Lifestyle: A Different Kind of Cabin Fever

When “Cabin Fever” comes to mind, we think about hibernating in our homes during the colder months.  According to our guest blogger, this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Imagine yourself on a nice getaway, in a rustic cabin.

A Different Kind of Cabin Fever

Do you love the look of a log cabin with a big roaring fire and cozy warm furnishings? Then a rustic decor might be exactly what you are looking for. Rustic homes usually feature lots of wood, images from nature, and casual put-up-your-boots comfort. The hutch pictured below is a good example ofrustic furniture, with its natural wood elements, mountain motif, and branch drawer pulls and detailing.

Photo by Les Stockton via Flickr
Like this hutch, rustic furnishings are often large and fairly heavy. Log furniture requires a large space, preferably with soaring ceilings and lots of light. A stone and slate fireplace with a large wooden mantle is a perfect hearth for a home like this. It becomes the main focus of the room. If the space you are decorating is smaller, scale down to sapling furniture or clean-lined Shaker pieces while still focusing on the natural materials and decor elements.A rustic decor works best in a rustic home in a natural setting. You wouldn’t want to decorate in quite this style in an urban industrial loft, but it would be right at home in a mountain lodge tucked into a pine forest, or even a wood-sided home on a suburban lot. If you aren’t lucky enough to start with that mountain lodge or cabin as your base, you can make any space more rustic with a focus on natural materials: wide-plank wood floors, rough-cut beams, stone and natural tile details, and wooden walls. Again, pay attention to scale. A small cabin can’t carry off giant beams in quite the same way a cathedral ceiling can. Mix different colors and types of wood and stone to add contrast and interest. Stains, when used, should be transparent enough to let the beauty of the wood shine through.

Textiles in the rustic home should be natural, too. Wool, leather, and cotton with rich colors that harmonize with the wood tones are preferable. You will find a lot of deer and bear silhouettes among your decor options. Keep these to a minimum to reduce the visual clutter in your space. Use bold geometrics to catch the eye, instead.

Wander the outdoors to find inspiration for details to add to your rustic space. Pinecones arranged as a centerpiece, interestingly gnarled sticks in a pottery vase, or a bouquet of wildflowers tucked in an antique milk bottle would fit perfectly in this style.

Photo by Grand Canyon NPS via flickrThe Grand Canyon Lodge, pictured above, is a good example of large scale rustic decor. Notice the log railing on the upper level and the wood and stone walls. The furniture, with the bark on the sapling tables and the leather of the couches echo the surrounding natural space and make a comfortable and practical seating area.

Bedrooms in rustic homes are often a focal point, as well. Picture a big four-poster peeled pine log bed with a buffalo plaid coverlet. Or, in a smaller space, a more delicate wooden bed like the one below spread with a handmade quilt.

photo by Bedzine via flickrAbout the company:

JHE’s Log Furniture Place is a leading manufacturer and retailer of rustic log furniture. This company has a huge online store offering indoor and outdoor log furniture, as well as rustic décor and accessories. Its furniture is proudly made in the USA and the company has excellent customer service.

Inspiring Creativity,

Ricci