Beautiful Mountain Living Board--Rustic Decor Ideas for Cabin Lovers

I've been creating a board with beautiful pictures that lead to beautiful articles about beautiful people who lead beautiful lives in beautiful mountain houses.  It's lots of fun and I know you'd enjoy it...

To visit the board, click on the image above.

I update the board whenever I run across something that inspires or interests me.  By the way, you can subscribe to the board if you'd like to receive an occasional email that there are new items of interest.  Just click the blue "subscribe" button at the top of the board.

"Vintage Mountain Feel"--Charming Artwork for Chalets

A friend sent me a link to a blog by a fabulous European artist who specializes in creating artwork, murals and decorative painted wall effects for European castles, chateaus, restaurants and hotels.  I have to say, he is pretty special and his work is very impressive.  If you'd like to look at his blog, it's demeurspeintes.blogspot.com.

His spectacular images are sometimes jaw-dropping, especially those that are over scale parodies of some of the history's greatest artists.  It's really worth a visit to his site to enjoy some of these and to appreciate his talent.

In perusing and frankly, savoring, his gorgeous photos, I ran across a posting that shows some delightful work he did for a Mageve hotel called Au Soli.  You know I love everything European Mountain Style, especially when it includes charming vintage references, as do these.  (The captions are taken directly from his site.)

A mix inspired by two pictures of famous photographer Georges Tairraz.

An inspiring view of a mountaineer contemplating Matterhorn on the Italian side.

Inspired by an illustration of Armand Vallee.

An old guide, of Chamonix probably.

Also inspired by Armand Vallee.

Charming skier ...a man was by her side but she looks better on her own...

The artist mentions how much he loves the "vintage mountain look" of the 30's through 60's.  Me too!!  In fact, here at Lake Tahoe, we call that look "Old Tahoe".  There are still many charming old cabins from that era that are still in original condition with old linoleum kitchen flooring, pickwick pine on the walls and chalet inspired railings and widow shutters.  In fact, I've had several clients hire me to help them create that look from scratch for new construction or remodel projects.  Such fun!

European Chalet Style in the Eyes of Mai Tai, a Blogging Favorite

Since I live at Lake Tahoe and ski at Squaw Valley as often as I like during the winter months, I pretty much get my fill of skiing here at home.  If I'm going to take a vacation, I want to go to a European city or head to a beach on a tropical island.  It's not that I would turn down a free trip to ski in Europe, it's just not at the top of my list of priorities.

However, that does not stop me from fantasizing about what it might be like to ski in Europe.  I get my European ski fix from the blogger, Mai Tai.  An American who lives a luxurious life in the South of France, Mai Tai takes a European ski holiday every spring and does a beautiful job of documenting it, showing just the things I want to see.  She shows delicious food, apres ski photos at the best European lodges, luxury rooms in holiday chalets, restaurants and bars.  Mai Tai gives you a good peek at European contemporary luxury chalet style. It doesn't hurt that Mai Tai herself is beautiful, always elegantly dressed and successfully wields a top notch camera.

Check out Mai Tai's ski vacations.  She's been blogging for a long time so you'll find lots to see in this string of postings titled skiing.  Set aside some free time, sit down with a cup of cocoa and enjoy, (just keep hitting previous posts every time you hit the end of the column and more will load in).

Ready, set schuss!

The elegant Mai Tai, almost always in a Hermes scarf!

Mai Tai is always interested in the details.

Capturing the overall experience.

Two New Bear Fabrics

We do love our bears in Tahoe.  And, in fact, just about every mountain cabin or ski lodge I've been in has at least one bear picture, carving, tchotchke or gizmo...somewhere!

As always, the challenge with "themes" is to keep them sophisticated and not goofy.  For example, as a lover of antiques, especially hand-crafted items.  I love many of the Black Forest bears from the late 19th Century.  These were actually carved to be purchased as tourist souvenirs in the tiny mountain town of Brienz Switzerland, near Grindelwald.

A small Black Forest carved bear chair I found for a client a number of years ago.  Pieces like this are rare and highly collectible.  

