Style Guide: Cabin

Cozy, comforting and endlessly nostalgic, camps and cabins celebrate the simple life in harmony with the great outdoors. We spoke to Tereasa Surratt, author and owner of Camp Wandawega, a storied lakeside resort in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, about how to bring the style to life not just in expected places like a rural cabin or lodge but in a bedroom, a kids room, a backyard tent, a home office space, or a she shed.

COLOR
I try to first research historic palettes of the era that I'm depicting for the cabin or room, but sometimes I start with a palette pulled from a favorite piece of bark cloth, for example, and build a room around those hues.

ACCESSORIES
For camp, we have a self-imposed rule, that it doesn't cross the threshold if it's newer than 1960. By sticking to that filter, it's allowed us to curate authentic camp-style interiors, that result in a more memorable, unique experience for our guests. Everything tells a story; every piece of art, textile, or book isn’t just decorative. It has to help build a broader narrative for the space.

ART
I like to rethink the traditional definition of art. It can be anything you want it to be, so instead of looking only for framed paintings, I look at everything from a scoutmaster poster to a stack of arrows as an opportunity to create a vignette or moment.

DESIGN APPROACH
Whenever I decide to tackle a new space, I start with sketching out each wall, and dig into the vernacular of vintage camps and lodges. I always stay away from faux finishes made to look “old.” By starting with authentic period furniture and fabrics, it will feel like an immersive experience, versus a “made-up room” that emulates the look of a camp. if you take your time, and dig deep through sources like Facebook Marketplace, craigslist and flea markets, you'll be able to uncover unique pieces that will make your space memorable and authentic. I also love Etsy if I'm looking for something really specific. But at the end of the day, for this property, it’s really an ongoing commitment to making the rounds at the thrift stores in Walworth County.

LIFESTYLE
I love the extras so much! We spend a good amount of time thinking about what people love to do the most here, and it has always come back to the same thing: To experience something unique that puts you in a different headspace. It’s how we created our programming, which spans everything from embroidery classes to how to build a campfire workshop—and people love it.

Tereasa Surratt owns Camp Wandawega and is the author or Found, Free & Flea, A Very Modest Cottage and The Forever Tree.

PHOTOS Courtesy of Tereasa Surratt