From Falling Apart To Chic Retreat, The Before and After Photos Tell It All

Transformation of a Derelict Cabin

Where this chic cabin stands, was once a home that was practically falling apart. Thanks to the designer couple Kathrin and Brian Smirke that hopeless cottage got the facelift it so desperately needed. The couple is known for their incredible home and cottage renovations through Instagram and their popular Airbnb listings that include this cottage called Cabin Cabin Cabin. There are two other rentals available for rent on Airbnb including Dome in the Desert and The Shack Attack, both of which are in Joshua Tree just like Cabin Cabin Cabin. All of these properties were purchased by the couple, and then they work their magic on them, stripping them to the bare bones and revamping the entire building. Cabin Cabin Cabin was brought back to life with a touch of modern design and lots of bohemian style charm thanks to Kathrin's keen eye for eclectic interior design and Brian's expertise in building and real estate. Brian has a California Real Estate License and a California General Contractors License, and Kathrin is a stained glass artist and decorates each space with beautiful vintage and handcrafted pieces that she hand picks. They created the Cabin to embrace the down to earth vibe that Joshua Tree has and to provide a welcoming and warm space for guests to gather.

Renovation Process and Design Elements

They began the renovations by completely gutting the original home and then replacing all of the drywall, windows and doors. They left the structure pretty much the same keeping the awning that leads into the front entrance way and acts as a covered porch. They even used some of the salvaged wood to create a beautiful piece of artwork on the front of the home. Inside, the cabin holds some unique and beautiful furniture as well as many lovely hand-made accessories. You can see some of Kathrin's beautiful stained glass work hanging in the windows providing a bit of colour and visual interest in the windows. They were also sure to add plenty of plants including cacti to bring the desert indoors. Keeping the walls bright white works so well in this space and really opens it up. Instead of using wood flooring they did a beautiful polished concrete floor that keeps it looking modern and would also probably help keep the space cool in the warmer weather. They also installed a new heating and cooling system that also keeps the place comfortable no matter the weather. The living room is super cozy and tastefully decorated mixing some industrial, bohemian and mid-century modern elements. The sofa looks like the perfect place to curl up with a cup of tea to read a book and across from it is a triangle shaped shelf with a record player for listening pleasure.

Charming Living Spaces and Amenities

Next to the living room is the dining area and another cute seating nook with more beautiful pieces of art and accessories to look at. Everything works so well together and creates a story within the space. There is also a bedroom with a comfortable king-size memory foam mattress and a couple of large windows to keep the space bright and airy. The bathroom features a large walk-in shower with a skylight creating the perfect setting to clean up. The kitchen features cool vintage appliances like the 36-inch gas range and the olive green 1950's fridge. They also added in some modern items like a french press and a coffee bean grinder. For even more seating, there is another small sofa near the back of the house that can sleep one or two people. Then, outside, is the iconic outdoor orange claw foot tub that has running hot and cold water , the perfect place for a bath at night under the stars or maybe even the full moon. There's also a hammock and a charcoal grill for cooking. Get away from it all and spend some time at this relaxing haven or maybe get some inspiration for your own home decor.