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There are many different styles an Interior Designer in Connecticut can decorate your home. Some of our Southern CT clients love the idea of the currently hyper-popular “Nordic noir” Scandinavian look, dependent largely on a minimalist hyper-modern aesthetic that features plenty of sleek black and white contrast.
Then again, some clients in that same area go for the “romantic manor house of yesteryear” look, complete with New England design charm. Decorating in antique furniture, rich Antique rugs, and oil paintings in the hallway as well as chandeliers overhead.
One design style template that has a lot to offer and is growing in popularity in West Hartford, Connecticut is Rustic Farmhouse design. The kind of décor where you can imagine yourself and your family huddling around a roaring hearth fire, clutching mugs of cocoa, on a chilly winter morning.
If any of that appeals to your sensibilities, here are some tips for creating a rustic farmhouse design in your home.
Prioritize wood above other materials
Clearly, wood is the building material of choice over things like stone or cement when it comes to creating the ideal rustic farmhouse vibe.
Wood should be predominant in your home — as much of it as you can realistically squeeze in. The rafters should be comprised of visible wood beams; the floor should be wooden, as well as all the furniture. Opt for wood windows rather than vinyl alternatives.
Of course, if you want to take things the extra mile, use unprocessed, raw looking bits of wood as often as possible. If your interior walls are lined with rough-cut logs, for instance, that will certainly boost the atmosphere through the roof.
Likewise, if your tables and other items of furniture are not perfectly symmetrical in their cut, but have a bit of “character” to them. A large part of creating a convincing rustic farmhouse design is welcoming in the small irregularities and imperfections that mark objects out as being a bit closer to the natural world than to the hyper-specificity of the production line.
Focus on earthy hues
A rustic farmhouse look is largely a matter of earthy hues, that give the impression of being as “direct from nature” as possible. Different shades of brown, red, and yellow are appropriate.
Try to keep your interior decor largely in line with this earthy and subdued color palette. If you paint your home in striking white, it might appear visually striking, but it’s not likely to look convincingly rustic.
Consider old-fashioned features like a wood burning stove or fireplace
A wood burning stove or a traditional fireplace may not be practical in the age of electricity and gas heating. However, they certainly lend something significant to the overall rustic atmosphere you’ll be going for. Even if the fireplace is more decorative rather than functional.
Humanity has a truly ancient and deep relationship with fire. There’s something about warming yourself in front of crackling fire that connects you with the earliest days of mankind. Which seems truly transcendent, primal and meaningful. Much has been written about the subject, and the fact that candles are so popular today suggests this fascination with fire isn’t going anywhere, any time soon.
A modern central heating system may be more efficient. However, there’s no substitute for the experience of sitting in front of a traditional fireplace. Feeling the heat rolling off the crackling logs, and being mesmerized by the flames is just so cozy.
Since a major part of the appeal of the rustic aesthetic is authenticity, this is worth keeping in mind.
Go for the “firelight” effect
Lighting is an often overlooked element of a home’s presentation. One that can make a truly striking difference to the vibe and atmosphere of the entire home. Bright lighting typically feels more energetic and lively, while dark, limited lighting creates a depressing and claustrophobic atmosphere.
For a rustic effect, you’ll want the kind of lighting that seems to replicate the effect of firelight. Similarly, the early, golden rays of dawn streaming into the home.
Warm yellow and amber lighting brings life to the wooden features in the room. Summoning up a relaxing and uplifting aura. Just be sure that you have sufficient lighting, nonetheless.
Bulbs in the red spectrum of light will typically work well here. Natural lighting can help to create the same effect during the day if the interior of the room includes enough “warm-hued” woods and features.
As far as home décor goes, there are quite simply some styles that never go out of fashion. A rustic look is one of them. Even luxury condo interior designs still opt for this style.
Deciding to decorate your home in such a way is a good choice; home renovation is expensive, and not something you want to be doing all that frequently. Choosing to decorate based on a sudden trend is risky. Once the season is over, you may have fallen out of love with the aesthetic completely. With a classic look, however, you are pretty safe.
One such look is ‘rustic chic’. Think Scandinavia, think old log cabins, think warm colors and a general cozy feel… yep, you’re pretty much there! Bringing the farmhouse design to your property means your home will always look warm and welcoming. Perfect for if you are having friends around, or if you just want to relax. Here are a few ways to get the look.
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