Why buy a made-to-order cabin if you can simply customize your own and use eco-friendly materials in making it? Sunset details the home of Jen and Kirk Schumacher in Washington's Methow Valley and explores how they were able to transform their weekend home to an eco-friendly abode for their growing family.
1. Choose your Materials Wisely
The Schumacher's heed the help of Archt. Thomas Lawrence for their cabin's new transformation and the couple wanted a "small house in 1 acre lot of land." In order to achieve this, Lawrence suggested, "To create a nice compact house requires more creativity than designing a big one."
In addition, he also chose the materials that are energy efficient as per the Schumacher's request which were "On-demand hot water, electric in-floor radiant heating, and ceiling fans in lieu of air-conditioning keep energy usage down. To help modulate the area's temperature extremes, Lawrence also designed a super-insulated roof."
2. Open Spaces and Abundant View
When Lawrence designed the interior of the home, he began to "adjoin the kitchen and the living room," this is to make way for the Schumacher's to have some bonding time together.
"We wanted the rooms open to one another so we could dance around with the kids," explained Jen.
The cabin's exterior was "a combination of glass doors and fixed-pane windows, providing big views at less cost than expanses of solid glass."
3. Multi-functional Furniture
In the living room, Lawrence designated a "custom bench" "that pulls out into a twin bed." and when you "pushed back in, it's a cushioned seat."
4. Cheap but Better Alternatives
The kitchen of the home is real genius, "reclaimed wood" was customized and made as a cabinet for some pantry supplies while a cheap "corrugated metal" was converted into a backsplash. Also, the lighting fixtures used in the area is from Barn Light Electric's and are "made from recycled fuel tank tops and from mason jars."
5. Maximize Space
Areas that have huge amounts of spaces left, Lawrence installed "custom" built-ins which are good for storing some of the family's keepsakes and other home devices.
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