Tagging onto yesterday’s post and the table search, I picked out the Rocha table to see how it sits next to my favorite chair options.

I don’t usually like to have a matchy matchy dining set (even though that’s exactly what we have on the inside of the cabin). Sometimes it works, but I prefer when it doesn’t look like it all came from the same place. I am loving how the Redsmith and the Tolix are looking with that table oh, and the Hogsten (a nice inexpensive option). Decisions decisions…

Shopping guide: 1: Dexter Chair from West Elm // 2: Redsmith Chair from Anthropologie // 3: Rex Chair from CB2 // 4: Tolix Marais Chair from Design Within Reach // 5: Teak folding chair from Linens & Things // 6: Hogsten Chair from Ikea

As you can see, our patio is still very much empty. While it makes for great uninterrupted views from the living room, it makes relaxing on the deck next to impossible. Last year we did so much work on the cabin that we didn’t spend near as much time as I would have liked outside. So this year, my first project is to furnish that space.

You might remember from the inspiration, my plan is to have a dining and a lounge space. I’ve narrowed it down to getting a long rectangular table for the eating area and two chaise loungers for the space nearest the lake. Here is a look at how I plan to lay it out.

Since the table is such a large piece, I am on a mission to get that picked out first. Here are a few of my top options for outdoor dining tables.

I’m leaning towards a simple silhouette like the expandable one or the rocha. Any favorites?

Product Guide: 1: Expandable table by West Elm // 2: Giardino table by Ballard Designs // 3: Garden Court table by Viesso // 4: Rocha table by Crate & Barrel

To see the patio before photos look here
To see all the progress on the cabin look here

Here is a better look at the shelving we made in the kitchen. Yay for all the extra storage space!

If you remember from the before photos originally the kitchen only had open shelving as the above counter storage. We knew we wanted to bring some of that back into the kitchen so here is how we did it.

Basically, we just picked up some poplar boards from Menards, cut them down to size with an angle at both ends as to not interfere with the window and the cupboards on either side, painted all the pieces, put up the brackets (made sure to find the studs), and then secured the boards to the brackets. It was one of our easier projects and I’m not sure why I waited so long to get it done.

It makes a big difference in the kitchen, especially since I was getting quite used to the blank space that was there for a while. Of course the best part of having the open shelving is that what goes up there is always changing, giving the room a space for a revolving display and making the stylist in me a little giddy. Right now, aside for the enamel dishes that we picked up at a vintage shop, everything up there is fairly new and I look forward to adding in some things with age and seeing how the collection evolves over time.

To see the kitchen before photos check here.
To see all the cabin progress thus far check here.

Images by Sarah Sherman Samuel

I finally found a solution to my great rug debate. Remember when I had the floral one here and was trying to find a replacement? I received a lot of helpful tips on this one (thank you!) and even though some of you thought I was a little nuts to have a rug in the kitchen at all, I went with this simple blue option from West Elm.

I chose the rug for multiple reasons. One, the smaller size was perfect (the floral one I think took up too much of the space), two, the pretty pop of blue brought a bit of color and pattern into the room right where I wanted it, three, it’s reversible so when it gets dirty I can flip it over for double the use, and four, it was on sale so it was only $5.99! At that price, I don’t mind if doesn’t stay pristine for long.

You may also notice that I painted the plate rail white, which is working better for me then how it was before. The space between the countertop and the ceiling is no longer broken up visually by the darker line of the wooden plate rail, so the ceiling looks a little higher and the room lighter.

I also put together a quick & cheap piece of art for the room by framing a feather that I collected from outside. Buy the frame, stick a feather in it… done! Oh nature’s simple beauty.

The shelves on the back wall are another new addition that we made, but I will get into all of that on the next post. :)

So what do you think? Hit or miss on that rug?

To see how the kitchen looked before, check here.
To see all of the cabin progress so far, check here.

Images by Sarah Sherman Samuel

Product Guide: Rug by West Elm // RTA cabinets by Customer Service Hardware // Countertops, sink, and faucet by Ikea // Photo frame from Target // Arthur Umanoff Dining Set – vintage

Over winter the work has definitely slowed down over at the cabin, so the status of our fireplace area is still much the same as our last update. It is nice to look back at how far we’ve come and I am going to head over there soon to get back on track with my growing to-do list.

Now that we have the fireplace cleaned up, the hearth tile changed out, and started the process of styling the area I am on the hunt for a new fireplace screen. At least I can always do the shopping while I’m staying warm in L.A. (or New Zealand for that matter)

I never knew how many variations of fireplace screens there are out there, or how expensive they are either… jeesh! I kind of love the “lexington” screen but I could also see myself going with something super simple and basic like the “olde world” too.

