I placed the just-now-wakening branches into the crystal-clear well water there in the giant footed vase . They were the last thing, those wild branches I’d gone barreling down the gravel road and into the canyon for, dust spinning a vortex behind me. The last minute, last thing that I tromped through brush for, bare-legged and shoes untied, because the time was ticking and the light wouldn’t be perfect forever, and there was the perfect bush to cut from, there, over there.

I set the giant crystal vase in the center of the table, its branches broken at the water line, all moss-covered and magnified. They were the last thing for making ready. Making this little house ready for the lights and the camera. For the day a puff-layer of clouds batted the sky into perfect diffused light; for the day a simple click would capture the inside story and lay it across a screen.

All that’s been done, and now it’s time.

It’s time to come in and see.

Today, the great room:

The day our cabin arrived, we opened the front door and walked inside. We saw this delightful little house that smelled of fresh-cut wood and spoke of many possibilities.

Here it is now:

This great room of the cabin holds kitchen, dining area, and living room together – yet, each area is defined by subtle architectural details, lighting, and rugs, giving a sense of place and purpose for each.

The open kitchen stretches across the far end of the room, easily accommodating multiple cooks and dish washers! Barn wood shelves on iron brackets hold white stoneware dishes and glassware. Paintings by resident boy artists add color and whimsy.

The banquette beneath the window at the dining table serves as seating, storage, and, with throw pillows, it’s also a favorite spot for lounging.

This view shows the opposite end of the great room before completion. The length of every wall and the size and placement of every window and electrical outlet was planned and intentional. With small-scale design, every inch and every detail counts.

Here it is now:

The living area with its slip-covered sofa and vintage chairs gathers around the wool braided rug near the floor-to ceiling book shelves that hold books, art, nature collections, baskets, and bowls. Behind the cabinet doors and slate-gray curtains is the pantry.

The stairway leads to the boys’ bunk loft; the hall leads to the bathroom and bedroom (the entry door is just outside of this frame on the left).

Today’s great room tour ends with the chalkboard painted canvas that hangs in the hall, hiding the electrical panel and providing place and opportunity for the thoughts and sketches that happen.

Oh, there is much contained in these 665 square feet! Next time? Next time (Wednesday), I’ll show the bathroom, and master bedroom with its writing nook. Then, you’ll have a full sense of the lower level of the cabin so we can move into the details. In regular upcoming posts in the Becoming Home series, I’ll visit each room and area again, giving details about the inspiration, the plans, and the things contained there.

If you caught wind of this photo tour, and have found your way here for the very first time, welcome! Curious to know why it is, exactly, that we, a family of five, are living in 665 square feet? Read about it here. If you’d like, you may also read the entire backstory about how the cabin came to be.

Wishing you a lovely week’s beginning, friends!

P.S. More about the slipcovered-with-painter's-dropcloth-sofa here.

P.S.S. Next in the house tour here.