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Design Tips and Trends,Featured,It's All in the Details,Western Style

Guest Post: Have a Real Rustic Christmas

We are excited to have Alexandra from TilesUK guest posting for us this week!  She has lots of great ideas about how to create a rustic holiday display in your home, just in time for Christmas decorating!

Have a Real Rustic Christmas

Christmas comes but once a year, so you need to make the most of it and create a welcoming atmosphere. Your solution…a cosy, snug, rustic design. Rustic Christmas ornaments and decorations are uncomplicated, yet give a stunning look in their simplicity. Whether you’re simply adding a few elements, or completely redoing your living room into a log cabin, you can be sure to find a wide variety of Christmas decorations that will suit all your needs.

So why not grab a mulled wine, sit back, and settle in to enjoy some rustic Christmas inspiration?

The Tree

Image via HGTV

Items of the outdoors are key when it comes to a rustic design, so why not do this quickly and effectively by welcoming a real Christmas tree into your living area? For a rustic tree, it’s always good to keep to a colour theme; red, gold and brown are always nice. To create a warm and textured feel to your Christmas tree, you can add wooden and felt ‘mix and match’ decorations, stars and reindeer which have simply been sewn and stuffed. These are perfect examples of rustic tree decorations. One tip to remember; try and keep away from tinsel. Instead, try adding glittery twigs which can hang out of the Christmas tree, which will add a new dimension and a unique feel to your tree.

Take a Rustic Seat

Image via A Ribbon at a Time

Setting the dining table is just as important as decorating the tree. You should begin your design with an eye-catching centre piece, large bark candles varying in size, or a small, ‘cute’ Christmas tree would be perfect. You can complement the centre piece with a rustic backdrop; a table cloth which is green tartan, for instance, would be perfect. When setting a rustic Christmas dining table, don’t neglect colour just because you’re going for a rustic design, this does not mean everything has to be wooden or brown. Consider setting the dining table with vibrant red chargers and pine green plates. For a little finishing touch, you can add snippings from your Christmas tree, or a few red berries over your table.

Bits and Bobs Around the House

Image via Something…

Simple additions throughout your home will make a massive impression. In keeping with the colour theme of your tree you can add candles, bunting and other decorations. Leaving handfuls of baubles and pinecones, lost in a little ribbon and sprinkled with a pinch of glitter, will welcome the rustic theme throughout, for an inexpensive price and minimal effort. Hand crafting a few items is perfect for creating a rustic feel, whilst creating your own bunting out of recycled Christmas cards is not only ‘green’, it is ideal for the rustic Christmas feel.

Image via Rock River Stitches

Hopefully, these simple tips have given you some great ideas on how to create the perfect rustic home at Christmas. Remember not to neglect a room; even if you just simply place a few pinecones in the corner this will be extremely effective. Try to make some of the pieces yourself, this way you will save money and keep the kids out of trouble while you wait for Santa to arrive.

 

 

This blog was written by Alexandra, a keen home interior design follower who loves to share her ideas with anyone. One of the rooms which is hard not to neglect is the bathroom, so why not get it in tiptop condition ready for your Christmas guests with TilesUK’s  help?

Design Tips and Trends,Featured,Featured Products,It's All in the Details,Western Style

Going Stag

Image via Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Get it?  Going “Stag”? We crack ourselves up sometimes.  But seriously, today we are going to talk about a new trend that is very “deer” to our hearts (oops, did it again).  It’s a trend that brings traditional icons into the modern age: using antlers and taxidermy in interior design.

Image via Cote de Texas

I think this trend is developing as an add-on to the rustic cabin/mountain lodge craze that we have been seeing over the past year.  And, just like with the cabin craze, it seems that people are re-creating a classic figure.  They are taking the deer head, a rustic lodge accessory that is steeped in tradition, and turning into something different that fits a newer definition of style.  Instead of seeing massive taxidermied elk glaring down at us with glassy eyes, we are seeing antlers incorporated into centerpieces.  We are seeing smaller animal skulls mounted on plaques.  We are seeing subtle signs of wildlife in the home that give us the overall impression of a rugged environment, without being visually assaulted by it.

