Big wind ......

Gone with the wind

At least that is what it seemed like this morning, the door was all a flutter as what was left of my holiday decor, the silver balls and red balls are doing double duty alongside the heart wreath on the door!

As I was doing one of my most favorite tasks this morning, ( paying the bills ) it came to my attention that we were still in the dead of winter!

Oh how I long for the sunshine & 60*

Anyhow, looking through my files ( for a client) I found a few winter pics that make the cold weather fly right by.

These are some vintage images from architectural digest circa 2002 ( some other ranch inspired rooms by RL too )!

I just love these painted ponies, roaming on some 16,000 acres under the San Juan sky.

Ralph on the left, and Ricky on the right!

This is the main living area of the four room structure, furnished with RL home goods. Over the mantle is a work by Fritz Scholder, and to the left is one of the "Dukes" old hats, JW.

The master bedroom, with layers of silver conchoed belts and tooled leather. An American flag chief blanket above the bed, all from the 1880's. Blackfoot indian tribe mirrored breastplate, basketry and piles of Native American blankets on and off the floor.

Art Nouveau style lamps are at home with Stickly chairs and a suspended Canadian birch canoe. Blankets, wood inspired furniture and horn trophies fill the cozy room with a simple relaxed rustic feel.

The lived in movie room filled with a big screen television for cowboy viewing of movies and wranglers. A feel of laid back, sophistication even within the old and worn furnishings.

This is where the cowhands and children of the couple eat their breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a working ranch, and so it must fit all the hands together comfortably. Serapes, chuckwagon wheel chandy illuminated with oil lamps all work seemlessly together.

The interior of the cabin, constructed from 1880 Montana barn. During construction a pair of cubs would wonder into the structure, and this space named for them. Above the mantle, a Edward S. Curtis photo gravure. With a neutral background color, the pops of color come through in red, greens and blue shades.

The view from the terrace, a view of the tack house is just a glance away. Tack is kept there for riding and catching the pretty ponies.

This area serves as the mudroom and breezeway out of and into the structure. Notice the leather chaps, riatas, stirrups, early snow shoes and Native American fishing equipment. Not to mention the boots, galvanized tubs, and rugs lining the floor.

Space, though there is much of it outside is limited inside. As many as eight hands are around daily and must accomodate for meals. Here against the dry stacked rock wall; the 19th - century step back cupboard is beautiful as well as fuctioning for pottery and housing platters for meals. On the table is a fine example of a Santo Domingo dough bowl.

The part of the cabine features red and blue accents, along with a Pennsylvania red worn bed frame covered in quilts and Native American blankets. The structure came from a dismantles bard in Montana, stone assembled rock fireplace and Karl Moon photograph on the mantle.

As the barn would look for the holidays, just a mere memory as Spring work on the ranch takes presidence!

Sage and willow branches from native bushes adorn the tree base. A feminine touch, the French lace table cloth, like only RL can mix and match yet still make cohesive.

For the guests to the home, one of three tee pee's with blankets, trunks, American flag and beaded bags.

If you are lucky to be a visitor in the milder months, then there is a tee pee for your choosing.

A lack of heat keeps the winter guests to the inside of the cabins.

Just a peek of a vingette from RL.

A wonderful lodge decor look, love the use of rich color and texture to create a comfy spot!

A closer view of an antler mirror and gilt chair with Aragon velvet fabric.

And who could not resist this little guy!

Love this bedroom, the next thing to check off the list, .......

complete the ranch house!

I do not know why but rustic chic has been on my mind lately.

This is exactly what I had imagined.

Inside of San Juan and outside Architectural Digest circa 2002