Aurora Cabin: A Story of Quiet, Intentional Design

Aurora Cabin doesn’t announce itself. It reveals itself slowly, tucked into 22 acres of northern Minnesota forest just outside Ely, where quiet feels like a design decision and the trees seem to have the final say.

This is a place built not to impress, but to exhale.

The cabin is the second chapter from Addie and Ben, the founders of Ely Cabin Collective. Addie comes from a marketing background, while Ben’s career spans fitness and hospitality—he’s the CEO of a Minneapolis coworking and fitness space. Together, they are fascinated by how people move through spaces, how environments shape behavior, and what it means to truly host.

Their first project—an off-grid, solar-powered Ely log cabin—unexpectedly became a guest favorite. But it wasn’t popularity that stayed with them; it was the feeling of welcoming people into a place designed for rest, privacy, and stillness.

"We fell in love with hosting and designing quiet nature retreats, so after renovating our first off-grid Ely log cabin, we found 22 acres of forest where we could slowly, organically grow a collection of cabins."—Addie

The Land That Guides You

The land Addie and Ben found allowed for multiple structures, but their vision was never to build quickly or densely. The plan was patience. Cabins would only be added as demand grew, and always in ways that respected the forest. Aurora Cabin became the first step in this longer story.

Before construction began, the land itself set the rules. Addie walked the property in early spring when the brush was thinnest and the terrain easiest to read. She was joined by her dad, a seasoned realtor, along with their builder and a septic designer. Hard bedrock in northern Minnesota limits where septic systems and wells can go, narrowing options and forcing deliberate decisions early on.

"As a first-time general contractor, I walked the land with my dad, our builder, and the septic designer, then used Den’s plans to orient the cabin for privacy, sunset views, and stargazing the North Star and northern lights right from the bed." —Addie

They chose natural clearings, preserved mature trees, and let the landscape guide placement. Roads and power lines were priced by the foot, so privacy had to be balanced with access. The result feels effortless—but every choice was intentional.

Design That Brings the Outdoors In

To bring Aurora Cabin to life, Addie and Ben partnered with Den Outdoors, choosing a modern cabin design that removed much of the guesswork while leaving room for personal expression. Den provided layouts, drawings, window schedules, and detailed build documentation—giving Addie the structure she needed to step confidently into the role of general contractor for the first time.

"My vision for this cabin was to have as much natural light as possible and to bring the outdoors in."

They adapted the Modern Alpine Plus plan by adding a north-facing skylight above the loft for stargazing and Northern Lights, relocating the front door to open directly onto the wrap-around deck, and adding utility and storage spaces both upstairs and downstairs. The tall roof peak and wall of windows make the forest part of the interior, filling every corner with light and calm.

Hands-On Craftsmanship

The builder, Kris Schmidt, a Danish carpenter who spends summers in Minnesota, became a trusted partner from the start. Despite his skill, the process was deeply hands-on. Addie coordinated subcontractors, sourced materials, and managed logistics—learning firsthand what it takes to oversee a build from the ground up.

"I’ve had hundreds of hours of phone calls with Kris over the last 9 months. Yes, he’s in my iPhone favorites!" —Addie

Every Detail Matters

Inside, Aurora Cabin is calm and warm without trying too hard. The layout comes from Den, but every material decision reflects Addie and Ben’s vision. Radiant in-floor heating runs beneath slate tile, keeping the cabin warm even in deep winter, while a propane fireplace anchors the living space, chosen for its glow and as a practical backup heat source. The kitchen is open and intuitive, with a sink overlooking the forest, butcher-block countertops, and live-edge shelves that bring warmth to the white-walled interior. A spiral staircase, carefully chosen furniture, and curated décor create a space that feels special without pretension, and a mural of the Aurora Borealis by local artist Gina Gaetz ties the interior directly to the northern landscape.

Lighting is layered and intentional, allowing guests to shape the mood with lamps, fireplace glow, and string lights. A Bluetooth speaker connects to a custom Ely Cabin Collective playlist via QR code, easing guests into the slower rhythm of the woods.

Orientation & Experience

"Aurora Cabin isn’t about escape as spectacle. It’s about care, restraint, and trust in the land."

The loft skylight faces north, framing the night sky and the northern lights, while the front deck faces west, catching the soft glow of sunsets through the trees. A second build site was prepared nearby, but cabins are positioned so their largest windows face opposite directions, each with its own fire pit. Many guests don’t realize anyone else is sharing the 22 acres.

Nearby lakes offer canoeing and kayaking, but Addie prefers the forest. Here, privacy holds, quiet settles in, and stillness becomes part of the experience.

Looking Forward

Aurora Cabin is the first step in Addie and Ben’s vision for Ely Cabin Collective: a collection of nature retreats, added slowly and intentionally, each shaped by the forest and by care. Addie now shares her experience with others through consulting, advising on layout, materials, guest flow, and operations for Den builds or custom cabins.

"When you move slowly and build with intention, the result feels exactly as it should."

For more about Addie’s consulting: elycabincollective.com/consulting

Photography by Katrina B Photography and OVJ Photography. Images courtesy of Ely Cabin Collective, Addie and Ben.