My Houzz: A Surprisingly Light Lakeside Log Cabin
Light gray paint and lots of natural light take this cabin on a Michigan lake out of moody country
Log cabins tend to be dark. It's just often a fact when the space is all wood; the interior tends to be moody. That's what Sam Wotring and Nicole Ray were expecting before they stepped inside this 1920s log cabin on a quiet lake near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Boy, were they wrong.
Because a previous homeowner used a superlight gray paint to cover every log surface inside the house, including the vaulted wood-plank ceiling, the space is far from dark. "We were so surprised by how light and airy it was inside, so quaint and charming," Ray says. Meanwhile, bright colors and original artwork — Ray is an illustrator and artist — further lighten the space, as do vintage chandeliers that hang in every room.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sam Wotring and Nicole Ray
Location: Brighton, Michigan
Size: About 1,600 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1½ baths
Because a previous homeowner used a superlight gray paint to cover every log surface inside the house, including the vaulted wood-plank ceiling, the space is far from dark. "We were so surprised by how light and airy it was inside, so quaint and charming," Ray says. Meanwhile, bright colors and original artwork — Ray is an illustrator and artist — further lighten the space, as do vintage chandeliers that hang in every room.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sam Wotring and Nicole Ray
Location: Brighton, Michigan
Size: About 1,600 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1½ baths
The home is on a former golf course, and Ray and Wotring discovered that it once provided summer housing for golf caddies. The couple now affectionately refers to the house as the "The Caddy Shack."
Wotring built the sliding door and worked with a local fabricator to make the hardware and sliding track.
Door paint: New Born’s Eyes, Benjamin Moore
Wotring built the sliding door and worked with a local fabricator to make the hardware and sliding track.
Door paint: New Born’s Eyes, Benjamin Moore
Two 10- by 10-foot caddie bunk rooms became one 10-by-20 main bedroom.
"The fireplace is one of my favorite things in the house," says Ray. "It is original to the house and is rumored to be the largest fireplace on the lake," she says.
The coffee table was handed down from Wotring’s grandmother.
Rug: Green at Heart Rug, Etsy; couch: Henry, West Elm; green couch, armchair: Newton Furniture; throw pillows: Robin Cottage, Etsy
The coffee table was handed down from Wotring’s grandmother.
Rug: Green at Heart Rug, Etsy; couch: Henry, West Elm; green couch, armchair: Newton Furniture; throw pillows: Robin Cottage, Etsy
Based on floor markings, the couple thinks there used to be a 6-foot-long wall or half wall that ran through the center of the current office area, possibly to close off a dining area.
Lights over bed: Krämare, Ikea; gray blanket: Pendleton Windowpane, Lands' End; artwork: "Whale Rider," Nicole Ray
Wotring's work area is to the right of the kitchen in the living room. His desk is a vintage drafting table; the Hoosier cabinet was a family heirloom given to Wotring by his stepdad.
The lobster block-printed wall hanging is from The Sarah Elizabeth Shop in Rockport, Massachusetts.
Chairs: Franklin, Ikea
The lobster block-printed wall hanging is from The Sarah Elizabeth Shop in Rockport, Massachusetts.
Chairs: Franklin, Ikea
"When we moved in, we wanted to do something new with the kitchen floor," says Ray. "The ceramic tile was worn out, but a total renovation wasn't in our budget." After doing some online research, the couple painted over the tile with garage-floor paint. After doing two coats of primer, they painted stripes through the hall and into the bathroom.
Paint: Behr premium one-part epoxy concrete floor paint in White Base and Silver Gray, Home Depot
Paint: Behr premium one-part epoxy concrete floor paint in White Base and Silver Gray, Home Depot
A skylight, open yellow painted cabinets and a wood beam pot rack contribute to the open, airy feel of the home.
This Winans Lake embroidery artwork, which hangs in the kitchen on an idea board, was custom made for Ray by Amy Cronkite of My Marigold. The heart marks where the couple lives on the lake.
Ray's grandmother photographed her kitchen window in 1936. The shot now hangs between the kitchen windows here.
Ray created this nook near the entrance where she packages and ships her artwork.
Rug: Downtown Home & Garden; Michigan squirrel plate: Martha Bishop, Lazy Gal; birds plate: Janae Easton, Playpus File; art by sloeginfizz on Etsy: Seahorse Nursery, Fox in Sox, Wild Spring Ride, Turtle Flight
Rug: Downtown Home & Garden; Michigan squirrel plate: Martha Bishop, Lazy Gal; birds plate: Janae Easton, Playpus File; art by sloeginfizz on Etsy: Seahorse Nursery, Fox in Sox, Wild Spring Ride, Turtle Flight
Ray painted the goldfish piece, now in the guest bedroom.
Plush squid: Amber Adams, Woolly Mammoth Designs
Plush squid: Amber Adams, Woolly Mammoth Designs
Rug: Emmie, Ikea; plush animal: Frankenstitch Productions
The previous owners installed this small claw-foot bathtub.
Cabinet, stool, shelving, curtains, rug: Ikea
Cabinet, stool, shelving, curtains, rug: Ikea
Mirror paint: Dry Bouquet, True Value; wall-mounted lights: Lowe's; embroidered anchor, paper airplane: From J. Loo to You
Ray relaxes in her living room. Behind her is a gallery wall showcasing work by her mom, like the '70s bird crewelwork from a kit, and by other artists.
Tree artwork: The Artisan’s Bench; woodpecker in pants: Pillbug Designs; fox: Stephanie Salamone; screen-print of a woman: Kristine Virsis, Just Seeds Artists Cooperative
Tree artwork: The Artisan’s Bench; woodpecker in pants: Pillbug Designs; fox: Stephanie Salamone; screen-print of a woman: Kristine Virsis, Just Seeds Artists Cooperative
The log cabin community is built around Winans Lake, which is motor free for peace and quiet.
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More:
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See more photos of this home
Ray built the side sofa table in the main living space using a wooden crate from her grandfather and legs from Hairpin Legs.