Richard Aiken is a 65-year-old man. You can consider him a jack of all trades. If you want further proof, we will have you know that he is a father, a husband, a medical degree holder, an opera singer, a two-time Ph.D. graduate, and the author of a book called The New Ancestral Diet. He might be all of these things at once, but we want to focus on the fact that he is an amazing builder. We don’t even know how a single person can be this good at a variety of things. However, what we do know is that he was able to turn a shack into an extraordinary home.
The Beginning Of Everything
The Beginning Of Everything
Richard was interested in buying a home in the woods to call his own for quite some time. Who can blame him? We have all harbored fantasies of following in Thoreau’s footsteps and retreating into the wild. What could possibly be better than getting up in the morning, walking out the door, and appreciating everything nature has to offer? It sounds like the life! Despite this, we doubt that many envision a cabin for their first home.
A Decrepit Cabin
Richard said it was too expensive to buy a second house, but things changed for him when he heard about an old, dilapidated cabin in Missouri. He thought it would be an opportunity to make his dream lifestyle a reality. Richard paid a hundred bucks for the property, which already included the run-down wood cabin. The owner even offered to just give it to him at no cost, but Richard wanted to pay him $100 at the very least.
A Decrepit Cabin
A Fixer-Upper Project
The cabin was clearly not in good shape. Richard soon came to realize how much work he needed to do if he was going to turn it into a place suitable for living in. His future home was still filled with debris, and the roof was completely collapsed. Not only was it unsafe for a person to inhabit, but it was also dangerous to even peek in via the doorway. Regardless, Richard wanted to put in the time and effort to fix it up.
A Fixer-Upper Project
From The Ground Up
Richard first had to evaluate the condition of the structure and figure out the elements that he could still salvage. After inspecting the place, he took note that the majority of the wood there had rotten over the years. He figured out that he needed to tear down most of it and then rebuild it from scratch. Despite this, he hoped to save some of the wood he would retrieve from the structure to retain some of the original structure.
From The Ground Up
Time To Get To Work
Richard marked the wooden boards from the cabin’s exterior so he would be able to assemble them in the same order when he was done cleaning the rot that had been there for years. The cabin itself might have been run down, but the amazing scenery made it worth the effort. We would honestly love the chance to live in an oasis like this one. It was a huge factor for him and you will later see that he made the right call.
Time To Get To Work
Something New
Richard asked his family for some help with the huge project he was about to undertake. It was not long before his family found a nearby natural spring. This meant they could make a waterfront property of their own! The discovery meant they needed to work on digging deep to unearth the spring as it would make the view from their newly renovated cabin even better. After dismantling the cabin, Richard had the chance to move it wherever he wanted.
Something New
A Special Moment
Can you believe that they got to the bedrock after digging by hand? After this, they got some bulldozers into the area to dig out the pond in its entirety. Essentially, they had a pond built. The dock on it made for a lovely touch and showcased Richard’s amazing craftsmanship even before he got around to completing his home. As you can see, he did not let small details be ignored. However, it did not seem like that much of a project anymore after he put the first logs in…
A Special Moment
The First Logs Were In Place
After creating a natural springs waterfront space, Richard already knew the exact location where he wanted the new cabin. For him, there was no better place to set it up than the area by the pond. He was then ready to start the reconstruction process. He was equipped with his labels and plans, so he knew what needed to be done. This was only the beginning of creating his property from scratch.
The First Logs Were In Place
Rising To The Occasion
One of his initial goals was to “remain true to the spirit of the original construction,” although this was harder than he thought it would be. For one, they discovered that the bedrock was around six feet below the ground. This meant they had to create the cabin a couple of feet above the ground, which would give the family better views upon the completion of the project. We’ll talk about it in detail some more later.
Rising To The Occasion
Getting There
They had to pour concrete to make the basement floor, and he then gathered more materials out of the trees surrounding the property. White oak was used to create new floor joists, while split cedar shakes were used as shingles. The whole vision was woven together when they added a rustic-looking front porch. The use of wood from that area made the house blend in with the surrounding. The project was looking more and more special with each passing day.
Getting There
Old-Fashioned Way To Stay Warm
It was extremely important for him to have a hearth inside his new home. We have to agree that it would not be a true log cabin if it did not come equipped with one. Furthermore, it was a great way to achieve the country home look he was going for. The Aiken family went with a Rumford fireplace, a common style for log cabins from 1796 to 1850. It was another great choice that made them a step closer to the rustic aesthetic they wanted.
Old-Fashioned Way To Stay Warm
A Staircase You Would Love
The new log cabin came with an upper floor. They needed to create a staircase if they wanted access to the second floor of the house, of course. To do this, Richard fashioned one out of a fallen oak tree. His decision to do this meant he did not have to go and cut another beautiful and alive tree down. Moreover, the aged appearance of the wood made him the envy of any carpenter!
