Sorry for the late post — we ran into some technical issues.
We’re excited to finally share the cottage we mentioned on Friday. Many of you wanted more details and photos, so here’s the full scoop: the cabin is about 45 minutes west of Richmond in Columbia, Virginia. It’s part of Rassawek, a property that includes a vineyard, and the cabin itself is an authentic log structure dating to 1910. The family that owns Rassawek moved the cabin to this spot, along with several outbuildings, and the grounds also feature an incredible treehouse. Ready for the tour?
John’s sister found the place and suggested it as a spot for our extended family — nearly two dozen of us, including eight kids — to celebrate Christmas together. The plan was simple: one big meal at a long table, followed by s’more roasting and a communal sleepover. We were happy to escape hosting duties and enjoy a laid-back, potluck-style holiday in a cabin in the woods. The minute we arrived, we all agreed: this place is brilliant.
One of my favorite details is the dramatic wall treatment that looks from a distance like black-and-white stripes.
Up close, those are dark-stained logs with white plaster between them. The irregular texture and contrast are so charming. From the exposed rafters to the antique radiators and the dark hardware on a diagonally slatted white door, the cabin is full of character. It made me suddenly covet vintage door knockers and skeleton-key locks.
That deeply stained log wall was unique to one room; the main living area featured logs in a lighter, mid-tone stain that matched the overhead beams.
The photo above shows the kitchen tucked into the back of the open living and dining area. If you look closer you can spot an old-fashioned stove against the back wall.
Pulleys, rope, and chunky iron hardware are scattered throughout, reinforcing the rustic cabin vibe. For example, there was an old metal utensil holder suspended over the stove.
On the opposite side of the kitchen sat a massive butcher block and what looked like a metal chest with brass hardware — which turned out to be the refrigerator/freezer. Each door opened to a different compartment, and some sections stayed very cold thanks to large bags of ice inside.
Facing that wall takes you to the fireplace, which anchors the living room side of the space.
We kept a roaring fire going most of the time, and those chairs and the sofa were prime real estate. Instead of a TV over the fireplace, the cabin had a drop-down projector screen hidden in an overhead beam, and the projector could be lowered for movie nights.
Wood storage is cleverly built into cubbies on either side of the fireplace. Those little wooden doors made it easy to grab logs without going far outside — a very practical touch in cold weather.
Here’s the projector in use (perfect for a holiday movie), with John toasting marshmallows for the kids.
The bedrooms sit behind the great room, but we didn’t photograph them since family gear and people filled those spaces. There were two large rooms with multiple beds and bunks, plus a smaller, more private bedroom with a full-size bed. After dinner some relatives left, but 16 of us stayed the night. With sleeping bags and pack-and-plays, the cabin accommodated our large, kid-heavy crew quite well.
The bright, airy greenhouse on the property is where we actually held Christmas dinner. It feels like a venue — many people get married there — and it’s easy to see why: heated floors, a large stone fireplace, and one long communal table that fit our whole group made it perfect for a large meal.
Sharing a single table meant we didn’t get spread across multiple rooms, so it was wonderful to see everyone together.
Outside, the grounds include unique features like a bench crafted from a sliced-through tree trunk, which makes a striking rustic seat.
Here’s an exterior view showing the two doors beside the fireplace that open to the firewood cubbies. It was cold but sunny during our visit, and we spent a lot of time outdoors with the kids.
We also explored an old barn on the property that doubles as a reception space for events like weddings.
The barn currently houses a vintage red truck that the kids loved posing with, along with shelves full of nostalgic items such as old bottles, buckets, and crates.
One of the highlights is the treehouse, constructed from trees and reclaimed lumber from the property. It has two access options: a small door inside the trunk for the adventurous kids and a long ramp for younger children and adults.
Clara absolutely adored it.
Back inside, our dog Burger found a cozy little bed to claim — hooray for dog-friendly cabins.
The bathroom is a classic black-and-white space with vintage tile and a clawfoot tub — a lovely, timeless touch.
That’s our tour of Rassawek. If nothing else, this trip has put a log cabin on my bucket list. Maybe one day, when we retire, we’ll build a cabin where future grandkids can gather for holidays. A girl can dream.