Fishing season is officially underway! For Minnesotans, fishing is more than just a leisurely past-time, it’s a lifestyle. So it’s no wonder the rustic and natural feel of most fishing cabins have trickled down into our year-round homes. Just leave the fishy smell out on the lake please!

In the past, before transportation was as simple as it is today, cabin owners often had to use horses or hike to their log home. Because of this, much of the furniture used in cabin decorating was originally made from trees cut from the cabin site. Even today, beds, tables and chairs are often rustic, simply constructed pieces made from logs and unfinished lumber. Our post on Decorating with Wood explains how you can make this rustic, cabin trend work in your suburban home.

Along with the furniture, accessories were also made from on the spot materials. Lamp bases were often constructed from small logs, pictures were framed with twigs and baskets were woven from reeds.

Compliment all of the natural wood in your cabin-esque home with the right paint colors. Consider the color of your exposed wood – color palettes with similar undertones will complement the wood, while opposite colors will create a nice contrast. For example, if you have wood trim in a warm pine color, green shades would complement the yellow undertones, while shades of blue would create contrast. You can always stop in to your local Hirshfield’s and talk to one of their paint experts to find the perfect color to compliment the natural elements in your home.

And don’t forget to add in those special fishing touches. Create a shadow box with old fishing lures, fill a wall cabinet with antique fishing poles or place fly fishing hats with lures attached to a hat rack to make you feel like your living right on the lake.