Sorry for the late post — we had a few technical hiccups.
We’re excited to share the cottage we mentioned on Friday, since many of you asked for more photos and details. It’s about 45 minutes west of Richmond in Columbia, Virginia and is called Rassawek. The building is an authentic log cabin dating back to 1910 that was relocated to this spot by the family who owns the property (which also includes a vineyard). Several nearby outbuildings were moved here too, and the site even features an incredible treehouse. Here’s a full tour of the place and why it’s such a special spot for a family getaway.
John’s sister discovered the cabin and suggested it as a place where our large family—nearly two dozen of us with eight kids—could gather for a single Christmas meal at one long table, then roast s’mores and have an all-out sleepover. We happily traded hosting duties at home for a potluck holiday in the woods, and as soon as we arrived it was obvious: this place is perfect for a big family celebration.
One of my favorite details was the striking wall treatment that looks almost like black-and-white stripes from a distance. Those are actually dark-stained logs with white plaster in between. The contrast is graphic and the texture is delightfully irregular. From the exposed rafters to the antique radiators and the dark hardware on the diagonally slatted white door, the cabin is full of charming period details that make you want to hunt for vintage door knockers and skeleton-key locks.
The main living area shows the logs in a mid tone, matching the overhead beams. The space flows open from kitchen to dining to living, which made it easy for all of us to be together while meals were prepared.
The kitchen is integrated into the living area and features a sweet old stove along the back wall. Rustic hardware and pulleys with rope are used decoratively throughout, enhancing the cabin’s authentic, lived-in feel.
Small touches like an iron utensil holder hanging above the stove and chunky hardware give the kitchen a cozy, utilitarian charm.
Opposite the stove is a massive butcher block and what looks like an antique metal chest with brass hardware—turns out it’s the refrigerator and freezer, each compartment cooled with large bags of ice. These practical, retro solutions fit the cabin’s historic vibe while still keeping things usable for a big family meal.
Facing the kitchen, the living room centers on a large fireplace. We kept a roaring fire going most of the visit and everyone jockeyed for the best seats on the sofa and chairs—definitely the coziest spots in the house.
Rather than a television over the mantel, a drop-down projector screen is hidden in an overhead beam and a projector is tucked away in the rafters. It’s a lovely way to watch a movie—Elf was a holiday favorite while John roasted marshmallows for the kids.
On either side of the fireplace are wooden doors that open to cubbies stocked with firewood. They were chilly to fling open, but incredibly convenient for replenishing the fire without putting on shoes.
Here’s the projector screen in action while the family settled in for an evening movie and marshmallow toasting.
Bedrooms are located behind the main great room. We didn’t photograph them extensively because many family members and luggage occupied the space, but there were two large rooms with multiple beds and bunks plus a smaller private room with a full-size bed. In total, 16 of us slept over, and with kids in sleeping bags and pack-and-plays, the sleeping arrangements worked well for our group.
Our Christmas dinner didn’t happen at the table inside the living room; we ate together in the property’s greenhouse. The glass room is bright and sun-filled, with heated floors, a large stone fireplace, and one long table that fit everyone—exactly why weddings and events are often held here.
It was special to have the whole family at one table—something none of our homes could have accommodated—and it made the meal feel communal and relaxed.
Outside the main buildings, there are charming features such as a bench made from a sliced-through tree trunk, offering rustic outdoor seating and great photo ops.
Here’s an exterior view of the doors that open to the firewood cubbies. It was cold but sunny, and we spent a lot of time outdoors with the kids enjoying the fresh air.
We also explored an old barn on the property where receptions are sometimes held. It currently houses a vintage red truck that the kids loved posing with, along with shelves of nostalgic items like old bottles, buckets, and crates that give the barn a warm, antiques-filled character.
One standout feature is the remarkable treehouse. Built from trees and reclaimed lumber from the property, it can be accessed through a small door in the trunk or by a long wooden ramp—so older kids can “take the trunk up” while younger kids and adults use the ramp. It’s creative, rustic, and utterly magical.
Clara fell in love with the treehouse immediately.
Back inside, our dog Burger had a tiny bed to curl up on, which was a welcome detail in a dog-friendly cabin.
The bathroom was a lovely black-and-white space with vintage tile and a classic clawfoot tub—charming and on-theme with the rest of the historic cabin.
That’s our tour of Rassawek. The cabin’s authentic log construction, thoughtful historic details, flexible gathering spaces, and property features like the greenhouse, barn, and treehouse make it a memorable spot for family holidays. After staying there, a log cabin retreat has officially made my bucket list—maybe one day we’ll build one to host future family gatherings and holiday traditions.