Before and After: A Rustic Log Cabin in the Georgia Mountains (2024)

A few years ago, I found myself at a crossroads: Having spent a decade traveling for work between Atlanta and Los Angeles, I realized that unless I wanted to totally miss out on being youngish, I'd have to slow down. So I headed for the hills. And by hills, I mean the North Georgia mountains. Just like Goldilocks, I found myself wandering through bear country looking at options too small or too big, until I found the "just-right" house: a 1,700-square-foot log cabin with spectacular mountain views. Despite all of its, ahem, potential, it needed more than just a bowl of porridge to feel like home for this city slicker. From exterior updates to a complete interior overhaul, here's how I tore apart this mountain retreat, then put it back together again, modern country style.

In this photo: The brown siding and bright green roof of the cabin felt dated—like a giant version of a Lincoln Log play set.

• A couple of coats of a darker forest green paint on the metal roof and black on the logs took the house from outdated to modern-day rustic.

• Widening the front steps to the full width of the deck and adding a simple wooden pergola gave the entrance a little more presence and a lot more charm.

• Solid wood French doors in place of the original aluminum ones say "Come on in," not "Keep out!"

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• A 60-inch round marble tabletop on a welded steel pedestal base comfortably seats up to eight without taking up any more space than the original furniture.

• Streamlined armless chairs made of leather and iron introduce earthy materials in an elegant fashion.

• A durable, indoor-outdoor sisal rug gives the dining area its own identity within the open living/dining/kitchen space. Bonus: The rug's neutral colors and natural texture camouflage (all-too-frequent) mishaps.

More of a "corner" with appliances, it had little storage and no comfy seating.

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• The butcher-block countertops, black cabinetry, large industrial pendant lights, and a porcelain apron sink—all from IKEA!—kept costs down without sacrificing style.

• Cheap subway tile looks anything but when laid in a herringbone pattern instead of a traditional horizontal setting.

• The new breakfast bar shrank the room's size but boosted its storage.

• Black appliances (less expensive than stainless ones) match the cabinets for a seamless effect.

• Painting the walls, ceiling, and floors white really lightened things up, and new eight-foot-tall windows and French doors (minus view-blocking wooden blinds) bring in much more sunshine.

• The all-white backdrop cleared the way for a crisp and cozy color scheme of grey, black, and green. Gingham curtains and plaid pillows play up the preppy country feel.

• A large rope-and-iron chandelier adds a touch of mountain style.

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• The original banister and railing were swapped out for black powder-coated tubular steel rails from Grey Furniture. The rails extend all the way to the ceiling to help highlight the open living and dining area's soaring height.

• Furnishing that spot with a desk instead of a console table turned what was simply a display area into a functional one—a huge bonus in a 1,700-square-foot house.

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• Creating a "headboard" by upholstering the back wall with soft wool plaid fabric trimmed with nailheads helps maximize space. (The mattress and box spring are now supported by a simple metal frame.)

• A mix of textures—burlap lamp shades, a wooden chandelier, cotton ticking and gingham sheets, and leather initials—amplify the mountain cabin feel in a more subtle, sophisticated way.

• A coat of dark green paint on the walls and ceiling reinforces the room's snug factor.

• Burlap-upholstered closet doors, brass hardware, butcher-block counters, and a leather-wrapped mirror anchor the airy space with rich, warm materials.

• Painting the pine walls changed everything, but it took a lot of time and patience. My advice: Prime like crazy and go with a sprayed-on finish.

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• Painting the walls, ceiling, and trim a pea green shade cheered things up without diminishing the homey feel.

• Hanging Western hats around resin antlers (an animal-friendly take on the country icon) made for a lively accent wall in keeping with the rustic setting.

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• Adding built-in bunks (clad in V-groove pine to match the existing walls) turned unused space into a welcoming room. Navy paint adds to the cozy vibe.

• New hardwood floors and warm metallic finishes (the brass sconces and gold powder-coated tubular steel ladders) give the room an updated feel.

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• Budget-friendly, hollow-core closet doors, which replaced the louvered bifold ones, were a blank slate for adding quirky charm: a 1950s paint-by-number motif featuring Yogi Bear!

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