This A-Frame Alternative Is the Absolute Grooviest Winter Mountain Retreat

Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains a short hour and a half from Los Angeles, Lake Arrowhead is an ideal jaunt for city folks looking to escape. The scenic drive along Highway 18 opens up to vistas of sloping mountains, endless trees, and tranquility. And with the communities of Blue Jay, Sky Forrest, and Crestline being nearby, there’s everything adventurers would need to get into the great outdoors. Which is what made the area so appealing to owner of the ultra-groovy Gambrel called the Sunrise Chalet, Nastassia Johnson, a first time homeowner with a knack for vintage design.

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The Chalet’s signature Gambrel roofing, whose double sloped shape allows for snowfall to slide down the exterior, is a unique alternative to the traditional A-frame that graces many mountain properties in the area. Because a Gambrel doesn’t come to a high peak like a classic A-frame, it opens up the square footage of the second floor.

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Known as a “Dutch roof” dating back to the late 16th century, this style was popular in Europe because it maximizes attic space and allows for a taller loft area in homes, barns, and sheds. Johnson’s chalet gives the classic Gambrel a hearty dose of California sunshine with a splashy yellow paint job that pops right off the wooded mountain road it resides on.

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The original structure was built in 1972 and is now is filled with period correct features that have been painstakingly curated and lovingly arranged, with many of the pieces coming from Johnson’s grandmother’s Echo Park home that she calls “a time capsule from the 70’s.” She was able to salvage everything from wall panels and psychedelic wallpaper to unique pieces of vintage furniture to accompany her unique thrift and antique market finds—all of it perfectly complimenting the nine-foot-long 70s waterfall chandelier hanging in the center of the living room.

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“I wanted to bring it back to its original glory. I went for what, to me, embodies a 70s-era cozy, funky cabin vibe,” says Johnson. The cabin is the perfect place to snuggle up and listen to records while reading a good book or playing board games. (The collection includes vinyl from Steely Dan and Earth, Wind, and Fire, adding to the mood.)

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Before its makeover, the Sunrise Chalet was tan, generic, and full of bulky fixtures and budget additions. Now, it’s an eclectic mix of swinging psychedelic accents and curated modern finds that keep the space from looking too much like a set piece.

“I love mixing vintage elements with modern conveniences to avoid making the space look like a museum,” says Johnson, adding that this look can be achieved by DIYers just like her at home. “Identify the colors and patterns you are interested in as a starting off point. And don’t shy away from bold colors and color combinations or textures. They really enhance the vibe you are creating.”