• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • about
    • services
    • team
  • portfolio
  • press
Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

  • book
  • blog
  • contact

A rustic log cabin with a mid-century twist

Annie Elliott | February 12, 2023

What do you think of when you hear the words, “log cabin,” Gentle Readers? I had a clear picture in mind when John and I drove out to our friends’ cabin in West Virginia this weekend. When we pulled up, it looked true to its name.

Lot cabin with stone foundation
Gorgeous!!!
Log cabin in the mountains
I didn’t even photograph the views, but you can just imagine

Then when you enter, surprise!

2 aqua mid-century chairs and turquoise lamp
The turquoise!!

A mid-century marvel! One of our hosts has become…I won’t say obsessed with ;) …how about very interested in collecting mid-century furniture, lamps, and decorative items.

Turquoise mid-century chairs and turquoise lamp
Such a great entry
Tall blue mid-century modern lamp
Please note the wicked cool lampshade – mid-century, but not original to the lamp
Wood paneled log cabin living room
Living room

The thing I really want you to pay attention to, Gentle Readers, is the lamps. Mid-century lamps are HUGE! I mean, ENORMOUS!!!

Wood paneled log cabin living room with staircase
The lamp on the left is vintage, the ones flanking the sofa are not — but they work, style-wise

This bad boy in the corner? 37″ tall!! And it looks great!

Paneled corner with sunburst clock
The piece on the right tilts out and stores records
Paneled corner with sunburst clock and mid-century chair
37″!!! Another vintage lampshade, too

The lamps in our bedroom also were gargantuan. Guess how tall. Just guess.

Wood paneled bedroom
Nope. Taller

**42″!!** Before I got my tape measure (yes, I carry one with me at all times), I guessed they were 48″, so I was a little off. But can you blame me? Who’s ever heard of a table lamp that’s three and a half feet tall?

Tall mid-century lamp in paneled bedroom
Those mid-century lamp designers, that’s who

The ceilings in this room were barely 7′ tall, and you see how wide the room is, but the lamps absolutely work.

I tell you, I learned stuff this weekend. I’m going to look at table lamps a little differently now.

Anyhoo, we did talk about the fact that SO MUCH wood is a little stultifying. It is a cabin, after all, but it’s a lot. John (host John, not my John) said that they were thinking about doing some kind of whitewash thing on the walls to lighten things up a bit.

Log cabin living room and loft

I suggested that they consider whitewashing the ceiling only — or even painting it with regular white paint. I think that would do the trick without compromising the cabin-y feel.

They’re going to re-do the kitchen and dining area, but they have a head start w/ some great Danish modern chairs and this vintage bubble pendant Eric found. (It really is vintage! No shortcuts for this guy.)

Wood paneled kitchen and Nelson pendant lamp
The table is pretty, too

The Selig Z chairs have the manufacturer medallions under the seats. Eric got them on eBay from the original owner — seat upholstery is original, too

Danish modern dining chair
So elegant

The pièce de résistance was the primary bedroom.

Paneled cabin bedroom
I mean…

Can I please tell you the best thing? These curtains?

Wood paneled wall with decorative fish

Are FROM AN RV!!! How resourceful is that? I’ve got to get more information about that nifty stunt. I absolutely love them here. Truly inspired.

Mid-century bedroom with wood dresser
I thought this might be a “chifferobe,” but those have hanging space as well as drawers, evidently. See? Learning!

Eric even found vintage fabric swatches and put them on canvas stretchers as artwork.

Mid-century orange fabric wall hanging

And there was more than one starburst clock.

Mid-century blue lamp and starburst clock
Another seriously tall lamp. I think this one was 35″H

Listen. If you bought a log cabin and came to me and said that you wanted to decorate the interior with mid-century modern…I wouldn’t scoff, but I might be skeptical.

But let me tell you. These guys committed. And it totally, completely works.

Vintage bowls and dishes in cabinet
Down to the dishes ;)

I took a lot of video of this house, so I’ll let you know when it shows up on TikTok. Annie Elliott Design is based in Washington, DC with offices in St. Michaels, Maryland, and Middlebury, Vermont. UPDATE 2.14: Here’s the TikTok video!

Category: Furniture + upholstery, LightingTag: Danish modern, lamps, lampshade, MCM, mid-century lamps, mid-century modern, midcentury modern, starburst clock, table lamps, vintage furniture, vintage lamps

Sidebar

Subscribe

 

Bossy Color Blog

Categories

  • Art + accessories »
  • Bedroom »
  • Color + paint color »
  • Dining room »
  • Furniture + upholstery »
  • Kids »
  • Kitchen + bath »
  • Lighting »
  • Living Room + Family Room »
  • Renovation »
  • Rugs »
  • Wallpaper »
  • Window treatments »

