Step Inside Dave and Jenny Marrses' Cozy-Modern Cabin Renovation

Prior to renovation, this Northwest Arkansas cabin had a classically rustic and appealing design — with one rather extraordinary exception. The house was built around an old house trailer, and a portion of it was still visible, jutting out of one side of the home's exterior. Homeowners Jeff and Emily were looking to renovate, but, for Emily, a 60-foot trailer was decidedly a deal killer. Removing the trailer and renovating the home would prove to be no small task — but, of course, it was nothing Jenny and Dave Marrs, renovation duo and hosts of HGTV's Fixer to Fabulous, couldn't handle.

Step 1: The "embedded" trailer needed to go. Dave and Jenny's first challenge was determining how to excise the trailer without causing damage (i.e., collapse) to the overall structure. After successfully navigating that tricky terrain, the duo worked to deliver a radical transformation that combines modern touches within rustic and traditional design.

Pictured: Jenny and Dave stand in front of the newly renovated cabin.

Before the renovation, the wood exterior and other materials in the home (besides the trailer) were made with reclaimed vintage lumber — sourced from the Neosho Train Depot, an 1870s-era train station that was demolished in the 1980s. The Marrses were committed to maintaining as many of the vintage and historic elements as feasible and endeavored to integrate that rich history into their design. As seen here, following renovation, the updated living room has an easy ambiance with large windows and lots of natural light balancing against organic textures such as exposed brick and rough-hewn wood beams. Highlights include newly raised vaulted ceilings with wood paneling and a rustic barn-style door, suggestive of the structure's railway roots.

Homeowner Emily enjoyed the home's rustic underpinnings but wanted the main living spaces to feature softer touches as well. White paint for the walls, framed art in a soothing palette and contemporary furnishings give the space an airy ambiance. As Jenny said, "We wanted everything to be very cozy. It feels like a cabin, but it also feels like a home."

Any authentic country cabin needs a mudroom fit for organizing all the things. This convenient and easily accessible space houses coats, backpacks, muddy boots and the like. Dave and Jenny painted the built-in bench and shelving sage green.

Boasting sleek lines and a neutral palette, the open dining room — which sits adjacent to the main living space — maintains the rest of the home's light and spacious feel. Dave and Jenny curated a cozy space to dine a la floor-to-ceiling linen window treatments in off-white, an updated fireplace, stone floors, a large wood dining table and midcentury-inspired dining chairs.

The new kitchen, located in a space that was formerly the home's primary bedroom and bath, evokes a welcome contemporary take on farmhouse style. Key features include generous amounts of floor-to-ceiling pantry storage, custom cabinetry in light oak finish and a large island illuminated by twin pendant fixtures with white globe shades.

Other standout features in the revitalized kitchen include stainless-steel appliances and a pro-level gas range, fresh wood flooring, a farmhouse sink with matte black hardware and an unpolished stone backsplash painted white.

The materials and design used for the kitchen pay homage to the outdoors and the home's scenic locale. Light wood cabinetry and pantry doors contrast with the dark stone countertops. "It's stunning," said Emily during the final reveal. "Absolutely beautiful."

Before the renovation, this was a large and underutilized space with a kitchenette. Dave and Jenny transformed it into a spacious and tastefully appointed primary bedroom. The palette and furnishings offer the same light and cozy aesthetic as the rest of the home — with largely neutral tones, exposed ceiling beams, new wood flooring, a fireplace and full-height linen window treatments.

This ill-defined space was transformed into a spa-style bath with a pocket-door entry, a glass-enclosed walk-in shower, a freestanding tub and recessed lighting. Sage green trim adds an extra element of tranquility.

Adjacent to the primary bath is a room-sized reading nook with a plush white sofa, modern style furnishings and unique custom bookshelves designed and built by Dave. The space opens onto the refurbished deck outside. Emily jokingly claimed this space as her own.

While the appointed reading room was custom-made for Emily, the game room is more Jeff's domain. Hidden behind barn-style doors, the space exudes a casual and masculine feel. A natural stone fireplace surround extends into the adjacent wall, while reclaimed beams stretch across the ceiling. A wood-burning stove and a seating area with leather furniture add to the intimate ambiance. The round metal coffee table was custom-made by Dave using repurposed materials and a section from an old barrel found on the property.