Without Water and Electricity: Remodeling an Old Cabin in the Forest

Alice Sonders and Greg Ralich bought a cabin on a one-acre (40 are) forested plot in the Lake Region of New Hampshire, USA. The building was not equipped with either water or electricity. Moreover, the place was so abandoned that there was no cell phone signal.

The nearest road was only for horseback riding, and the nearest neighbors were on the other side of a pond. But this didn't scare them— they had long been looking for a vacation home just a couple of hours away from their Boston home. As soon as they saw this option, they fell in love.

Condition of the cabin before renovation

The structure itself was solid, but a major renovation was still necessary. Greg's brother helped them, as he already had experience in setting up small cabins. Most of the expenses went toward replacing the roof (around $2,500) and installing radiators for heating.

In total, they spent about two years and $4,000 on the renovation, but the couple continues working on it. Take a look at how beautifully they’ve done it.

How does the cabin look now?

As is often the case, inspiration for decorating the entire interior came from one piece of furniture—a vintage cabinet that the couple found at a garage sale. The cabinet found its place in the living room.

"It had an interesting gray tone that helped us choose the floor color for the kitchen. The cabinet was simple and practical, yet very beautiful. That's exactly the effect I wanted to achieve with our interior," explains Alice.

By the way, they worked hardest on the kitchen. They removed unnecessary upper cabinets, got rid of the old countertop and vinyl tiles, replaced the sink. The walls were clad with plywood, sanded, primed, and painted. They bought the sink at IKEA.

Instead of bulky cabinets, they hung lightweight open shelves and stored everything in drawers and baskets—this makes tidying up easier and keeps everything visible.

Having no water or electricity complicated the process. The couple brings all their water from Boston. A portable shower head is stored under the sink (behind a curtain) and used instead of running water in the sink.

They also handled food storage: the old refrigerator was initially used as a pantry, and then completely discarded. For storing perishable items, they use an insulated container (portable cooler). They mostly cook on a grill or light fires outdoors.

Despite the absence of electricity, there is a light fixture in the living room. How does it work? Through solar panels: a full charge lasts about four days.

Here is the very cabinet that everything started with. By the way, the carpet on the floor was not changed—it was left by the previous owners. Alice wanted to keep at least a trace of that atmosphere that existed here before their move.

In the back part of the living room, they placed a dining area with an L-shaped bench that has an internal drawer for storage, where they hide the generator, tools, and even a tent. The dining table is perfect for evening board games and meals—there’s a wonderful view of the pond from the window.

Open porch – a quiet place for reading or relaxation. Sometimes even for a warm summer shower.

That same tent that is usually hidden in the mini-dining bench. Usually, they bring out the tent when friends come to visit.