How to Select Accessories for Your American Country Style Home

The right mix of accessories is critical to achieving American country style. You'll need to select pieces that have an old, handcrafted look that's rustic and homey.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Framed Sampler
• Colonial-style Exterior Shutters
• Animal China Figurines
• Area Rugs
• Baskets
• Candleholders
• Candles
• Curtains
• Dried Flowers
• Lamps
• Light Fixtures
• Pictures
• Quilts
• Throw Pillows
• Candles
• Baskets
• Pictures

1. Note that quilts are indispensable to country decor. Put them to work as upholstery, slipcovers, wall art or throws for a sofa or chair.

2. Use pictures that contribute to the casual, old-fashioned atmosphere - samplers, advertising art from generations past, primitive painted portraits or prints, old family photographs. Country still lifes can feature baskets, fruit, flowers, teddy bears or antique dolls; landscapes portraying farms, barns, old houses, orchards and meadows are good selections.

3. Choose lamps that are both casual and traditional, such as lantern types or lamps with bases of distressed wood, antique brass or copper, rustic pewter, or stoneware. Lampshades of parchment or nubby linen are most appropriate. Overhead lighting can be a simple wrought-iron chandelier or lantern styles made of materials such as tin, copper, pewter, antique brass, and milky or stained glass.

4. Dress the windows with tab-top or push-style curtains made of eyelet, gingham, calico florals or nubby linen. Colonial-style shutters can be used, too.

5. Warm up hard-surface floors with braided, hooked or rag rugs. These can also be layered atop wall-to-wall carpet if you use a special pad underneath.

6. Be generous with bric-a-brac, which includes slim candles and candleholders (especially tin, pewter, ceramic and antique brass) on tabletops. Also use figurines (especially animal-themed pieces) and folk-art sculpture (wood carvings, simple clay pieces).

7. Dried plant materials such as herbs can be hung upside-down in bunches or stuck in crocks, cider jugs or Native American pottery. Use eucalyptus foliage, wheat stalks, rose hips, curly willow, pussy willows and grapevine wreaths.

8. Celebrate comfort with embroidered, handwoven, patchwork, eyelet-trimmed or otherwise homey cushions. Use them generously on beds as well as on sofas and chairs.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that American country style celebrates primitive, handcrafted items rather than finery. Stow the Waterford crystal and elaborate silver, and use folk art sculpture rather than fine bronzes. Skip elaborately carved Victorian seating, dressers and beds in favor of simple overstuffed couches, Shaker pine dressers and simple turned four-posters.
• Be creative - adapt the function of your decorative accessories. An old copper pot can hold fireplace kindling, baskets can collect magazines or mail, a crock can serve as a wastebasket, and a quilt can protect an upholstered piece or hide one that has seen better days.

on 11/22/2005 Several antique mirrors are displayed in back of my china cupboards, bringing variety, texture and sparkle to the shelves while reflecting the images of a large white ironstone and pressed glass goblet collection.

on 11/22/2005 Sometimes curtains aren't enough to dress a window with country style. Try hanging a pretty old plate in a window for a wonderful country touch. This is especially eye-catching when a plate is hung between cafe curtains and a valance.

on 11/22/2005 I have two antique tool carriers with six square sections each. One by the front door holds keys, letters for mailing, sunglasses and a mobile phone. Another on a desk holds a cheery potted plant, paper clips, stapler, scissors and pens. Very country!

on 11/22/2005 Antique dresser scarves, either crocheted or embroidered linen, make wonderful country window valances. Just drape them over curtain holdbacks or run a simple placket along one edge to hang on a curtain rod.