Design inspiration for mountain homes and cabins — curated wallpapers, fabrics, and interiors that blend rustic warmth with designer style by Sue Pipal.
Plaid and cabins — some things are simply meant to be. For generations, plaid has been the pattern of choice in rustic interiors. From cozy tartan blankets to timeless wool upholstery, these classic checks have warmed ski cabins, lake houses, and mountain lodges for over a century.
The tradition began with Scottish tartans — patterns that once identified clans and later became symbols of craftsmanship and comfort. When plaid crossed the Atlantic, it became a staple of frontier life and early American homesteads. From wool shirts to rugged blankets, its practicality made it indispensable in the great outdoors.
Today, plaid remains a cabin essential — not just for its heritage, but for its versatility. Many of our plaids are woven from durable wool or sturdy blends that can stand up to crowds, guests, family reunions, kids, and even dogs. Dense colorations hide wear beautifully, so you can relax instead of worrying about the furniture.
Plaids can be neutral like this Galloway Plaid in Natural, above.Beiges, tans, camels and browns can look elegant with natural wood and stone rustic cabin finishes, see below.
Why not a blue plaid? Shetland Plaid in Quartz Blue, below, by Kravet has stunning coloration. We say practical, durable and beautiful!
Inspiration idea:The more the merrier. Here curtains, walls and upholstery are all in one blue plaid.
Left, Islay Plaid in Teal by Mulberry Home. This would be so pretty with log walls!
Inspiration idea: Classic Camp Style--mix plaids with Americana quilts, blankets and antique accessories. Go bold with color. In fact, go bold with everything...don't be afraid to be whimsical, afterall, a cabin is for fun!
Whether you’re styling a Tahoe lake house, a ski lodge, or a cozy forest retreat, plaid brings warmth, texture, and that unmistakable “welcome home” feeling. Perfect for winter holidays, fireside evenings, and all the moments that make mountain life special.
Inspiration idea: For a dressed up cabin interior, this beautifully styled room by Ralph Lauren home shows off his expert skills at mixing classic collections and family heirloom furnishings with plaids, Native American fabrics, Navajo rugs and furry pillows. Sticking to a simple black and red color scheme makes it all hang together.
Black and white windowpane plaid fabric, Westcliff Tattersall, is also by Ralph Lauren.
Florals and plaids together? Yes, please! We love the contrast in the mix of pretty and delicate with rustic and masculine. Opposites make for the most interesting rooms. This large-scale modern floral thistle pattern from Sanderson, Thistle Garden, on a natural linen background is pretty without being too precious for cabin life.
Plaids come in non-traditional colorations, too. This lavender and lilac colored woolen plaid, Morlich, is every bit as durable and rustic as any old-school red and green plaid, but it's pretty modern coloration gives it just that touch of style.
For over 60 different plaid and tartan fabrics and hundreds of specially curated mountain appropriate fabrics and wallpapers, visit tahoedreaminteriors.com. All items are sorted by color to make your selection process easy. We offer free samples.
For design questions, advice, or general chatting about your home, contact Sue Pipal, Interior Designer, at spipal@att.net.
Powder rooms, kids rooms, bunks and laundry rooms are all perfect places for whimsical wallpaper.
In vacation cabins and mountain homes, whimsical wallpaper patterns add unexpected charm and joy. Shouldn't your vacation home be a place of surprise and lightheartedness? Let "serious" design stay in the city. Your cabin is a perfect place for a dose of decorating fun.
Appres Ski
Are you skiers? Consider this tongue-in-cheek ski pattern in a traditional French toile style, Apres Ski. We love how it combines design sophistication, good looks and smart humor all at once. Sometimes joy is the best decor! Available in 6 colorways.
Kilim
Are you a touch boho glam? Then consider Kilim a funky bold ethnic pattern in cool contemporary colors. (4 colorways available.) Its strong patterns and cool colors make it ideal for accent walls where you want energy and personality to shine.
Wood in River
For a playful twist on natural textures tryWood in River. What's more whimsical than a brightly colored wood grain print in a woodsy cabin! Adorable in a powder room. (Available in 6 colors but for maximum whimsy try the blues, green and red!)
Bluebird Day
Bluebird Day. If you have a girls bunk room, this is your paper! (Available in 3 colors.)
Wychwood
Dream of a walk in the forest. Wychwood wallpaper...charming and affordable, too!! (In 7 colors.) Endlessly versatile, Wychwood is a customer favorite. It balances whimsy with elegance, making it a great choice for those who want playful design without going over the top.
Explore More Wallpapers for Mountain Homes
These are just a few of the whimsical wallpapers we love. At Tahoe Dream Interiors, you’ll find hundreds of specially curated wallpapers and fabrics perfect for cabins, lodges, and mountain homes.
To make shopping simple, all items are sorted by color. And don’t forget — we offer free samples, so you can see patterns in your space before making a commitment.
For design advice, questions, or just to chat about your cabin project, contact Sue Pipal, Interior Designer, at spipal@att.net.
From dark and rugged to light and fresh, painting log walls is one way to completely change up your cabin's personality.
It's true that most people love wood in the mountains. Everyone seems to want wood walls, wood floors, wood ceilings and as much log trim as possible.
Most of us love wood and can't get enough, but some of us don't. Is your cabin a little too heavy on the wood for your taste and the way you want to live?
What are some of the reasons why you might consider painting over your log walls?
Wood everywhere can tend to make interiors dark and gloomy. Painting with a fresh light color can fill your rooms with light.
Wood walls, floors and ceilings can make smaller rooms feel like they are closing in on you. Using lighter colors, especially white can give your rooms a little breathing room.
Lots of logs and wood are definitely a traditional cabin look and if you're going for fresh and modern, it's just not going to happen if you leave the logs natural.
Funky, dirty and just plain old woodwork can be cleaned up with paint.
See for yourself. Below are a series of photos of log cabins owned by courageous buck-the-norm folks who painted their walls (and often ceilings too), creating beautiful, bright and unique mountain interiors. Do you have the style chutzpah to follow their lead?
Paint it white for a clean contemporary look...
High gloss white paint. Modern quirky furnishings and accessories add to the look.
Black and white for a statement-making look.
A dark room goes light and airy with white paint, white curtains, and an all-white bed treatment.
White stained logs contrast with beautiful dark wood trim and ceiling beams creating a light interior with a traditional feel.
Soaring white walls and ceilings mix with soft, pale, comfortable furnishings to create a cozy and welcoming interior.
This works with color too....
Soft warm grays are popular everywhere right now and work beautifully on log walls.
Wood walls painted green while beams and floors are left natural creating a sophisticated mix.
Stain works for interiors, too. A soft grey stain serves as a appropriate backdrop to edgy contemporary furnishings and colorful artwork.
Having trouble deciding on exterior paint colors? Let us do the work for you. We've put together paint color recommendations for cabins and mountain homes. $39.99