Up until now, there haven't really been any beautiful bear fabrics available for interiors.  But, good news...Andrew Martin just introduced a new Holly Frean Collection and within it are two bear fabrics that are useful for cabin and rustic mountain lodge interiors.

The first is my favorite.  It's called Polar. This fabric is a woolen reversible. Since the fabric is in subdued grey tones, it does not go into a "too cute for adults" kind of attitude that would prevent it from being appropriately used in adult spaces, such as the great room.  I'd use it for any kind of upholstery in almost any mountain house.  It would be great on upholstered lounge chairs in the great room, headboards in any bedroom, banquettes in the kitchen and I'd love it as toss pillows.  For the right kind of client, I'd even use it on sofas or sectionals.

Polar

It's reversible so you have two color options.  It would be charming to mix both colorways in the same room.

Since mountain homes are usually second homes, and places where fun takes place, I don't see anything at all wrong with including a little bit of whimsy in our decorating.  It's true that there is always a fine line between whimsy and ridiculous, but Polar Fabric stays just this side of whimsy without becoming silly.  Whimsy is great when it's also sophisticated and luxurious.  The fact that this fabric is a beautiful woolen in subdued tones keeps it elegant.

The second fabric, Theatre, is a charming depiction of many bears seemingly viewing something onstage.  The darker tones and sophisticated concept of this fabric also manage to keep it sophisticated enough for discerning cabin owners.  Even so, I would probably be more inclined to keep this in a guest bedroom, or even better, in a kids bedroom or bunkroom.  I love how it's used below in these extra tall and dramatic headboards.

Theatre comes in two colors, denim and midnight, as shown below.  Either way, I can't help but smile at the expressions on the bears faces.  

Theatre in Denim

Theatre in Midnight

All three of these fabrics, as well as all the other great Andrew Martin fabrics and wallpapers, are available at Tahoe Dream Interiors.  Call us at (530) 583-6076 or email dragonflytahoe@att.net if you would like to receive samples or if you'd like us to help you develop coordinating choices for any room.

Porches and Decks are Rooms, too!

I always love to see mountain cabin porches and decks that create a destination that family and friends can use and enjoy.  When you're planning the decor for your mountain home, don't overlook the importance of creating a comfortable and inviting porch or deck.  

In Tahoe, while some folks have lake views, most do not.  A porch with a fabulous lake view needs less to become a desirable destination. If you don't have a lake view (or even if you do), why not create a personality for your porch that reflects the way you and your family love to live.

  

Of course, there are always two ways to go.  You can spend a pile of money and pull in lots of perfect items (even hire someone like me to do it for you), or you can spend time at the flea markets.  A look like the one shown here can easily be put together with a little legwork.  If you enjoy shopping, you'll have a lot of fun collecting up personal items that reflect your surroundings and lifestyle.

This porch is big enough to accommodate several activity centers.  In fact, if you look at the photo closely, you'll notice a four-poster bed, complete with hangings.  By the way, the same hangings are attached between the roof supports.  This is really the perfect summer porch, don't you think?  It's exactly the sort of place I'd love to enjoy the gorgeous summer air, read a book, entertain friends, and even, take a nap.  It's a whole world unto itself.

If you have a deck, not a porch, you might want to consider creating shade by adding arbors or umbrellas, curtain panels or even some sort of permanent roof.  This will make your deck more habitable at all times of the day and, especially, on hot days.  It will also make it feel a little more like a room and less exposed.

By the way, the porch above is from the Cashiers South Carolina 2016 Design Home.  But...it's only the porch for the guest house.  Below is the porch for the main house:

Mountain luxe!

A good porch makes you wonder why you even need the rest of the house.  


Get the look...

