A rustic log cabin with a mid-century twist : Annie Elliott Design

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.

**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.

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

The pièce de résistance was the primary bedroom.

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

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.

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!