Before & After: Two Friends Give a Dated ’90s Cabin a Moody Reinvention

Kelly Dawson
·1 min read

Photographer Bess Friday hires designer Hana Mattingly to revamp her woodsy Truckee getaway with a striking monochromatic palette.

Bess describes the original stain of the house as a "muted mustard yellow,
Bess describes the original stain of the house as a "muted mustard yellow,

As a professional photographer, Bess Friday has what she calls "the benefit and painful curse" of seeing many well-designed spaces as she works. "There is so much inspiration to pull from," she says. "It can be overwhelming."

She and her husband live with their son and daughter in Marin, just north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, where the summer months are notoriously gray. While they love the area, they were also tired of wearing scarves and jackets in July and August.

Before: Living Area

The existing cabin had a great room that was open to the second level, with views to the outdoors from either side of the home.
The existing cabin had a great room that was open to the second level, with views to the outdoors from either side of the home.

After: Living Area

"We covered the entire stone fireplace in 80 pounds of grout and then painted it in a corresponding warm white color to match the new walls,
"We covered the entire stone fireplace in 80 pounds of grout and then painted it in a corresponding warm white color to match the new walls,
The media console and coffee table are from Sobu, while the rug is from Armadillo. A vintage chair sits near the fire.
The media console and coffee table are from Sobu, while the rug is from Armadillo. A vintage chair sits near the fire.

See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: Two Friends Give a Dated ’90s Cabin a Moody Reinvention
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