| Cabin and Rustic Decor ? The Log Cabin Look | | | | that extends from floor to ceiling in your great room, |
| It seems the rustic cabin and lodge look decorating | | | | then you are one of the lucky ones, so just keep |
| theme has gained much popularity these days. | | | | putting wood on that fire (you think that stuff grows |
| Picture yourself here: A rustic log home, standing | | | | on trees). However, the massive stone fireplace is |
| amongst the pine trees, it's steep metal roof dripping | | | | not the only option to enjoying a warm fire. Wood |
| with dew from the mornings crisp air, a swirl of | | | | burning stoves come in a variety of sizes and shapes, |
| smoke spiraling up from the chimney, the birds | | | | and generate a huge amount of cabin ambience, |
| chirping in the trees, the morning sun rising over the | | | | while giving off large amounts of radiant heat. If you |
| distant hill. A slight breeze blowing, just enough to put | | | | don't have the massive stone fireplace, but long for |
| the wind chimes into a soft soothing motion. The | | | | the look and feel of stone, there are several less |
| smell of pine trees, the meadow alive with newly | | | | expensive ways to add this distinct look to your |
| opened wildflowers, in yellows, whites and purples, | | | | home. Adding a stone backsplash in your kitchen will |
| the sky a crystal clear blue, a hint of wood smoke in | | | | add drama, or a slate entryway at your front door |
| the air. You're sitting in your comfy chair, gazing | | | | can really bring out the rustic feeling when your |
| outside upon this majestic beauty, a crackling fire | | | | guests enter. Marble countertops can give your |
| dancing in the stone fireplace, your sipping a steaming | | | | kitchen that special country feeling. |
| mug of hot cocoa, the golden honey tones of your | | | | Another form of adding texture to your decorating is |
| log home, giving you a feeling of warmth, serenity | | | | with the accessories you choose. Select accessories |
| and comfort. | | | | that compliment your decorating theme. Include |
| For those of us who are fortunate enough to live | | | | fabrics of all different types, colors and textures. |
| this lifestyle, there is no greater feeling. For those of | | | | Animal furs, antlers and leather also bring out the |
| you who merely dream this lifestyle, there is hope. | | | | rustic feeling. I'm not suggesting that you need to |
| You don't have to live in a secluded forest or nestled | | | | overload your home with taxidermy and wildlife |
| next to a remote lake to give the inside of your | | | | themes, but a rabbit fur on a coffee table, an antler |
| home a warm cabin feeling. | | | | candle holder as a centerpiece for the dining room |
| Not only are we seeing log homes becoming more | | | | table, a pair of leather chaps hanging from a peg on |
| and more popular, we are also seeing more and more | | | | the wall or a ratty old straw cowboy hat placed upon |
| contemporary homes decorating with the cabin | | | | a corner table always brings out the country cowboy |
| d飯r theme. | | | | in all of us. |
| There is NOT just one perfect decorating style for a | | | | Last, but not least is lighting. Lighting plays a huge role |
| home. Your style should be whatever makes you | | | | in any decorating theme. Lighting is basically divided |
| feel comfortable and secure. You want a place to | | | | into two categories, natural lighting and artificial |
| unwind, a comfortable hang-out, a place where you | | | | lighting. Natural lighting is the light that we receive |
| can feel at ease. Carefully consider your lifestyle and | | | | from our windows and is critical to our homes, as is |
| habits, as this will play a great role in your decorating | | | | artificial sources of lighting. First we'll talk about natural |
| theme. Incorporate what you like in your decorating. | | | | lighting. Windows, windows, windows. Big windows, |
| Do you long for the cozy cabin feeling throughout | | | | small windows, floor to ceiling windows, half moon |
| your home, or do you just want one or two rooms | | | | windows, a grand wall of windows, windows for |
| that reflect that rustic cabin charm? | | | | viewing sunrises and sunsets. An abundance of glass, |
| There is one item that plays a major role in the rustic | | | | letting that wonderful golden sunlight in, all year long. |
| cabin feel, this item being wood. Oh, the joy of | | | | We can enjoy an endless supply of warmth and |
| wood! Bringing Mother Nature's beauty into your | | | | brightness, and it's absolutely free. |
| home. There is an abundant variety of beautiful | | | | Now I will focus on artificial lighting. Artificial light plays |
| wood products to choose from, some of the most | | | | an important role when it comes to home |
| commonly used for interior decorating are: Pine, | | | | d飯r. Rare is the rustic home that doesn't |
| aspen, maple, hickory, alder, cherry, oak, weathered | | | | feature some pretty remarkable lighting accents. |
| barn wood and red cedar. Wood flooring can | | | | Lighting adds to the appeal of a room and can |
| generate that country feeling, wood ceilings and | | | | enhance overall brightness in your home. First you |
| wood walls add warmth and coziness to your home. | | | | need to consider how much natural light you have |
| And then, we have the furniture and accessories, | | | | and then consider how each room is used. Lighting |
