Warming Up a Cabin Bedroom at 11,000 Feet

A bedroom should be a restful place with calm colors and soft textures -- 

a sanctuary where you can relax and gaze out the window at nature's beauty. 

But was it possible to warm up our cabin bedroom at a cool 11,000 feet?

Our small bedroom had a good start 

with rough plank walls, a dark wood floor and two windows 

with views of massive pine trees and steep mountains,

But it definitely needed some help in the furnishing department.

Here's a "Before" picture.

First, we cleaned out the stuff left behind.

We jettisoned a metal clothes rack, piles of junk, ratty rugs, and a gigantic plastic cooler.

Ron claimed this old dynamite box that had been nailed to the wall to store odds and ends.

I wanted to keep the look simple but cozy using warm colors and vintage accessories.

I was trying to decide what kind of headboard would look good

in this rustic cabin when I remembered I had a rusty metal headboard in my garden.

We lugged it up to the cabin. It was the perfect size and definitely looked rustic.

We'd decided to keep the bed that was already in the cabin.

The mattress was clean, comfortable and looked new.

Besides, we had no idea how to get a mattress in our compact car. 

The mattress lies on a home-made frame with six drawers

so we pitched the flimsy chest of drawers that didn't complement our style.

But guess what?

During a weekend yard sale hunt, we came across a rustic-looking chest of drawers.

It was marked $50 but the owner came down to $15 when we showed interest

and told her it was destined for our mountain cabin. Sold!

The oil lamp belonged to Ron's Aunt Viola.

A vintage hall tree found at an estate sale long ago and

 some old hooks along one wall hold hats, cameras and binoculars. 

I fell in love with this gorgeous comforter and pillow covers from Cabela's. 

Plaid cotton flannel reversing to fuzzy soft "primalush." 

Although I usually shop at thrift stores and estate sales, 

I plunked down some money for this new set. 

It was worth it. 

The little shelf and photo on the wall came with the cabin

although they were in a different place. 

On the other hand, the nightstands were a creative mix of our own things.

Ron's table is actually his grandfather's old milking stool.

And on my side is a garden table covered with a pretty crocheted piece

that my sweet neighbor Erin gave me and, of course, a pair of cowboy boots.

This vintage etched mirror came from my mirror collection at home. 

We have plans to cover the drywall separating the two rooms

with surplus planks stored in the loft

but for now I hung a Native American weaving flanked by two 

Harrison Begay prints. Both prints feature a young Indian girl tending her sheep. 

The antique rocking chair in the corner was my Dad's.

A Beacon Indian print blanket hangs over the back. 

The bedroom has been warmed up with soft textures and warm colors,
making it a cozy place to relax and snuggle.

At 11,000 feet, the nights are clear and cold, even in the summer.

We might have to add another blanket!

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Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Little Farmstead, Rustic & Refined, Our Southern Home,
Dwellings, Between Naps on the Porch, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style,
Designthusiasm, A Delightsome Life, Follow the Yellow Brick Home, French Country Cottage

French Cowboy Style

Although my first love is French Country, I'm still drawn to the southwest.

My sunroom is a mix of Vintage, Native American and Cowboy styles.
Maybe I'll call this style French Cowboy!

Yep, they do have cowboys in the Camarque region of the South of France.
They ride beautiful white horses and herd distinctive black bulls.
Giddyup!!

I didn't have an opportunity to take any pictures of these French cowboys
when I was in France but
I loved this white horse galloping on a carousel in Paris.

But I digress.
Back to the sunroom.

There's something about a black raven decoy wearing silver jewelry

against a rustic turquoise cabinet that makes my heart sing.

Or the worn leather and metal on old spurs.

We love our rustic sunroom in the Fall with its little gas stove
making it cozy and warm on cool mornings.
It's the perfect place to display my southwestern/vintage collection.

This room has an interesting history. 

One wall is the original 1907 exterior of the house that included a tiny back porch.

The other wall was created in the 70's when a former owner expanded the porch
to create a small room.

We replaced the leaky windows with energy-efficient ones

when carpenter ants completely destroyed that wall.

I kid you not. Stay tuned for that horror story in a future post.

This vintage Beacon blanket, with its Native America designs and Fall colors, 

adds warmth and nubby texture to the room.

The sweet Begay Indian prints on the wall are collectible.

Antlers and art -- a striking mix of nature and man.

I've been collecting little cowboy boots for years. I have about fifty pair!

(Stored in vintage suitcases).

I usually find them at a thrift store for a couple of dollars but 

if they're in a Santa Fe shop, forget it. They can go for a LOT more.

Love the stitching and scuffed toes!

An earthy blend of textures fills an old leather desk organizer.

This little basket was always on our dinner table when I was growing up. 

We never had a meal without sliced white bread in the basket. It must be about 75 years old.
The basket, not the bread! 

I think my mother bought the basket at a roadside stand in Arizona in the 40's.

The hand-made candle holder is from the Taos Pueblo. 

There is something sparkly in the clay and the candle makes it come alive.

We found this old adobe brick mold in a dump in Taos, New Mexico.

It makes a perfect shelf for some of my collectibles.

Zuni buffalo and coyote fetishes seem to pay homage to the female form.
I love the way the sun is shining on her.

I'm not sure how to blend this style with French Country so I corral it all into one room.
A pretty grapevine basket with dried hydrangeas and other Fall touches
looks pretty in any room and with any style.

I don't think you have to limit yourself to just one style
as long as you love it and it works well with your other styles.
If something speaks to you, listen.

Sharing with: Dwellings, Rustic & Refined, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm,
Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Kathe with an E, Bella Rosa Antiques,
Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Ivy & Elephants, Northern Nesting, Charm of Home,
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Maison de Pax, Rooted in Thyme, Shabby Art Boutique,
French Country Cottage, Thoughts from Alice, Creative Country Mom