By Hend Seif El Din
When it comes to color schemes, opt for earth tones and natural color palettes. Warm hues and shades from the “wild” will work wonders, and create a cozy atmosphere. Shades of beige, brown, and greens will ensure a rustic feel. When it comes to décor, you have to balance luxurious elements with more rustic ones; in other words, use materials that call “nature” to mind, and combine them with elegant and sleek lines. Feel free to mix antique pieces, such as rugs or lamps, with more raw ones, like rocks, which you could use on an entire wall. Bear in mind that your details should incorporate materials, which would be found in nature. Also think in terms of texture and contrast. So, on a plain beige wall, feel free to add framed pictures from an old illustrated book or build a fireplace with luxurious woodcarvings.
If you would like to add more color, do not hesitate to accessorize. With respect to the latter, you can stick to “rustic” animal décor, which includes bears, moose, deer and fish, go for modern ones, or opt for antiquated creations, which will definitely add a touch of flair to your space.
With respect to lighting, you should definitely go for wrought iron or rusted metal chandeliers. Try to get your hands on medieval-ish lighting fixtures, to create a more eclectic look. If you would like to add ceiling fans, choose one with wooden blades to really put the “rust” in “rustic.”
When it comes to your bathrooms, you could opt for sinks and bathtubs made out of rocks and/or copper. These items truly combine a rustic feel with a luxurious one. Go for bronze and copper fixtures, and definitely avoid stainless steel ones. To add a little luxury, include an antique rug or bronzed mirror into your bathroom décor.
Your kitchen is one of the rooms where rustic chic can truly come to live. Choose marble or granite countertops, quality wooden furniture and/or flooring, and wrought iron or bronzed racks and kitchenware. To ensure you do not overdo it with the rustic décor, feel free to go somewhat “industrial.” In other words, why not include high metal stools with recycled upholstery? You could also try more modern pendant lamps in this case. Be careful, however, that you do not include too many industrial pieces. A nice way to tone it down is by choosing rustic flatware to evoke a more natural feeling.
Furniture is a major player in rustic chic interiors. Stick to high quality materials and funk it up with accessories. Large, comfortable leather couches and coffee tables with detailed woodwork add luxury and the desired cabin-feel. Make sure you go for larger pieces of furniture to create a feeling of grandeur. To prevent your space from looking tasteless or gaudy, choose pieces with clear and clean lines. A simple way to add a splash of color is by adding throw pillows, luxurious rugs and draping throws on your sofas.
With respect to window treatments, you can either go for completely plain, sheer drapes, or more traditional, layered and textured ones. Depending on the overall feel of your space, decide on whether you want to add a more modern–or a more rustic–touch. The heavier drapes fall under the “rustic” category, so look around and add the final touch to your now rustic-chic home.
