Timbuctoo Sporting Estate Adds A Modern Log Cabin

Feb 5

It is not everyday that we get asked to design a brand new log cabin, so we jumped at the chance to envision this modern cabin when our client called. Having gone through the design process on the client’s primary home, we had a pretty good idea of direction but the fun was putting our spin on a log home.

Our clients had purchased a sporting estate property in Yuba consisting of 700 acres with an incredible lodge and a pond. They wanted to add what began as a caretaker’s cabin but ended up being the primary house for the client’s when at the property.

The view from the lodge, trees and a lake on a grassy slope with a cloudy sky in the background.

This is the view from the lodge deck which is set at the top of a knoll.

A dark brown log cabin with a green roof, large windows and sliding doors that open onto a wood patio.

A calm lake with green tree branches dipping forward in the foreground.

Our clients had plans for a roughly 1700 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bath house but needed full finishes and furnishings to complete the build. The lodge and grounds was such an inspiration for the new house. It was fun to look at color options for the logs, that was a first!

We wanted to use a natural slab material for most of the house because it was important to add interest, drama and the natural vibe we were going for. We found a spectacular batch of Ijen blue quartzite with a satin finish. The blue/green color and the dramatic veining was a perfect fit with the rest of our palette.

A large slab of grey marble with dramatic black and white veins.

A flat lay of a wooden cabinet door with a dark textured handle, an image of river stones, textured grey, white, and green panels, and a light green air plant on a distressed green wooden background.

We mixed the natural slabs with a light and dark Vadara quartz material that we used in the bathrooms and laundry room. We balanced that with Craft’s Hayloft which is a reclaimed heart pine in an 8 inch wide plank. Truly some of the most beautiful flooring that I have seen. The color, graining and irregularities make it one of a kind. We also used a simple shaker door but done in a gorgeous green with a heavy wire brushed finish. Just the right amount of rough and refined. The balance of the hard materials were stone, a light and dark limestone and stone pebbles in a gorgeous medium gray with lots of texture.

A simple palette, but a bit dramatic with the light and dark tones, but also natural and organic which seemed so very fitting for a log cabin in the woods. Here is a medley of finish images.

A kitchen with a grey granite backsplash and countertops, green wooden cabinets, and a blue range. There are two beige and brown ceramic bowls on the counter.

A bathroom with the edge of the warm toned wooden door visible, a white marble countertop and backsplash, modern light fixture, and blue bowl sink with silver faucet.

A bathroom with a wood framed mirror, marble countertop, square bowl style sink, seashell soap holder, and green cabinets.

A bathroom floor with small grey river stone shower floor next to a textured grey stone tile floor.

The next phase was thinking about furnishings. Again, we wanted to lean into the log cabin aesthetic but elevated in a comfortable way. Our clients wanted to be able to enjoy the house and not worry about it being too precious.

Tama Bell

Timbuctoo Sporting Estate Adds A Modern Log Cabin

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