Image via Pinterest

Now, if you are a lover of (live) animals, or are still scarred from that scene in Bambi (you know the one I’m talking about), don’t fret.  You can still hop on the stag-wagon… we’ll show you how.

Image via Pinterest

In many spaces, hunting trophies are actually being replaced by faux taxidermy. Wooden deer heads can be mounted over mantles, and statues can take the place of skulls.  Remember not to forego the purchase of antler accessories for “moral reasons”.  Did you know that elk actually shed their antlers every year?  In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Boy Scouts then collect these antlers and auction them off to fund their program, and that is where the majority of your antler products come from.

Image via Spring Creek Ranch

You can also consider other ideas to enhance your room, like bringing the deer off of the wall.  Using other stag accessories like pillows, throws, art, towels, etc. can really help you create a cohesive feeling in your space.

If you’ve just been absolutely dying to bring some modern tradition into your home, here are some ideas for you.  These are all products that we have in the Home on the Range showroom right now!  Don’t delay, or you could “deer”ly regret it (okay I’m done, I promise!)

Stag Pillow

Stag Tea Towel

Wooden Deer Head

Deer Sculptures

Plaque Mounted Antelope

Design Tips and Trends,Events and Happenings,Featured,Western Style

Home on the Range Featured on Houzz!

Houzz has quickly become the most used and well known website for interior design.  Like the Pinterest of homes, it is a way for designers to share their work and projects with other designers, and with the rest of the world.  Home on the Range has been privileged to have multiple projects featured on Houzz, and we are excited to share a few of them with you today.


So Your Style Is: Rustic

“What it is: Rustic style proves the old adage that everything comes full circle. Our pioneer ancestors would get a good laugh out of how fashionable the look is today — they probably dreamed of plastered walls instead of rough logs and carpets instead of bare plank floors. But thanks to rustic style’s unpretentious roots, organic textures and shapes, and natural warmth, it’s become as popular in the heart of the city as it is out in the woods….” click here to read the rest of the article

“Style Secret: Repurposed Objects

To a large extent, rustic style is about making do with what you have — just as it was in the old days. Found objects are key: old pails turned into sinks, wire baskets transformed into light fixtures, wooden crates reimagined as stair treads. It’s less about whimsy than about creating a sense of invention by necessity.

Inspired addition:Rustic interiors lend themselves to cross-pollination with industrial style. Feel free to take a bit of a risk with accents such as offbeat lighting, decorative displays and artwork. You can also turn to folk art. With its self-sufficient, homegrown appeal, folk art looks particularly nice in rustic rooms….” click here to read the rest of this article

 


Wagon Wheels Are on a Roll

 

“Wagon wheel chandeliers have been on the scene for some time, but this two-tier version — complete with lantern-style shades — looks especially chic. It brings down the high ceiling in this great room and enhances the Western sensibility of a Colorado mountain home…” click here to read the rest of the article

City View: Sweeping Design Soars

“I was born in the 1970s, so when I think of Denver, I think of Alexis Morrell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan and the rest of the clan over at Dynasty. I also think of the opposite end of the spectrum, Outward Bound programs. Like a lot of the rest of the country, I have a view of Denver that’s all kinds of wrong. While the city and its surrounding areas are full of people who love an outdoor adventure, this doesn’t mean they don’t have style. These adventurous Coloradans draw inspiration from viewing and exploring the spectacular landscape around them, as well as from preserving it…” click here to read the rest of the article
“I believe that the biggest misconception about Denver style and the style for the surrounding mountain area is that it is very traditional and western. On the contrary, Denver is becoming well known for its cutting-edge contemporary design style, where rustic elements are often intermingled with contemporary lines and furnishings,” says Lynne Bier of Home on the Range Interiors… click here to read the rest of the article
Don’t forget to check out Home on the Range on Houzz to see our other projects, photos, inspirations and ideabooks!
Design Tips and Trends,Featured,It's All in the Details

9 Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins

9 Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins | Home on the RangeHalloween is finally here!  It’s easy to “fall” into the Halloween spirit when the leaves change and begin to drift off of the trees, the evening light develops a warm glow, the days become chilly and brisk, and the smell of wood smoke permeates the crisp autumn air.  Jack-o-lanterns, spiders, and ghosts start to dot the neighborhood landscape, and before you know it, Halloween has arrived.

