Thunderbird Cabin

Tucked into the shore of a lake, this unique Canadian cabin underwent a full renovation to include a bold and moody color palette with Pacific-Northwest elements for the perfect fall getaway destination.

- JILLIAN CHAPMAN

Who says you can't have a country cabin paired with a moody modern interior? Michelle Berwick, principal and creative founder of Michelle Berwick Design, did exactly this with the renovation of her Canadian cabin on the lake. "I always had this idea of a black cabin in the woods," Michelle says.

Renovations took just under a year and resulted in a complete gutting of the original structure. Michelle was able to start fresh with her dream cabin. "Part of the fun of designing your own space is that you aren't limited by client feedback," Michelle says. This gave Michelle the freedom to bring her own vision to life.

DARK AND DREAMY

A dark color palette doesn't have to be intimidating. Follow Michelle's tips for creating an eye-catching, balanced design with dark hues.

CREATE BALANCE. The most common fear with a moody palette is making the home feel too dark and claustrophobic. The key here is balance. "You can have moody spaces in your home without having the entire home be dark," Michelle says. Each space in her cabin features a mix of both dark and light.

ADD CONTRAST. As with an all-white space, adding contrast through textures and patterns helps break up the dark palette. Michelle used vintage and locally made pieces to layer texture into Thunderbird Cabin. "In general, the space doesn't feel dark when you add in contrasts and texture," she says. "Don't feel confined and have fun. As long as you have contrast, it will work."

INCLUDE THE EXTERIOR. When designing with a darker color scheme, don't forget the exterior. Homes with black or navy siding are becoming more popular. Take cues from other homes in your neighborhood, as well as the surrounding landscape. For example, the black exterior of Thunderbird Cabin fits right into the gray rocky Canadian Shield terrain.