Cute Cabin in Redwood Forest Is Packed With Surprising Decor

Deep in the redwood forest, we’ve found a classic case of a property that shows you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

On the market for $675,000, the cabin in the tiny town of Trinidad, CA, has a cozy exterior. But inside, the compact, 1,092-square-foot residence is an entirely different story. The interiors are fit for a palace, with bold colors and ornate accents.

“It is definitely a unique taste. So far, I’ve had nothing but positive comments, but it will not appeal to everyone. It all works really well,” says the listing agent, Sarah Corliss. “The colors, combinations, and designs all mesh perfectly.”

Exterior of home in Trinidad, CA
Jesse Gabriel Photography

Although the home is small, the decor makes it feel much more grand.

“[The owners] hand-painted all of the trim and hand-painted all those little gold balls on the ceilings in the kitchen. They put really cool mood lighting into the red dome of the ceiling, so it lights up at night,” Corliss says.

The attention to detail is evident.

“Every time I go into the house,” Corliss tells us, “I see some other cool little feature, and it’s just so well done. It’s such quality work, and you can see it was a labor of love.”

Although the cabin dates back to 1965, it hasn’t always been this bright. The current owners purchased the place in 2014 and began the transformation.

“It used to have grass wallpaper and redwood trim,” she says.

It’s a far cry from that now.

“They did so much of it by hand,” Corliss says. “They’re true artists.”

There is one bedroom and one bathroom, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a sleeping space for guests.

“There is what I am calling a bed chamber in the entryway—for guests,” she says.

Just to the left of the front door, it has storage built up into it and velvet curtains to draw for privacy.

Corliss says the kitchen is large for the overall size of the house, with artistic ceiling accents, high-end touches, and mood lighting.

The kitchen cabinets are custom, handmade from old-growth redwood, and the countertops are soft leathered granite, with a raw live edge. It has a large Wolf stove and huge windows that look out on the forest.

Off the bedroom is a cozy area that has its own wood stove, with a surround in green marble.

Taking advantage of the seclusion offered by 4.3 acres of land, the owners have set up a nice outdoor shower and bath.

“It’s actually not as uncommon as you might think in this area. We have a lot of nature here, and people like to enjoy it,” Corliss explains. “It’s completely private, so there’s no reason not to be showering outside.”

Several hiking trails and two creeks meander through the surrounding forest.

Corliss says the buyer might be someone interested in turning the cabin into a lucrative vacation rental, “Either someone who’s looking at it as an investment for vacation rentals, or somebody who likes the decor and wants to have a fantasy property.”