After years of working on renovations, we have seen all kinds of homes, but this old cabin–train station–built-around-a-trailer home is easily one of the most unique we’ve ever taken on. Built from materials salvaged from an old Neosho train depot, the house was constructed to fully surround a trailer home.

Homeowners James and Emily Wolfe discovered this property while visiting Arkansas in 2021. They loved the idea of a large wooden cabin. They just weren’t fond of the trailer home sitting in the middle and jutting out the side, hitch and all.

Our hope for this house was to make it a cozy, functional place not only to live, but also for Emily to work and for their adult kids to want to come and visit.

BEFORE

With its original cedar and large front porch, the house already had a wonderfully authentic, cabin-in-the-woods feel. It simply needed a refresh, including cedar shake on the dormers and new handrail. 

We moved the porch steps so they aligned with the front door, giving the home a grander, more welcoming entrance.  To finish the look, we cleaned up the landscaping, added new outdoor lighting, and brought in a few cozy rocking chairs.

AFTER

SOURCES

Flag | Allegiance Flag Supply

Exterior Lanterns | Capital Lighting

Front Door Hardware | Emtek

Patio Furniture | Jack Wills Outdoor Living

Windows | Plygem Mira Series by Cornerstone

BEFORE

The main living area, which now includes the kitchen, dining room, and living room, was previously the bathroom, bedroom, and closet. The plan was to give Emily a kitchen with a lighter, more feminine touch while still honoring the rustic look Jeff wanted. We were able to achieve this with Alder wood cabinets that were the perfect cross between the two styles, paired with a real stone backsplash and beautiful stone countertops.

The layout is all about balance with a row of warm cabinets along one wall and a window and light-colored-stone along the opposite wall, blending nicely with the logs and other natural elements of the home.  

AFTER

SOURCES

Pendants | Capital Lighting

Can Lights | Kichler

Faucet | Signature Hardware

Sink | Build

Backsplash | Floor & Decor

Countertops | Santa Margherita

Flooring | AHF Products

Cabinet Pulls | Emtek

Curtain Knobs | Emtek

Woven Shades | Amazon

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth

BEFORE

Above the dining area was an unused loft that the homeowners suggested removing to create a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, letting natural light from the dormers spill in. I wasn’t sure about it at first, since the ceiling was asymmetrical and not the traditional shape you expect with a vaulted ceiling. In the end, once the flooring was removed and the entire area was painted, it turned out to be a beautiful update.

Between the open kitchen, living room, dining area, and the high vaulted ceiling, this part of the house could have felt cavernous if we had gone with a traditional white paint. Instead, I chose a warmer taupe that complements the brick and wood beams, creating a much cozier feel.

AFTER

SOURCES

Ceiling Fan | Kichler

Can Lights | Kichler

Fireplace | Napoleon

Curtains | Amazon

Curtain Rods | Amazon

Curtain Rings | Amazon

Furniture | Howse

Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth

BEFORE

This space was previously the dining room and family room. Since those rooms were moved to the other side of the house, we were able to turn this area into a cozy man cave that really leans into the cabin feel. We closed off the wall between this new living room and the new main bedroom, added windows, and updated the furniture to create a comfortable place to hang out and play.

Dave used an old rusted barrel and walnut planks he found on the Wolfes’ property to create a one-of-a-kind repurposed coffee table. It was a fun addition to the man cave, and we always love finding ways to reuse old materials, especially when they bring in authentic details that reflect the history of the space.

Jeff had mentioned wanting a pool table for his new space, so we visited a game table specialist who had several older, pre-owned tables in his shop. Once we chose one, we brought it back to our barn, where Dave sanded the wood paneling back to its original white oak. He forged beams to resemble railroad tracks for the legs, then had professionals replace the felt with a modern black finish.

When the ceiling was removed above the dining room, we relocated the stairs leading to the second floor to this area. Under the stairs, we added a cozy sitting nook complete with a small bookshelf.

AFTER

SOURCES

Chandelier | Capital Lighting

Ceiling Fan | Kichler

Wall Sconce | Kichler

Can Lights | Kichler

Art | Juniper Print

Sconce under the Stairs | Amazon

Shuffleboard Table | Brunswick Billiards

Wall Rack | Brunswick Billiards

Play Package | Brunswick Billiards

Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth

BEFORE

Here came the tricky part. We had to remove the trailer to make room for Jeff and Emily’s bedroom suite. Pulling the trailer home out of the house was, as Emily put it best, like pulling a hotdog out of a bun. Fortunately, we were able to do just that, which left us with a clean slate for a main bedroom, main bathroom, and a sunroom.

We poured concrete to create a new floor and added the necessary framing and drywall to put the house back together. The bedroom turned out so soothing and relaxing, thanks to an original wooden ceiling that had been hidden by the trailer, a new fireplace, and fresh paint. I chose a color that has become one of my go-tos, a bluish gray that feels modern while still soft and peaceful.

BEDROOM AFTER

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Art | Buddy Whitlock

Ceiling Fan | Kichler

Door Knob | Emtek

Fireplace | Napoleon

Curtains | Amazon

Curtain Rods | Amazon

Curtain Rings | Amazon

Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Blue Grey

Closet Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Blue Grey

With a fresh slate, we were able to give the Wolfes a large, modern bathroom, complete with a tub under the window and a spacious walk-in shower. They loved the unique wavy tile pattern and the bright, airy feel of the space overall.

AFTER

SOURCES

Mirror | Amazon

Countertops | Santa Margherita

Sinks | Wayfair

Faucets | Amazon

Tub Filler | Home Depot

Shower Floor Tile | Daltile

Shower Wall Tile | Daltile

Floor Tile | Daltile

Cabinet Knobs | Emtek

Curtains | Amazon

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Bathroom Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Blue Grey

Bathroom Ceiling Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin No. 2004

Closet Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Blue Grey

It was important to Emily to have a designated workspace in her new home. Since she tutors students online, I wanted to give her something fun behind her where she could sit opposite the windows. Dave built a bookshelf with a unique piece of driftwood running through the center, adding a whimsical, natural element that fits perfectly with the style of the house.

For the flooring, we reused a really fun yellow brick that had previously been in their bathroom. It was original to the house and salvaged from the train station, creating an unexpected surprise finished with a green border.

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Ceiling Fan | Kichler

Art | Juniper Print

Wall Paint Color  | Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin No. 2004

Emily was still on the fence about moving to Arkansas full time. We hope we were able to convince her with this renovation that still looks like a cabin, but feels like a home.