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Home Decorating Design Dilemma living room

Colors for a Vacation Cabin

last year

My husband and I just bought a great little cabin/vacation home in the mountains. It sold furnished, but the furnishings are like a 90s time capsule, all hunter green and cranberry. I like greens and I like red, but I would really like to start redecorating with more modern upholstery. The walls and ceiling are cedar planking, so I was thinking maybe sage and russet colors, borrowed from the autumn woods? I want to avoid anything "rustic" looking (no bears, no country Americana please) but I'm just looking for collective ideas on hook to get me started down the right path. Originally I thought yellows, but I think the cedar is so overwhelming that yellows would just blend in rather than contrast with the walls.

Any and all suggestions welcome. This is just the beginning of this redecorating journey.

I'd also like a suggestion on how to place the furniture so it's more focus on the fireplace. The big pine cabinet in the corner is made to hold an old analog TV, complete with VCR and VHS tapes, so I'd like to replace it with something that still provides storage but isn't so dominating. A small sideboard next tot he window, maybe. We don't need a TV in this room, so that's not a consideration..

(Those camo-looking shades and valances have already been removed and replaced with natural-fiber shades. The green curtains over the French doors unfortunately have to stay a while longer.)

Please, give me all your zaniest suggestions!

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PRO

Randy Trainor

last year

Here is what we did in a clients home. Please take note of the furniture, rugs, and various other decor items.

Mt. Washington Ski House · More Info

Mt. Washington Ski House · More Info

Mt. Washington Ski House · More Info

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Comments (12)

L.D. Johnson
last year
Beautiful space! Not a pro here, but I think you'll get better advice if you can share a floor plan with dimensions. And comment on how you plan to use this cottage - will it be a getaway for just the two of you, or do you expect to host others frequently?

My first thought was to use at least 2 comfortable swivel chairs on side closer to the window wall. It would be wonderful to be able to change your view from the fireplace to the landscape beyond your deck. If you plan to add an area rug in the seating area, you might look at those first, and if you find something you love, draw colors from that for seating. But including green seems like a good starting point.

Have fun with your new nest!
Joanna Lamb thanked L.D. Johnson
ffpalms
last year
The white walls are too stark for your interior. I like these dark walls, particularly for a vacation cottage. The look is cozy and relaxing.
Joanna Lamb thanked ffpalms
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not to throw you a total curve, but the reason the Hawaiians and missionaries used koa, mango, and other exotic woods is because they stand up to the humidity (I'm on Oahu). You see a lot of teak around the island - also used on boats as it does not swell - but its color is lighter - and often more Scandinavian in design. Rattan used a lot and I love the look, but impossible in my mind to keep really clean looking over time as dust and crumbs fall in. Pacific Craftworks on Oahu sells custom cabinets made from mostly darker colored woods in Viet Nam - another tropical place - that should hold up to Hawaii weather (no affiliation) - some looks like mahogany but different wood. We used them in our master bath and the prices weren't bad. The dark woods are traditional but too much can make the room feel heavy. Hawaiian homes were influenced by missionaries from New England, cowboys, Balinese, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Europeans, and plantation owners. So we don't have a purely beach feel - the white rattan look is more East Coast. Tropical is the darker, wider strip, rattan. Here it is all about moss rock, exotic woods, flowers, surfboards, waves, turtles, pineapple, dark sea blues and green foliage mixed with white, cream, and woven mats. If you stick to the white (which will look clean, fresh, and airy) make sure they are quality boxes to hold up to the humidity. For the Hawaii vibe decorate with a few koa or monkeypod (less expensive) chairs, coffee table, or a bowl on your counter, bring in the light and the air and avoid kitsch. Your koa fan will tie into those accents. The one you have chosen is very modern looking and I understand that fewer blades (3 to 4) move more air than 5. Traditionally locals used lots of fans to move the trade winds and homes were designed to pull in the trades. Don't fall for a kitschy fan if it doesn't function well. Suggest any fabrics have local tropical flowers (ginger, heliconia) in large, lush prints. Your inspiration Kauai cottage has beautiful accent pillows that illustrate this - the upholstery is beige but the pillows have heliconia and tropical leaves to bring in color.
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elcieg
last year
I am going to suggest painting the vertical boards white and use the same white on the sheetrocked wall, use a dark rug to balance the viual weight of the ceiling, and go with add white slip covered furniture.
Joanna Lamb thanked elcieg
Joanna Lamb
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
This is my current top contender for an area rug to mark off the "living" space from the "dining" space.

It's the "Fenna" rug from Rifle Paper Co and I love it. The reds aren't too red, there's plenty of neutrals, and I like the trees-and-flowers design.
btydrvn
last year
That is a lot of wood..too much..but if you love it …I wouldn’t add to it by decorating in the same color range….contrast will let the wood feel more special..using colors from nature in pale shades will bring a lighter comfier feel to the room..like pale green or aqua……Also…to limit the wood influence …..i would paint the railings …support beams and kitchen cabinets ….in very light colors…even white…this leaves more room for the huge wood floor…wall and ceiling influences to be appreciated on their own …
Joanna Lamb thanked btydrvn
btydrvn
last year
A lighter palette will warm up the space in a good way …winter or summer..
0
Joanna Lamb thanked btydrvn
L.D. Johnson
last year
What do you think of this rug - similar pattern to the one you posted but broader range of colors? https://www.houzz.com/products/vintage-fringe-rug-olive-3-x5-prvw-vr~137757666
Vintage Fringe Rug, Olive, 3'x5' · More Info
Joanna Lamb thanked L.D. Johnson
Joanna Lamb
Original Author
last year
Thanks everyone for your responses so far! They're helping me think through what I want to do.

Unfortunately my husband says no to painting any of the cedar planking; it's rough wood and would be a massive undertaking to sand it smooth enough to paint. I *could* paint the rails on the stars and balcony; that would help break up some of all the wood.

I'd really like to start by ripping out that kitchen and getting rid of the green counter and that soffit and getting less-wood cabinets put it, but that's also going to be an expensive undertaking so I'm focusing on getting rid of the *super* dated sofas first.
0
Joanna Lamb
Original Author
last year
I know I'm talking to much on here, so let me be brief: I love the dining table, there's nothing I can do about the wood except add art, and everything else can go.
barncatz
last year
last modified: last year
I would think you could get rid of the green counter and replace it with a newer laminate fairly quickly and inexpensively. There are some nice laminate looks out there, including soapstone look laminates. I agree the green is an eyesore.

I'd invest in some new, non- wood stools as well. Those wouldn't have to cost a fortune. And a new pendant over the lovely table would also have a big impact.
Joanna Lamb thanked barncatz
Joanna Lamb
Original Author
last year
This is basically my goal picture right now. I know there are some major differences to get around, but it's relaxed without being too country, if that makes sense.
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