| coffee tables, end tables, dressers, dining room | | | | can be a challenge when deciding where it will be |
| tables and chairs, desks, kitchen cabinetry, log beds, | | | | placed. You may want a combination of lighting |
| rustic rocking chairs, and the list goes on and on. | | | | schemes in a certain room to make it bright and |
| Wood, with its distinct splendor, gives a feeling of | | | | cheery, and in another room you may desire softer |
| warmth throughout your home. | | | | lighting with more of a romantic atmosphere. There |
| Other important aspects of cabin/lodge decorating | | | | are hundreds of choices to choose from when |
| are color, texture and lighting. Introducing color and | | | | shopping for rustic lighting. You can select from |
| texture is essential. I have found that there are no | | | | various styles, shapes and sizes from an extensive |
| boundaries here. I haven't found a color that does | | | | list of electrical lighting manufactures or you can |
| not compliment the woodsy surroundings in a log | | | | design your own creation and custom order from a |
| home. Anything goes, from the pale hues of sage | | | | vast list of handcraft woodworkers that design |
| green, buttery yellows and powder blues to the | | | | beautiful wood creations. So the first thing to do is to |
| dramatic forest greens, rich purples and deep reds. | | | | decide what works best for your decorating theme, |
| Accentuate your home with colors you love. Add | | | | your light fixtures should compliment their |
| braided area rugs to the floor, lay Indian blankets | | | | surroundings. Rustic lighting, such as, metal wall |
| across the backs of furniture. Brightly colored quilts | | | | sconces and fine handcrafted aspen or pine table |
| can be folded at the foot of beds. Include rustic | | | | lamps and floor lamps are the perfect lighting sources |
| touches by adding colorful plush pillows. Gather a | | | | to compliment your rustic decorating theme. A |
| bucket of pine cones and fill your wicker baskets. | | | | chandelier can make a bold statement in your grand |
| Strategically place pottery on tables and next to | | | | entryway. Elk antlers and deer antlers have become |
| furniture. Place vibrant colored placemats on the | | | | very popular with decorative lighting, and look |
| dining room table. Add handcrafted items throughout | | | | awesome with cabin d飯r. High ceilings are |
| your home. Scour estate sales and garage sales for | | | | very common in today's homes, and this is just the |
| antiques and items from past eras. Think beyond | | | | spot for a massive chandelier to light up your great |
| framed art to decorate your walls, anything on the | | | | room. Track lighting can illuminate a specific area. |
| walls can be a captivating display. I have a seven | | | | Handcrafted aspen table lamps are a favorite of log |
| foot aspen log on my bedroom wall above my | | | | home owners who cherish the classic cabin look. |
| headboard. I peeled, sanded, finished it with a low | | | | Place handcrafted aspen table lamps on your end |
| gloss varnish and then added some greenery and | | | | tables. Set an aspen floor lamp next to your comfy |
| pine cones. It looks remarkable. Curtains and window | | | | chair for your overhead reading light. For an added |
| coverings can also help to enhance the lodge feeling, | | | | touch of charm, you can furnish your lamps with |
| and can be handcrafted at a fraction of the price if | | | | handmade lampshades. |
| you have your own sewing machine. Choose | | | | Another lighting suggestion is candles. Colorful candles, |
| materials of different textures and colors and design | | | | candles of every shape and size, aromatic candles in |
| your window coverings to compliment you decorating | | | | every scent imaginable. Candles in each and every |
| theme. Walls can be painted in a variety of colors. | | | | room. Not only do candles give off a soft romantic |
| One wall in an otherwise white room can be painted | | | | glow, they also come in a variety of scents and |
| in a deep dramatic color, to give warmth. Plants and | | | | aromas to heighten the senses and create a warm |
| flowers are great accessories, whether real or | | | | welcoming space. Oil lamps are also a great lighting |
| artificial, these can add splashes of color throughout | | | | suggestion and do the same as candles, but their |
| your home. Remember, colors create moods, so let | | | | lighting is brighter and lamp oil isn't scented, however |
| your imagination soar. | | | | it does come in vibrant colors of blue, red and yellow. |
| And now we move on to texture. You can create a | | | | The overall beauty of your home can be significantly |
| rich mix of textures and incorporate visual interest | | | | enhanced with the appropriate lighting. |
| throughout your home with various materials. | | | | Have fun with your decorating, and just remember, |
| Something that has always been admired among the | | | | your home is more then just a place to live, it's a |
| cabin lovers is the look of stone. Whether natural or | | | | place in your heart. Do what makes you feel good, |
| manufactured, stone creates a warm welcoming | | | | get creative, incorporate a piece of yourself, add a |
| space. Some of the most widely used are: Marble, | | | | touch of your lifestyle, the results will be nothing less |
| slate, granite, moss rock and river rock. If you are | | | | then spectacular. |
| fortunate enough to have a massive rock fireplace | | | | |