Log Cabin Cool
Opposites attract in the striking, contemporary interiors of this rustic home
By wendy lubovich
Photo by Alex Steinberg
Modern indeed. With the help of interior designer Lisa Peck, principal of Pisa Design in St. Louis Park, the two decided to play up the log motif by juxtaposing it with smooth, contemporary surfaces: knotty cedar next to acrylic and steel; hand-hewn rough next to stainless steel and copper. They chose opposites that would attract and create a home that feels warm, welcoming, and alive. “We wanted to hit the right note, so we added lots of color and personality that made everything pop,” Peck says.
They started in the kitchen, where a long workspace was built in. Sleek, stainless-steel appliances were installed, along with a deep, heavy-duty stainless sink. Simple track lights overhead assumed contemporary chic when paired with frosted acrylic diffusers. In between, two wooden beams that hang 6 inches below the ceiling were cloaked in copper, rounding out the industrial feel.
Next, Peck and Schaeffer added color. Taking inspiration from a crimson-colored armoire, they devised a bold scheme. They opted for ruby red granite countertops, and a custom-built pantry painted brick red. Then, to counterbalance the red, they added judicious touches of green. Lower cabinets were painted a rich blue-green, while a graphic blue-green, red, and gold striped rug injects a note of freshness. “We wanted to play up the logs,” Peck says. “When you combine them with color and smooth, modern textures, all of sudden you really see the logs.”
Both Schaeffer and her husband, Michael Munns, work from home, so their move from Minneapolis to the log home two years ago allowed them more space. Tucked into a wooded area, just steps from a suburban enclave, the home feels like a North Woods getaway. “We wanted privacy, and now we have nearly 5 acres,” Schaeffer says. “It’s right next to a nature preserve with a bird sanctuary, so it’s peaceful.”
She wanted to extend that peaceful spirit into the owners’ bedroom and bath, so she decided to create a space that feels like a Zen retreat. The bedroom walls are painted a soothing soft blue, a shade that looks as though it has faded over time. The simple, wooden, Craftsman-style headboard incorporates a Zen aesthetic, while graphic floral pillows add energy.
Photo by Alex Steinberg
Nearby, double sinks add geometric crisp, carved out in rectangular shapes that echo the shape of the windows. Surrounded by an extra thick countertop as well as 2-foot dragged-glaze tiles on the tub surround and shower floor and walls, the feel is substantial and sleek to balance the heft of the logs throughout the space.
The home features similar modern plays of textures and materials throughout. Knotty-wood walls look cabin cozy next to a stack of elegant Chinese boxes in the living room. Rough porcelain floor tiles feel earthy alongside a sleek, contemporary sculpture in the dining room. The combination of the warm wood and the Asian and modern-inspired furnishings brings out the best of both. Walls in the entryway and the kitchen were painted rich lacquer red—the perfect color to balance both art and earth and marry these disparate ideas.
While warm colors anchor the living space, much cooler tones add playful drama to a hidden corner. Just off the front entrance, a diminutive powder room shines like a bright jewel with sapphire-colored walls, textured with a rough finish. The cool silvers of the stainless vessel sink and glistening Venetian glass of the mirror tone down the vibrant blue. The look is Southwestern with touches of sophisticated splash.
“A lot of these pieces came from Santa Fe,” Schaeffer says. “Michael and I loaded up an entire trailer, and then drove everything back to Minnesota.” Most of the anchor furnishings came from the couple’s previous house. The simple, buff-colored sofa and chairs look handsome in the new space, updated with retro mod floral pillows. Their custom-made circular dining table fits right in, and, when paired with a metal and frosted-glass light fixture above, the mood is modern and warm.
“I didn’t want the space to look too casual, like you see out West. We were going for something a little more formal and fun,” Schaeffer says. “It’s great, because when we have people over for dinner, they’re often surprised by what they find inside. I never pictured myself in a log home, but here I am, and I love it.”
Wendy Lubovich is a Minneapolis writer and stylist.
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