We’re Into: The Lodge-Inspired Look

When the temps start to drop, along with a multitude of leaves, our nesting instincts kick in and we’re naturally drawn indoors. To impart that cozy feel we’ve all been craving, we found inspiration in the inviting, rustic warmth of hunting and ski lodges. Even if you don’t have a stone fireplace (and especially if you do), it’s easy to add those warm, natural elements that are found in some of our favorite rustic lodges.

Designer Suzanne Kasler conjured Christmas in a lodge for instant, feel-good comfort in the space above. She paired rustic textures and wood elements with classic tartan red. By incorporating not just one tree but three into this living room, Suzanne recreates the great outdoors ambiance of a lodge, which is reinforced by the stacked firewood. And no chalet is complete without a set of antlers. This year, Suzanne transformed her trademark antlers into a wreath — we love it layered over greenery.

Any lodge-inspired room needs to feel cozy and warm, and the combination of the dark gray walls and our Heirloom Patchwork Quilt in a rustic red strikes just the right chord. We created rich texture throughout with a plush wool rug layered over a natural woven rug, a burlap bedskirt and a woven cane headboard. The unadorned greenery and Antler Candle Sconce add that back-to-nature feel.

While you may not live in Aspen, you can recreate the luxe lodge look with the right mix of materials. Here, we layered in refined textures with our oversized Chesterfield sofa and pillows, all covered in luxuriously soft velvet, and went heavy on the metallics thoughout. The Natural Cowhide Rug and sculptural Antler Chandelier are the perfect marriage of rustic charm and sophisticated attitude for this room. The distressed planked wood tops and metal legs of our Durham Tables provide a nice balance to the more chic touches.  

Accessories make all the difference when you’re trying to make it feel as if you’re just steps from snow-capped peaks and evergreens. Art isn’t the only thing you can hang. Add actual relics from the great outdoors, such as sleds, snowshoes or a pair of skis, like our Found Wood Skis from early 1900s Bavaria. The vintage-look Wine Barrel Plaques and distressed wood shelves make a style statement while adding to the cozy vibe.

This lovely breakfast nook boasts the perfect mix of textures and the winning combination of buffalo check (hello, red!) and burlap. We’ve got the beautiful view, but in lieu of exposed wood beams, we incorporated plenty of architectural elements, such as our hand carved pedestal table, wrap-around steel frame bakers rack and Hadley Pendant Chandelier. The Birch Candles are just the icing on the cake.

Find tons of holiday inspiration here, and shop Ballard Designs Holiday decor.

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