Shopping guide:
1: Mirrored Screen from Neiman Marcus // 2: Diamond Screen by Minuteman Intl. // 3: Peacock Fan Screen by Uniflame  // 4: Golden Branch Screen by Horchow  // 5: Olde World Screen by Uniflame // 6: Lexington Screen from Horchow

To see more items that I have my eye on follow my Pinterest board “products for the cabin”.

To see all of the cabin progress check here.

Tagging on to last weeks kitchen update… I am on the search for a rug. Right now I have this floral rug from Urban Outfitters that I picked up long ago and while I do like the colors OK, I think the floral pattern is skewing the space more towards a country kitchen look then I would like. Here are a few rugs that are a bit more of what I am thinking.

I thought it would be nice to get a little punch of color in the kitchen with a beautiful rug, however I am not yet completely sold on any of these. While I love #4 it doesn’t come in the right size… Wah wah wahh. I guess the search is still on. Any favorite rug resources?

To see all of the cabin progress go here.

Image by Sarah Sherman Samuel

1. Moroccan rug from rugs USA // 2. rug by Capel Heirs // 3. Boucherouite rug from Beldi  // 4. Vintage Kilim rug by Sukan

It has been a while since I have done a cabin update. Things over there have had to slow down over the winter as it is just too cold to do a lot of things and too cold for me to want to visit as frequently! We were there over the holidays though, so although we didn’t get a ton accomplished we did put up this plate rail/spice rack of a shelf in the kitchen.

I am planning to put some full sized open shelving on the back wall as well, but now that I see how the oak shelf looks above the oak countertop, I might paint the shelves white. When in doubt paint it white right? Or in my case, when in doubt paint it “whisper gray”?

So far in the kitchen we have:
1. Torn everything down to the studs. 2. Hung, finished, and painted the drywall. 3. Refinished & trimmed out the ceiling 3. Assembled the new Cabinets 3. Installed the new flooring. 4. Put in the new oak countertop 5. Placed the new appliances and apron front sink. 6. Put up the subway tile back splash and put on the cabinet hardware.  7. Created a plate rail/spice rack above the backsplash.

Still to do in the kitchen:
1. Grout the tile back splash (yes, I know we are taking forever on this part. This is one DIY that makes me a little nervous and I decided I will wait until the walls aren’t so freaking cold to tackle that project). 2. Make and install the rest of the shelving. 3. Find a rug.

See all the cabin progress here and see all of the product details here.

Images by sarah sherman samuel

I’m finally getting around to starting my christmas shopping (hey, better late then never!)…  and so I decided that if I am going to do one gift guide, I am going to have to gear it towards life at the cabin. Of course you don’t have to have a cabin to want or gift these items. Although, I wouldn’t mind if each one of them made a nice little home for themselves at ours. :)

I tried to put a little something in there for everyone, so if you are like me and need to get ordering your presents like today… here are the details:

1: French Press from Anthropologie  // 2: Infinity Scarf by Juicy Couture on Piperlime  // 3: Sheesham Ice Bucket from Anthroplogie  // 4: Men’s Leather Belt from J.Crew  // 5: Weekender Bag by Clare Vivier  // 6: Mini Bow Ring from Madewell  // 7: Wooden Amplifier by Koostik from AHAlife  // 8: Passport Holder from Asos  // 9: Table Grill from A+R  // 10: Blanket from West Elm  // 11: Owl Mug from Anthropologie  // 12: Cutting Board from World Market

On the last trip to the cabin we got a lot accomplished in the bedroom. We worked late the night before leaving to finish the bunk beds, wallpaper, & install the lighting. So… sorry about the poor quality of the photos, I had to snap these on the way out the door for an early flight and it was still dark out! One of the down falls of trying to renovate and document a cabin from across the country.

To recap on everything we had previously done in the bedroom…
1. Removed the old walls, floor, ceiling, doors, and bunk beds. 2. Installed new flooring. 3. Put up the new ceiling. 4. Hung & finished the drywall. 5. Framed out the new closets and added doors. 6. Put in new entry doors. 7. Installed new overhead and sconce lighting 8. Re-built one set of bunk beds 9. Wallpapered

… and this is what we accomplished for this update:
1. Re-worked our new bunk bed a little and painted it white 2. Installed the curtain rods & curtains for the bunks (I used the same materials for the rods as I did for the living room curtains, just smaller) 3. Made the bunk ladder

… and still to do:
1. Install two small windows in the bunk bed wall. (I want a view of the lake while lying in bed, even if it is through a tiny window. :)

Almost done in here!

Product guide: Wall Mirror from Target  //  Bedding from Ikea  //  Cowhide & sheepskin rugs from Ikea  //  Edwardian Bed from Target  // Lighting from Restoration Hardware