Two creative visionaries transform an A-frame into a sleek and airy four-seasons escape.

By Autumn Krause l Photography by Bret Gum

WHEN HOMEOWNERS JASON AND LAURA ODELL FIRST TOURED THE A-FRAME NESTLED ON A WOODSY PLOT OF LAND IN BIG BEAR, IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT HAD BEEN LONG NEGLECTED-WHICH WAS JUST THE INSPIRATION THEY NEEDED. JASON SAYS, “OUR FIRST IMPRESSION WAS THAT IT WAS A PERFECT BLANK CANVAS THAT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REDONE. I ALWAYS GET REALLY EXCITED WHEN I FIND A HOUSE THAT NO ONE HAS TOUCHED FOR MANY YEARS.”

BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE FEATURE IPE WOOD DECKS, ALONG WITH WIDE STAIRS LEADING TO AND FROM THE ENTRYWAYS. “THE STAIRS AND DECK ARE MIDWAY THROUGH THE PATINA STAGE,” JASON SAYS. “EVENTUALLY, THEY WILL ALL BE SILVER, WHICH WILL LOOK AMAZING WITH THE BLACK HOUSE.”

FOR THIS CIRCLET OF CHAIRS ON THE DECK, JASON SAYS, "WE WANTED A LITTLE SITTING AREA WHERE WE COULD WATCH OUR KIDS PLAY IN THE BACKYARD." THERE ARE ALSO A COUPLE ASPEN TREES THEY LOVE TO WATCH FLITTER IN THE BREEZE.

It was the winter of 2015 and Jason and Laura ODell, owners of the clothing brand called The ODells and a retail store called The ODells Shop, had brought their kids to Big Bear, California, for a sledding trip. While they were there, Jason casually browsed listings for homes in the area when he stumbled upon one for a lakefront A-frame built in 1963. “We drove over to it and called the real estate agent,” Jason says. “Within an hour, she was giving us a tour.” Despite the fact that the interior was covered in mouse droppings-the couple recall carrying their children the entire time so they wouldn’t touch the dirty carpet-and that it seemed as though no one had been inside it for ten years, Jason and Laura knew it was pe