This weekend I was thinking about how far we've come with the cabin renovation and began looking at some pictures that were taken the first time we saw it.  That was back in 2015 and we closed on the property in December 2016.  We have come so far, and it feels good to have so much behind us.  We still have some repair work and painting to do on the exterior, but the inside is finished, and we are so happy with how things are coming along.  I haven't shared many of the before and after pictures with you so I thought I would.  I must admit I cringed a time or two as I was looking back...it was so bad!

Special Moments and Furnishings at the Cabin

The cabin is a special place.  On the drive up, it is truly amazing, how we feel the weight of the world lifting and peace settling in.  Once there, with the beauty that surrounds and the sound of the rushing creeks, it is always such a calm and relaxing place to be.

Inside the cabin, there is a small window of time when the sunlight streams in.  A little in the morning and a bit in late afternoon.  I love those times as the sun dances through the lace covered windows, it is brighter and the extra warmth...especially in the winter.  But mostly it's a bit dark inside, so on comes the lamp light, oil lamps and the flicker of candles.  This was taken in the morning, just as the sun was coming in the front windows.

Cabin Sweet Cabin

We closed on our creekside mountain cabin in December 2016 and haven't stopped since!  It has been such an undertaking choosing this fixer-upper, living 3 hours away and it being basically a total gut job from plumbing to electrical and most everything else from floor to ceiling.  The most recent interior phase of the project was to convert an attached garage into a laundry area, master bedroom and master bath.  

The Cabin Queen

Names.  Names are good.  We would live in chaos if we didn't have names for things.  When I reference my friends and family, I call them by name.  When we go on trips, we name the places we are going.  Before going to the grocery store, I write the names of each item on a list.  When folks are coming to the cabin to stay with us...I find myself searching...searching for a name.  You see, there are three bedrooms in all (I’ll be sharing the others soon), each one has a view of the creek and since this bedroom has a queen bed, I’ve been calling it the “Cabin Queen”.  Besides not really liking the name "Cabin Queen" and that it would be fun hearing what you come up with ... what guy wants to sleep in the “Queen” room?!

I've shared bits and pieces of this queen bedroom with you and today I wanted to share the whole room; before and after.  Well, things are always changing, so for now this is the Cabin Queen.  (Help me name her please!)

Creekside Dwellings ~ The Cabin Exterior Updates

Since I've been sharing more of the cabin with you, I thought I should move to the exterior and then back indoors.  If you've been following along, you know our mountain cabin is a fixer-upper, with everything needing to be redone from plumbing to electrical, top to bottom, ceiling to floor...a total renovation.  We haven't focused too much on the exterior because we've wanted to get the inside finished.  I must admit, I'm a bit reluctant, because the exterior isn't too pretty...but it is what it is.  This December will be three years since we began and it's still in the works!

Fall in the Cabin and My New Find

It's been fun sharing more of the cabin with you.  There has been a lot of life rearranging to make it possible for me to stay up here in the mountains while the renovations are going on.  Being here has given me the chance to snap some pics and share them.  Today I wanted to show you my new find and some fall touches I've added here in the cabin.

Soft Touches in a Rustic Cabin

There are so many memories, stories and special people that come to mind as I look around the cabin.  For me, that's what makes a collected home so special.  Over these past few years while renovating the cabin, our friends, family and so many others have shared items and deals with us that have made this place extra special.  Here in the queen bedroom (I need to come up with a better name) I often think of my friend Judy as I cover the bed with Martha Washington bedding or a quilted comforter with floral stitching.  I think of Carolyn, antique shop owner turned friend, who just happened to be having hugely discounted sales during my cabin gathering days.  There are others, but mostly, I think of my mother.

Antique Oil Lamp for the Cabin Guest Room

I've been in the mountains during this latest phase of the cabin renovation and since there is so much of the cabin I haven't shared with you, I wanted to start with this antique lamp.  In the cabin there are two bedrooms; one with three twin beds and one with a queen bed.  When this phase of the renovation is complete there will also be a master bedroom.

