I’m coming to the blog with exciting news to share… we’re officially on the hunt for a mountain cabin! After years of adventuring and camping throughout our home state of Utah, Emmett and I finally decided it’s time to search for a cabin. We recently toured four mountain cabins with our real estate agent, and I thought it would be fun to bring you along on the search. Click through to see our criteria list, our thoughts on each property, and which one we’re leaning toward. If you’ve ever dreamed of a mountain getaway or are curious about the process, keep reading- because this is hopefully the start of an exciting new chapter for us. I can’t wait to share it with you!
In all of my years of interior design, I’ve only had one client with a cabin. I’ve since dreamed of creating and designing a place that feels unique, interesting, and niche to a specific area… a small beach cottage, an eclectic lake house, or a cabin nestled into the mountains to make our own. Over the years, we’ve had many conversations about this shared dream and have slowly been saving. However, when our close family friends joined the chat, we decided to get serious. We’ve officially started the hunt for a property! Here are the details…
The Mountains Are Calling
We love our home in Salt Lake City, but there’s something about escaping to the mountains that feels like a true reset. There’s also something magical about the mountains in every season… wildflowers in the spring, cool alpine air in the summer, golden aspens in the fall, and snow-dusted pines in the winter. I love experiencing four seasons. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- A cozy place to gather with friends and family
- Easy access to hiking, skiing, and the lake
- A property we can thoughtfully renovate and put our design touch on
- A second home that could eventually be shared as a rental
More than anything, we’re hoping for a cabin that feels relaxed, comfortable, and timeless- something that balances mountain charm with our classic aesthetic.
Our Cabin Criteria
Here’s what made our list before we began touring…
- Location: Under 90 minutes from home
- Land: Quiet, secluded, and wooded area
- Architecture: Cabin character… exposed beams, lots of wood, a stone fireplace, etc.
- Size: 2+ bedrooms and at least 1.5 baths to host family and friends
- Condition: Move-in ready, but with plenty of potential for updates and projects
- Outdoor Space: Deck or patio for enjoying the scenery
- Year-Round Access: Plowed roads and reliable utilities
- Water: Must include water shares or access for feasible use (can be a challenge here)
We Toured Four Cabins
Cabin Tour No. 1: The Modern Chalet
The first cabin we toured was a charming stucco chalet tucked into the trees. It has incredible natural light, the property is perfect, but the layout feels a little awkward. This one was also recently updated, and it felt newer than the others we toured. The loft is spacious, but the kitchen is tiny with low ceilings. Here’s a quick tour… swipe to see each room.
Pros: This cabin is super accessible, the drive in was lovely, and a creek runs through the property… you could hear the water running (honestly a dream)! The loft is incredible with two large bedrooms, and it has recently been updated. Overall, it felt very clean and modern. We also loved the metal roof and patio tucked into the corner of the woods.
Cons: The kitchen is cramped with low ceilings, the lower level floor plan feels awkward, and the recent renovation isn’t exactly my style… I’d almost feel bad redoing something that was so recently updated.
Cabin Tour No. 2: The Double Decker
The second cabin was the highest in elevation. We climbed to get to this beauty, so four wheel drive was a must. It has rustic wood details, two massive wraparound decks, and a spacious open concept kitchen with tall ceilings. This place checks nearly every box, but there are a few major problems: it has serious structural damage (the foundation would need to be addressed), there is water damage in the bathroom, and the finishes are pretty dated (lots of orange-toned wood and old carpeting). However, with a renovation- it could be amazing. Here’s the tour:
Pros: The outdoor living space is incredible with large wraparound decks. We love the classic architecture and tall lofted ceilings, and this property is fairly accessible- despite the elevation gain. The driveway was easy to navigate, with plenty of room to turn around. It also gives us the opportunity for a fresh start to make this our own with a complete renovation.
Cons: The structural damage is bad… the cabin is actively leaning down mountain and you can see the foundation failing. We would need to allocate a larger renovation budget based on the damages throughout, just to make this cabin livable. The neighboring cabins are also very close.
