Since the Big Move, we have been surprisingly busy doing things around the house.  One of the fun challenges was creating a nice place to relax after long days of mowing and rounding up goats and chickens.

The Ely Room

Jim is from Minnesota and used to spend his childhood summer vacations camping  in the Boundary Waters or fishing with family at Camp Van Vac in Ely.

We have spent the last couple of summer vacations listening for loons and chasing fireflies, but this year we chose to forego the annual trip so that we could save our resources for work around the new Homestead.

To say that we missed Ely is an understatement. So, in homage to the cabins of Camp Van Vac, we decided to dedicate a room in our new home to Ely.

I knew I wanted it to be rustic, but I also wanted to have some comforts without making it too feminine.

We started by cleaning these nasty couches.

(how we did it)

Then I added a nice gender neutral pattern on the windows.  I chose a Sandwell Black and Tan checked fabric.

I wanted to incorporate some wilderness, so I added a couple of pillows with birds on them and placed Marty the Moose on a top shelf.    A picture that was taken while my daughter was away at college is framed temporarily until we can get the whole gang together for a newer picture.

We hung skis that Jim made when he was a teen for a little added flair. 

The room was still missing something, so I made a quick 15 minute wreath and spent a few dollars on some cattail flowers and a Monogram T.

A few other Minnesota details include this sign and our stove.

In short, I have to admit I am surprised at how easily this came together.  It genuinely feels like a mini vacation every time I step into this room.

What do you think? Is there a vacation spot that you would like to re-create in your home?

I’d love to hear from you…

Ellie

P.S.  Don’t forget to subscribe 🙂