Apologies for the late post — we had some technical issues.
We’re excited to share more about the cottage we mentioned on Friday. A lot of you asked for details and extra photos, so here’s a proper tour. The cabin is about 45 minutes west of Richmond in Columbia, Virginia, on the Rassawek property, which is also a vineyard. This authentic log cabin dates back to 1910 and was relocated to this spot by the family who owns the estate. Several outbuildings were moved too, and there’s an incredible treehouse on the grounds.
John’s sister found the cabin and suggested it as a place for our big family — nearly two dozen people, including eight kids — to gather for Christmas. We wanted to avoid hosting duties and loved the idea of a potluck and a huge table where everyone could eat together, followed by a s’more roast and a sleepover. From the moment we arrived, it was obvious this place was perfect for a cozy, festive gathering.
One of my favorite features is the striking wall treatment that looks like black-and-white stripes from a distance.
Those aren’t painted stripes — they’re dark-stained logs with white plaster between them, and the result is wonderfully irregular and textural. I loved the exposed rafters, antique radiators, and the dark hardware on a white, diagonally-slatted door. It made me nostalgic for door knockers and skeleton-key locks.
That dramatic dark-stained wall was featured in one room, while the main living area had logs in a mid-tone that matched the overhead beams.
The kitchen opens directly into the dining and living areas. Near the back wall sits a charming old stove.
Throughout the cabin you’ll notice pulleys, old rope, and chunky iron hardware that reinforce the rustic feel. One detail was a metal utensil holder suspended above the stove.
On the other side of the kitchen is a massive butcher block and what appears to be a metal chest with brass hardware — which turned out to be the refrigerator and freezer. Each door hides a different compartment, and some compartments stayed very cold thanks to large bags of ice.
Facing away from that wall puts you toward the fireplace in the living room.
We kept a big fire going for most of our stay, and everyone vied for the coziest chairs and the sofa. There’s no TV over the fireplace, but a drop-down projector screen is installed for movie nights, with the projector discreetly hidden inside a beam.
The wooden doors flanking the fireplace open directly onto small cubbies stocked with firewood. It was chilly to fling them open, but having wood accessible without bundling up too much was incredibly convenient.
The projector made for a fun family movie night while John toasted marshmallows for the kids.
Behind the main room are the bedrooms, though we couldn’t photograph them since family members and luggage filled the space. There were two large sleeping rooms with bunks and multiple beds, plus one smaller, more private room with a full-size bed. Sixteen of us stayed overnight; with kids in sleeping bags and pack & plays, the sleeping setup accommodated roughly a dozen in beds while others used available floor space.
The front living room was a great gathering area, but our Christmas dinner wasn’t at the central table inside — it took place in a spectacular greenhouse on the property. This glass-enclosed room feels like a sunny conservatory and features heated floors, a stone fireplace, and one very long table that fit our entire group. It’s no wonder people hold weddings here.
Eating together at that single long table was special; none of our homes could have held everyone at once, so it was a treat to have the whole family in one place.
Outside, the property has many charming touches, like a bench made from a sliced-through tree trunk.
Those double doors beside the fireplace open to reveal the firewood cubbies on the exterior. It was cold but sunny, and we spent a lot of time outdoors with the kids.
We also explored an old barn on the grounds that sometimes hosts receptions. Inside was an old red truck that the kids loved posing with and shelves stocked with vintage items such as decanter bottles, buckets, and Coca-Cola crates.
The treehouse was a standout. It’s built from trees and lumber from the property, with entry through a little door in the trunk or via a long wooden ramp for easier access. Bigger kids could use the trunk entrance while smaller children and adults took the ramp.
Clara adored the treehouse.
Back inside, we found cozy spots for everyone — including a tiny bed where our dog Burger curled up, which was perfect for a dog-friendly cabin.
The bathroom was classic black and white with vintage tile and a clawfoot tub, adding to the cabin’s historic charm.
That’s our tour of Rassawek. The cabin left a big impression on us and put a log cabin on my bucket list — perhaps a future retirement project for gatherings with grandkids. For now, it was the perfect spot for a memorable family Christmas.