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A Renovated Double A-Frame Cabin Gives Nod to Its 1970s Past

ByMyProperty Life

Nestled amid the serene woodlands of Lake Arrowhead, California, the Arrowhead Double A-Frame House – also known as “Bern Double-A” – is an artful transformation of a 1970s cabin. Designed by Dan Brunn Architecture (DBA), this structure elegantly melds the nostalgia of vintage architecture with modern aesthetics, offering a unique retreat that balances luxury with eco-consciousness.

Modern living room with high wooden ceiling, stone fireplace, and a white curved sofa. A black dog is walking across the light wooden floor near a staircase leading to a loft area.

The renovation re-envisions the original A-frame as a “double A-frame,” a novel approach that combines the firm’s distinctive minimalist aesthetic with warm, inviting elements. The cabin’s original T-shaped footprint proved ideal for expanding the A-frame structure in two perpendicular directions, creating a dynamic geometry that feels both familiar and bold. Central to this renovation is the addition of a glass wall on the short axis of the structure, a feature that allows ample light into the lofted areas and visually connects the indoors to the forested landscape beyond.

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A cozy living room with a vaulted ceiling, white curved sofa, marble coffee table, floor lamp, and large windows showcasing a scenic outdoor view.

Inside, DBA’s characteristic restraint in material selection is clear, ensuring an effortlessly timeless feel. Existing woodwork, including the cabin’s original beams and ceilings, was meticulously restored through a unique sandblasting process with walnut shells, preserving the wood’s natural texture while harmonizing with new floors. This thoughtful treatment emphasizes the continuity between the cabin’s past and its revitalized design.

A cozy living room with a beige sectional sofa, round marble coffee table, and a floor lamp. Decor includes throw pillows, a fur rug, candles, and houseplants. Large windows provide natural light.

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Wooden vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and triangular windows reflecting trees.

The living room serves as the focal point of the home, where a tall, glass-framed A-frame ceiling contrasts with a rustic fireplace clad in tumbled stone. Designed for relaxation and connection, this space offers sweeping forest views and a cozy semicircular sofa centered around the hearth. Hidden cove lighting enhances the ambiance by casting a warm, inviting glow across the vaulted ceilings, further enhancing the cabin’s connection to nature.

Cozy living room with a round, sectional sofa facing a stone fireplace. A tall, arched lamp hangs over the sofa, and the high ceiling features exposed wood beams.

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The design unfolds across three levels, each carefully orchestrated to suit distinct functions. The ground floor provides a tranquil zone for bedrooms and utilities, while the second floor brings a social, open layout that includes a guest suite, living and dining spaces, and a kitchen that flows seamlessly into the surrounding scenery. The third floor, an airy loft, features high ceilings, cozy carpeted floors, and mid-century-inspired furniture, adding an element of playful sophistication. Floor-to-ceiling windows strategically placed throughout amplify views of the surrounding woods, inviting nature to become an integral part of the interior experience.

Modern kitchen with a wooden dining table, black chairs, and a bowl of oranges. White cabinets and dark accent wall in the background. Large window on the left.

A soft, dark navy hue – featured prominently in the cabin’s core elements, cabinetry, and select exterior areas – creates contrast against the lighter woods of the bedrooms and living spaces. This choice imbues the cabin with a grounded elegance, echoed by navy exterior siding and decks. The kitchen thoughtfully reflects 1970s design inspiration with dual-toned cabinetry and intricate details, including slim, dark-framed edges and custom wooden pulls. White, soft-touch Fenix laminate blends with dark blue-gray finishes, achieving a modern yet period-authentic feel.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a black sink, a gas stove, and a coffee maker on the counter. A plant and cookbooks are displayed near the window with outdoor views.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets and minimalist decor, featuring a large window view of a snow-covered landscape with trees.

Modern kitchen with sleek gray cabinets, built-in appliances, and light wood flooring. A small decorative clock is mounted on the wall.

A cozy attic room with a sloped wooden ceiling features a sofa, a wooden coffee table, a guitar, and large triangular windows overlooking green trees. A small red lamp sits on the table.

Up in the loft, oversized windows provide unobstructed views of the treetops, reinforcing the cabin’s integration with the landscape. Here, bespoke built-in cabinetry displays vintage records and a turntable, celebrating the cabin’s mid-century charm. Adding a touch of whimsy, a Noguchi Akari lantern placed in the corner, illuminates the space in soft light.

Cozy room with a large window revealing a forest view, a fluffy chair, a layered paper lamp on the floor, and a potted plant on a ledge under a slanted wooden ceiling.

A colorful acoustic guitar on a stand in a cozy attic room, with a lamp, speaker, and books nearby. A modern mobile hangs from the ceiling near a window.

A cozy attic room with slanted wooden ceiling, featuring shelves with books, a colorful guitar, speakers, and decorative items.

Entryway with a dark wall, coat hooks, a brown jacket, and a red bag hanging. A plant and a bench are nearby. A map of Tel Aviv is framed on the wall. A doorway leads to a bright room.

A neatly made bed with beige pillows and white bedding, flanked by two wooden nightstands with green lamps. Beige curtains cover the wall behind the bed.

The sleeping areas are designed as intimate retreats, each outfitted with Scandinavian-inspired decor, plush rugs, and soft fabrics. The main bedroom is particularly striking with its vintage-inspired reading nook accented in Irish Green, matched with a plush velvet sofa, creating an inviting spot to unwind. Thoughtful lighting fixtures, including wall sconces and floor lamps, add a gentle, ambient glow that enhances the overall sense of calm.

A cozy bedroom with a bed in the foreground, a dark sofa against a green wall, a framed picture above, and a small lamp on a side table.

A modern, organized closet with white shelving, hanging clothes, a full-length mirror, plants, and wall art on a beige paneled wall.

A tidy bedroom with a white bed, freestanding mirror, and wall art. A wooden nightstand holds a lamp. Artwork is reflected in the mirror.

A snow-covered wooden deck with a red rocking chair. Large trees and the sun are visible in the background next to a black house with large windows.

Sustainability is at the heart of DBA’s approach. The renovation focused on minimizing waste, retaining as much of the existing structure as possible, and reducing the need for new materials. Upgraded insulation, energy-efficient windows, a high-performance heat pump, and LED lighting all contribute to the home’s energy-conscious design. By preserving the existing exterior and implementing sustainable upgrades, the Arrowhead Double A-Frame achieves a balance between environmental responsibility and luxurious comfort.

A cabin surrounded by snow-covered trees with a parked vehicle nearby during winter.

Aerial view of a snow-covered cabin surrounded by tall pine trees in a forest.

Aerial view of a snow-covered neighborhood with houses, trees, and roads blanketed in white, creating a serene winter scene.

For more information on Dan Brunn Architecture, visit danbrunn.com.

Photography by Brandon Shigeta.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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