Wood You? How?

There is no rule that says cabin interiors have to utilize wood on all the walls. If it's your preference you can wall paper, plaster, poster or paint from corner to corner. But, we are betting that you would like exposed wood to play a part in your decorative scheme. What better way to give your home an authentic woodland feel?

You have a multitude of options when it comes to showcasing wood panels. More than we realized actually. We spent the afternoon clicking though the wonderful examples on atHouzz.com. Here are just a few of the many details to ponder:

• Dark or light stain?
• Finished or unfinished?
• Perfect joints or exposed ends?
• Round contours or flat slats?
• Walls only or wood on the floor and ceiling too?
• Veneer or full thickness logs?

See there is a lot to think about. And there is no right or wrong answer, just a question of what works best for you and for the space you have available. So what "wood" you do? We can't wait to read your comments!

20th Anniversary: Two Decades of Rustic Ranch Furnishings

Photo Credit: moneybagsfull.com

Pop the champagne! Your favorite Colorado furniture store is celebrating 20 years of searching the globe for the world's best rustic furnishings. We opened in 1993 with the goal of providing people who love ranch and cabin furnishings with the resources to design the perfect room, the perfect home. We are proud to have reached that goal a thousand times over. And we are looking forward to a thousand more success stories.

Over the years we have had the honor of working with talented artisans who have created incredible one-of-a-kind pieces that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Like us these artisans eagerly listened to feedback from our faithful customers to deliver customized rustic furnishings.

We can't thank you enough for your continued support. In 2013 we will be expanding our collection of sturdy new furniture and carefully curated antiques. What else would you like to see? As always our success starts with your vision of the perfect ranch home.

How to Care for Rustic Leather Furniture

If you love high quality ranch furniture you no doubt have considered leather upholstery. And you no doubt have a friend who has warned you that leather can be difficult to upkeep. Your friend is wrong. Leather is extremely durable and if handled correctly it will last for decades. Naturally, keeping leather away from rain and heavy moisture is a must and keeping it away from direct light can help avoid fading over time.

Leather has Character
Leather upholstery will change color and texture over the years. This is a good thing. Like the perfect pair of jeans, leather furniture gets softer and more comfortable with use. What could look more rustic than a leather chair or sofa that has aged gracefully?

How to Care for Your Leather
All our leather ranch furniture is color corrected and finished with an acrylic top coat to protect the dye and limit scratches while keeping the leather supple. These preventative measures make your furniture easy to care for.

• Use a soft cloth to wipe down the leather when you're cleaning.
• Use the crevice cleaner attachment on your vacuum to get into the creases between the cushions. "Did I really eat that?" Yes, you did.
• If you spill anything liquid on the leather wipe it off immediately.
• Use professional leather stain removal products. Leather does not get along with soap and water.

If you want to go the extra mile you may want to use a leather conditioning product a few times a year. This tutorial describes the process. Remember to spot test a hidden part of the furniture before you do the whole piece! And ventilate!

Old-Timey Bear Decor

Do you like your cabin antiques to be a little dinged-up? Etched with details that seem to reflect a bygone era? Yeah, so do we. A great way to give your cabin a rustic antique feel is with a wood panel sign, knots and irregularities included.

This vintage sign was carefully crafted with colors and fonts to make it look like a wall hanging from a 1930's lodge and its made from the kind of wood that probably had claw marks on the bark. Plus, you can choose your own wording to make your sign as unique as the room it adorns!

How to Give Cabin Interiors a Roomy Feel

Cabin interiors often use dark wood and dark paints which can make a room seem smaller than it is. Throw in seasonal clutter and your favorite rustic relaxation spot can quickly go from comfy to cramped. Here are a few ways to boost the perceived open space in your wilderness home:

Decorate with Clutter

Stuffing all of your clutter into a closet will quickly free up floor space...until it all comes spilling out the next time you need to retrieve an umbrella or a pair of boots. Instead incorporate frequently used items into your decorative plan. A coat tree, hat rack or shoe shelf can add to the cabin feel of your home, while keeping needed items handy.

Avoid Large Wall Hangings

Use smaller artwork to add variety and open space to your walls. For instance by arranging photographs into clusters you can maximize negative space and give depth to the room. If you do choose to go with a larger wall hanging make sure that it is a light color, this is especially true if you have wood panelled walls or walls painted in darker tones.

Use Light Liberally

What do sconces, floor lamps, and pendant lighting have in common? They give atmosphere to the areas they shine on. And they allow you to tailor the lighting in the room to fit your current mood. Bright and sunny or dark and introspective? Use your creativity when choosing your lighting options. An old-fashioned Coleman lantern might be perfect for your entryway. While the kitchen and living room may require something equally rustic but a bit more substantial.