Camp High-Castle in Idyllwild--Clark Gable's mountain lodge hang-out

Don't you just love old camp and Western lodge style?  I know I sure do.  

Recently I've stumbed across photos of the renovated Camp High-Castle from Idyllwild California.  According to Hollywood lore, the lodge, built in 1928, was once frequented by Hollywood Golden Era stars, especially Cark Gable, who used it for recreation, relaxation and hunting.  Just an hour or two drive from Los Angeles, the lodge sits on a granite mountain side in the San Jacinto Mountains high above Idyllwild, where it affords sweeping views of mountain peaks.  

High-Castle, Idyllwild, Views from Main Entrance

High-Castle Idyllwild, Tahquitz View

The interior of the renovated lodge, by Cheryl Brantner Design, celebrates western beauty through its authentic architecture, vintage art, antique furnishings, majestic landscape and its many rustic pleasures.

As a lover of antiques, I am thrilled by the beautiful collections of antique and vintage accessories throughout the lodge.  

There is a stunning collection of Native American rugs, weavings and textiles throughout the lodge.  These are mixed in with old leather Western and Spanish style furnishings--just right for a vintage Southern California mountain lodge.  

I particularly love the lighting choices.  These range from period lamps and hanging fixtures with rawhide shades and antlers to newer themed pieces like in the entrance below.  

Lodge lighting mixes with cowboy hats and cow hide. 

Of course, a wonderful vintage lodge like this would not be complete without a spectacular collection of old Western and landscape oil paintings.

Old Western oil paintings

Old cowboy style furnishings, inspired by Western craftsmen like Thomas Molesworth 

A number of the beautifully crafted Western furnishings are in early Cowboy High Style such as the two red leather chairs above, trimmed out with antlers. Also notice, the Indian baskets, birch bark container, hand-carved Black Forest bear and Arts and Crafts pottery.  This is a mix I just love together. When a client asks for this look, I am in heaven!

Additional Western oil paintings in the dining room.  Love the Western dining chairs...again in red leather with nail heads!

Cozy seating areas up above.

You see these overhead living areas in a lot of America's great old camps and National Park buildings, many of which were being built around this time.  

I just love the Navajo blanket hung from the banister.

More Spanish style furniture, cow hide, Indian baskets and Navajo textiles.  Photo credit:  camp-highcastle.com/home

Above, beautiful views are framed in the window above the cozy seating area featuring old Montery furniture.

In the bedrooms, we see the same Western themes and collectibles...

Mexican shawl above Montery chairs, Pendleton style camp blanket and Navajo rug.

Western-inspired textiles on this cozy bed.

Photos of Clark Gable above this cozy nook for two.

A wonderful old porch like this must have the perfect wicker sofa and de riguer stack of magazines, of course.  Is that a collection of old fishing lures hanging on the wall above the sofa?  

Modern Day Adventures from Camp High Castle

The lodge is open for current use for photo shoots, as a cultural meeting place and quiet private retreat. The email address is info@high-castle.com

It's all about the accessories.  View our collection of cabin and western antiques, here.  

If you like this look, our online store features a good-sized collection of Native-American inspired fabrics, see here.  
I've collected these photos up from various places on the internet. Much of this photography is by Douglas Hill and David J Dowling, as far as I can tell.  

Want more cabin design inspiration? 

Explore two of our most-loved posts:   

Can I Paint My Log Walls? 

8 of the Most Charming Cabin Kitchens Ever

See hundreds of wallpaper and fabrics curated especially for cabins, lodges, and mountain homes.  Tahoedreaminteriors.com    

Follow along for fresh cabin ideas and new mountain home inspiration: 

Pinterest

Instagram

Let your mountain home reflect the beauty, comfort, and creativity you love. — Sue Pipal

Corral Canyon Collection from Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren, master of home decor for mountain interiors has introduced yet another fabulous lodge-inspired fabric collection.  This one is called Corral Canyon and it is influenced by South Western colors and textures.

This is not your "South Western Style" of the 80's, however.  Lauren mixes the moody and muddy pastels in his fabric collection with modern shapes and finishes in his furniture line to make a look that is fresh and current for today.

As always the quality and scale of Ralph Lauren furnishings is evident.

Simple overscale pieces in rustic textures and lots of warm natural wood.  

Furnishings and finishes are kept in warm neutral, natural colors.  Then subtle, muted pops of color come from Ralph Lauren fabrics, pillows, blankets and carpets.

These rooms are beautifully styled with large sculptural furnishings and simple over-scale natural accessories.  Lot's of air and white is left around individual pieces so nothing feels fussy or cluttered. Simple, rustic and oh, so luxe!

And here are some of the beautiful woven patterned fabrics that are part of this collection:

Canyon Vista Blanket

Saddle Peak Stripe

Wind River Ikat

And the beautifully colored solids that create the calm in this look:

 The carpets are stunning, muted but with just enough color and pattern to anchor these subtle rooms:

And finally, the beautiful bedding:

Ralph Lauren fabrics and area rugs can be purchased through Dragonfly Designs.  Call 530-583-6076 or email dragonflytahoe@att.net for pricing., to order free samples or place orders.  Our favorite Ralph Lauren lodge-style fabrics can be viewed on our web-site, click here.