| For those who love nature and the colors and | | | | Pine furniture is perfect if you already have it, as this |
| textures it offers, rustic decorating is a way to bring | | | | type of wood ages easily. If you don't have pine |
| that feeling inside your home. Rough finishes, unfinished | | | | furniture, you can create a rustic look yourself. For |
| wood and aged surfaces create rooms that are | | | | sofa or accent tables, sofa arms or other wood areas, |
| natural, appealing and comfortable. If fancy decorating | | | | simply paint and rub a good deal of it off as you go. |
| is not your style and you prefer a look that invites | | | | Top this with a couple of coats of wax for protection. |
| guests to come in and stay for a while, try rustic | | | | This technique makes newer furnishings look aged, |
| decor. This article offers tips and ideas to help you | | | | which is desirable in the rustic look. |
| create a look that you, your family and guests will truly | | | | For the walls, wood or paint will work well. Pine walls |
| love. | | | | are beautiful, but sand or cream colored walls also add |
| Start from the bottom - floors | | | | warmth. White paint on your walls is a bit too stark for |
| In the rustic style of decorating, wood floors are the | | | | the warm accent colors, so stick to a cream hue. |
| perfect base on which to build the rest of the room. | | | | Accents |
| Pine floors with wide planks or stone floors are top | | | | When decorating your home in a rustic style, nearly |
| choices when decorating your home in this style. You | | | | anything goes - as long as it contains an element of |
| want the look to be relaxed and a bit on the worn side. | | | | nature. Dried flowers, copper pots, wrought iron and |
| You may even consider painting your wood floors, | | | | hand made quilts add to the homey atmosphere. Fill a |
| then scuffing them up a bit so that they don't look too | | | | copper pot with wildflowers from your own back yard! |
| fresh. | | | | In the kitchen, bare cupboards show off canned jams |
| Braided rugs and scattered throw rugs further add to | | | | and vegetables or any dish collection you may have. |
| the look and help inject color and interest. | | | | Take the rustic appeal all the way in to your dining |
| Use rustic colors | | | | room by using a picnic table flanked by wooden |
| The colors you choose to decorate your home in | | | | benches. Top with a rustic colored runner and a brass |
| rustic style should be those you find in nature. Rust, | | | | container filled with colorful fruits or dried flowers for a |
| golden yellow, brown, orange, forest green and blue all | | | | fresh look. Keep with rustic, rough finishes and warm |
| lend to the rustic appeal, and make for a colorful room. | | | | colors, and create rooms that everyone who enters |
| Earthy, warm tones are what you are striving for in | | | | your home will enjoy immensely. In fact, they may |
| this style of decorating. | | | | never want leave since they will feel totally at home. |