in other words
january8
9
Living on a Lake in the Country: Decorating Your Cabin or Lake Home
2013
By Gayle Rich-Boxman
Decorating on a dime used to be my credo when
I was a struggling artist. I’ve decorated everything
from my little SE Portland home built in the 40’s to our
6200 square foot lodge-like home here on Fishhawk
Lake. Since it’s such a passion for me and I feel there
is a closet designer and interior decorator desperately
trying to get out, I thought I would share some ideas for
decorating a lake home, cabin, lodge or something akin
to that that might fit in your area. Whether it’s rustic
using what nature provides or high-end stonework for
your kitchen or bath, I will try to give you some of my
favorite tidbits on how to
pull it off without having
to (necessarily) spend
gobs of money.
There are ways
that you can create a
feeling in all areas of
your home from lighting
to hardware to something
as simple as branches cut
from outside and put in
a vase with marbles to
incorporate nature into
your inner landscape.
Where to Buy
You can get all kinds of great STUFF from
simply going to your local Goodwill or garage sales or
antique shops. I am very eclectic in my taste and mix it
up all of the time, from antiques to kitschy and funky,
silly things to deliver some whimsy and not make the
home too staid. Made in Vernonia will have local
items that would fit right in. Flowers ‘n Fluff located
in Clatskanie is another great shop. . There are shops
online, like Black Forest Décor and I have found that
Pier 1 Imports, Fred Meyer and Target will offer cabin/
lake items for a reasonable sum of money.
Start with a Theme
Having a theme can make it easier to narrow down
your buying. I’ve seen it all from bear themes, to nautical
and in between. Being the consummate cabin-on-the-
lake girl, I love items with elk, deer, leaves, fish and
a lake theme intertwined along with wood-hued tones
and muted shades of leather or fabric as the backdrop.
Accent pieces can be area rugs, granite, appliances,
mantel décor, pillows and/or throws casually tossed
over a couch, bed or the favorite reading chair.
Some people stick with pine cones as a run-
ning theme throughout the interior from switch plates
to baskets or bowls filled with ones the family has gath-
ered. I’ve seen homes decorated with really cool old
fishing tackle, and rustic antique cooking utensils. Mix-
ing these things with the background of wood, leather
or fur makes it really easy to go a variety of directions.
If you’re going with a more rustic or traditional cabin
look, you don’t want too much color as it makes it feel
very contemporary or very artsy and it seems that the
cabiny/lodge feel leans more towards earth tones with
either whites, creams, greens, reds or yellows being ac-
cent colors.
Pillows are one GREAT WAY to easily give a
different feel to a room with each change of season
and will give a pop of color. I have gone to Ross and
gotten pillows that are basic or fun & funky and Pier 1
Imports has a good selection that’s always changing,
but they are somewhat spendy in comparison to Ross.
Nature Themes
You can’t go wrong with a nature theme. I’ve
picked up all kinds of baskets at Goodwill and then
filled them with leaves, branches, and pine cones. Keep
an eye out when you’re hiking in the woods or on a trail
or along a river. You can find interesting rocks, feath-
ers or even cool skeletons, that if tastefully placed, can
seem more like art.
I’ve picked up things
in the woods that make
their way home and be-
come part of my homage
to Mother Nature. Verte-
brae from a large animal.
A deer horn. Petrified
wood. I have a friend who
collects round stones and
she places them on her
windowsills, smallest to
largest. Simple and really
lovely!
In fall you can break
out the warm earth tones,
shades of orange, yellow and green in candles, and
dried flower arrangements. Baskets can give texture as
well as being a great place to put potpourri in different
rooms. I have purchased TONS of cheap baskets at
Goodwill that came in all sizes and shapes. If you pick
a Goodwill that’s in a more urban area or close to an
upscale neighborhood, you can make a KILLING for
next-to-nothing. You can buy potpourri or make your
own and place that in baskets. Linens with animals
embroidered on them are a nice touch in the kitchen or
the bath and can also be displayed
on or near a basket. You can cut
certain kinds of plants that will dry
beautifully and can be displayed
anywhere. Even spraying with
hairspray can keep them intact for
quite some time!
Using Light for Ambiance
Area lamps are terrific
for creating that warm cozy
candlelight feel that makes
everyone want to hunker down
around the fire, and read a
good book or enjoy that glass
of cabernet along with quiet
conversation. Overhead lights
usually give you a much more
stark feeling, so lamps with
amber shades work really well.
Lampshades can give a bit of
drama or continue a theme.
In our home we have lamp stands with metal
pine cones, metal trees or made of logs. We also have
shades with animal silhouettes and stands like the shape
of a small tree trunk. Then, on the high-end, we have
wall sconces with heavy dark wrought iron and simple
leaf patterns interwoven in the metal, surrounding the
brushed glass of the sconces. Elegant and rustic at the
same time.
Statement Pieces
Some of your bigger expenses like granite or
marble can make a HUGE statement. My personal fa-
vorite is an Egyptian marble called RainForest Green
and I used it in the home we owned at Fishhawk Lake
before our current home and ALWAYS got compli-
ments on it. I used Absolute
Marble and Granite in Vernonia
to have it installed and they are
true artists. I will never use any-
one else and recommend them to
everyone.
But, if you don’t have that kind
of money, just use combinations
of wood, metal, glass, leather and
nature’s gifts right outside your
door to start with, maybe add a
few switch plates with elk or deer
or bear on them, amber-colored
shades, some well-placed pillows
or a throw and then you’ll be on
your way to that cozy cabin look.
(Don’t forget the hot cider or
great glass of wine to congratulate
yourself at the end of a day of
decorating)!
If you’re in the market for buying a cabin at
Fishhawk Lake, I’m your gal! Call me at: (503)755-
2905.
WELLER & SON’S
503.429.7408
STEVE
HM: 503-429-3400
CELL: 503-313-9006
59229 Nehalem Hwy. South
SELF LOADER
LONG LOGGER
CUSTOM LOGGING
www.spiralzsalon.com
Grey Dawn Gallery
879 Bridge St. (503) 429-2787
Photography - Bronze
Lowell J.
Mitchell
Guitars & Vocal
Entertainment, Production,
Lessons & Bookings
Jewelry - Glasswork
Pottery - Custom Framing
www.greydawngallery.com
Featuring the finest in northwest art
(503) 789-3835
(503) 235-8996
www.loweljmitchell.com
lowelljmitchell@gmail.com
buyer and seller of musical instruments
DENNIS
HM: 503-429-2810
CELL: 503-313-9044
1264 G ST.
VERNONIA, OR 97064
O.P.L. CERTIFIED
O.P.L.H. CERTIFIED
ROAD BUILDNIG
LAND CLEARING
EXCAVATION
We saddle shoe. Do you?
Muffy’s
950 Bridge Street
Vernonia, O8 97064
503.429.5050 or 866.524.5050
www.muffys.com
World Headquarters Vernonia, Oregon