Long Branch Cabin

A young family envisioned a multigenerational retreat where cousins, grandparents, and friends could gather to create lasting memories. Their vision was simple: a place designed for connection. However, they wanted their new haven to honor the past, leading to the decision to rescue two historic cabins from demolition. These structures were carefully deconstructed, their massive hand-hewn logs preserved and given new life in the family's retreat.

The Long Branch Cabin sits in a pastoral setting, approached through a field enclosed by split rail fencing that offers the first glimpse of the single-story home. The home is sited to maximize soft, natural light while maximizing views of the lake and the forest that sit below the rear of the house. The front facade features expansive glazing that floods the interior with natural light, while a complementary shed positioned to the right appears as though it has always belonged.

Upon entry, the preserved logs line the walls, establishing a sense of ancestral origins and permanence. The entry flows into a thoughtfully designed kitchen featuring leathered granite counters and gathering spaces created for cooking and shared meals. The formal living room provides comfortable seating for conversation and games, while the entertainment room showcases windows that frame both the family's art collection and their library of books.

The home's layout reflects its multigenerational purpose. The boys' room accommodates five beds for sleepovers, while the master bedroom offers expansive views of the surrounding woods through walls of windows, complete with outdoor access for morning communion with nature. The rear of the home features a large screened porch that transitions to a children's play area that opens up to a path that winds down to the lake through native plantings, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Long Branch Cabin merges preservation with progress, creating a retreat where reclaimed materials tell stories of the past while new memories unfold for future generations.

Completion: 2025

Photography: 161 Photography

Services: Architecture

Interior Design: Alice Davenport Interiors