Among the beauty of the San Bernardino Mountains lies the Iris & Pine Cottage. Originally built in 1936, this dwelling is located in Running Springs, an old logging town that evolved into a tourism and recreation community when property investors began acquiring land in the 1920s. Perched on a hill, the Iris & Pine Cottage is the perfect combination of nostalgic charm and modern day functionality.
When asked about their journey to becoming vacation rental owners, the cottage hosts, Art and Lupe, shared great insight. In a recent interview they stated, “The idea of owning a vacation rental has been in the picture since our early days of dating. We were two young, broke kids who could only afford bed and breakfast stays as we traveled. As we've gotten older, we still prefer rental homes as they allow for a more personalized travel experience.”
In 2017, Art and Lupe began renting out a room in their Los Angeles home. Once they had a better understanding of the business, the couple began searching for a home away from home. In 2019, they closed on their purchase of the Iris & Pine Cottage. It just so happened that this purchase took place three weeks before the world shut down due to the pandemic lockdowns. As you can imagine, this created a palpable sense of panic and uncertainty. Having poured their savings into a cabin that needed a lot of work, Art and Lupe had to carefully reevaluate their budget to only invest in the essential projects like electrical wiring and plumbing. The owners highlighted, “Google and YouTube were godsends!”
Looking back, these now experienced cottage hosts wouldn't trade their experience for anything. After a month of quarantine, they temporarily moved from their Los Angeles home to the Iris & Pine Cottage. Through this experience, they were able to gain a greater understanding of the continuously changing mountain landscape and its impact on their cottage. The weather in Running Springs can be quite extreme. When asked about the quiet of the forest and the change of speed when compared to Los Angeles, Art and Lupe said, “We grew accustomed to the stillness and calm of the woods that inevitably makes it hard to go back to the noise and hustle of city life.”
The Iris & Pine Cottage has many amenities that allow guests to unplug and recharge. The deck space embedded within the pine trees provides both relaxation and inspiration. Guests can utilize the cedar sauna to further enhance their mountain retreat experience. The cottage features a writing desk for creative spirits and a centralized physical location for those craving outdoor adventure. On a clear day, the downtown Los Angeles skyline appears in the distance. At night, stars are spread across the sky above, while the faint glow of the city lights illuminate the valley below.
During our interview, I asked the hosts of their vision for the remodeling process and how they managed maintaining the cottage’s original charm. They shared, “We wanted to capture the cozy feeling that you get when you visit your grandma's house. Our vision was to keep things as original and authentic as possible.” Every decision the cottage owners made was based on whether or not the renovation fit the authentic nature of the original cottage build. The owners completed hours of research on things like lighting fixtures, furniture, and paint. The final result was the perfect blend of what they were envisioning.
Running Springs offers plenty of food, entertainment, and outdoor activities. Guests can enjoy the local coffee shop, LuluBelle’s, which is within walking distance. The hosts shared a few of their favorite local activities including grabbing a slice of pizza at LouEddie’s Pizza and walking through the local farmer’s market during the weekends. Hiking, mountain biking, and skiing opportunities are all a short drive away from the cottage’s front door. To wind down at the end of the day, guests can grab a good book or beverage and enjoy the warmth of the indoor fireplace. Note, the indoor fireplace was custom built featuring locally sourced stones. With two bedrooms, the Iris & Pine Cottage is equipped to accommodate a family or multiple couples.
When asked about the best part of owning their vacation rental, Art and Lupe said, “We are simply enamored by the history of this cabin. Chatting with the locals and gaining insight into all the families that have owned it over the years brings us great joy. This cabin clearly has been constructed with passion. Our duty is to ensure that it is safeguarded for future generations.”
Running Springs is one of the towns that makes up the “Rim of the World”, an inhabited stretch of the San Bernardino National Forest. The expansive mountain views surrounding the Iris & Pine Cottage leave guests knowing exactly why locals call this stretch of land, “The Rim”.
Airbnb Link: Iris & Pine Cottage
Instagram: @irisandpinecottage
Until next time, keep riding the wave-
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