Primitive Country Furniture and Decor

Primitive country furniture brings a harmonious balance into your home with the rest of your decor. These hand-crafted, rustic, and pre-aged furnishings provide warm and welcome comfort to your family and your visitors. For decades the cabin decor, Adirondack, and mountain lodge styles have been known as the least imposing and most comfortable styles available to the country decorator. Primitive country furniture will blend nicely with other similar decorating styles such as the ones listed above and even Arts and Crafts, Mission Movement, French Country and Craftsman furniture. Now, through the incomparable woodworkers of the Amish communities, you too can recreate the surroundings of the great outdoors in your own country home. Your furniture will be understated with simple classic lines.

Cloth and paint colors are neutral or in early Americana colors. The primitive furniture and pillows will be cozy and overstuffed. In the old days, many primitive country furnishings were made from twigs, branches and other natural elements - so look for earthy colors and uneven tones. Primitive country furniture series has tables, chairs, desks, armoires, nightstands, dressers, benches, beds, and thick wood coffee tables. You'll find them painted, raw, aged, or in artisan hand crafted, old fashioned, traditional designs. The primary feature of this style country furniture is the use of materials from reused pieces, barns, and posts. Planks are old, or fashioned to appear vintage or antique. Some primitive furniture has been created and decorated with bark, branches and twigs. Each log and twig is especially chosen for their shape and texture - right down to the decorative trim. The chunky wood styles of primitive country furniture lend themselves easily to armoires, wardrobes and big tables. Big chests and trunks also double as an innovative coffee table or bench for the foot of the bed.

Decor

In the double drawer wardrobe you'll find much more than a closet. Plain oval dining tables with benches make excellent primitive country dining sets. The wooden wall cupboards, wardrobes, plate racks, and hutches give your dining room a comfortable, country style. Or, place a rectangular work table in your kitchen, and use antique kitchenware for your cooking and serving - this brings back memories of an old farm house, doesn't it? Use traditional lighting and chandeliers for a truer experience - with those roughly finished cupboards and racks nearby the kitchen experience will be rustic, homey, warm. There are many different ways obtain primitive country furniture, and they aren't all expensive! Buying used furniture and roughing it up to age it, or overstuffing and recovering larger pieces are two easy and inexpensive alternatives.

Primitive Country Furniture and Decor

This repurposing of existing furniture is also good for the environment. Just because your existing piece of furniture isn't working for you today, doesn't mean that it can't be changed to work for you in the future. For instance, a friend of mine was given an ugly outdated, veneer covered entertainment unit. It was large and just what she needed for her dining room to display her plate collection and cookbooks. We spent 1/2 a day sanding, painting and aging the piece and today everyone asks where they can get primitive country pieces just like hers! Country decor is possible with all the rooms of your house. You can decorate your home wholly or partially in the country style.

So take a look at your existing furniture with a creative eye and consider some of the ways below to changing it to suit your style: Paint, then sand and stain. You won't believe how different a piece of furniture can look once sanded, painted and stained. You can even change the style of the piece. A cheap wooden Ikea table turned into a beautifl primitive country coffee table (years after use) with a thick application of crackle paint and whitewash finish. Outdated dressers can also change. Change the hardware. A few vintage, restoration or antique handles, hinges or pulls can turn a piece of wood furniture into a rustic masterpiece. Similar to painting, staining and sanding, old glass balls or brass handles add primitive to any previously country furnishing. One of my favorites is to re-upholster or re-cover a sofa, chair, loveseat or footstool. Thick primitive fabric is now easier to come by than ever before (or just look for muslin) to update a piece of furniture.

If you don't think you have the skill to re-upholster a piece, shop around for some country slipcovers - instant change. Buy antique or vintage pieces. Besides being environmentally friendly, those deals fit right into primitive country decor. Rather than spending 00 and more on a new couch or dining set, why not shop around for something similar, but gently used? Primitive country furniture is available at affordable prices and will lend that welcome air to any room of your home. Country decor reduces the modern air to most homes and apartments - enhancing the peaceful and authentic nature of your home and your family members.

Primitive Country Furniture and Decor

Eric Klein has been working with many home owners throughout the years on obtaining the best furniture for the best price based on client taste and style. Today he shares his information and favorite websites with everyone for free online at http://www.primitivecountrydecor.com.

Tips For The Italian Country Decorating Theme

Choosing the proper decorative items for your Italian country decorating theme will give it a professional interior design. Try to use simple, country items that enhance the informal and elegant allure of the Tuscan countryside. Buy coordinating accessories such as pillows, knick-knacks and artwork that suit your Italian country look to finish the decor.

Putting up your prints and paintings correctly is crucial for the desired effect. When hanging art pieces, have the middle of the artwork at eye level as the focal point. If you are making a grouping of paintings or photos, then work out the design on the floor beforehand to decide how they look most pleasing. Making use of country prints in simple frames will work to add interest to the Italian country decorating theme.

