The Minne Stuga House is located in a breathtaking lakeside forest in idyllic Minnesota, fully clad in sustainably sourced Kebony wood. Originally a 1970s kit home, the cabin was renovated by Minneapolis-based designer and lifestyle blogger Melissa Coleman (The Faux Martha) with her husband Kevin, who works as a child psychologist. The company hired to complete the works was Grand Marais-based Taiga Design+Build, who retained ninety per cent of the original structure and ensured the cabin’s timeless feeling was updated but unchanged.
Taiga replaced the rotting cedar siding with Kebony wood, a Norwegian company using a patented technique to turn sustainably sourced softwoods into environmentally friendly Kebony wood. This process has made Kebony a global leader in the production of sustainable wood. It provides hardwood-like durability and dimensional stability, avoiding high maintenance costs and ensuring longevity.
The iconic A-frame timber roof with its natural wooden features blends into the forest landscape rather uniquely, surrounded by pine and cedar trees. Taiga added structural insulated panels for heat and energy efficiency and in line with the original aesthetic, the Kebony wood has a rich brown colour.
The interior house is lined with the original, fifty-year-old western red cedar panelling, enriching the living environment with the essence of the forest, whilst Room & Board was used for interior furniture. Awaken skylights were fitted to invite more natural light into the home and the house enjoys a stunning new decking area, which was also built with Kebony wood and furnished with Loll Designs. The decking area has direct access to a short path through the forest with secluded waterfront access to Devil Track Lake, where guests can fish, kayak or go swimming.
The family use the Minne Stuga as a weekend retreat and rent it out for several months throughout the year as a fully appointed vacation property via www.theminnestuga.com.
Photography: Kristian Alveo / Kebony US
As featured in Client U.S. #16, available in print & digital editions from the links below.
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