Houzz Tour: A Creekside Cabin Opens to the Views
With a modern addition featuring expansive windows, a rustic 1930s cabin opens its arms wider to its Northern California woodland setting
Built in 1937 for a family's summer getaways, this cabin originally had just one bedroom, one bathroom and 960 square feet to its name. The current homeowners loved the rustic ambience but wanted an open space that would take full advantage of the creek and forest views. The couple hired architect Amy Alper to construct a new, modern addition that would capture the existing home's historic feel.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a vacation home for a San Francisco couple.
Location: Calistoga, California
Size: 1,275 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a vacation home for a San Francisco couple.
Location: Calistoga, California
Size: 1,275 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
When the owners first saw the house, recent renovations had made it less like the original cabin and more like a house. Alper carefully incorporated the best of both features into the remodel. All the new siding and trim on the exterior matches the existing colors.
Although the 4-acre property feels very isolated, the cabin is just 20 minutes from town. The homeowners planted a few Japanese maple trees, but the natural surroundings make additional landscaping unnecessary.
Although the 4-acre property feels very isolated, the cabin is just 20 minutes from town. The homeowners planted a few Japanese maple trees, but the natural surroundings make additional landscaping unnecessary.
A sleeping loft was closed in for one bedroom, and the previous courtyard-facing living room became a second bedroom. The kitchen, enclosed in the original exterior that once faced the deck, opens to the living room through sliding windows. "The design for the addition was about the marriage of old and new, context and contrast," says Alper.
Couch: Milano
Couch: Milano
Expansive windows connect the indoors and out, and allow the creek to become the main focus.
A propane-burning stove, which replaces the original wood-burning one, provides ample heat for the small space. Its hearth is a piece of flagstone that the owners used in their garden for several years.
A propane-burning stove, which replaces the original wood-burning one, provides ample heat for the small space. Its hearth is a piece of flagstone that the owners used in their garden for several years.
The original intact exterior, now surrounding the kitchen, offers texture and character. These original shingles were simply cleaned. The team reused any shingles that needed to be removed. Reclaimed wood ceiling beams from Heritage Salvage create a spot for hidden uplighting.
Artwork: "The Culvert," by James Arendt
Artwork: "The Culvert," by James Arendt
The simple kitchen is for the most part original to the home. The homeowners updated the appliances, painted the cabinetry and added new hardware but kept the original wood countertops. The stovetop is just around the corner from the refrigerator.
Although the homeowners differ on styles — with one leaning toward modern and the other toward traditional — their desire to unify the old and the new helped them blend their styles. The kitchen's new connection to the living room makes it better suited for entertaining.
Cabinetry paint: Yellow Barn, Glidden
Cabinetry paint: Yellow Barn, Glidden
Custom storage under the stairs takes advantage of a previously open and unused space.
The owners had the master bathroom completely redone. A teak-lined shower floor, a wood vanity and reclaimed beams contribute to the modern cabin vibe, providing a fresh contrast to the white Heath Ceramics tile.
This bedroom is nestled upstairs in the former sleeping loft. The home's original owners built the cabin as a very basic part of their creekside summer getaway. Most of the visitors slept outside on cots, so the cabin itself really served only as a kitchen.
Ikea storage bins screwed into the wall studs act as nightstands in this guest bedroom. The pendant lights are miniature reproductions of prewar British lighting.
Builder: Marshall WhiteConstruction
Builder: Marshall WhiteConstruction
Redwood decking and two period windows from the demolition were reused in the addition.