Adirondack Style, the French Way

I have worked on multiple numbers of Adirondackcontinues with chandeliers made of antlers, and
style projects in the past, and it's been a pleasure tostanding lamps and sconces swathed in applied tree
immerse myself in this uniquely American decorativebranches and twigs. I use these elements sparingly,
style.as accents, while using other textures and materials
When the wealthy Robber Barons of the Gilded Ageas the anchors for the design. Sofas and armchairs
decided to escape the fetid air and sweaty humanityshould be solid, large and extensive, with deep
of a summer in New York City, they decamped tocushions.
the mountains upstate, to Lake George and SaratogaFloors are mostly wood, though slate or quarry tile
Springs in the Adirondacks. Although these richcan also work. They should be covered with
railroad and steamship billionaires emulated Europegeometrically patterned rugs or worn Oriental styles.
when they decorated their Fifth AvenueWindow treatments should be simple, wool plaid,
townhouses, for their summer retreats rustic waslinen, or you can use shutters or wooden blinds.
the style. The more authentically woodsy theirColors emphasize the wilderness connection: rich
surroundings the better. So the style of Adirondackgreens, beiges, reds and browns. Motifs from nature,
style is using wood in as many different forms andwhether flora or fauna, add interest to pillows,
on as many different surfaces as possible, fromwindow treatments and tablecloths.
polished dark mahogany to the bark of birch trees toTraditional antlered lamps is extended through use of
the rough pitted knots of Knotty pine. The woodall manner of taxidermy, from deer heads to
panels can be positioned vertically or horizontally inpheasants to owls, though you can retain the natural
beaded board of various widths, or in the involvedfeel without going overboard on stuffed animals by
concentric squares of stepped back ceilings. On theusing prints or wooden carvings. Plush wool blankets
outside, local stone is used as highlights. Brown agedshould be prevalent, perhaps with geometric
shingles and slate roofs are sometimes interchangedpatterns, and fishing accoutrements, boat paddles
for traditional log construction.and duck decoys are popular cosmetic accessories,
The most typical Adirondack furniture is the slopedas are antique framed black and white photographs.
back chair in a variety of woods, used primarily on aThe level of rusticity in an Adirondack home can of
porch or deck. Traditionally it is kept in its naturalcourse be dialed back. My feeling is that less is more.
color; modern interpretations find the chair painted inBeautiful use of warm woods, stone and tile, an
bright colors or with natural scenes. To achieve aoutdoor palette with simple motif, "field and stream"
more rural effect, chests, end tables and mirrorsaccessories and rough-hewn highlights, give my
might be made of rough hickory wood, with drawersAdirondack home a rustic feel combined with casual
and tops covered in applied bark. The authentic feeltaste.