After 1 year and 3 months of searching, and a few close calls along the way, we finally found the cabin of our dreams and were fortunate enough to close on it this week. It’s a beautiful A-frame in the Palisades of Idaho, nestled in the trees overlooking the reservoir and mountains–pinch me!
Our hearts were really set on an a-frame and we spent a year looking at several in Island Park, before deciding to start exploring the Palisades, and boy are we glad we did! It’s an insanely beautiful, quiet, peaceful area and while most of the properties weren’t any where near our price range, this one popped up and we went to see it immediately, fell in love and put an offer in that day!
While the above photo is from the listing (I took the rest), the exterior is currently sporting a lot more hand rails for insurance purposes and some shade sails, too–but we have better ideas for shade than covering up those gorgeous windows.
While the A-frame alone excited us, what sold us was the view. The view. The view. The view! I grew up in Pittsburgh, but even having lived in Idaho the last decade, I’ve never seen anything like it. The water is a deep turquoise and the mountains are so crisp. I included a video, but you’ll just have to come see for yourself one day.
Our plan is to take the next year-ish to renovate the cabin and then we’ll rent it out (you’re invited!) and continue to enjoy it as a family, too. We already had a wonderful night with friends and took our girls up, too, so although she’s not much of a looker right now–we’re already enjoying it so much and are looking forward to making many memories here, starting now. While this post doesn’t include any mood boards, our plans are to definitely produce a cozy cabin vibe. We love the natural wood walls in the main areas and can’t wait to add in even more modern, rustic vibes to our mountain getaway, and fully expect to be challenged along the way because a-frames! Those angles! Here’s how it looks on the inside now.
The front door, per se, is actually in the back of the cabin, and upon entering, the view is the first thing that takes your breath away.
But you actually pass by a bedroom on your left with a sunny nook, I can’t wait to build a reading bench or daybed or something into.
And a bathroom off to the right.
Here’s looking back at the “front door” and the kitchen, which we’ll be tackling first–only because it’s really the only space in the house that actually needs help to function. Most all of the updates we’ll be doing will be aesthetic, but the kitchen’s function is hanging on by a thread right now.
If you look closer, some cabinets aren’t attached to the wall, there’s bare backer board and multiple heights of counter space that include peeling particle board.
We already took measurements and are working on a game plan. Through the kitchen, you enter the living room/dining space and those tall, glorious a-frame windows.
There’s a set of aggressively orange stairs that lead up to a loft, where we envision two sets of built in bunks with queen on the bottom and twin on top to take advantage of the angles.
Right now, there’s a queen bed up here, and a few (okay, five!) dressers and chests. There’s also a closet, that will be perfect for games (!!) and a small half bathroom.
Although it’s tiny, this toilet closet with a pedestal sink was a huge selling factor for us. Since we imagine kids staying up here, having a bathroom close (especially one where they didn’t have to go down stairs in the middle of the night) feels like a huge win.
Speaking of stairs, there’s a set that leads downstairs in the kitchen.
This level is sparsely furnished, but they did leave behind a very ornate pool table.
There’s the same spectacular views and multiple decks out this level. We envision adding a hot tub just outside these doors–I mean, how could we not?!
In addition to a dated laundry room (that I forgot to snap a picture of), this level has another bathroom with a black shower I kind of truly dig (nix the curtain and paint color)…
And a spacious bedroom. Although this is the only room in the house that doesn’t get a ton of natural light (it’s in the back of the house and there’s a window well with a ladder leading outside), we have grand plans to make this feel cabin cozy.
As you can see, the cabin came partially furnished and, pretty much, fully stocked. There’s toilet paper and tools and soap, a palette of pellets for the pellet stove–even mac and cheese! It’s something we didn’t expect but feel so grateful for.
Today we’re celebrating our 9th anniversary and throughout the past nine years, I’ve learned that everything feels possible with Chris by my side. We are so excited to be able to create a place for not only our family to enjoy, but for any of you to eventually come and experience, too. Â It’s something we’ve wanted to do for so long and we can’t wait to get started. Now, pass me a hammer!
So exciting! Love that area of Idaho. Our family has a cabin in Island Park and we love it up there too.
Your a-frame reminds me so much of our friend’s. They gutted it and did such a good job!
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17388664
The way she changed up the kitchen layout was so genius I thought. Wanted to share!
Hi guys, just wanted to let you know your front page is not updating. I’ve been reading the new posts from the links in instagram, but this is still the top post on the main page.
Interesting! Someone mentioned that yesterday and when we tried troubleshooting with them, they said it had updated right then. Can you let me know what browser you’re using?
I just did a few things that should HOPEFULLY help. Let me know.
Finally loaded with new content this morning. Just FYI. Thanks!
That’s the best news!! Thank you
I’m using firefox’s most recent version, although I also checked it on Chrome yesterday. It still isn’t updating this morning on either browser. This is still the most recent post I can see. Thanks for looking into it!
Same issue.
I’m having the same issue.
Wow! Wow! Wow! I can’t wait to watch what you do with this cabin! Thanks for sharing
I want to be first in line to rent! That view is gorgeous!
I’m going to save a little each month and by the time you’re done, we’ll make our first trip to Idaho to see your cabin when it’s finished! What an adventure!!