Ranch House Style

I love, love, love home decor and interior design. My parents were in the design and interior decor business most of my life, so I have always had a bit more experience with that kind of thing. For example, I know how to seal tile and can appreciate the quality of a properly installed tile. I can't go into a public restroom or someone's home without looking to see if their grout lines are straight. Sorry, I just can't!

I am a huge window shopper. I am always dreaming about the ranch house. Goodness, even just a ranch cabin will suffice! The Dranch House or Cabin I would love to own someday. The Dream Ranch House or Cabin I would love to decorate someday. Oh, the fun I would have!

I am attracted to cozy, inspiring environments. I believe the most important thing about our environments is that they reflect our personalities, our lives, and our interests. That it be authentic and livable to who we are. That alone will speak to someone's home decor. Some people could care less about home decor and interior design.....the more power to them! Others spend hours and hours rearranging furniture and buying and collecting new pieces and redecorating every week.....the more power to them! The wonderful thing about home decor and making your "nest" is that nobody else can tell you what to do with it. Unless your husband is picky about those pink floral curtains in the bedroom. At this point, not a problem for me. (No husband, nobody to tell me how to decorate!)

This winter, I have been mad about plaid. I am not sure why, but I currently seem to have more plaid throw blankets than the average person needs. The following are not all of them!

I also became infatuated with logger checkers. Is that what it is called? Maybe it's logger plaid? Anyway, I was shopping with my cousin this past Thanksgiving and we saw logger checkers everywhere- on purses, scarves, hats, and coats. Here's a funny story. As we're shopping, oh goodness, this man goes walking down the mall and he's wearing a logger's plaid flannel. But no, he wasn't trying to be in style! He was just wearing a flannel because he was one of those men that wears flannels. It was probably something he'd been wearing for years. Little did he know he was making a fashion statement and that I was coveting his flannel!

I saw this chair at an antique store and had to snap a picture. It was an old armchair recovered in Pendleton fabric~ and in logger's plaid! I wanted it for the Dream Ranch House!

I have some favorite looks, favorite things, that I would love to use in my future Dream Ranch Home.

Native American print pillows! I covet these Chief Joseph pillows from Pendleton Woolen Mills.

Zebra print rugs! I stole this one from my Desert Rose! The picture, not the rug or the cute grand kid!

Antler anything! This antler bowl is faux but it was under $10!

Vintage cowgirl touches! Like this nightlight in my bathroom.

Rustic candle holders! The store we got these lodge-y birch candle holders at is now out of business. I got the leaf-embossed candles on clearance at Fred Meyer.

Isn't the leather detailing on these great?

For more great western and rustic style tips, I found this great site the other day, the Cactus Creek Daily/Blog. This is "an online magazine that spotlights rustic, western, and vintage home goods through interviews, feature stories, and product guides related to the marketplace." I just love the styles and products they feature here! They even gave me some advice on where to find Pendleton style blankets at more of a Target price-point. I'm sure there is nothing like Pendleton, but not everyone can afford the good stuff!

For now, I am starting to collect a few things that warm up my small place and reflect my cowgirl style. I may not live in the Dream Ranch House yet, but I am surrounding myself with things that keep the dream alive.

What is your style? Do you like rustic western decor? Do you have any favorite key design pieces (antlers, Navajo prints, cowhide?)