A Diamond in the Rough
Here begins the epic renovation story of a cabin nestled deep in the redwoods of California. My handy, tool-wielding, partner-in-crime (Adam) and I bought the cabin exactly one year ago. And we’ve spent the past 12 months restoring, and decorating it. Since we’re both creative, DIY types, we opted to do all the renovation work ourselves. (Ok, we didn’t put in the septic tank.) But everything else has involved our blood, sweat and tears. The process has been challenging, but full of lessons and enjoyment… which is what inspired me to start this blog.
A Little History…
The cabin was built in 1941, likely starting as the water tower for an even older logging cabin next door. For decades, it’s rumored to have been a summer cabin rental for wealthy San Franscico families… until tourism in the area dried up. It changed hands many times over the years, losing some of it’s original charm along the way. In the 70’s, thick shellac was painted over most of the redwood trim. In the 80’s, the vintage bathroom and kitchen elements landed in the dump. And in the 90’s, plush green wall-to-wall carpeting took over. Nonetheless, when I first stepped into the cabin, I saw a diamond in the rough! Despite the ugly kitchen and bathroom renovations, the place still had a lot of charm… exposed redwood ceilings, original trim & bookshelves, & 6-pane wooden windows intact. When I ripped up a bit of the dirty carpet, I was thrilled to find a battered hardwood floor beneath it. I was sold. That was plenty for me to start with. The rest could be restored.
The Way We Found It