A Staircase You Would Love
Last Few Details
He knew that he needed to work hard on the door of the cabin. After all, this was going to be the very first feature visitors would notice when they dropped by. It had to be extra woodsy because first impressions last! The family took designs and materials to a carpenter who capably turned them into gorgeous windows and doors. They might have opted for simple designs, but it was a perfect way to pay tribute to the original log cabin.
Last Few Details
Fill ‘Em Up
Richard built the cabin using logs that were organically shaped. Unfortunately, there was no way he could have made them fit together on their own AND keep their natural appearance. This was the reason the family had to use chicken wire and outdoor sealant to cover up the gaps between all the logs. Teamwork is going to be important if you undertake a project as big as this one. The combination of the filler and the spaces in the wood looked perfectly natural.
Fill ‘Em Up
The Inside That Counts
With the exterior of the wood cabin done, the next thing to do was the begin decorating the inside. They got some rustic tables and chairs as well as a bunch of wood for the fireplace. After doing this, you can tell that the place was beginning to feel a lot cozier. The most exciting thing about the property was how much they wanted to avoid using a modern style, which made the country home more relaxing. Even though it was new to them, the place had an old-time vibe to it.
The Inside That Counts
Well-Designed Dining Table
The Amish neighbors of the family used a fallen native white oak and walnut tree to create a harvest table. The design was created with the thought of making it light and portable since they wanted to move it closer to the fire whenever it was cold. Since they did not have heaters in their homes, this was an important consideration. It seems like they truly did think hard about building their country home!
Well-Designed Dining Table
Natural Source Of Light
The candle chandelier in the family’s new country home is a great source of light when there is a power outage. Meanwhile, the peaked roof lets natural light into the cabin without any problems whatsoever. A lot of people tend to overlook lighting despite the fact that it is very important to ensure that enough sunlight gets inside. This is especially true when electricity is not available. We daresay that we should all follow in Richard’s footsteps in this regard. Take a look at that glorious window in the ceiling!
Natural Source Of Light
A Loft Bed To Sleep In
A cabin in the woods would not be a proper cabin if there is no loft bed! After all, we all need a place to sleep in. The little loft looks comfortable, just like a place where you can sleep all you want as you enjoy the fresh air. Its cozy and warm vibe is perfect if you want a good night’s rest after spending a long day among everything nature has to offer. This is always an important factor to have in your country retreat, especially if you plan to use it on the regular.
A Loft Bed To Sleep In
Multi-Purpose Feature
The Aiken family likes to cook, which is why their new place simply had to come with a hearth. It could be used to cook anything you can imagine, from hot beverages to whole meals. This dual-purpose quality meant they no longer had to worry about making a proper kitchen in their home. Moreover, we cannot think of anything that will give you a country vibe than roasting something over an open flame!
Did you find the transformation of the old shack amazing? So did we! However, just you wait until you hear about this next home. This story is about a project undertaken by one of the biggest HGTV home renovation icons.
Multi-Purpose Feature
Making This A Livable Place
When Joanna and Chip Gaines are about to go on a home renovation journey, you already know that an amazing transformation is coming right up. Despite everything, there was a reason to be skeptical when they got their hands on this dilapidated home. After you see what they did to the place, you will start to wonder why anyone bothers to pay a steep price for a redesigned home when they could buy a terrible-looking place and fix it up on their own!
Making This A Livable Place
The Insides Looked Like A Disaster
In the fourth season of “Fixer Upper”, the Matsumoto family just got their home for $12,500. The catch was that the house was nearly destroyed! With that said, they got it more for the plot of land than the actual dilapidated home. A peek inside the home showed them that it was going to take someone like Joanna and Chip Gaines to make it a livable place. They had to install new windows, replace the wiring of the home, and redo the ceiling and floor. It looked like it was going to take a miracle to convert it into a place suitable for habitation.
The Insides Looked Like A Disaster
Nothing Short Of A Miracle
As you might recall from the very first slide, there was nothing appealing about the exterior of the shack. Not only was the roof caving in, but it did not have a siding and there was no front porch. Despite these setbacks, Joanna Gaines was able to transform it into a gorgeous country home. To do this, they had to add a metal roof, replace the windows, add pleasant shutters, and build a porch. It should be obvious by now that this is one woman who knows how to make a country home! The process also involved the addition of a foundation for the home.
Now, let us take a look at what lies inside of it…
Nothing Short Of A Miracle
Adding A Kitchen To The Home
The tiny shack was featured in the fourth season of “Fixer Upper”. It received a major transformation thanks to Joanna Gaines, who once again proved she is an expert at filling a small space with lots of character. The kitchen is simply glorious. Joanna added more ceiling to the mid-level cabinets, which gave the place some much-needed space. On the other hand, a kitchen island allowed more seating, which was great when they had guests come over. Joanna added nice wood floors and top-notch stainless steel appliances, which worked to give it a modern touch.