Check out some of our wicker, hickory and bentwood furnishings, perfect for your rustic mountain porch or deck...like this whimsical bentwood chair and side table, below.  They come in your choice of either bentwood or aluminum and in all kinds of beautiful finish stains and paint colors.

http://www.tahoedreaminteriors.com/porch-and-deck-furniture/

We think every porch could use a rocker or two.  We love the Vineyard wicker rocker, below, also available in many stain and paint colors.  Our wicker can be ordered with a special outdoor finish for use on covered porches (not recommended for year round or full exposure use in harsh winter weather)

http://www.tahoedreaminteriors.com/porch-and-deck-furniture/

Finally, for that quintessential mountain look, why not include some hickory pieces, like these Andrew Jackson rockers, below:

http://www.tahoedreaminteriors.com/porch-and-deck-furniture/

One last thought, a great porch is not just the furniture, it's the welcoming details that make it a destination that people will want to spend time in. Don't forget to add baskets for reading material, toss pillows, comfortable side tables.  Consider a collection of old camp blankets or faux fur lap blankets for cool evenings. Carpets, candles, chandeliers, a cocktail serving cart, all these add to the fun and nothing is really too over the top.  And don't forget to stock up your kitchen with plenty of outdoor trays, pitchers and dishware that can easily move to the porch for entertaining.   Finally, a collection of planters and pots tumbling with flowers is the quintessential summer signature for any truly excellent porch or deck.

Enjoy the final weeks of summer.  I'm savoring every moment!

Charles Faudre outdid himself in this gorgeous Cashiers, North Carolina mountain lodge.

Charles Faudre loved Cashiers, North Carolina and he completed a number of stunning cabin projects there before he died in 2013, including this stunning mountain house.

I've always loved Charles Faudre's charming designs.  There's so much to see in every house he designed--the detail, whimsy, color and pattern is always so intricate and developed.  French country inspired, most of his projects were city and suburban projects.  But, it's in his inspired work in Cashiers that he was able to combine his emphasis on French decor with cabin style.

In all of his work, Faudre mixed quality antiques, perfect scale and placement along with elegant fabrics to create a look that is comfortable, inviting and beautiful all together.  In fact, even his mountain rooms are very refined, but they also manage to have just enough rustic to make them feel absolutely appropriate for the country.

As always, Faudre's accessories are perfect, from the majolica, the design books, the cut crystal vase, bronze sculpture, Black Forest carvings and gorgeous oil paintings.  Once again, a beautiful refined fabric is contrasted with the rustic and placed right in front of a fabulous bark-on twig staircase banister.  

Above, killer corner cupboards, beautifully crafted curtains and wing chairs...a lovely blue and white collection...cashmere plaid and leather dining chairs.  All this elegance is placed in a room with rough-sawn log walls and chinking.  To further the contrast, Faudre added a rustic moose antler chandelier.  Are we in the Appalachians or in Provence?   

Again, every detail in this delightful kitchen by Faudre's is so very perfect.  Faudre has found what is probably one of the best French butcher blocks ever, but he doesn't stop there.  He loads it up with old copper, Spode transfer-ware, Black Forest, oil paintings and majolica.  And it all comes together perfectly!  He really was a master at arranging collections and mixed accessories together.  Again in the kitchen, another beautiful fabric.  This one is upholstered onto painted and aged country-rustic chairs with big round rustic nail heads.  Beautiful!  It's all in the details, and the layers, and more details.

Above...perfect!

Faudre has a love for French antiques, and here in Cashiers, he demonstrates how beautifully French furniture works in rustic mountain homes.  You don't see a lot of wallpaper in rustic homes, but above is a great example of just how effective it can be.  I find clients are so afraid of both wallpaper and curtains.  Why?

Above, country French trumeau mirrors and chests for night stands.  Rich, beautiful fabrics subtly mixed together.  A gorgeous upholstered headboard.  Faudre does seem to like prints with leaves as well as plaids and he mixes them together expertly.

Handsome, but soft, above.  More French antique furnishings.

Above, an absolutely perfectly selected and displayed collection of blue and white with candlesticks on a charming old French chest.

This porch is so perfectly kitted out you almost don't even need the rest of the house!  Why would you ever leave it?

A porch swing!  Don't you just love a porch swing?  And what a wonderful shape this one has. Faudre adds rustic red painted rustic twig chairs and yet places velvet leopard upholstered cushions on them! Beautiful old French antique pots co-exist with a rusty tin bucket full of hydrangeas.  On paper it sounds like such an odd combination... and yet, in his deft hands, it works perfectly.

A truly lovely home...

and a lovely man.  I have all his books and I really admire every project he worked on.   

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    

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