Building a Modern Cabin on Seneca Lake: Nicole's Finger Lakes Retreat

Looking to build a cozy, modern cabin near the Finger Lakes? In this story, we take you inside Nicole's custom DEN cabin build on Seneca Lake, where Scandinavian-inspired design meets laid-back lakefront living. Her home, based on DEN Outdoors' Outpost Plus cabin plan, blends minimalist architecture with warm, nature-driven interiors — and it's quickly become a standout vacation rental in the Finger Lakes. Whether you're dreaming of a modern cabin in upstate New York, planning your own build, or curious about how to turn a cabin into a successful short-term rental, this interview is packed with inspiration and firsthand insights.

Set among the trees just steps from the lake, this modern cabin reflects Nicole's love of Scandinavian design, clean lines, and natural materials. Working with local tradespeople, she transformed raw land into a serene forest escape featuring expansive windows, calming wood tones, and thoughtful customizations that brought her vision to life. The home's open layout and layered textures strike a balance between modern design and cozy cabin vibes — perfect for relaxing getaways or hosting guests.

Today, her cabin is not just a personal retreat — it's also a top-performing Finger Lakes rental with glowing reviews and strong occupancy. From managing the build process to styling the interiors and preparing the home for short-term guests, Nicole shares valuable insights into what made the project a success.

See Black Diamond on Seneca's rental listing here.

All photos courtesy of Finger Lakes Premier Properties (FLPP).

Meet the Build: Modern Cabin Plans in the Finger Lakes

Mike: So let's start first with: what's your name, which DEN did you build, and where did you build it?

Nicole: My name is Nicole LaGreca. I built the DEN Outpost Plus — I did have some minor customization done by DEN — and I built in the Finger Lakes region in New York State on Seneca Lake.

Mike: Amazing. What is your favorite wine that the Finger Lakes produces?

Nicole: I would have to say most consistently, Cabernet Franc is the best grape, and you can find really good Cabernet Francs throughout the whole region.

Designing a Modern Cabin: Inspiration & Custom Features

Mike: I drive three and a half hours to the Catskills from time to time, and you drive four and a half hours to the Finger Lakes. I need to come visit you.

Nicole: Come stay in the DEN! So the other thing about this DEN — I'm going to take you for a little walk outside for a second. This view is just absolutely horrible.

Mike: Holy shit. Yeah, your view is terrible.

Nicole: Awful! And then it really sucks because you might have to get in the hot tub.

Mike: Also, they did a great job framing out the loft protection — that looks really cool.

Nicole: We made a few modifications there. We used standard two-by-fours — we felt the recommended lumber may not be rigid enough in a rental setting. And then we smoothed them out so they didn't look like just rough lumber. They have rounded edges. And we put a little drink rail on them too.

Mike: Nice. So — you're a real estate veteran. What made you decide to build your own place instead of just buying something in the Finger Lakes?

Nicole: Part of it is scarcity, but in general a lot of the architecture up here is very traditional. I had built a house three years ago — a traditional log kit — and loved doing new construction and said, I really want to do something modern and smart. Due to the size of my lot, I knew it would need to be a smaller footprint. I had been aware of DEN through Dwell and a colleague who works for a log home company. I knew I wanted something stick-built, modern, and mine.

Building a Modern Cabin with DEN Plans: Process & Challenges

Nicole: The framework I found with the Outpost Plus was just right up my alley. I knew I had a good template to work with.

Mike: What was it that caught your eye about our design catalog and the Outpost Plus specifically?

Nicole: I thought all of the designs were really thoughtful. I liked the fact that they could be an accessory dwelling unit or a standalone concept, both. And I liked that you had a really one-stop-shop situation — I didn't have to mess around interviewing architects, it was just all right there. Spatially, they mostly all made sense. There are a couple of challenges with space in the smaller homes, but that's something you have to realize when you take on a smaller home.

Mike: It's a real intense game of Tetris.

Nicole: It really is. The stairs must be the biggest challenge in a small space. But I have to say — I passed my blower door test with flying colors. My other home that I built did not pass that test at all and I had to do something different to get my certificate of occupancy. So these plans are pretty energy efficient.

Mike: What was the best part of the whole building adventure?

Nicole: Every time I do something new, I learn so much. For me this build was a culmination of learning a lot of dos and don'ts about building on the kind of terrain I have. And it was really refreshing to have solid plans already in place — it was really easy to get an engineer to stamp the plans and get the building permit. I came up with the concept to use a two-car garage as the foundation. It solved a lot of problems: I wouldn't need a retaining wall, and I didn't want to create an erosion issue on very steep topography. On one side of the house, it's almost even with the hill — on the other side you feel like you're up in the tree house.

