“More than just a pretty space” is Victoria Johnson of M. Victoria Johnson Interiors’ design motto, and it couldn’t be more present than in this lake cabin remodel.
The charming home is a cherished forest getaway for a family of four from the Twin Cities—a place where they can unwind and escape life’s hustle and bustle.
And it’s more than just pretty in every aspect. Here’s how Johnson and her team achieved a delicate balance of elevated modernity and rustic cabin charm.
Cabin Calling
The owners’ original ties to the cabin date back some 15 years ago, and the interior remained untouched over the years. Johnson knew she needed to incorporate natural design that didn’t overshadow the home’s original character.
“We were focused on achieving an organic feel that would harmonize with the existing wood elements in the space,” she says.
An Updated Footprint
To enhance the kitchen’s functionality, Johnson’s team made a few strategic layout changes. They added drawers and a pantry for more dedicated essentials storage, allowing everything to have a place to be put away.
The change that made the biggest visual impact? The removal of the more traditional (yet dated) upper cabinets—and replacing them with custom shelves—in pursuit of a more open and spacious feel. The shift “not only expanded the visual aspect of the kitchen but also made it feel less cluttered,” raves Johnson.
The final change was repositioning the range slightly to the right, allowing space for a specialty cabinet designed to house an efficient trash and recycling system.
The Perfect Hue
Johnson picked Semihandmade DIY Slab cabinet doors for their “remarkable flexibility.”
On the hunt for a just-right shade of forest green paint for the cabinets’ blank canvas, Johnson stumbled upon Magnolia Home Lemon Leaves. “It felt organic and served as a beautiful way to bring the outdoors inside,” she states.
Thanks to the green harmonizing with the existing wood elements, the new kitchen emits a tranquility that mirrors the surrounding environment.
Finalizing Style
Johnson added wooden knobs painted in the same green as the cabinets for a modern, monochrome look, honed black granite for the counters, and two 10” pendant lights that make a statement.
“The cabin now exudes a refreshing, contemporary ambiance without ever sacrificing its inviting warmth.”