Cabin Tour No. 3: The Classic A-Frame
The third cabin is the newest, with modern finishes and a very clean property. The exterior is pristine! This one was also the easiest to get to, right off the main road. The sweeping canyon views are incredible- it feels a little like a treehouse with a bird’s eye view. This one would probably be the easiest for us to renovate, as it seems like the perfect amount of work, in terms of renovation updates. Take a look at the tour:
Pros: It’s structurally sound, would be an easy property to renovate, the exterior needs no work, it has decks on both the front and backside, it’s secluded, and the views are stunning. There’s also the opportunity to create more outdoor living space, with plenty of flat ground for a lower level patio.
Cons: The upstairs loft is small and narrow, the basement bathroom is pretty weird and would require a complete overhaul, and this one doesn’t have as many water shares (which is why that soaking tub must go!).
Cabin Tour No. 4: The Traditional Cabin
This cabin is the most secluded- it sits on 12 acres of beautiful wooded property. Before even entering this one, I already knew the owners were horse people. From the boot cleaner hanging by the door to the fenced-in paddock, I knew I’d find some horse decor inside (and I was right). This cabin is more traditional, all wood, and has an interesting barn-like shape. Swipe for a look inside:
Pros: It has a huge deck, is very secluded, the views are incredible, and the layout is actually really smart. It has been well taken care of and maintained by the same family since it was built… so its structurally sound.
Cons: It’s not as easy to access, the roads aren’t plowed during the winter months, and it’s not a year-round cabin (meaning it has to be winterized so the pipes don’t freeze). While advertised as horse property (which wasn’t part of our criteria), I don’t think this would be a suitable property to keep horses full-time. The upper balcony is bowing, and this cabin would require updated heating, cooling, and plumbing to give it year-round usability.
Our Next Steps
We’re still in the early stages, but touring these properties gave us a clear vision of what we want… and don’t want. Our ideal mountain cabin will obviously be a fixer-upper… with good bones, character, and plenty of outdoor space. My goal for the renovation is to blend our classic aesthetic with a rustic mountain style. Any guesses which one we submitted an offer for? I’ll keep you updated as things unfold, but for now… I’m answering some questions I’ve received from friends below!
FAQs About Our Search for a Cabin
We want a mountain retreat where we can unplug, spend time outdoors, and gather with family and friends. It’s both a lifestyle investment and a design opportunity.
Yes! This is a couple we fully trust and love, who prefer to be out of the limelight. Emmett and I will be doing our normal thing… renovating, sharing the process, managing the property, etc. We’ll all get to enjoy and share it, which feels like the best of both worlds!
Absolutely! We’re excited about finding a property with renovation potential. I’m eager to tackle a totally new aesthetic and architectural style, since I’ve stopped taking client projects. I crave that creative variety, and this has been my dream for quite awhile.
Here in Utah! We love living here and while our current home is located in the Salt Lake valley, we’re looking within 90 minutes of the city for easy weekend trips. Mountain weather is quite different than what we experience here in the valley, so it will be a nice change of pace, without traveling far.
Of course! Just like our home projects, I’ll document the cabin renovation journey here on the blog, as well as on my social channels. I’m vowing to do a better job at that, since it will be much faster paced. Make sure you’re following along on Instagram, Facebook, and are signed up for my weekly email newsletters!
That’s our goal. We want to create a personal retreat, but rather than sitting empty when we’re not there, we’d like others to have the opportunity to enjoy it. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at hosting guests by going above and beyond with little details. It feels like this could be a fun new work chapter for me! It definitely has me excited.
We’re leaning toward yes. Emmett is a hard yes, and I’m feeling more sentimental about it. Ha! I’m on the fence. We love camping and I adore our cute little travel trailer, but I know it’s going to be a very busy year. I doubt we’ll have much time to camp, and ideally- we could spend our time enjoying nature at the cabin. TBD! Do check out the camper renovation reveal, if you want a tour!
Cabin hunting feels like the start of an entirely new adventure for us. I’m crossing my fingers I’ll be able to share good news soon, but this has been a season of positive change (after a tough first half of the year). I’m excited to bring you along on the journey- however our mountain renovation unfolds, sharing the process along the way. Stay tuned. I’d love to hear your personal favorite and prediction in the comments below!
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