Mike: Were there any moments where it wasn't smooth sailing?

Nicole: A few. The way the stairs and the bathroom were interacting with the window opening wasn't really translating from paper to reality. The bench that's part of the stairs never really happened properly. In hindsight, I might have reconfigured that whole space under the stairs. As it is, I made it into a storage cubby locked away from renters, and a laundry closet — and it worked out.

Nicole: Another challenge: the house has no roof overhang, so rainwater literally dribbles down the walls. Having a background in high-rise building management and knowing about water intrusion, I toiled with this. So we went with standing seam metal siding in addition to the metal roof — the whole building is metal-clad.

Nicole: I also opted for an oversized custom sliding door, which had some challenges — but those were remedied. Procedurally, we had issues with both the well and the septic. We're required to have an aerobic septic system and had to build quite a mound for an Eljen Sandbed. For water, I did a beachfront well — I didn't foresee there would be sulfur so close to the lake, so I'll be installing a more extensive filtration system in the off season.

Mike: Did the builder you started with finish the project with you?

Nicole: 100% yes. And I will work with him again, hopefully. And it was an eight-month project — which is unheard of in this area.

Mike: The power of starting with something really well defined, right?

Nicole: That makes all the difference. Having the house already situated with no surprises meant I had the ability to design the exterior parts on the fly. Otherwise, I don't think I would've been able to accomplish that, especially in that timeframe.

Rental Success & Guest Feedback for Nicole's Modern Cabin

Mike: You mentioned you're renting this DEN out. How's that going?

Nicole: Much better than I anticipated. I work with a professional management company that's been managing specifically lakefront rentals in this region for 30 or 40 years. They gave me a recommended rate schedule and I didn't agree with it, so I gave them mine. We ended up at a happy medium. I shut down October 31st — I have a three-season water system, so you need the water off by end of October or you start getting freeze problems.

Mike: On the months you've been operating as a short-term rental, have you been cash flow positive?

Nicole: 100%.

Mike: Huzzah! Have guests shared any feedback?

Nicole: We've been getting a lot of five-star reviews. My management company does VRBO and their own site — I've opted not to be on Airbnb, I like the age requirements on VRBO. The only negative feedback has been the sulfur in the water, which surprised everyone — my well digger, my contractor, everyone I talked to was really shocked. We'll be installing a full filtration system in the off season.

Tips from First-Time Cabin Builders in Upstate New York

Mike: If a friend of yours was thinking about building their own DEN home, what would you tell them?

Nicole: I would tell them to do it. Absolutely. Just make sure you know the contractor — that you've vetted them. And I think people should be made aware that if you need shades or window treatments, do not build with trapezoid windows. This is my second build with them. I said after the first build I would never do it again. I did it again anyway because they're so fabulous. But I face full west, I get direct sun, and I have to have motorized shades or you just die.

"Having a ready-to-eat menu takes so much out of the whole process. For the non-experienced person looking to build a home for themselves, the DEN thing is great. It's a meal plan." — Nicole LaGreca

Mike: What is your favorite space in this DEN?

Nicole: The loft. Absolutely. There's something about when you walk upstairs — at least in this setting — and it's just like your own private paradise up there. I have the rear wall tongue-and-groove, and I pickle-washed it — so it's like a milky white, very translucent. White bedding, white iron bed, white leather reading chair, white antler lamp. Just minimal. And you look out through that slatted wall to the lake — I can see clear across it. Right now it's fall, and it's just peace and serenity up there. You can do a little yoga, read a book, you don't have to get out of bed.

Mike: What advice would you give to someone using new construction like this as an investment strategy?

Nicole: For me, that's exactly what I'm doing. I sold all my rentals in Philadelphia and just started building up here. I love the short-term vacation rental market. Every investor has a different financial model — you have to know your rental market and don't be too egotistical about pricing. Both of my rentals here are a different style and a little more ahead of the curve. We're seeing more and more Scandinavian design, more and more modern — people are getting away from the puffy pillow sofa and doily crowd. It's changing and evolving. I just happen to be a few years ahead of that curve. But I'm not going to get double just because my house is that much cooler. Know your market.

Mike: That's great advice. Awesome. We're going to end it there. Thank you so much, Nicole.