Tour This Equestrian Couple’s Contemporary Cabin in the Woods

cabin
Photography by William Dickey

Text by Hannah Jones

The deep woods of Aiken, South Carolina, may not be where you’d expect to find a streamlined, modern cabin, but designer Catherine Hersacher of Bespoke Fine Interiors created a space that seamlessly blends in with its surroundings while also making a stylish statement in this charming Southern town.

cottage
Photography by William Dickey

Catherine first came onto the project not long after the construction of the house—a timberline kit home. “The kit didn’t come with any kind of electrical planning, and there’s no floor-to-floor space between the first and second floors, so the homeowners couldn’t figure out how they were going to light the space,” she recalls. “So, that’s why they pulled me into the project.” It was that initial lighting issue that set the style and tone for the rest of the home. Catherine made the choice to go with tech cable lighting, which naturally lent itself to a more modern design scheme. From there, the project just seemed to flow.

rustic
Photography by William Dickey

The rest of the home’s furnishings followed suit, with clean lines and minimalist themes in every room. Catherine chose dark hues for the windows and doors, another step in a contemporary direction. “We just kept with this simple style,” she says. “It’s not edgy; it’s simple, comfortable, and definitely not country. I think sticking with that as our guide and making sure that everything fell somewhere close to that is what made it really successful.”

Photography by William Dickey

With natural wood ceilings and floors and white walls, Catherine had a blank slate to work with and kept much of the space that way, adding splashes of orange and blue here and there. “I think wood finishes and white walls can go any direction,” she says. “It’s a very neutral background.” To reflect Aiken’s horse-loving heritage and the homeownerscareers as equestrians, she incorporated tasteful references to equine culture, like the abstract painting above the stone fireplace.

equestrian
Photography by William Dickey

Catherine worked with the homeowners to thoughtfully curate their décor selections to keep the emphasis on the lush surroundings outside and architectural details inside. Throughout the cabin, the lighting elements showcase clean lines, drawing the eye up to the exposed ceiling and the upstairs loft area. The stair rail and railing around the loft are thin and cable-like, also allowing for clear sightlines throughout the home. Down below, the open-concept living spaces boast plush neutral furnishings that feel both elegant and comfortable. Catherine was sure to choose pet-friendly fabrics, like Sunbrella, so the homeowners’ dogs could enjoy the space alongside them. It’s that keen blend of comfort and elegance that makes this Southern cottage a true retreat and a relaxed, contemporary cabin in the woods.

woods
Photography by William Dickey

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