As an interior designer, I know that so many Tahoe homeowners love clean, contemporary spaces. For a while, it seemed like black windows, white walls, and gray furnishings were the only choices under consideration, especially in the Martis Valley, where so much new construction has been primarily in contemporary mountain style in recent years. But is contemporary the only style relevant to Tahoe interiors?
Of course, around the lake there have always been lots of funky old-Tahoe cabins in the original neighborhoods and wonderful old lodges still pepper the lakefront. But many of these have been slowly torn down only to be replaced by larger, more modern homes. Thus, my plea — and hear me out, please.
Can we just pause on this a bit and consider the charm, character, and Tahoe history held in these old-Tahoe homes? Couldn’t we celebrate and make every effort to preserve, enhance, and appreciate these wonderful gems as the fantastic remnants of a happy, simpler all-American way of life? We could recognize that they are filled with the joy of generations of kids on summer break with bathing suits, ice cream, and water skiing. And the pleasure of winter holidays spent sledding or skiing and evenings by the fireplace with hot cocoa. The memories, the love, the happiness is all part of the Tahoe experience. Many families pass these houses down to their children, memories intact. They are meant to be lived in, loved, and then passed on to the next lucky residents.
Certainly, in Europe, old-chalet style is deeply appreciated. Even when chalets are updated with modern rustic fabrics and furnishings, the beautiful old structures are valued, preserved, and enhanced. The original style and charm of the village remains to be cherished and enjoyed by the next generation.
In the Eastern U.S., Adirondack style is going strong and traditional mountain and lake homes are filled with handmade old hickory, antique wicker, and plump sofas inherited with the house, reupholstered in beautiful new fabrics and made ready for today’s younger residents. Eighty-year-old canoes, black and white photos, Native American art collections, all are cherished, displayed, collections added to and loved.
And in the Northwest, Montana and Wyoming are embracing lodge style as never before. The popularity of the TV show Yellowstone has spurred a renewed love of our own, uniquely American lodge style, inspired by our Great National Park lodges, such as the Ahwahnee, and the Old Faithful Inn. I regularly receive phone calls from folks all over the country searching for remnants of the Ralph Lauren fabric used on the upholstered dining chairs at the Yellowstone ranch house.
So, what exactly is old-Tahoe style? Most of the region’s old-Tahoe cabins were built in the 1920s through the 1950s, although there are some even older cabins still around. As for décor, old-Tahoe style is many things, of course, but typical details include log walls or peeled bark exteriors, shellacked pickwick pine walls and ceilings, sprawling rock fireplaces with wonderful hearths to sit on. Living rooms are often open to rustic rafters and trusses, or even open second floor walkways with charming railings dressed with cut-out Christmas tree shapes. Kitchens originally had linoleum floors and funky cabinetry, but this has usually been updated. These are places where you can put your feet up, laugh with friends, gaze out the windows, wear flip flops in the summer, muck-lucks in the winter, and have a fondue party.
Let me just ask — what are we thinking as we allow these treasures of Tahoe’s past to be cast aside, torn down to be replaced with something larger but blander? Could we not just embrace them for what they are? Certainly, we can modernize bathrooms and kitchens, increase square footage when more space is needed or add a garage, by all means. Let’s just not knock them down and erase all the good stuff.
Additionally, if you are considering building, or even just updating or redecorating, why not build, update or redecorate in the old-Tahoe style? It will never date. It will always be beautiful. And it will forever reflect the timeless Tahoe lifestyle. After all, life in Tahoe will always be about family, friends, recreation, relaxation, and pleasure.
The problem with replicating Old Tahoe style in a new house or a remodel is that all that stone, wood paneling, exposed log beams and the like are very expensive–especially after the owner or builder has paid for modern energy, envelope, seismic, and home hardening upgrades. In the highest wildfire hazard zones Old Tahoe style exteriors are probably not code compliant. In any case, the housing we should be concerning ourselves with is not the Maris Camp mansion but affordable housing, especially multifamily housing. Old Tahoe is for the 0.1 percent.