Rustic – Style Defined

Is Rustic Your Style?

Rustic style brings nature indoors and takes us back to a simpler time.  It’s comfy, cozy, unrefined, and unpretentious.  You can see rustic influences in other styles like beach, country & western, primitive, and cottage chic.  Rustic style is not just for the cabin in the woods or the farmhouse, it is perfect for the down-town loft, especially when combined with minimalism or industrial.

Rustic Textures

Would You Say Wood?

Various wood surfaces and accessories are almost a certainty in a rustic decor.  All kinds of wood make up the base of most rustic decor including twigs, rough logs, rough-hewn beams, bare planks; with all types of finishes whitewash, color-wash, bare, stained, painted and weathered.  Walls of wood, wood floors, wood furniture and wood-carved accessories.

I think the comfy feel of comes from all the natural warmth, organic textures and deep colors in the rustic decor.  Doesn’t it remind you of a simpler time?

Other Rustic Requirements

Cotton, fur, suede, leather, imperfect wavy glass, are probably not really required, but they make great additions to any rustic decor.  Here are a few more great features to enhance your rustic decor:

• animals, carved, stuffed, real or fake (these can add a bit of whimsy)
• textured walls – paint effects such as a suede or leather finish
• strong slightly rough surfaces – a dough bowl, thick wood mantle
• soft lighting – like the glow of a fire in the fireplace
• fabrics styled with patchwork,  ikat,
• burlap, canvas, cotton, gingham
• Rusty metals, hammered, distressed, weathered, tarnished metals with beautiful patinas are woven throughout the rustically styled home.

Functional Features

As the pioneers did out of necessity, to create an honest rustic decor, you repurpose found objects; make do with what you have and create something you need.  Metal objects that once had one useful purpose are repurposed for a new function – metal pails hold newspapers, wire baskets turned into light fixtures, wood crates for toy bins.   Beautiful doors are another way to create functional features of a rustic room are sliding barn doors, or dutch doors.

The Colors of Rustic

Natural, neutral, deep, subtle colors make up the rustic color palette:

slate, denim blue, soft grays

green, golden yellow

faded turquoise (adds a western flair)

tan, brown, caramel, cream,

amber, cola red, cool clay

I love the warm, coziness of rustic.  A few years ago my husband and I went on a missions trip to Kenya.  After the building of churches and playing with the children, we were able to spend a few days at a tent camp.  The tents had a foundation and included a beautiful bathroom featuring stone.   I loved the rustic feel of the space.  It was the perfect atmosphere for relaxing after the travel and the mission work.

Is your rustic home your space to relax after a long day?  I’d love to hear how you make your home rustic, so be sure to share by leaving a comment.

Blessings,

Lauree

…keep dancing the dream

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