By Stefanie Hauer Design
Home Decor trends are always changing with each season, but one trend that has become a timeless staple is Rustic Design. Rustic Design is a great style that incorporates a lot of warm wood textures, neutral color tones, metal accents and reclaimed items. Imagine sitting around a dining room table that was milled from 100 year old lumber, it comes with history and a story. It’s no longer just a piece of furniture, it’s a statement piece that inspires conversation. There are a lot of different ways to incorporate rustic details whether you have a modern or traditional design style.
Let’s start with Texture, which may be the most important characteristic of Rustic Design. Texture is shown in the form of exposed beams, exposed brick, reclaimed lumber, metal framing and accents. If you favor simplistic style with modern elements, incorporating white exposed brick as a backsplash or as an accent wall can add a lot of rustic charm, while keeping things simple and neutral. A reclaimed wood coffee table surrounded by a white sofa and chairs can balance modern and rustic. If you favor a traditional style of decor, adding reclaimed wood beams or a reclaimed wood accent wall can have a major impact on the design of your home. Also repurposed furniture and handcrafted art give a rustic feel. A traditional rustic style is choosing a natural finish like knotty alder cabinets or live edge countertops.
Finding local artisans that build unique pieces of furniture from reclaimed materials is a wonderful way to support local businesses, along with keeping Baja characteristics and history incorporated into furniture and decor.
Once you have staple pieces of furniture and have added texture to your walls, it’s time to cover another important aspect. The details. It’s all in the details. The accents that are picked play a big role when trying to create a rustic vibe. Interesting rugs, unique light fixtures and expressive art, nailhead trims, linen and leather fabrics are all elements that can reflect a natural and rustic design plan.
With any good design, lighting plays a vital role in making a space evoke a certain feeling. Rustic appeals to the desire of getting comfortable while surrounded with natural elements. Incorporating calming, dimmable lighting is a smart choice. Also having large windows is a wonderful way to add lots of natural light.
Now for the fun part: adding pattern! Pattern can be provided with throw pillows, curtains or even certain wall coverings. Whether you stick to monochromatic colors or you love bold, bright colors- pattern is a fun way to mix it up. Another stunning way of creating bold pattern is to create patterns in a big way. I’m talking about laying your hardwood floor or wood tile (since beach days are often in Baja) in a herringbone pattern or installing a shiplap wall in a chevron pattern. You can even choose to install a pattern in one room like a dining room and stay with a traditional pattern in the hallways and kitchen. MIX IT UP! You won’t be disappointed with the results and everyone will love your creative style when they walk into your home.
Rustic style is easily done with either bold statements or small undertones- it also is a timeless style that will always be popular. Incorporating natural elements, especially handcrafted works of art, make for a comfortable, stylish home.