While searching for cabin furnishings I wanted to find things that were rustic and with character, so I was happy to find this antique kerosene oil tank turned into a lamp.

Wall Cupboard, Ironstone and Nature

There is a lot of wood here in the mountain cabin.  The walls are original heart pine, old worn wood floors, there are wood beams on the living area ceilings and many of the bedrooms and hallways have wood ceilings.  Someone once asked if I was going to paint the wood . . . umm No!  I love it and it's actually one of the things that drew me to this cabin more than any other.  I didn't want our place in the mountains to look like it could belong in the city or at the beach or in France...but to look and feel like a mountain cabin.

When planning the kitchen, knotty river birch was chosen for the cabinetry and purchased at a local saw mill.  The goal was texture and character, but I wanted to break things up a bit since there is already so much wood in the cabin.  How to do this?  I wasn't quite sure, but one day while antiquing with a friend I saw this wall cupboard and thought it would add just the right touch.   

Through the Cabin Window

It's the simple things.
Early morning in the mountains.
Open windows, adorned with perfectly imperfect curtains, hanging from twine.

The sun streams in as lace dances to the cool breeze.
And my soul sings.

Guest Bedroom ~ Creekside Mountain Cabin Fixer Upper

While most are in the middle of Christmas decorating and celebrating the season, we are still in the throes of the cabin remodel.  It's coming along well.  There has been so much progress made, both inside and out, but I often find myself not knowing how to reckon all the progress made along with the realization that not one area is finished.  

Floors, Doors & More~Creekside Mountain Cabin Updates

The Smoky Mountains are beautiful all year and especially during the fall season.  The leaves are just beginning to change and already the colors are breathtaking.  

We are coming along with the cabin and it's been a while since I've shared updates, so I wanted to bring you up to speed on our progress.  You know I always like to start with something pretty since remodeling can be messy, so here is an early view of the fall season in the Smokies.

We finally decided on the floors.  That was a process that took f-o-r-e-v-e-r!

The Likes of Which We've Never Seen!

Since purchasing our place in the mountains there have been many times I've felt like a little girl again, as time and time again I am filled with such wonder and excitement over the views, creeks, waterfalls, and nature surrounding us in our neck of the NC Smokey Mountains.

On this special day, we saw the likes of which we've never seen!

Updates ~ Our Mountain Cabin Fixer Upper

We've been busy as bees so I wanted to share more updates on our mountain fixer upper.  The butterflies have been busy too.  They love the bee balm flowers that are still blooming.  I didn't think they would last so long but are still going strong.

Stuff for the Mountain Cabin Fixer Upper & Red Tole Lamp

Last December, after we closed on our place in the mountains, the search was on.  Knowing we had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living area, dining area, and a kitchen that would need to be furnished with everything from floor coverings to silverware...I got busy.  The last thing I wanted to do after the renovation is complete is to begin the search for furnishings, so I've been going to local antique shops, thrift stores and on FB yard sale sites, looking for everything from kitchen supplies to furniture that would go with the cabin feel I am going for and fit within my tiny budget.  I have learned that looking in advance ensures you find things you need for a much better price than having to make a quick purchase. 

Before we get to all the stuff, I want to show you the pink daylilies blooming just above the creek in the mountains.  I think they are beautiful with their bright yellow center and ruffly edges.

Wood Floors & Updates ~ Mountain Cabin Fixer Upper

We have been busy as bees and I have a lot of updates on our mountain cabin fixer-upper to share with you.  Since demo and renovations aren't very pretty, I wanted to start off with something that is.  Just up from the creek a bit is a raised bed full of lush green stems that are 3' tall and after waiting for months they have finally bloomed.  Bright red, with shades of purple, the bee balm blooms are beautiful and the bees and hummingbirds adore it.

