Rustic
Furniture Information
Rustic Country Decor - How To Decorate Cottage Style
Homes
By David Buster
http://www.logfurnituredirectory.com/articles/decorate_cottage_style_homes.htm
Rustic country decor and how to decorate cottage
style homes are extensions of American country style decorating.
In addition, traditions are borrowed from French, English and some
Swedish country looks. Rustic country decor can be defined as coarse,
charmingly simple, unfussy, unfinished and yet with endearing qualities.
Rustic country decorating includes the use of natural woods, aged
surfaces, rough finishes and simple lines.
Cottage style homes are comfortable, modest, quaint homes that can
be made of thick stone or log wood. Floors in rustic country decor
and cottage style homes are made with stone or wood materials. Wooden
floors were traditionally constructed with boards that were bare
and simply waxed and hand-polished (high-gloss varnishes did not
exist).
Sometimes the boards were painted with light colors. If you like
floor coverings, use oriental rugs and throws for visual warmth
and color. Rustic country decor is about handcrafted objects, simplicity,
furnishings that you enjoy and connecting back to nature.
Rustic cottage furniture is commonly made with pine and perhaps
painted with hand-painted designs such as flowers, birds, animals,
country scenery or leaves. Use ladderback chairs, rocking chairs,
benches, wicker furniture and Windsor chairs. A large rectangular
table made of pine is a good option for your kitchen or dining room
table. To give your furniture a rustic look, brush a coat of paint
on the furniture piece, then rub most of the paint off. After it
dries, apply wood stain unevenly for an older weathered appearance.
It will be perfect and rustic looking!
Baskets can be used to store wood, pine cones, flowers, plants
and needlework. Brass candle holders, oil or kerosene lamps, sconces,
hurricane lamps, tin lanterns, recessed ceiling fixtures or a vintage
wrought-iron or metal chandelier provide successful lighting for
rustic country decor and cottage style homes. Colors used in rustic
country decor or cottage style homes are neutral tones ranging from
white to bone, earth tones, red barn, blues and greens.
For rustic country decor in the kitchen, use open shelves, hutches,
buffets, plate racks and cupboards for storage. Often, country kitchen
storage is crammed with stoneware pots, plain glazed earthenware
and glass jars. Kitchen pots should be made of copper, steel or
cast iron - cookware tends to be large and plain. Use open shelving
in the rustic country kitchen to display plates, dishes and dinnerware
collections. Natural woods, light colors and bright fabrics work
great for window treatments. Adding a rustic butcher block island
creates a wonderful visual effect as well as provides useful functionality.
A rustic country decor bathroom has neutral tones or soft colored
walls, antique-looking lighting, and wooden antiques or antique
reproduction cabinets and vanity. Knowing how to decorate cottage
style homes and bathrooms can result in creating a calm and elegant
atmosphere. Clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, country style antique
brass faucets and old-fashioned country cabinets provide the kind
of atmosphere that makes you want to spend time there. Plain white
towels are recommended instead of patterned or bright modern patterns.
Use wicker or wire baskets to keep your sponges, loofas and shampoos
handy near the tub or shower.
Understanding how to decorate cottage style homes means including
items like quilts, antique furniture or reproductions, flea-market
pieces, trunks, chests, armoires, stenciling, wallpaper, adirondack
chairs, flower wreaths and bistro chairs. These types of elements
give cottage style homes the kind of rustic country decor that is
simpler, very personal and warmly inviting.
Whether in a seaside setting, an urban environment, a countryside
location or a wooded mountain retreat, cottage style homes are cozy
and unassuming, combining the past with the present. Read all you
can find and learn what creating the rustic country cottage means
to you no matter where it is located. Enjoy expressing your personality
and showing what the definition of home means to you.
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