Decorating

Consider adding ironstone china, dried flowers, or wrought iron candleholders for more of a feeling of the Tuscan countryside. You would be smart to go with pieces which match with your overall decor. Deploy on theme accessories only in order to be successful in the look and feel you are trying for.

Tips For The Italian Country Decorating Theme

When looking for knick knacks for your interior decorating scheme be sure to go with ones which balance your design and also show your personal style. To compliment your Italian home decorating, stick with accessories that have an informal and elegant ambiance. Using a string of peppers hanging on the wall or placing simple pottery in decorative corners. You can infuse your own distinct style to the room decor by looking for knick knacks that reflect your unique style. If you are on a fixed budget, you might want to try scouting out the local flea markets and yard sales where you ought to come across very interesting knick knacks for little money.

Another item you can use to add charm to your design theme is decorative pillows. If you had the notion that pillows were strictly for the bedroom, think again, they can instill an appealing touch to any room including the living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. Pillows are smart for those who don't have a lot to spend because putting them with your existing living room furniture will help give it an Italian home decorating feel without having to invest in new furniture. In the bedroom, pile them at your headboard. In the kitchen or bathroom, a pillow insterted strategically on a chair or hamper can provide an interesting touch. Pillows which have fringes will help coordinate with your room style.

Improving your Italian country decorating theme with old pottery, chippy painted items can help add appeal. It's essential, however, that you have a vision of the styles of pieces you need so you can stick to selecting only those that suit. Size matters, so go around the room and judge the size of lamps, rugs, wall art and accessories you want and shop accordingly. Buy your accessories carefully and your décor is certain to look fabulous!

Tips For The Italian Country Decorating Theme

Lee Dobbins writes for Home Decorating - DIY where you can learn more about different decorating styles and get more information on Italian Country Decorating.

Country Foyer: Inviting Decorating Ideas

Since the foyer area of your home is what guests see first, it is important to make it a very inviting and attractive area. Most people's expectations of what the rest of your home will look like are set by what they see in the foyer. Although you can certainly create an inviting foyer to complement any style of home decor, the country-styled foyer often has an especially welcoming appearance. If you have your home decorated in a country, cottage or rustic style, here are some ideas you can use to add a beautiful and inviting touch to your home's foyer area.

Assessing the Foyer
Because foyer size and location can vary so much from home to home, it is important to first assess your space before planning your decorating ideas. Although you may love the look of a beautifully decorated spacious area, you may in fact have only a small foyer with which to work. Fortunately, regardless of its size and shape, there are many things you can do to create an appealing country foyer that will make your guests as well as your own family feel welcome. Even if your foyer is small, you can often create the illusion of spaciousness, simply by using some creative decorating techniques.

Decorating

The Small Country Foyer
Small country foyers often look best with minimal furniture items. For example, instead of taking up floor space with a larger table, a simple storage bench or small chair and shelf could be sufficient. Utilizing your wall space can be especially important when you have a small foyer. For beautiful country styling, add a peg or hook rack to the wall. Not only will it add a touch of country charm, but you'll also have a convenient place to hang jackets, bags, and personal accessories such as hats, umbrellas and pet leashes. If you only have room for a small table, make the most of it by displaying something beautiful. A basket of seasonal flowers, pine cones or seashells can add a simple decorative touch that will add to the beauty of your country decor. Wooden storage benches often have a rustic look that works nicely with country styling. Not only will these useful pieces of furniture provide you with a handy place to sit when putting on your boots, but they can also provide plenty of hidden storage. Paint the foyer walls in a light warm shade, or use wallpaper with a small pattern such as pin dots to add country charm.

Country Foyer: Inviting Decorating Ideas

Decorating the Larger Foyer
If you are lucky enough to have a larger foyer, you'll be able to expand a bit on your decorating style. A long narrow table can be a great addition to the foyer, providing you with plenty of space to hold books, a basket of flowers, or as a convenient spot to place your purse or gloves as you get ready to leave the home. An umbrella stand or a small cabinet can also be handy foyer additions. Larger foyers can also be painted with darker warm shades without fear of making them look too small. Add a wall shelf or a mirror flanked with candle sconces for the perfect finishing touch.

Country Foyer: Inviting Decorating Ideas

Online contributing editor for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, Jessica Ackerman has extensive design experience in master bedroom decorating and remodeling.

Rustic Country Decor - How to Decorate Cottage Style Homes

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.

How To Decorate And Live Well

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's located. Enjoy expressing your personality and showing what the definition of home means to you.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Rustic Country Decor - How to Decorate Cottage Style Homes

David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website and learn more about rustic country home decor and design, rustic kitchens and bathrooms, log cabins, fireplaces and firewood and much more.