Hidden Pony Lodge Tablescape

With record snows here in Utah it is time to

head up to our mountain home at Sundance Ski

Resort.  Sundance is owned by movie actor

Robert Redford who has kept the ski resort small

and intimate.

The name of our home is Hidden Pony Lodge, inspired

from the beautiful artwork of Bev Doolittle, where ponies are

hidden amongst the trees in someof her more famous paintings.

We adore her artwork and wanted our mountain home

to reflect native American Indian art,

 both ancient and modern.  Bev's art fits in so well. 

This table uses all of our everyday tableware that we use

here at Hidden Pony Lodge.

The table is set on this massive 7 1/2 foot custom made table

which has fit up to 14.  It is regularly set for 10 and that is

 what I have set it for today.

I used two placemats to anchor the placesettings, a silver organza

rectangular one, set in a vertical position and a round metallic one

set on top of it.  The dinnerware is Pfaltzgraff Midnight Sun and

features graphic designs in glossy black on matte black.

The graphic designs reminded me of indian artwork.

The flatware is Cook's Club Wavy Stainless steel.

A silver brushed satin napkin with a swirled silver napkin

ring is placed at the top of the place setting.

Bubbled glassware was a purchase from Pottery

Barn years ago.

The step design on this pewter platter is featured

throughout the entire home.  This classic southwest indian

design ties elements in the home from the tableware to the

dining chairs, and Navjo rugs to metalwork in the home.

My dear friends Tammy and Sam both grew up in families

that ran trading posts in New Mexico.  Tammy's aunt

is a well known southwestern furniture designer and she

designed this beautiful stepped candle holder.  Tammy and

Sam took us on a buying trip to New Mexico when we

were building the home.

A touch of basketry and tooled leather add to

the native american decor of the table.

This candle holder holds 7 large candles in the

step design.  It always sits on the dining table.

There is something fascinating about

bubbled glassware.  I love how each one is different.

For a touch of greenery I brought in this tooled

leather box with some oak leaves.

Notice the step design on the custom made chairs.  Much of

my inspiration for the interior design of this cabin came from

a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  We saw

similar chairs  there and had a local upholsterer create these.

The chairs have black leather seats and brass tacks.

The leather seats are great for cleaning up after small

children!  It is built for a family after all.

Bold red is featured in so much of the Navajo

designs, so we chose red and black as accents

to neutrals in the home.  The black and red of

the table makes it fit nicely into its surroundings.

A huge antler chandelier graces the dining table.

Antlers just bespeak western and mountain home

 don't they?

It was purchased in Jackson Hole and is created with naturally

shed antlers from both moose and elk.  A local craftsman

there made them and shipped them.

The oversized table is made of rustic alder.  I

love its flaws.  Notice the reflection of the glass in the

table, the dining area is flanked with glass on both sides.

It sits atop a 4 foot wide white pine tree trunk for the base.

When I walked into one of my furniture designer's shop

one day while furnishing the home, I saw a similar table and

asked him to make me one.  This is a table that is not going

to be moved around!

Notice the fun "tree chairs" in the front windows.  They are

quite the conversation starters.  This is just the dining area and it

is filled with additional seating to accomodate

 parties and crowds.

The dining and living area looks straight out onto

the Sundance ski slope.

It is entertaining to watch beginner skiers as

the learn to go down the slopes.

    The home is a true ski in/ski out home with

mountain vistas on all sides.

I was even able to catch the glow of the sun setting

in the mountains just outside the dining area windows.

Evening comes early in the winter and especially in the

mountains, so the candles are all lit now.

Ruby red lights glow from the candles.

The red candles all give such a welcoming glow

on a cold winter night, especially after a day of

skiing.

Hope you enjoyed your day at Hidden Pony Lodge where

there is always something to eat for skiers who stop by

either for lunch or after a day on the slopes.

Drop in anytime you see lights on or smoke coming

from the chimney.

I will be posting with

Tablescapes Thursday, Feathered Nest Friday,

Favorite Things, Weekend Wrapup