3 Interior Designers Transform The Same A-Frame Cabin | Space Savers | Architectural Digest

Summary

Three interior designers—Darren Jett, Kiara, and Jenny—are tasked with transforming an empty A-frame cabin into a stunning weekend retreat. Each brings a unique style: Darren creates atmospheric, immersive spaces; Kiara emphasizes warm modern design; and Jenny favors colorful, thoughtful touches. Their redesigns focus on maximizing natural light, integrating the outdoors, and blending modern aesthetics with cozy cabin elements. They reimagine layouts with lofted bedrooms, open kitchens, sculptural staircases, layered lighting, and textured materials. The final spaces balance comfort, functionality, and visual appeal, offering inviting, versatile environments perfect for relaxation, socializing, and connecting with nature.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The designers were given a blank A-frame cabin and complete creative freedom to redesign it, emphasizing their unique styles.
• 🌿 Natural elements, light, and a connection to the outdoors were central to many design choices, including large windows and translucent materials.
• 🎨 Color palettes were chosen to create warmth and modernity, including light European Oak, whitewashed beams, and varied shades to emulate an art gallery feel.
• 🪵 Structural elements like beams and wood walls were modified or whitewashed to create a brighter, more open, and cohesive aesthetic.
• 🚪 Doorways and circulation paths were redesigned to maximize light, improve flow, and create focal points leading to outdoor spaces.
• 🛋️ Furniture and floor selections emphasized comfort, texture, and communal spaces, using cozy rugs, soft sofas, and versatile tables for multiple uses.
• 🛏️ Lofted bedroom spaces were introduced to utilize high ceilings and create private, tranquil areas overlooking the living space.
• 💡 Lighting design played a critical role, combining natural daylight with layered ambient, task, and decorative lighting, including statement chandeliers and pendants.
• 🔥 Fireplaces and built-in features were carefully integrated to balance aesthetics and functionality, blending rustic charm with modern elements.
• 🌱 Greenery and decorative elements like planters, tapestries, and art books were incorporated to enhance warmth, texture, and a sense of place.
• 🍴 Kitchens were simplified and modernized, with thoughtful material choices and layouts designed for both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
• 🎭 Overall, the designers aimed to blend nature, modern design, and comfort to create a retreat that is both visually striking and practically livable.

Q & A

Who are the interior designers featured in the video?

The interior designers are Darren Jett, Kiara, and Jenny, each with a distinct design style.

What type of property are the designers tasked with transforming?

They are designing an empty A-frame cabin with complete creative freedom and no client restrictions.

What is Darren Jett's design approach for the A-frame cabin?

Darren focuses on creating an atmospheric and immersive design, emphasizing natural light, modern materials, and reflective surfaces.

How does Kiara describe her design style?

Kiara's design style is warm modern, blending natural elements with clean lines and elevated neutral materials.

What unique approach does Jenny take in her design?

Jenny focuses on colorful, unique, and thoughtful designs, treating the cabin like an art gallery with a mix of textures, colors, and playful furniture arrangements.

What changes were suggested for the cabin's structure to enhance light?

Designers proposed removing some wood between beams, replacing it with translucent polycarbonate or frosted glass, adding floor-to-ceiling windows, and modernizing the doors to increase natural light.

How was the flooring addressed by the designers?

Options included replacing short plank wood floors with warm pigmented concrete or reclaimed limestone, incorporating radiant heat for comfort, and using rugs to add warmth and texture.

What are some key features added to the kitchen design?

The kitchen was designed with a matte hunter green tile backsplash, marble countertops, streamlined cabinetry, under-cabinet lighting, and multifunctional furniture like a large dining table that doubles as counter space.

How did the designers enhance the loft and staircase areas?

They created a private loft bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, frosted glass for privacy, and a sculptural plaster spiral staircase that complements the space without dominating it.

What strategies were used to improve the living area?

The living area incorporated a mix of modern and natural furniture, soft fabrics, statement rugs, layered lighting including pendants and sconces, and a focal fireplace with a custom mantle.

How did the designers integrate the outdoor environment into the cabin interior?

They used green tones, natural textures, mossy rugs, plants, and strategic window placements to visually and atmospherically connect the interior with the surrounding nature.

What is the overall goal of the design transformations in the cabin?

The goal is to create a light-filled, cozy, and visually engaging retreat that blends modern aesthetics with natural elements, offering functional spaces for relaxation, entertaining, and enjoying the outdoors.