Project Gallery: Ellis River Retreat, Bartlett, NH

This was one of our own — a from-the-ground-up design and launch for Ellis River Retreat, a cabin sited along the river in Bartlett, in the heart of the White Mountains. The goal was simple to state and harder to execute: build a home that felt genuinely rugged and NH-authentic, not staged, while still delivering the comfort and polish today's guests expect from a well-run short-term rental.

We landed on a "White Mountains Lodge" direction — layering cedar ceilings, a stone fireplace, and pine floors throughout. The living room anchors the lived-in feel with cognac leather chairs, a reclaimed wood console, and a record player. The primary suite goes moody and cozy: sage-green walls with an oakmoss accent wall, a black metal bed frame, a walnut nightstand, brass sconces, and framed nature prints against knotty pine ceilings — with plush robes waiting on a reclaimed wood hook rail, a small touch aimed at making guests feel genuinely taken care of. The bunk room keeps things playful with a walnut twin-over-queen bunk, a soft fur rug, and forest green wool throws. Wildlife prints and a historic regional map tie the rooms together, and the exterior — deep espresso siding, cedar shutters, a wraparound deck — was built to hold up to real White Mountains weather without losing its character.

The bathroom underwent a complete gut renovation — walking in, guests would never guess a stackable washer and dryer share the space with a spa-style shower. The old fiberglass stall and dated vanity gave way to a floor-to-ceiling travertine tile shower with a pebble-stone floor and a built-in niche, while the washer/dryer was framed in matching stained wood to blend seamlessly into the room rather than feel like an afterthought. Beyond the aesthetic upgrade, adding in-unit laundry was a strategic call: it keeps same-day turnovers fast and reliable for back-to-back bookings — a detail guests never think about, but one that directly protects both their experience and the property's occupancy.

The result is a property designed for couples and families who want the river, the mountains, and a space that feels like it belongs there — not a generic rental. Every material and layout choice was made with the guest experience in mind first, which is the same lens we bring to every design and launch project we take on.