We absolutely love this holiday, though our Halloween decorating style tends to fall somewhat short of super-spooky witches and ghouls.  If, like us, you are looking for a more natural and traditional looking Halloween display, pick up a couple (hundred) pumpkins from the store or pumpkin patch and read on.  We have put together a list of 9 ways to decorate (and decorate with) everyone’s most beloved holiday gourd.

9.  The Chevron Pumpkin: People are WILD for chevron this season, and what better way to venture into this fun pattern than by painting it on a pumpkin?  Keep it even more current by using white, gold, glitter, or a mix of all three to cover the creation.  You could also consider using different geometric patterns like herringbone, houndstooth, or a tribal print stencil.

Image via Feeling Lovesome

8.  The Pumpkin Stack: What a way to welcome party guests or trick-or-treaters!  I love the idea of the pumpkin stack- it looks chic and rustic with the tin bucket base, but it’s easy to make, and best of all it can say whatever you want it to!

Image via bhg.com

7. The Mumpkin: Get it? “Mum” pkin?  I love this pumpkin idea because it mixes a fall icon with the last remains of summer in a way that incorporates all of the colors of the season.  I have never seen anyone make mumpkins before, have you?

Image via Lowes Creative Ideas

6. The Pumpkin Planter: These are kind of the same idea as the Mumpkin, but a little bit simpler and more elegant.  You can use flowers, or almost anything else (like fall foliage branches or cat tails) to fill these pumpkin planters.  So many ideas!

Image via FYI Modular Homes

5.  The Pumpkin Entryway:  I LOVE this entryway.  The use of pumpkins of all different sizes, colors and materials provides a great holiday flare, while the hurricane lanterns and pedestals help to add a layering effect that creates a depth to this display that really makes it unique.  Crows are optional.

Image Via Sense-ational Living

4.  The Pumpkin Bowl: Throwing a Halloween party this year?  You can thank us later for this idea.  Everyone will love grabbing their snacks out of a pumpkin, and we think the bandanna inside adds the perfect touch of Western to the serving bowl.  We have also seen punch bowls inserted into hollowed-out pumpkins that make perfect cauldrons for serving your Witch’s Brew.

Image via bhg.com

3.  The Pumpkin Pillow: Not all of your pumpkin decorations have to be perishable.  These homespun pumpkin pillows add warm, rustic colors and textures to any space they occupy, and the best part is you can bring them out every year!

Image via Pinterest

2.  The Pumpkin Basket: Who would have thought?  Throw a pumpkin in a basket for an instant rugged look.  All the better if you can add a burlap pillow, pinecones, and a hurricane lantern.  I love this display because it shows how you can turn your existing outdoor furniture into an elegant fall scene with only a few simple additions.

Image via Opulent Cottage

1.   The Pumpkin Mantle:  Once again you can see how easy it is to transform your home landscape with a few simple touches.  This photo brings the outdoor display inside by adding small and medium pumpkins onto the mantle.  Paper flowers (or any wall decoration) add height and broaden the decoration area, extending it off of the mantle and giving the impression of a fully decorated space.

Image via A Place For US

We hope you enjoyed browsing this pumpkin extravaganza as much as we enjoyed creating it.  Home on the Range has everything you need to create these Halloween displays (except for the pumpkins), so stop in and see what simple accent pieces you can find to create a Halloween masterpiece today!

One more note: don’t hold us to this, but we heard that putting little silicon “do not eat” packets inside carved pumpkins will keep them from molding and rotting- give it a shot and let us know on our Facebook page if it worked for you!

