| Home is where the heart is. Your home is an express | | | | blinds and window shades can also protect your |
| of who you are. Home is sanctuary, rest, and retreat. | | | | furnishings from sun damage, not to mention the |
| Nothing provides that sense of calm security than | | | | privacy factor. |
| wood, leather, wrought iron, live plants and natural | | | | Grass or bamboo floor mats, botanical prints, and live |
| fibers. They also tend to be better for the environment | | | | plants will add to your rustic decor without hurting your |
| and reduce indoor pollutants. | | | | budget or the environment. Live plants serve a double |
| You can create your own rustic sanctuary with only a | | | | purpose by looking nice and cleaning the air you |
| few adjustments to your current decor. Whether you | | | | breathe. Very often, accent pieces can be found at |
| want your entire home or just a single room to display | | | | yard sales and thrift stores for surprisingly little. In fact, |
| a rustic theme, you will be surprised at how easy the | | | | you are far more likely to find unique accent pieces at |
| transformation will be. Creating a rustic room is a | | | | these locations than at any retail chain store. Copper, |
| simple process of elimination and adjustment. | | | | brass, and wrought iron make excellent accent pieces |
| Step One: Remove The Glare | | | | for your rustic decor. |
| Rustic accents can certainly be bright and colorful. A | | | | Step Three: Putting It All Together |
| red-and-white gingham check pattern, bright yellow | | | | Once you have removed the inappropriate pieces and |
| daisies, or a sky blue ceiling will add to your sense of | | | | placed your furnishings where you want them, you can |
| serenity, but the overall color theme is natural hues of | | | | place your rugs or floor mats and hang your window |
| green, brown, beige, and ivory. Anything currently in the | | | | blinds and window shades. Old fashioned shutters are |
| room you are redecorating that doesn't fit that color | | | | another great way to transform your modern home |
| theme ought to be removed. This is not the place for | | | | into a rustic retreat. If you live in an area that gets hit |
| your hot pink plastic chair from the 1960's. | | | | by hurricanes or tornadoes, shutters can protect your |
| Colors and textures should be soft. If your current | | | | window glass, as well, without the hassle of hanging |
| furnishings do not match this color scheme, slip covers | | | | storm windows. |
| are far less expensive than buying new furniture. If | | | | You have several options when it comes to rustic |
| your current window shades and window blinds are | | | | window shades and window blinds. Different colors |
| too modern, shabby, or brightly colored, they can be | | | | and types of wood are available, as are woven twigs, |
| delegated to the kitchen or laundry room, or donated | | | | grasses, and other natural materials. Sheer curtains |
| to charity. | | | | add a softening touch to your window treatments. |
| Step Two: Select Materials | | | | Heavy draping around the edges can add a touch of |
| Wood, whether smooth and shiny, or rough and | | | | elegance to your rustic interior. |
| rugged, is the material of choice for a rustic | | | | Whatever form your idea of rustic takes, you can |
| appearance. Wood blinds and wooden window | | | | easily and inexpensively transform your room with |
| shades go a long way to create that sense of | | | | natural colors and materials, a few accent pieces, and |
| protection, safety and comfort in your home. Wood | | | | wood window shades and window blinds. |