Before and After: A Dilapidated 1920s Cabin Is Brought Back to Life
“This dilapidated historical home in Lake Arrowhead, California, was brought back to life,” explains Lauri Carleton, the owner and creative director of Mag.Pi Shop and a partner in Goods Co.Op. “The town of Lake Arrowhead is located 80 miles from Los Angeles, and since the late 1800s has been a retreat for Hollywood icons and Southern California families. It still serves that purpose, and is a growing place of expression for creatives.”
“The house was originally built in 1928 as a summer fishing cabin,” and after a fireplace was added some time in 1930, the home could also be enjoyed during the fall months. When Lauri Carleton, owner and creative director of Mag.Pi Shop and a partner in Goods Co.Op, and her husband Bort Carleton bought the home in 2007, she says they “discovered the home and overgrown property in its poorly maintained state,” but could also “see through the ill-conceived improvements to what it once had been and what it had the potential of becoming.”
Lauri explains that, “[w]ith its origins in mind, they restored, rebuilt, and designed the house (on their own, and mostly by hand, hammer, and nail) into what it is today.”
“After an extensive and detailed design and structural engineering process, we began working on the renovation of the home. Each element of the home— structure, layout, cosmetic detail—is thoughtfully selected.”
“Most natural elements used are from local suppliers and artisans.”
“The wood floors and rafters are from local saw mills, the custom door and railing metal work is all by a local fabricator, French doors and windows are from the original house or vintage salvage yards.”
“The house is designed to blend with the surrounding mature cedar trees.”
“Each window frames a landscape making you feel that you are isolated in a forest. Added skylights and clerestory windows allow light and air to flow in at all times of the day.”
“The use of local wood, salvaged vintage windows and found objects allow the house to juxtapose with contemporary design solutions and materials.”
See all of this cabin’s renovation in their house tour.
Thank you!
*4/8/19 Some quotes were wrongly attributed to Dani Rosenthal, who submitted this home’s story to Apartment Therapy. Lauri Carleton wrote the whole survey.