If you’re looking to add a hint of southern France to your decor, then it’s worth investigating the possibility of incorporating a bit of rustic home design into your interior. Many people wrongly assume that this style of decorating implies a lack of formal sophistication. On the contrary, rustic home decor simply displays an easy way of mixing European and native design elements without coming off as fake or kitschy. The key to successful rustic home design is making sure that your interior design reflects the kind of casual comfort and warmth that people in rural regions tend to feel. This warm and cozy style imparts a sense of pleasure and well being. Let’s take a closer look at some basic rustic home decorating elements.
A lot of people are surprised to learn that the word rustic actually comes from Latin origins. What is country style, then, if not an easy reference to describe the warm colors and textures that are common to the rustic? One thing that’s frequently mistaken for rustic decor is what is commonly known as western decor, which often features dark colors and bold, stark patterns. However, there is nothing wrong with using bright colors and unusual patterns in a rustic home, as long as they don’t overpower the rest of the furnishings. For example, a beautiful wooden bed frame made of oak with plush cushions in an earthy color may be quite an elegant and sophisticated way to display that bed.
Country decorating is about the simple things, the things that are unassuming but make a significant impact. Take a piece of lace or some knotty ribbon to hang on the wall as a souvenir of a vacation to an old Victorian manor. Keep vintage brocades or rugs on display in a rustic home; the knotted pattern is perfect for both casual and formal rustic home design. Paint a picture on a large, antique-looking frame; the focal point of the room will be the picture, which you will be able to change often with different colors.
Think about the carpet in the rustic home; is it rugs, natural fibers or a Terry cloth one, perhaps with a country style pattern? Remember to choose plain colors for all the rooms; use them sparingly until you have a feel for country style. In the kitchen, the walls and the floor should both be painted in pastel hues, since it is a staple in rustic home decorating. Let your imagination go wild in choosing accessories; there are endless possibilities when it comes to adding embroidered dishes, engraved dinnerware and vases, and other decorative items.
If you have children, you could plan out a theme for the entire house so that each space is appropriately themed. For instance, the kitchen can be the main room in the house and the dining room the family room, since that is where the bulk of the activities take place. Each space can then be themed to reflect a different aspect of the country style. For instance, the dining room can be decorated in a lighter shade of yellow, perhaps with various shades of white and cream. The bedroom can be painted a more muted hue of brown, perhaps with cream or off-white curtains and a country style bedding set.
A rustic home is very individualistic, so try not to copy anything anywhere else in your house. Everything has to be unique to you. This is one reason that people love rustic home styles so much: they allow people to express their own individuality. The same can be said for your furniture. Choose pieces that are made from wood like pine or cedar and which have worn patterns instead of bright, vibrant colors.
Let your windows speak for themselves; add wooden blinds to let in some of the natural light and to keep out the cold. If you love the look of old barn wood, but you live in a modern apartment or house, you can paint one or two rooms a lighter shade of yellow to give the rustic elements some visual depth. You can even use country style throw pillows on your sofa to give it a rustic country style feel. Adding natural accessories like handcrafted baskets and vases filled with flowers and greens can also help to pull the whole look together.
What is country style decorating? It’s fun and inviting, giving you the ability to be completely unique. It’s also perfect if you love the heritage of the country and want to bring some of that into your own home. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Give it a shot!