 

Design Tips and Trends,Featured,Western Style

Pantone’s 2013 Color Forecasts Part 1: Color, Style and the Economy

This is the first of a two part blog series where we will look at Pantone’s 2013 color forecasts, and how they relate to current trends and the economy, as well as how perfectly they fit with designing for the western and mountain lifestyle.

It always fascinates me to see the cycles various fashion and interior design trends go through, and how closely they are tied to the economy.  When we moved to Steamboat Springs in 1988 and opened our first home furnishing and interior design business in an existing storefront on Lincoln Avenue, the Steamboat economy had just experienced a recession and property values were down significantly.   People were seeing a glimmer of hope on the horizon, but they were nervous to trust that glimmer.  The colors and patterns that were “trending” at that time are the exact same colors and patterns that are in the Pantone 2013 color forecast for their Rugged Individuals Palette.  Keep in mind that the Pantone palettes are trends they are seeing world-wide, not just in our little neck of the woods.  The colors of the American Southwest and the denims and leathers of the cowboy lifestyle dominated the color palette in 1988.  They were popular again in the aftermath the tech crash of 2000, and again in the devastating aftermath of 9-11.

Here is a description from color trends in 2003:   With Americans seeking a sense of connection to each other as well as to the past, many will feel comforted by a palette that suggests linkage, heritage and history, a literal patchwork of traditional colors.  That is exactly what I think we are seeing for 2013.  Take a look at the color names from the 2003 color forecast and how close they are to the colors pictured below:

PANTONE 19-1655 Garnet, PANTONE 17-4021 Faded Denim, PANTONE 13-0932 Cornsilk, PANTONE 19-1436 Cinnamon, PANTONE 19-0622 Military Olive, PANTONE 14-1107 Oyster Gray, PANTONE 19-5511 Hunter Green, PANTONE 19-3839 Blue Ribbon, PANTONE 11-0507 Winter White

Image via Pantone 2013 Home & Interiors Webinar

Image via Pantone 2013 Home & Interiors Webinar

In looking at all of the different predictions for color, I think that the color scheme that will be the most prevalent in our market (the west) is Pantone’s Rugged Individuals Palette.  I think this palette speaks to the mentality of repurposing and making do, which has become part of the conversation in our daily lives and yet also reflects the ruggedness of our American spirit and our determination and grit.  This color palette embodies the current trend towards using reclaimed woods and metals in everything from contemporary to mountain rustic design.

http://www.redoitdesign.com/2012/05/17/new-pantone-home-interiors-color-forecast-2013/

Image via Home on the Range on Houzz

Image via Pinterest

 

 

The Allure of a Home on the Water
Featured,Western Style

The Allure of a Home on the Water

The allure of water is universal. Water views seem to soothe away stress and encourage contemplation. A shoreline interior should begin by considering the setting.

The first step is to ensure that views are visually accessible, and that exterior doors can be accessed. The two rooms below, by architects on Houzz, each have two focal points–the water and a hearth.

 house on the water

Window treatments can soften a space and are often necessary to control light. But they should not take away from the view.

house on the water

An outdoor conversation cluster is a gathering spot, a focal point, and a destination to move toward throughout the evening. This applies to traditional, transitional, and modern homes alike.

 home on the water

house on the water

 

home on the water

The homes below are nestled into the landscape, with natural materials and understated scale.

 home on the water

home on the water

house on the water

What is your vision for the perfect home on the water? Contact us at Home on the Range and give us the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your vision.  We are based in the Rocky Mountain area but have designed homes on the water and in the mountains nationwide.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style Homes
Featured,It's All in the Details

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style Homes

Home on the Range is currently working on a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home designed by Architect Joe Patrick Robbins, AIA in Houston,Texas and we will be sharing details from the home throughout the construction process.  Wright’s appreciation for natural materials and the landscape make his Prairie Style homes timeless.  I am constantly amazed by the details he used 100 years ago that are currently popular in contemporary design.

