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.

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

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.

French Country Cabinet Knobs For a Fresh Look

This year has been a year of change. Some of these changes, such as Olympic records broken and our newest President, have been positive. Others, such as the unemployment rate, housing market and current economy, have room for much improvement. Remaining consistent with this year's theme, why not change your kitchen designs? Just like any other aspect of life, the current trends in home renovation are changing, as well. The past few years, style guides and magazines decreed that stainless steel was the way to go. Nowadays, kitchen remodel ideas are changing-but to a more traditional approach.

It's All French To Me
While Americans like to pride themselves on being innovators and originators, we've borrowed more than a few concepts from our French friends. In addition to greasy, fried comfort food, French country-inspired kitchen renovations are, well, hot. The French style is open, warm and friendly, achieved through well matched colors, architecture and textures. But don't worry; even beginner kitchen remodel families can mimic this cozy design with a few simple guidelines.

Begin with Furniture
A kitchen remodeling project can easily become overwhelming, exhausting and emotionally, physically and financially draining. By literally starting with the largest home hardware elements first, you'll stay on track to achieve this fresh country design quickly-without the headache. French-styled kitchens have the same focal point as most European designs. Can you guess what it is? The kitchen table.

Of course, gathering friends, family or even strangers to enjoy a meal together is of the utmost importance. Replacing or updating your kitchen table, therefore, should be at the top of your "to do" list. Generally, French tables are made of heavy woods such as pine or walnut and come with thick, heavy benches, high-backed chairs and kitchen cabinet hardware. While this may seem cumbersome, it illustrates that the focus of the kitchen is on togetherness at the table.

Get the Right Goods
No matter what style kitchen, the minor details can easily make or break the overall design. Keep the theme consistent. If you are going to employ a French theme, also include French country cabinet knobs. Cabinets and drawer pulls are most often made of solid wood that matches the kitchen table. Shy away from shiny cabinet knobs in chrome and nickel and keep the finishes muted instead of satin.

If you want to add color but don't want to buy loud kitchen cabinet handles, express yourself with ceramic tiles or pottery. Similar to the kitchen table, the French style incorporates a natural, rustic feel. For budget-conscious renovators, simply try hanging a few copper pots and pans (make sure they shine!) over your backsplash or above your island. Adding a few artistic elements to your own kitchen such as homemade artwork a inherited antique will continue the theme of a natural gathering place deeply rooted in history.

Touch of Class
As mentioned, French country styles also incorporate a smorgasbord of textures to evoke a sense of history and timelessness. Walls are typically of textured plaster, adorned with handmade tin accessories that glisten in the sun. Wood materials -including the kitchen table-retain their natural color, feel and finish, so you won't have to bother with sanding or staining your existing or new furniture.

While most of the textures and colors seem to be muted, do not hold back when it comes to fabrics. Curtains, seat cushions and even hand towels are often in a variety of bright, bold colors. The color palette matches the summer sun: deep, rich reds, bright oranges and stark whites suggest a fresh, vivacious feeling. Imagine pairing these colors with a dark cherry wood table. It doesn't take a home remodeling professional to tell you that strong, competing elements equal a makeover disaster. Allow the color to really accent all other areas of your kitchen.

Jim Richardson is Vice President of Your Home Supply (YHS), the definitive website for Home and Garden products and information on a variety of home improvement products. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of French country cabinet knobs to help you create a French Country feel to your kitchen, or bathroom. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com