Kitchen & Other Updates ~ Mountain Cabin Fixer Upper

Yes, this post is about kitchen updates in our mountain cabin fixer-upper, but I wanted to start out with a picture of spring in the mountains.

We purchased this place back in December when everything was dormant and though we could tell there were vines on the gazebo and raised beds here and there, we had no idea what trees, plants or flowers were on the property, so it has been fun watching as things begin to bloom.

Updates on Our Mountain Cabin Fixer-Upper

I remember the day we drove up that mountain and rounding the corner to see the road filled with rushing creek water.  The water was spilling from a waterfall on the right side of the road, flowing across the road and back to the left side as the rushing creek continued its way.  I may as well have been a little girl again; filled with such wonder at nature and excitement that I would soon be passing through rushing water.  I could hear the water splashing against the tires as we continued through and just as the back tire cleared we turned left into the drive of a mountain cabin that took my breath away.

You may be asking and I wouldn't blame you, "This took your breath away?"

Yes, she did!

Though dirty and in disrepair this ugly duckling that is bordered by two rushing creeks grabbed my heart...but it was over a year before I could call her mine.

Our Creekside Mountain Cabin Fixer-Upper

So much has happened and I finally get to share it with you!

The mister and I have always enjoyed our RV; you may remember me sharing it with you here.   A nice sized 30' pull behind with a master bedroom, several pull out beds and a very comfortable kitchen and living area.  We love the mountains so that's where we usually head for our vacation and long weekend getaways.  Though we love a mountain view, to us there is nothing more wonderful than relaxing by a rushing creek or stream, so we would always choose a spot with water.  We loved getting away, but began to miss not being able to more comfortably host family and friends, so while sitting around the campfire one evening we began talking about how nice it would be to own a place in the mountains.  Time passed and the more we considered it, the more we felt that should our dream become a reality, we are to use this blessing as a place to bless others; specifically those in ministries, as a place to get away for some rest and relaxation.  We set out on faith and both agreed that if it didn't work out we were fine with that and would continue to enjoy our RV.

With a limited budget and high hopes we began the search for our mountain log cabin.  There were a few things we were hoping for:

-a rustic log cabin

-a rushing creek or stream

-a mountain view
-in the Boone or Asheville area

We love a mountain view, but knew early on that it may be unrealistic to find both views and rushing water, especially within our budget.  Everywhere you go in the mountains there are amazing views, so we kept a rustic log cabin with rushing water as our priority.  Along the way, my mister began to feel a true log cabin was a bit too "dark" for him.  Most have small windows which allows for very little natural light, they are wood from top to bottom and he wasn't sure he would find that enjoyable, so we broadened our search to other types of homes but the main criteria of rushing water remained which did limit the possibilities.  We went under contract a couple of times during our search, but for one reason or another each fell through and we believe that was God directing us right where we were meant to be, and finally after two l-o-n-g years, we closed on our creek side mountain cabin.

It's an interesting story, how we ended up with this cabin...
We looked at so many properties in our two year search.  This one had been on the market for a long time prior to our looking at it and listed with a number of different agencies.  It was about a year into our search when we drove up and I was pretty much sold.  The drive in and water on the property was absolutely beautiful, with not just ONE rushing creek but is bordered by TWO rushing creeks!  However, once inside and seeing the condition of the cabin we knew there was NO way we could come close to paying what they were asking.  The cabin needed just shy of a total gut job, it was filthy dirty and the smell...oh my...it was AWFUL!  Even so, it had so much character and we could see potential, but at that price we had to walk away.  I kept checking back to see if by chance the price had dropped, but it never did and then the cabin was taken off the market.  I was kind of sad, wishing we had taken a chance with a low ball offer way back when, but we didn't and now the chance was gone.  This place stayed on my mind so every now and again I would check to see if by chance it became available again and about six months later, in God's perfect timing, it did!  It was back on the market at a price much less than before, we made an offer and they accepted!

I am happy to finally be sharing our creekside mountain cabin with you!