and hot tub, we created almost an entirely separate living space, which is a wonderful way to enjoy this beautiful lake setting.

The concrete firepit we chose is modern and gorgeous, and it contrasts beautifully with the surrounding elements. It’s always nice to have an unexpected detail that helps the whole space feel complete.

SOURCES

Fire Pit | Dream Cast

Wood Burning Hot Tub | Snorkel

Tent | Canvas Camp

Landscaping | Sharum’s Garden Center