If you dream of returning to the natural simplicity of a traditional country house, opt for rustic style. And don’t pay attention to the fact that you live e.g. in the middle of the city, because rustic cosiness can be easily achieved in all conditions. See how to conjure up a warm and familiar atmosphere in your place in a simple and effective way. We advise how to arrange the house in a rustic style, and show you beautiful interiors in rural style.
Do you like traditional interiors in rustic style and want to transfer their atmosphere to your apartment in the city? Do not worry about the opinions that this type of style works only in real country houses outside the city. We suggest how to skillfully “pull” from it what is most interesting and beautiful.
Rustic style, or what style? Characteristics
The name of the style comes from the English word “rustic”, this convention is associated with the decoration of old cottages and noble manors, but the essence of the style was formed overseas. In the United States, freshly after the creation of a new state independent from the United Kingdom, more and more wooden furniture began to emerge – made from what was at hand, with natural cracks and imperfections. To this day, wood in this version forms the basis for rustic interiors. This goes hand in hand with the love of traditional craftsmanship, especially in accessories: fabrics, ceramics, kitchen accessories.
Rustic style: the rural atmosphere in the kitchen
The features of rustic style are most evident in the kitchen arrangement in this convention. The two basic principles to follow when decorating rustic style interiors are simplicity and unpretentiousness. Bet on modest wooden furniture, preferably with traces of many years of use (or properly stylized – after all, not everyone has it!). You can also use a beautiful wooden floor, preferably made of planks with a beautiful grain pattern, as well as bleached walls. It is important not to fall into literalness, so stylized furniture and solid wooden countertop are enough in the kitchen, and cabinets can already be modern. Against their background, an old rustic table on turned legs will look great, and above it – a lamp in the style of its great-grandmother’s petroleum.
Fill the open shelves with faience, a collection of clay jugs and stoneware or tin pots that will highlight the rural character of the arrangement. Wickerwork, tasteful jellies and garlic and bell pepper braids as decorative accessories are also welcome. In this type of interiors, fragments of walls with exposed brick and stone (more sandstone than granite, and preferably fieldstone) also work well.
Rustic style in a nutshell. What should be in a rustic interior?
– Natural wood: on furniture fronts, floors, but also on the wall;
– traditional crafts: woven baskets, stoneware and ceramic dishes, cast iron pots;
– fabrics as in the past: hand-woven carpets, embroidered macramé, macramé, decorative curtains and jellywood, linen bedding;
– aged furniture (or appropriately stylized): simple wooden closet, chests, trunks, massive wooden tables.
Country-style interiors: rustic living room
In the living room in rustic style, put on a simple sofa covered with linen or felt. To make the arrangement not too literal, you can also opt for a modern sofa and “dress” it in a robe of natural fabric. The coffee table can take the form of an old chest or bench. When choosing furniture, avoid an excess of colours – natural wood is the most important thing. Old furniture and equipment do not have to be renovated – scratches and damage will give them character. Instead of a carpet, choose a hand-woven sidewalk or a coloured kilim. Ideal fabrics for this type of interiors? Necessarily natural: flax, cotton, wool. They can be either smooth or decorated with fine, flowery or checked patterns. On the other hand, crochet and lace napkins will introduce a bit of romance to the room in a rural style.