The Eras Cabin — since 1979
It was a Three-Year Passion Project
Addition Construction & Framing: Tango Renovations, Vancouver, BC
Electrical: Garth’s Electric Company, 100 Mile House, BC
Finishing: My Three Sons Contracting, 83 Mile House, BC
Design and Decorating: Go To Your Room, North Vancouver, BC
Photography: Lisa Novak Photography, Kamloops, BC
More than just a renovation, this project centers around a thoughtful addition and was a true labour of love.
The cabin was originally built in 1979 by Kelly’s father and friends, back when the property held only campers and the dream of a family cabin for generations to enjoy. It has evolved slowly over the decades, with each layer adding to its story.
The addition of the cabin’s first-ever indoor bathroom.
Renovations began in September 2022 with a full land survey and site preparation, as the sloped, densely treed lot posed a challenge for expansion. The original 20x24’ pine cabin, built in 1979 with a loft, was lovingly updated with a rear addition to include a bathroom, a larger principal bedroom, and a welcoming mudroom.
The Primary Motivation for this Project?
The rustic family cabin is located lakeside, on serene Sulphurous Lake in Lone Butte, British Columbia—roughly 50km east of 100 Mile House.
Despite its unassuming name, the location is anything but ordinary, with it’s crystal clear waters and in some spots, Caribbean turquoise green.
It’s a gem of a lake that many locals from the region have referred to it as “one of the prettiest lakes in the Cariboo”.
The History
The Interior Design Goal….
was to preserve the soul of the original space—including the 80s “V” angled pine feature wall as well as the “never-in-style”, faux wood paneling—while ensuring the addition paid homage to the relaxed, rustic charm of its era.
Vintage finds and curated accents were thoughtfully incorporated to help the new spaces blend seamlessly into a "retro cabin chic" aesthetic.
A playful yet grounded mix of 70s-era yellow and brown, mid-century plaid, vintage cottage blue, a Western-themed guest room, modern wallpaper and an old-world-inspired bathroom which incorporates today’s popular deep green hue, which was actually a nod to year’s past bathing in the lake and being surrounded by the dark and vast spruce, pine and fir forest. The six rooms from this project are below.
The Result?
The Principal Bedroom
The Guest Bedroom
The Bathroom
The Storage Room
The Entry
The Loft Bedroom
Originally built as a cozy hideaway for the kids, the loft served as both a sleeping nook and a quiet perch to eavesdrop on the adults' stories and guitar playing below. It doubled as a makeshift rec room—a perfect spot for rainy-day pillow fights and childhood memories in the making.
For years, the walls displayed only pink insulation behind clear plastic sheeting, a raw and humble touch. But as the cabin evolved, so did the loft. In the early '90s, after power was finally brought in, the space was finished with beautiful pine tongue-and-groove boards, concealing the insulation and bringing warmth and texture to the room.
With the new addition, the roofline was extended 12 feet off the back of the original structure, mirroring the existing slope. This created a second loft space, nearly identical in size to the original. It made sense to relocate the loft bedroom into this new area, offering a bit more privacy and quiet away from the main living space below.
Though the ceiling peaks at a modest 7 feet, a soft, ambient glow is achieved through an upward-facing LED strip. The light bounces gently off the pine ceiling, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere—especially on stormy Cariboo days. The combination of pine-clad walls and carpeted floors gives the space an almost acoustic quality, muffling sound and adding to the sense of retreat.
The room is anchored by a whimsical yet sophisticated wallpaper: Australian artist Kate Swinson’s hand-drawn Starry Night in a rich, muddy brown. A nod to the brilliant night skies visible far from city lights, it’s a fitting tribute to the northern setting. The design strikes a perfect balance—playful enough for kids, yet elegant enough to be appreciated by adults alike.
I’m excited to share with you that “The Loft” was nominated as one of the Top 100 finalists at the 2026 WL Design 25 Awards on October 22, 2025.
We are THRILLED and Honored to have a room selected in amongst many incredible designers from Canada’s wild west! Wow!
All of the finalists are eligible for a WL Design 25 People’s Choice Award. The finalists have been announced: and voting is now open!
Head to Western Living’s voting page to review the finalists’ outstanding projects in two categories: Products and Rooms. You’ll have one vote per category — so make it count!
The Western Living Design 25 People’s Choice voting is open until November 20 at 11:59 p.m. PST and the top 25 winners will be revealed on stage at the big live awards party on February 25, 2026.
The WL editors had an extremely difficult job of selecting this year’s finalists — good luck to you narrowing down your favorite!