Shocking I know, but I still have nightmares about the deer hoof coat rack my parents had when I was a kid. So even when going for the country, "one with nature" look, I try to avoid dead animals. And when reader Carrie proposed a little challenge for me to provide her with inspiration for her newly renovated cabin - I agreed to take a stab. Anyone else have some ideas?
Carrie's cabin:
Carrie's own little "Shady Nook" - what a dream!
Of her *gorgeous* home she says,
Definite likes would include Adirondack, Mission and Shaker... a rustic chic.... Bold, warm colors, even though most of our space is filled with wood. Our cabin is outside of Philadelphia, that's why I say rustic chic. I'm a city girl, living in a cabin an hour from the city... we're not exactly in no man's land and I love the city. But how does I combine the two without things looking Felix & Oscar?
Dislikes include whites (in the woods nothing stays white), those cutesy bears that accompany so many cabin decor sites, and those metal chairs from the '60s (that my husband already collects). I don't have any interior shots, but I can give you some exterior shots of our cabin, "Shady Grove", for inspiration. The outbuilding with the canoes is my husband's workshop, and the cute one with blue and red trim is my "Shady Nook", and guest room."
Some yummy ideas I found:
Rich warm colors like navy blue, red, golden-tan, and plums offer bright color without being too
worrisome of dirt showing through.
via Sunset
Don't you love farmhouse sinks?
via Cottage Living
The use of wood for seating and cabinets says cabin - while the back splash and clean lines ads a little touch of the city.
via Cooking Light
via Sunset
via Whole LivingThough an entire supportive column from a tree trunk may not be a realistic
possibility for most of us, you can bring the forest in on a smaller scale like this tree branch used as a towel hook.
"At left, the open-air dining room features reclaimed redwood siding salvaged from an abandoned water tower that once served a local stage coach station." -
via Sunset
Use ample soft home goods to juxtapose wood and rock
via House to Home
I always equate open shelving with rustic-chic. The numbers on the back of the dining room chairs also add refinement to the country look.
via Southern Living
via My Home Ideas
via Dwellings and Decor via Country Living
via Marie Claire Maison 
Little details and "imperfections" are actually nature's embellishments, and personally, I find that's where the charm lies.
via Marie Claire Maison 
Wood needn't mean "cutesy bear" carvings and animals made from corn husks - wood can be
sensuous and elegant like in this bedroom!
via Marie Claire Maison (?)
Dark furniture and glass accessories, and designing in
symmetry or "pairs" ad elegance, and the
Tuscan-style paint finish ads polish.
via Marie Claire Maison (?)
Accessories with a more organic shape and feel will fit in better than "manufactured" items.
via Hudson Goods
-love this table
via Hudson Goods
via Hudson Goods
Vintage accessories will lend themselves better to a cabin than objects shiny and new.
via Hudson Goods
The cabin was built in the 1970's, but they've managed to make the wool paneling look fresh.
The chairs are by West Elm. I have been scouring Craigslist for a similar table - I love it!
LOVE the chevron poufs - they add a punch of mod to the space.
I could read on this couch all afternoon.