Few individuals in history have had the honor of creating an architectural style. Frank Lloyd Wright changed the American landscape with Prairie Style, which he developed at the turn of the 20th century. The first Prairie Style structures were designed to “reflect the  long, low horizontal prairie on which they sat with low-pitched roofs (and) deep overhangs,” according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.  The other transformation attributed to the Prairie Style was the change from dark chopped-up rooms to open interior spaces with more light.   Below is one of the first Prairie Style residences, Wright’s Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago (1908).

Robie House

Robie House image via gowright.org

The home’s understatement and harmony with the landscape is quintessentially American. Another Prairie Style home with these characteristics is the Avery Coonley Housein Riverside, Illinois (1907). The landscape designer Frederick Law Olmstead did a wonderful job of further integrating the home into its surroundings.

Coonley Gardens

Coonley Garden

 

 

We find an overlap in style between Arts and Crafst style, Mission and Prairie style and will be using elements of all three in the Houston home.  Below are pictures of some of the inspirations we are using for cabinet design.

Arts and Crafts style shoji sideboard

Prairie style sideboard design

Prairie style sideboard designCraftsman Ceramic Tile Alchemy tileYamagiwa light fixture

Hardware example

 

Yamagiwa light fixture from Oak Park Home and Hardware

Examples of the Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style homes can be found throughout the United States.

Be sure to watch for the following key Prairie Style elements in our future posts on the Houston house.

  • Low-pitched roof
  • Overhanging eaves
  • Horizontal lines
  • Central chimney
  • Open floor plan
  • Clerestory windows
An Evening at the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts
Events and Happenings,Featured

An Evening at the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts

I had the pleasure of attending the ASID Annual Membership Mixer at the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts on Thursday evening and was astounded to find a hidden gem!  Hugh Grant, the creator, curator and guiding light of the Kirkland Museum has done a masterful job of putting together a wealth of pieces from the past 100 years, including a collection that showcases the depth and quality of art in Colorado.  Hugh speaks of the collections with passion paired with a wonderful sense of humor.  His eyes sparkle as he talks about the history of the museum,  his experiences with Vance Kirkland and the collections he has created…and his enthusiasm is contagious.

Hugh Grant - Founder, Director and Curator of the Kirkland Museum for Fine and Decorative Arts

 

The museum houses three primary collections, an international decorative arts collection, a regional collection with a focus on Colorado art, and a retrospective of the work of Vance Kirkland.

The three collections make Kirkland Museum different than other museums and the “salon style” pairing of furniture, art and decorative accessories in which they are displayed gives the visitor a museum experience that is more like walking into one’s home.  In one of the rooms there were “Piranha” chairs from  Pierre Sala, dinnerware from Frank Lloyd Wright,colorful paintings from Vance Kirkland and art pieces from various Colorado artists.  What could be a horrific mish-mash if not put together just right, was curated so beautifully as to draw your eye from one piece to the next without the sense of anything being out of sync. It was the perfect venue for a gathering of interior designers!

ASID Annual Members Mixer at the Kirkland Museum

 

Historic Original Studio

Below are some images from both the Kirkland Museum website and Wikipedia showing the explosive colors and the eclectic mix you will find throughout the Museum.  Be sure to explore every floor as well as the sculpture garden – you wouldn’t want to miss anything!

"Invasions of Mysteries near Scorpio" by Vance Kirkland

 

"Farewell Summer" by Edward Marecak

 

Studio exhibition room including Chair, early 1960s, by Charles Deaton (1921-1996), from his Sculptured House, Genesee, Colorado; 2 – Door Cabinet, 1968, by Paul Evans (1931-1987); “JESTER” Modular Sofa/ Chairs, 1991, by GAETANO PESCE, (Italian, b. 1939); and Heart Chair, 1958, designed by Verner Panton (Danish, 1926-1998) mfr: Fritz Hansen, Allerod, Denmark (1872-1998).

 

The below vignette illustrates the

Interior of the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art; featuring a Frank Lloyd Wright dinette and Vance Kirkland Paintings

The Denver Post  mentions “Indians on the Platte River” by Charles Steward Stobie in the article by Ray Mark Rinaldi   on how Hugh Grant is working to build the reputation of Colorado Art through his collection.

