Soft colors, big patterns, rough textures and open spaces in this sophisticated modern lodge

"I like to marry the world" says Cashmere Interiors designer, Charlene Peterson.  And here in her own Big Sky Montana mountain retreat she shows us how she does just that.  

I really enjoy Pearson's designs.  Although she keeps the color palette restricted, she is playful with texture and pattern, keeping her designs far from boring.  She is, at the same time, highly disciplined and utterly whimsical.

Neutral colors in the texture-filled great room by Charlene Pearson of Cashmere Interiors, at Big Sky Retreat.

Although layered with multiple textiles, unusual and diverse rustic antiques and sophisticated upholstered furnishings, the viewer is comfortable with all the complexity because of the restricted color palette with its subtle emphasis on greys, beiges, taupes and muted browns with accents of black and graphite.

The ultimate comfortable window seat!

Here, above, you really see the wide variety of textiles.  Native American and other ethnic patterns, plaids, stripes, hide and rustic nubby woolens all mix together happily in this room.  An Asian antique shelving unit has been installed next to the fireplace.  It interplays with handwoven Native American basketry and other antique collectibles from across the world.  A hand-crafted, hand-woven, hand-carved look is emphasized.  

An unusual and striking mix of surface materials in this pleasingly energetic kitchen.  Tile is from Equisite Surfaces.

In the kitchen, a striking tile pattern is used to reference Native American motifs, and this is also reflected in the sisal mat on the floor.  The rough sawn cabinets stained a soft stone color are beautiful and a similar stain is applied to the wood flooring.  Cashmere Interiors likes to add whimsical pattern and you see this in the stainless steel apron on the island counter-top with its repeating dot pattern.

More dramatic contrasts and dynamic pattern from Cashmere Interiors. Area rug is from Madeline Weinrib.

I love the way that the ultra modern shapes such as the dining chairs and Danish light fixtures contrast with the use of rugged rustic materials as with the dining table, wood floors and reclaimed posts and beams.

How do you feel about the softly greyed stain color on all the woodwork? According to the contractor on the project, it took a number of steps to get it to match up with the idea Pearson had in her mind.  Personally, I find it beautiful, especially with the softened colors in the room.  The hits of black in the steel window frames and rug pattern really punch up the overall impact though, don't you think?  

Beautiful repetition of colors and textures. Wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries.

In this bathroom, you see the charcoal and taupe colors repeating in the cabinets, the wallpaper, the antique doors and the area rug on the ground.  It's a masterly mix and creates a very beautiful room.

Another use of exuberant textiles in the Master Bedroom. Another Phillip Jeffries wallpaper--this one mimicing the look of bark. 

The designer seems to enjoy wallpapers and uses them frequently in her interiors.

Cole and Sons Woods Wallpaper.  

This is certainly a whimsical child's bedroom.  Pearson has used one of my favorite wallpapers, Cole and Sons Woods.  I have used it in many projects and it always looks great.  Here, it is perfectly charming with the teepee tents and twin cribs.  One of the things I admire the most about the room is how the "cute" elements are intermixed with the sophisticated, like the Moroccan inspired area rug and handsome upholstered chair and the modern leather ottoman.  Although the room makes you smile, it is not in the least bit saccharine.

Above, Cole and Sons Woods Wallpaper and below,  Pierre Frey Guiro wallpaper are both available in our online store. To view our entire wallpaper selection, see here.  Cole and Sons comes in 9 colorways as well as a newer version with nighttime stars.  Guiro comes in red and white as well as the black and white shown.

Pierre Frey Guiro wallpaper

Guiro is a Polynesian Tapas pattern and yet, Pearson uses it here in her Montana cabin where it mixes in neatly, I think.  The vanity seems to have an Asian heritage.  She tosses in modern lighting and a very rustic wooden sink bowl, all contributing to the eclectic mix.  It sounds crazy on paper but it works beautifully on site.

In the bunk room, below Pearson uses wallpaper, again, along with Ralph Lauren light fixtures, Swiss Army blankets, Native American toss pillows, modern leather chairs and a framed Suzani on the wall.  The soft palette again pulls all the disparate elements together expertly.  The greyed, weathered reclaimed wood used in the bunk is also the color of the beautiful woolen carpet.

Mixing elements again in the bunk room.


A fabulous, huge ottoman with a patchwork of textiles dominates the locker room.  I love how the designer has decorated this functional area just as carefully as any other part of the house.

A comfortable den with a captivating view continues with the neutral color scheme and mix of themes.

Another Pierre Frey wallpaper, this is Altamira, also in our online store.  

More texture and pattern in this handsome bedroom that manages to be both busy and calming at the same time.

The marble black splash has been cleverly book-ended to create a herringbone pattern that mimics Native American motifs.  

So many of the patterns used in this project, although from other sources, sometimes from far flung places, suggest Native American artwork.  The designer has shown little concern for authentic motifs but rather is looking for a feeling or flavor that is somehow suggestive.  Rather, she has thrown this all together, shaken and stirred and come up with a look that is uniquely her own, both "Zen" as she calls it, but also exciting, creative and hers alone.