Projects

The Finished Fireplaces at the Cabin

November 13, 2018

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

Portfolio

Projects

Design

We're Chris + Julia

read more

What we're                   right now

Loving

browse the shop

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here. 

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen. 

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.

browse all

browse all

browse all

02

01

03

Popular Posts

1.

2.

3.

Top Categories

Both of the fireplaces at the cabin are finished and we’re one step closer to being able to start furnishing this cabin of ours. Last week, in addition to celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary, we celebrated 1 year of owning our A-frame. We dreamed and schemed for awhile before really diving in. Major renovations have been going on for the past 3 months (remember when we were demo-ing the fireplaces?!) and we can see a light at the end of the dusty reno tunnel–kind of. There’s a big plumbing hole in the basement now, for a new bathroom we’re adding and everywhere I look, there’s at least 10 things on our to-do list, but we decided this week we’re in no rush and we’re going to enjoy this renovation every step of the way.

Seeing this fireplace come to life has really been amazing and added so much rustic charm (is that a phrase in my vocabulary now?) to the main living space.

If you remember, it used to be quite squatty with a drywall column going all the way up to the ceiling and a hungry pellet stove that was used to heat the entire upstairs.

The pellet stove worked, but it would take hours and hours to heat up. Last winter, we’d spend the first 2-3 hours in coats waiting for the cabin to get warm before really getting cozy. The most significant update we have made to the cabin thus far is adding heating and cooling. It’s always an enjoyable temperature, we can control it from our phones, and the gas fireplaces (fueled by the large propane tank we added to our lot) are also functional, but don’t have the sole job of heating the house.

You can see the fireplaces being renovated from start to finish (and really get a sense of scale!) in this week’s Cabin Log video below or right here on YouTube:

The loft got a very upgraded view. What used to be a vision of drywall is now “welcoming stone.” I put that in quotes because when we were picking out our stone, I thought that this one felt the most organic and welcoming. Not too rigid or sharp, a mix of all the best earth tones–the most welcoming.

Here’s a true-to-life coloring of the stone below. It’s Greypearl Craft Orchard Limestone by Creative Mines. We purchased it from a local stone yard.

The fireplace downstairs used to have stacked stone and a very large wood-burning fireplace that we never ever felt get warm and an opening for wood.

We minimized the facade and carried the same stone downstairs. We bought a 55″ Frame TV for the fireplace down here (we love the one in our bedroom so much!) that will double as art and a great place to lounge and watch movies.

The whole vibe of the cabin is definitely going to be Modern Rustic. All the charm and coziness that you expect from a cabin with some surprising modern touches. I’m thinking of adding these sconces to either side of the television.

 

We ordered this 60″ round table for the dining area (still on the hunt for chairs!) and are getting a large custom deer head made from a cool company based out of Idaho, Faraway Lovely, for the fireplace in the main area. I also ordered trundle beds for the loft and the carpet was installed up there yesterday. I can’t wait to see that area come to life, especially since it means we can start having overnights as a family again.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you think?

  1. Heather says:

    Hi, we love your fireplace stone. I was wondering what stone did you use for the hearth? Thanks!

  2. Wow, this is the first time I’m seeing this cabin and it is amazing! It allows the nature inside while making it cozy! I recently stumbled upon antler chandeliers while looking up this natural, rustic style (https://www.casthorndesigns.com/rustic-warmth-in-your-home/)

  3. Shelley Ross says:

    Hey- wondering the gas fireplace you got for the upstairs?

  4. Amy Hekker says:

    Are you doing a mantle downstairs with the tv above? Just wondering as most tv manufacturers void the warranty if you don’t follow their guidelines for a mantle to deflect hear…how many inches the mantle is to project with how high it is away from the heat source.

  5. Justin Craft says:

    Hey Chris and Julia! I love the design of your A Frame! I’m looking to build one in Colorado. Would you mind me asking what the dimensions are? Also, the fireplaces look amazing! Great job on it!

  6. Patricia says:

    This is a great journey you’re taking us on! All the fun of planning and seeing amazing changes but without sheet rock mudding dust drifting through the entire house.

  7. Linda Grubbs says:

    Oh wow-beautiful! The stonework is amazing! This is going to be such a gorgeous place! I’m loving following this transformation!

  8. Chance says:

    I love the loft view. The stone is perfect and welcoming :)

  9. Anna says:

    Did you decide what to do with the walls? It’s all looking so good!

  10. Vicky says:

    This cabin is going to be stunning! I’m really interested in your solution for hanging a Frame TV over a fireplace – I’m about to do the same (over a wood burning stove over here in the UK) and am trying to work out what to do with the wires and ‘one connect’ box when hanging the TV on a solid brick wall. If you cover this off in a post down the line I’d love to know how how you handle it!? Thanks for all the inspiration.

    • Julia says:

      We’ll definitely spill all the details when we get there. There’s a closet directly behind the tv where all the wires currently run, so that’s looking like our best bet right now.

  11. Jen says:

    Wow – looks amazing and the views are stunning – especially from 2nd level looking out past the new stone on fireplace. Thanks for the inspiration and I’m now hooked on farawaylovely – a great sustainable art option for those of us who do not like real taxidermy!

  12. Jess says:

    Stunning! I cannot believe how much it transformed your cabin!

  13. Kerry says:

    Amazing transformation! I just want to tell you that I thoroughly enjoy watching all of your projects from start to finish! Even when you make a decision I’m unsure of, I always know I’m going be amazed at how you pull it all together. I was on Team Dark Floors but after seeing how beautiful the light floors look and how they completely fit in, you proved me wrong yet again haha!! Keep doing what you’re doing – it’s perfection!

all the latest

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

HI! We're Chris + Julia

read more

Load More

Reader Faves

SHop all

What We're                     Right Now

What We're                 Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop. 

Loving

looking for inspiration? 

A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

Follow Along on Instagram

Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations

@chrislovesjulia