Indians on the Platte River, 1888, by Charles Stewart Stobie (1845-1931), Oil on canvas, Collection of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.

 

I purchased a membership for myself and a guest because I can’t wait to go back and spend more time immersed in the world of the Kirkland Museum.  To find out more,  subscribe to “The Dot” their wonderful blog where you can keep up with their exhibits, collections and newsworthy events.

 

Photo Images 1,2  Lynne Bier – Home on the Range  Photo Images3-6,8  the Kirkland Museum of Fine Art and Photo Image 7  Wikipedia

9 Ways to Add Interest to Your Ceilings
Design Tips and Trends,Featured,It's All in the Details

9 Ways to Add Interest to Your Ceilings

Ceilings offer wonderful opportunities for adding character and charm to a room.  Below we have highlighted a number of different styles of ceiling treatments, from mountain rustic to contemporary to traditional.  A ceiling can make a contemporary space feel more rustic and a boring space feel more interesting.  A ceiling treatment can add color to a space, bring the height down visually and add textural interest.  There is really no limit to what you can do with ceiling treatments.  Take a look at the nine great ideas from Home on the Range  below and let us know which ones you like the best and why.  If you have a favorite ceiling design, add it to your comment so all of our readers can see it!

Reclaimed wood trusses visually help to bring down a high ceiling.

Reclaimed Amish beams on the rake of a high ceiling tie in with other rustic features in the space for a cohesive look.

The addition of wood adds more intimacy to this contemporary rustic space. 

Reclaimed wood forms a coffered ceiling that’s perfect in this mountain modern recreation room .

A barrel vault ceiling with an American Clay finish adds a nice touch to this powder room.

We also spotted the following ceilings on Houzz and love the looks:

This  sloped corrugated metal adds a rustic feel to this contemporary room.

Here is one of my favorite ceilings – I love the mix of the brick, the curve in the ceiling and the wood “ribs”

Using wallpaper is a great way to add interest to a ceiling, as you can see in this stylish nursery.

Take a look at the way this painted, coffered ceiling completes the overall design of this inviting bedroom.  Can you imagine the room without this ceiling design?

Contact Home on the Range for Interior design for your entire space—ceiling and all. You can visit our website to see more examples of our work.

Images: 1-5 Interior design by Home on the Range; 6-9 via Houzz, as linked above

How to achieve a Rustic Cabin feel
Design Tips and Trends,Featured,Western Style

How to achieve a Rustic Cabin feel

Rustic style is perfect for the interior design in Colorado cabins, Western lodges and mountain retreats. We loved the tips in a recent Houzz ideabook on “Ways to Get the Rustic Cabin Look,” and we wanted to share a few of our favorite points from the piece. Here are some that we think hit the nail on the head:

Coziness is key. Add elements to make your home look comfortable and lived in such as antique furniture pieces, old textiles and period lighting.

Incorporate different materials. Mix reclaimed wood floors and timbers with aged copper or rusted metal.

Reclaimed pine floors and fir timbers paired with the rusted metal hood give this kitchen a cozy rustic feel.

Make the fireplace a focal point. This tends to be a great place for coming together in the home.

Older is better – the patina of age adds charm and old items often have a story to tell.  When we work on a rustic cabin style home we, along with our clients, start collecting antiques and quirky interesting pieces at the beginning of the construction process so each “find” adds to the story of the house.

Our client found this old dry sink that was perfect for a powder room vanity. We used light fixtures from Lieutenant Moses Willard to keep the period feel.

Mix in elements from different places and time periods.  We love the concept that an old rustic cabin would have been homesteaded by someone from the East Coast who would have brought European Antiques, old quilts and Asian pieces with them on the Wagon train and then added hand-hewn furniture and rustic painted pieces as time went on.

Old quilts and a piece of antique lace at the window add a feeling of age to this cozy chinked timber cabin room

Visit Houzz to read the full article. Which design elements do you think help define comfortable rustic style? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts—we’d be happy to hear from you.

Images: Interior design by Home on the Range; Photos by Tim Murphy; Architecture by Joe Patrick Robbins AIA

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