Adding A Kitchen To The Home
Their Lovely New Living Room
Are you unimpressed by the miracle she performed on the dilapidated shack? If so, you should know the family had been expecting a pair of twins at the time. Considering they were soon due to have babies, it was important to have an open design despite the small space. Joanna used her signature shiplap design in order to cover the walls and added off-the-floor shelves for accents and accessibility. With the help of an area rug, they were able to highlight the hardwood flooring, a feature that was present all over the home.
Their Lovely New Living Room
A Master Bath Worth Envying
Perhaps the biggest advantage of working on a dilapidated home like this one is the fact that you get the opportunity to design the whole place to your liking. Although it was a small home, Joanna was nonetheless able to make this master bath. It is simply impressive to watch a home like this one turn into a beautiful living space. The photo you are looking it came from the walk-in shower. Don’t you love that clawfoot bathtub and beautiful cabinetry? The master bath might be small, but it sure is beautiful.
A Master Bath Worth Envying
Fit For A King And Queen
As part of the plan, Joanna Gaines decided to give the Matsumoto family a glamorous and modern master suite. The ceiling was made using raw wood they salvaged from the original structure. It was meant to remind the couple of the origins of the house. We would not be surprised if we catch wind that people started using old material for their new ceiling after this episode! This picture was taken from the bedroom corner as it gives us the best vantage point of the space.
Fit For A King And Queen
Perfect Place For A Growing Girl
One of the concerns the Matsumoto family had was the creation of a place for their daughter. They wanted the room to be a perfect place for a young girl to grow up in. Luckily, Joanna was able to deliver as usual. She had the room painted in soft and sweet colors to make the kid feel comfortable in her new room. They also positioned the bed right next to the window to ensure she gets a lot of sunshine in the morning!
Perfect Place For A Growing Girl
A Room For Adventurous Boys
Meanwhile, the Matsumoto family wanted the boys to have an interactive room where they could grow up and enjoy adventures in. They achieved this look by using corrugated metal wainscoting. They had the bunk beds customized to look just like a treehouse. The family was thrilled with the way the room looked like. Apparently, even their son expressed his love for the room. There was so much love and thought that went into the project – we bet every little boy would be envious!
A Room For Adventurous Boys
Not Your Ordinary Dining Room
There was one thing the Matsumotos did not want in their home: a modern dining room. They requested an outdoor gathering area instead of such a room. Joanna Gaines obeyed the request and combined the new and the old by putting a dining table in an outside gathering area. This proved to be a great idea because the family could now eat their dinner and hold more formal events there at the same time. What a great idea!
Not Your Ordinary Dining Room
Splitting One Room Into Two
Joanna Gaines had to take the big room and separate it into two new rooms for the living and kitchen area. The two rooms did not have a wall to separate them, which is why they needed a distinct look each. You have seen what these two rooms now look like, so have a photo of what they used to look like. It took a lot of effort to convert the room from this to its current state. This is definitely a transformation beyond most people’s imagination.
Splitting One Room Into Two
How They Ended Up There
Before Michael Matsumoto moved to Texas, he lived in the city of angels. During an interview with Joanna Gaines, he said he never thought he would have to leave Los Angeles. However, things changed for him after he fell in love with Crawford, Texas. It was the exact opposite of Hollywood, but Michael thought it was going to be the best place to raise his kids. It was the small town atmosphere that made them relocate here.
How They Ended Up There
From Behind The Camera
Before appearing on this Fixer Upper episode, Michael Matsumoto worked behind the scenes as a producer. It was a new and exciting experience for this expectant father to finally be in front of the camera. Apparently, it was rather weird to work with Chip and Joanna in such a different light. He explained, “On a typical day I work as a co-worker with Chip and Jo, so it was really different being the client.”
From Behind The Camera
Good Place To Raise Kids
After appearing on Fixer Upper and watching the transformation of their house, the Matsumotos could not be any happier with the final product. Michael even called the end result to be both beautiful and functional. Most importantly, it was a childproof home! As every expectant couple knows, it is incredibly important to ensure that the house will be safe for the children they are expecting. Joanna saw to it that neither of them will have anything to worry about. Whew!
Good Place To Raise Kids
A Word To The Wise
One of the things they learned from the whole thing was how important it was to be bold. You need to visualize the home you want and look for a way to make it a reality. Although Michael could have paid for any house, he knew what he wanted. That was how he got his perfect home. However, he knows it is not always easy to do this. He even said, “I think the hardest thing for people to visualize are good bones or good elements to work with.” When it hits you, the sky will be the limit!
A Word To The Wise
Challenging But Worth It
Joanna Gaines found this project from season four of Fixer Upper to be among the most challenging. However, she still considers it one of her favorites. Joanna still cannot believe they gave her the opportunity to turn that run-down shack into a lovely home. Isn’t it amazing to see how the project started and ended? Who would have thought that someone could turn this caterpillar of a shack into a wonderful butterfly? With some hard work and dedication, you can have everything you want.
Challenging But Worth It