Text by Ann Zimmerman
Set among century-old trees is a new mountain cabin clad in reclaimed wood to belie its recent construction.
When a New England couple planned a move to the western edge of the Rocky Mountains, they found the perfect lot; unfortunately, its rustic cottage couldn’t be saved. Undaunted, they set about building a new mountain cabin that looks like it has been standing amid the old trees for years, yet is custom to their lifestyle and aesthetic with modern comforts and sound construction.
The home’s traditional design has gables in the steeply sloped roof, a wraparound porch with a shed roof, red-trimmed sash windows, and a convenient attached garage. Reclaimed picklewood (used in the vats for curing pickles) and reclaimed barnwood make up the exterior materials and the doors.
“A project goal was to make it look like it had been there forever and to save the huge pine trees surrounding the old cottage,” contractor Jake Jorgenson explains. He continued the materials’ use inside. The reclaimed “Old Dirty Goat” pine flooring comes from Georgia, and the barrel in the powder room is repurposed from a local whiskey distillery.
The interior’s traditional style is reinforced with the display of the owners’ antiques. The open floor plan on the main floor includes a rustic living area opening to ceiling beams and a river rock fireplace and chimney. A separate door from the front entry directs guests to the combination dining room/library. The room is lined with the family’s books, and the dining table serves as a large workspace for projects when not in demand for hosting meals for special occasions.
The kitchen features a cheerful French blue island topped with a soapstone countertop. The space is illuminated by canning jar light fixtures, and a unique tin backsplash reflects the light to keep the room bright. Off the kitchen is an informal eating area with a splash of red in the form of distressed industrial salvage chairs.
