It doesn’t matter whether you live in a country cottage or a flat in the city centre. Any property can be transformed into a cosy rustic getaway with a little bit of creativity and imagination. The down-to-earth roots of rustic décor go back to a way simpler time where decorating was extremely durable and timeless, making this style one of the most-wanted decorating looks. If you’re a fan of organic materials, natural warmth, mixed textures and repurposed items of furniture, rustic style is for you.

Install Rough-Cut Beams

One of the most striking and ubiquitous elements of rustic properties is the rough-hewn beams that help to define the space architecturally. The addition of beams will quickly anchor your home in the period and style you’re aiming for, and can be used to frame ceilings and doorways, surround fireplaces and windows, and line walls.

Contrast them against smooth white walls for a unique take on rustic style. Rounded logs are also an option and can be utilized as furniture and ornaments, an important feature of woodland cabins.

Use Warm, Cozy Materials 

A rustic home should exude warmth, particularly in the winter months. Many countrified properties have wooden floors instead of carpets, meaning that an extra source of heat may be required.

A great way to bring in an extra source of heat is by installing a wood-burning stove or fireplace in the kitchen. Traditional wood-burning stoves can be purchased from a variety of retailers, including Fireplace Products, so make sure that you choose the right size for your home. Your property will instantly gain a sense of country coziness and you may even save on heating bills.

Mix and Match Textures and Patterns

Forget furniture showrooms. The rustic style is all about organic textures and well-loved pieces of furniture. Don’t hesitate to mix antique or second hand items with newer additions, as this will add to the overall feel of country coziness.

Distressed woods and tarnished metals are mainstays of the rustic property and should be contrasted with soft rugs on the floors and patchwork throws draped over well-worn leather couches and armchairs. Rustic is a particularly versatile style because it means that your home doesn’t have to look perfect. It’s more important that it appears comfortable, inviting and lived-in.

Use a Natural Colour Palette

When it comes to choosing paint and wallpaper for your rustic home, try to select colours that are found in nature. Stick with sandy tans, sky blues, leaf greens and stone greys, and you can’t go wrong. Always choose soft, calm colours over bold jewel tones. Don’t forget to bring some of the natural world indoors, and display plenty of pot plants and freshly cut flowers. Pebbles, pieces of driftwood and shells can also make wonderful display pieces that add to the country cottage effect.

Who doesn’t love a great DIY? There is nothing better than coming across an old piece of furniture and seeing beyond it’s cracks, dents, marks and scratches. I’ve recently checked out a few furniture repair shops and was stunned by what some new hardware, a fresh lick of paint, and some new fabric can do to an old piece of furniture! Being able to see the potential it truly holds needs the eye of an designer!

This gorgeous French country chair was given a complete makeover by my pal Jenna from the blog Rain on a Tin Roof. She gave the chair a fresh new start by reupholstering and painting it – giving it a whole new life. Check out this fabulous project:

What you Need:

– Sandpaper
– Glue Gun + Nail Gun
– Primer
– Wood Putty
– Wood Paint
– Polycrylic Top Coat
– Upholstery Sponge
– Batting
– Upholstery Fabric
– Trim

Step 1: Give it a Good Wash

Use a cloth or sponge dipped in warm water and soap and wipe down any dirt, dust, and build-up on your old chair. Make sure it dries completely before continuing onto the next step.

Step 2: Sanding

To create a smooth painting surface and to make sure your new paint with stick to your wooden chair, give it a good sanding. If your chair is covered with paint that is already chipping, use a coarse grit sandpaper to remove the paint.

Step 3: Fix Holes and Scratches

Your chair may be filled with dents and scratches from the a lot of wear and tear. After all, that’s the beauty of a vintage find – they all seem to have a long story to tell! If you can’t remove the marks using your sandpaper, use wood putty to fill in the marks and allow it to dry. When the wood putty dries completely, remove the excess by sanding it off until you get a smooth finish. Then, take a damp cloth to remove all the dust from sanding and allow it to dry.

Step 4: Get Ready to Prime

Remove the canning and fabric from the arms and get ready to prime your chair. You can use a regular wood primer and use a spray paint gun or a regular paint brush. Give the chair 1-2 coats of primer.

Step 5: Painting

Once the primer is completely dry, paint your chair your desired color (Jenna used white and thinned it out with a little water).  Apply 2-3 coats of paint and a topcoat of Polycrylic. If you are going for a lacquered finish, you may want to buy something like sheen top coats from Fenlan Product Store to give it that luxurious finish.

Step 6: Make a New Seat:

To replace the canning on the chair, measure out your seat and cut out a piece of wood that fits snug on your newly painted chair. Lay it down on your foam padding, trace around it, and cut out the foam to match the shape of your piece of wood.

Step 7: Reupholster

Cover your newly cut foam with a layer of batting to smooth out the edges and a layer of the fabric you chose for upholstering. Jenna used a gorgeous green velvet fabric – one of my faves! She topped it off with some decorative trim that she hot-glued in place at the bottom edge.

Step 8: Reupholster the Arms:

To reupholster the arms of your chair, place a layer of batting over the arms, then a layer of pre-cut green fabric. Staple it down near the edges and hot glue more trim around the edges to hide your staples.

And voila – your finished product! To make it stand out even more, add a gorgeous embroidered pillow to your chair to give it that ‘French Country Chic’ look!