Country Rustic Decorating
Rustic elements include items such as wooden floors and heavy furniture, along with accessories in ceramic, stone and wood. Painted furniture, checked and plaid fabrics and regional antiques add to the charm of rustic style decorating. Derived fromcountry life, rustic decorating emphasizes comfort and the use of local materials, drawing its design palette from regional colors and textures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Develop a color palette. Select natural colors that reflect your region. East coast and Midwest rustic color schemes may include forest and grassy greens, dark browns, sky blue and bright yellow, along with rich reds and antique whites. For southwest and west coast regions, include sandy pinks and yellows, clay red, leafy greens and bold yellow and gold colors.
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Paint your walls with neutral shades from your color palette. Use mid-tone colors for the walls; avoid pure whites and bright yellows, as these tend to add too much of a cottage appeal to your rustic decor.
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Use furnishings made from local woods. Oak and maple are common to the east and Midwest, while pine is more commonly used in the west and southwest.
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Select furnishings that emphasize the wood and wood frames. These include beds, benches, hardback chairs and tables. Select leather, suede, wool or linen for upholstered furniture such as sofas and chairs. Fabrics with bold geometric patterns in your selected color palette may be used for bedding, bench and chair cushions.
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Use painted chests, cabinetry and side chairs for added color and to promote the rustic appeal of the decor. Add stenciling to chests and cabinets using animal or plant shapes.
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Select lamps with heavy bases made of wood or wrought iron. Lamp shades may be faux leather or woven fabric. Use chandeliers for overhead lighting. These may be contrived from wagon wheels or faux animal antlers. Wrought iron may also be used.
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Use curtains and natural woven shades for window treatments in the kitchen and less formal areas. Use wood blinds with drapery panels in the living room. Use wool or cotton fabrics in a solid color for drapery.
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Accessorize your design with wooden bowls, Native American pottery and blankets, quilts with colonial designs and antique farm implements. Add dried floral arrangements and handmade goods to your decor to soften the appeal.
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Select themed artwork for your rustic decor. Such artwork may include cowboy art, prints depicting country life or local wildlife and sculptural works depicting country artifacts such as cowboy boots.
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Add personal touches to the decor. Place fresh flowers in re-purposed containers such as old watering cans or antique food tins. Bundle pine boughs with ribbon and place them in an antique trough for a centerpiece on the dining table. Use mismatched saucers for candle holders or candy dishes.
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Tips & Warnings
Visit thrift shops and yard sales to find rustic accessories.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Rustic copper pot, isolated on white image by Accent from Fotolia.com
