Get Out of Safe Mode--Why Not a Colorful Patterned Carpet?

So often, we are afraid to take chances on our homes. We worry that if we make things too colorful or too spirited, we may become bored, or worse, uncomfortable with choices that we've spent a lot of money on. What could be worse than being "stuck with" an expensive mistake? Beige is always a safe choice, especially when it comes to carpet.

A second home in the mountains gives us the opportunity to experiment with a little whimsy and spirit. Afterall, we don't have to look at our decorating selections everyday, so it's unlikely we'll tire of them too soon. It's a place to feel safer about being bold.

Next time you think about replacing or adding carpets or area rugs to a mountain home, consider some of these colorful patterned carpets. They are just the ticket for adding warmth, beauty and personality to any mountain home.

This type of carpet can be installed wall-to-wall or it can be made into area rugs by adding borders, or by binding the edges off with fabric or leather.

Of course, carpet like this is more expensive. All of these carpets are 100% wool and start at about $70 per yard and go up to about $170. However, if you have the budget for luxury carpets, they can add quality, and yes, whimsy and style to a mountain house, in a way that no ordinary beige carpeting can hope to match. Go ahead....be bold!

I'm Black and Blue for this Adorable Cabin Bedroom

Toile, quilts, French furniture, blue and white porcelains...do they work in a cabin bedroom? You bet your ticking stripes they do! See for yourself:

This beautiful weekend cabin bedroom is Interior Designer Charles Faudree's own. As if the plush upholstery, striped curtains and bed hangings, and antique Oriental carpet weren't enough, Faudree has accessorized this room to the max (as he does in all his rooms). It all adds up to super-inviting mountain comfort.

The old logs and stone fireplace are given new life with this elegant collection of crisp cottons. I love the mix of found antlers, ferns and logs with French porcelains, silver knick-knacks and silk lamp shapes. Faudree loves to add what he calls an "instant ancestor" to his rooms and here you see this in the oil painting hanging over the mantle.

The emphasis here is on elegance over rusticity, and I have to say that I, for one, love it that way. 

Charlotte Moss's Fabulous Aspen House

Definitely not the funky cabin in the woods....

Charlotte Moss's fabulous living room. She's mixed a stunning collection of antiques with comfortable upholstered pieces. Lest you think that this is not a mountain house, notice the mountain details like the carved Black Forest chairs in front of the fireplace and the antler candle holders over the mantle. Love the contrast of the elegant curtains next to the rustic stone of the fireplace!

Again, plush, elegant furnishings below contrast with the rustic wood ceilings above. One of my favorite things about this house is the light wood treatment.

Cozy but ultra elegant, this library features leather upholstery, a huge mountain landscape painting, a carved eagle and a fabulous carpet.

Beautiful. The light woods allow the colorful carpet to steal the show. Is that wallpaper or wall upholstery on the wall to the right?

Again, a nod to the mountains in the twig iron bed and the fur throw, but most of the furnishings are fine European antiques.

Moss on her deck enjoying the winter air and views.

Originally published in Elle Decor

Red and Whimsical Carpets for Cabins--Charming!!

Here's a group of some of my favorite red area rugs for cabins.

These two carpets (above and below) are Chinese needlepoints designed by Diamond Baratta for Stark Carpet.

Zebra Carpet from Johnathan Adler (can be ordered in any color $995 at Jonathan Adler)

The two carpets above are from Line of the Spirit

Saranac from Dash and Albert

Red Rose from Dash and Albert

This is Vine Red from Dash and Albert.

Panels by Michelian Home

Pennies by Michelian Home

Petal by Michelian Home

Camp Bear Wallow by Michelian Home

I'd love to know what your favorite is. If you'd like to vote, click comment below and leave your choice!

My Favorite Stick, Willow and Log Beds

Absolutely LOVE the birds! From Flat Rock Furniture Company.

Gorgeous! From La Lune. And it comes in a number of wonderful color choices.

I like the painted panels on this bed from Black Forest Decor.

Great height. Victorian charm meets rustic lodge-look in this Dick Idol Timeless Country Bed

Everything this company makes is just so fabulously camp. And it all comes in the most wonderful color choices. Rustic Revival Bed from Gennessee Trading Company.

Classical style meets stick construction. From Flatrock, this is the Clark Fork Panel Bed. Elegant!

This charmer is from Willows At Home.

Rugged and manly. The Old Faithful bed from Old Hickory.

Simply handsome. Old Hickory's Wagon Wheel Bed.

And finally, also from Flat Rock, the Forest Panel bed. I like the way the branches look like they've been scattered about on the forest floor.