| Rustic used to mean 'rickety and cheap', but rustic | | | | incorporated motifs and themes that were significant |
| style is all grown up and now borders on sophisticated | | | | to the Israelites. This significance can be incorporated |
| and trendy. Beautiful woods, polished logs, and twiggy | | | | into country home furnishings by using items that |
| charm has made rustic one of the most popular styles | | | | invoke memories and traditions. Family photographs, |
| in the market today. Steven Spielberg has some. So | | | | treasured heirlooms, and cherished mementos can be |
| does Sharon, Rick, and Rosanna. And even with all of | | | | artfully and tastefully displayed to invoke tradition and |
| that popularity and charm, it is, thankfully, one hot trend | | | | heritage. Needlework created by beloved family |
| that is still easily affordable. | | | | members can be transformed into creative wall |
| | | | hangings. |
| Other natural materials that can worked into the overall | | | | Even a quilt, if properly handled, can be displayed as a |
| design are stones, perhaps for a fireplace, flagstones | | | | work of art. Many people make a hobby of finding |
| for an entry way, and such items as evergreen | | | | unique items to add to their rustic home furnishings by |
| branches and pinecones. The evergreen is especially | | | | visiting flea markets, antique stores, online auction sites, |
| popular for Christmas decorating, though pinecones | | | | or thrift shops. Yard sales (known as tag sales in |
| are interesting accents for rustic home furnishings at | | | | some parts of the country) are a great source for |
| anytime of the year. The outdoors can be brought into | | | | finding that perfect piece at a discounted price. For lots |
| the house by potting native plants in stoneware or | | | | of people, the hunt is as much fun as acquiring |
| earthenware crockery, pottery, or terra cotta | | | | something new. |
| containers. | | | | No matter where a person lives, in an urban high-rise, a |
| When Solomon, the wise king of the Old Testament, | | | | suburban ranch house, a rural farmhouse, or a |
| built the Temple of God, he used many precious | | | | wilderness log cabin, country decorating can create a |
| stones and much fine gold. But he also used natural | | | | relaxing and comfortable environment for family and |
| materials. "Now these are the things wherein Solomon | | | | friends. Natural materials, treasured heirlooms, and |
| was instructed for the building of the house of God. . . . | | | | unique collectibles add to the rooted ambience of both |
| . And the greater house he paneled with fir tree, which | | | | country and rustic home furnishings. |
| he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees | | | | |
| and chains. And he garnished the house with precious | | | | Other furniture, such as tables, bookshelves, and an |
| stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim" | | | | entertainment unit may be weathered or painted pine |
| (2 Chronicles 3:3, 5-6). | | | | or perhaps crafted from aspen logs. Some pieces |
| Find lots of decorative accessories for a rustic interior, | | | | may be lightly painted in neutral colors or blues or |
| including lamps, clocks, candle holders, and much more. | | | | greens. A red-barn color palette is also popular for |
| AND Bring color, texture and charm to your home with | | | | country home furnishings. Coarse and unfinished |
| rustic furniture for the 21st century. | | | | pieces are perfect choices for this decorating style. |
| | | | One of the fastest ways to add a dose of interest to |
| The Temple of God was uniquely designed and | | | | a home is to bring in some textures. Rustic furnishings |
| magnificently furnished. The royal style will never be | | | | do that with charm and style. |
| confused with rural elements. But the design | | | | |