How to Repurpose a Cabin....in the Backyard
When Cathorine and Forrest Temple heard about a house for sale in their desired neighborhood, they were pleasantly surprised that it had a cabin and a pond in the backyard…in the middle of town. The couple purchased the property and moved in, but then wondered what to do with the structure, realizing something would need to be done to preserve it.
Built in 1966, the cabin functioned as a horse stable and storage before the neighborhood grew up around it. As a Father’s Day gift, Cathorine gifted Forrest an appointment with a local architect to begin reimagining what the cabin could be given their growing family and unique needs.
Entrance Prior to Renovation
A cabin with a fishing pond in the center of town is a unique feature that they wanted to take advantage of
Prior to the renovation, the cabin was mainly used for storage
If you are considering the repurposing of a space that has long been neglected, consider these tips gleaned from the Temple’s renovation:
Define Purpose for the Space given your Unique Needs and Lifestyle
Forrest jokes that he needed a place to escape given his growing family of all girls. When the third baby girl arrived, Forrest wanted a place to be able to work out easily and at home. One purpose for the cabin became a workout room. The backside of the cabin that once served as a horse stable became the “Iron Horse” workout room.
Another need was a great place to hangout for both adults and growing kids. The Temple’s cabin has a kitchen, bathroom, and living space as well as a patio perfect for hanging out and entertaining. The design has everything needed to entertain so a trip to the main house isn’t necessary.
The outdoor patio provides a great place to hang out and have a pre-dinner drink while the grill is going
A full kitchen provides for all your needs
A 3/4 bath is great for guests or to grab a quick shower after a workout
The screened in porch allows for outdoor dining
Pick your Focal Point
The original cabin contained a vintage fireplace that the Temple’s knew they wanted to keep. They desired to structure the design of the living space around this piece. Thinking about what old things you want to preserve that can help structure your repurposed design is something the Temples recommend.
Look for Inspiration
Once you’ve determined your purpose for the space and the focal points you’d like to preserve, go looking for inspiration. In the Temple’s case the below inspiration photo led them to also focus on wall to wall custom windows overlooking the pond with the vintage fireplace floating in front of them. The windows overlooking the pond have in turn become the favorite design feature of the space.
Finding inspiration online is a great way to figure out the look you hope to achieve
Which allows you to make your inspiration a reality
Work Together
Embarking on a renovation can be stressful for couples. Cathorine and Forrest used their unique skills and talents to work together to create the perfect outcome. Given Forrest’s skills and interests, he acted as the contractor for the project instead of hiring a general contractor. He worked with a variety of skilled craftsmen and vendors to bring the project to fruition. Cathorine, having a unique eye for design, repurposed some things in the main house and moved them to the cabin to create a unique and cozy feel. For example, she took what was a pair of lamps from the main house, one of which had broken, and instead of getting rid of the remaining one, she found a great spot for it in the cabin which really helps frame the space. Using their talents, the couple ended up saving money during the project and also created enjoyment.
Staying true to a structure’s design while reimagining what it can be given your living needs creates a sense of home.
What have you thought about repurposing in your home or on your property that could lead to enjoyment for you and your family?
