An Old Cottage Gets a Stunning Modern Restoration

Inspiration Behind the Cabin Renovation

This rustic creekside tiny cabin gets a dramatic update that will leave you feeling inspired. The small cabin remodel is beautiful inside and out, with a location that makes it even better. This cottages' story started when San Francisco natives Josh Feldman and Britton Watkins toured the property for sale in a woodland area near Santa Rosa; they knew they had found the tiny cabin for them. The 964-square-foot rustic cabin sat perfectly surrounded by nature. There were old growth trees all around and a calming trickle of Mark West Creek, the tiny cabin felt as though it was nestled deep within the forest despite being close to the northern California wine country. The tiny cabin only 60 miles away from San Francisco for an ideal weekend tiny cabin getaway for the couple.

Challenges of the Original Cabin

There was just one problem with the tiny cabin. The original 1930s tiny cabin was built in a time when cabins were built just for utilitarian purposes, meaning that this tiny rustic cabin was to be used as a cooking cabin for the property owners who used their land for camping. So the result was a tiny cabin that lacked any connection to the creek. You could only see the creek from the kitchen sink window. So the couple were eager to take on a remodel of the tiny cabin, and start inviting the outdoors in, and decided against a radical renovation rather tackle the renovation in two phases. Phase one involved unifying the tiny cabin by laying down the same engineered hardwood flooring throughout. Over the years, different owners had added on rooms and flooring in a mismatched way so that by the time the couple bought the tiny cabin in 2007; it was a variety of additions. There was pine, cement, plywood and Mexican tile.

Interior Improvements and Upgrades

Certain rooms in the tiny cabin needed a little extra attention. In the kitchen, they bought a new dishwasher and sink, mounted some fresh hardware, and fitted the cabinets with soft-closing drawers and new yellow paint. Then the master bath was renewed with some new cabinets, countertops, sinks, tiling, faucets, shower glass, and a teak floor with benches in the shower. They also added a new wall to the upstairs loft and converted the space into the master bedroom.

Maximizing Space and Modernization

Limited storage space prompted the couple to design and install cabinets beneath the stairs that were once open. This was inspired by a traditional Japanese staircase chest furniture that moves from home to home, generation to generation. The couple also installed a programmable thermostat. In the past, they would spend an hour dealing with the wood stove and ashes, so it ended up being a lot of work just to get to the point of being able to relax. Now on cold days, they can call the house to turn on the furnace before they arrive.

Creating a Connection to Nature

Phase two of the tiny cabin remodel was all about creating a room that had a view of the creek while still preserving the integrity of the original tiny cabin structure. Part of the remodel also involved another idea Britton had from the years he lived in Japan; he asked architect Amy Alper to incorporate an engawa in planning the hallway leading to the new addition.