View Portfolio

view Bossy Color's portfolio

Instagram

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jul 8

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 17874860922370036
What if one book could help you avoid 90% of the most common decorating mistakes? My Neighbor Saw Me Naked, and Other Reasons You Need Drapes is the interior design handbook you never knew you needed. It provides straightforward answers to the questions that matter: ✔️ What size rug should I get?✔️ How high should I hang my chandelier?✔️ Do I REALLY need window treatments? Preorder now through July 11th on the Barnes & Noble website and get  25% off with code PREORDER25.....plus 10% more if you’re a B&N Premium member. Offer ends July 11! Link in bio#InteriorDesign #DesignMistakes #MyNeighborSawMeNaked #BNPreorder #AnnieElliottInteriors #HomeDesign

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jul 4

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 17864165463352438
📍 St. Michael’s, Maryland views Let’s celebrate our beloved country today! 🇺🇸 And remember when we freed ourselves from a tyrannical government.You know, the Declaration of Independence is worth a re-read. The “unalienable” right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” Let’s hold onto that, shall we? I pursue happiness by surrounding people with beauty. I believe that your home not only should bring you joy, it should comfort you, energize you, and inspire you. Because when you bring that energy and inspiration out into the world, it spreads.Happy Independence Day, everyone.  @stmichaelsmd

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jun 26

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 18509968003051969
The location of this built-in dresser is practical (between the first floor hallway and the powder room), but tbh, it looked a little odd until we intentionalized it with some grassy green paint. (Yep - I just made up that word. And I’m going to keep it 😉 Photo | @stacyzaringoldberg#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #closetdecor #bedroomdecor #paintedfurniture #dresser #interiorstyling #interiorinspiration #interiorsandhome #homeinteriors #colorfullycollected

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jun 25

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 17880900810340509
Sure, I love a fancy showroom—but if you want soul, patina, and weird little treasures, you need to get dusty. 💨👉My real sourcing happens in flea markets, antique stores, and the occasional estate sale.✨ That’s where the magic is. That’s where your home gets its character. Plus, it’s more fun than a mall and you might come home with a lamp that looks like a pineapple. 🍍Win-win.......#vintagestyle #antiqueshopping #eclectichome #antiques #vinatgefinds #designhunt #interiordesignerlife #interiorsandhome #dmvdesigner #interiordecor #interiorstyling #interiors

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jun 24

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 18512936221022154
Let’s play “rules I’ve gleefully ignored,” shall we?
You must match your metals ❌
Small rooms can’t be dark ❌❌
Never mix patterns ❌ ❌ ❌
Design is supposed to be fun. If it makes you happy, it works. End of story.        Photos | @stacyzaringoldberg @mw.concepts #annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #designrules #kitchendesign #kitcheninspo #interiordetails #bedroomdesign #officedesign #interiorstyle #interiorandhome

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jun 19

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 18019888907521092
Nothing says summer like a house that makes you slooooow down. I’m so lucky to have access to a family house in St. Michael’s…the spot is amazing, but we wanted to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to the sunroom. I leaned into the midcentury bones and brought in soft blues and reds to complement the  warm brick and beams. Now it’s got that relaxed, quiet energy that makes you want to pour a gin and tonic, sit still, and just be.📷 | @mw.concepts#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #vacationhome #waterfronthomes #stmichaelshomes #midcenturyinteriors #midcenturymodernhome #interiordecor #interiorstyling #interiorinspiration #interiorsandhome

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jun 17

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 18103508353553642
I was prepared to argue for this @leejofa wallpaper until I was blue in the face, but my client loved it immediately. Turned out the grannie-ness was a selling point, not an obstacle. I love it when my clients trust me! I gotta be honest: I’ve never regretted going too bold. Just playing it too safe. 📸 | @angieseckinger#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #interiorstyling #interiorinspiration #interiorsandhome #wallpaper #hallwayinspo #leejofawallpaper #floralwallpaper #hallwaydecor #hallwaydesign #stairwellstyling #bolddesign

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jun 12

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 18083963626690209
Squeeze the day! 🍊Cole and Son’s Arance wallpaper paired with @benjaminmoore’s high-gloss Strawberry Red has us drooling over this powder room. It’s the perfect reminder that a well-executed small space can be bold, bright, and irresistible!#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #powderroom #bathroomdesign #bathroominspo #powderroomdesign #powderroomwallpaper #boldbathroom #bathroomwallpaper #coleandsonwallpaper

annieelliottdesign

View Instagram post by annieelliottdesign

Jun 10

Open post by annieelliottdesign with ID 18082916029742494
See what we did here? We painted the shelves the dark blue of the walls for a cohesive effect. Just the right amount of drama 🎭 Photos | @angieseckinger #annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #interiorsandhome #bookshelfstyling #builtins #builtinbookshleves #shelfstyling #livingroomstyle #decorinspo #homestyle #interiorinspo #livingroomdesign
Follow

Looking for something?

Don’t miss a single post

 

Where classic and modern hang out and drink gin.

  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

© 2025 · Annie Elliott Design · privacy policy