If you are thinking of decorating a room in your home in a traditional lodge or modern rustic theme, there are a few factors to consider when deciding between the two decor styles. Cabin theme decor can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Simplicity, elegance, comfort and trends are a few things that define what rustic decor really is.
Traditional rustic style was all about making due with what you had, expressing life in the country or in the wilderness. The decor consisted of handmade furnishings, items found over the years and special items that were handed down. If you choose to feature a traditional rustic inspired home or room, keep in mind that this rustic style was often created over the course of many years, one piece at a time and was carefully added to the existing decor giving off that special rustic charm.
Traditional cabin style is best expressed when you include earth tones as your main colors and highlighted with complementing accent colors. Include browns, beige, red, rust, greens and muted blues to get the best representation of nature in the room.
Here are a few ideas that will help get your creative juices flowing. Choose furniture made from natural materials like wood, branches and logs, materials like leathers, cotton and micro suede. One great idea is to switch out a coffee table with an old rugged trunk or a steamer trunk that boasts decorative buckles and stickers. Mix and match patterns of quilts, decorative pillows and rustic area rugs to add some flair to the room.
Traditional rustic decorating allows you to include mismatched pieces giving you some freedom to add decor without worrying whether or not it will fit in. Keep in mind that keeping a common element of rustic style is what keeps the look together and complete the style. Traditional lodge style decorating often gets a bad reputation for being outdated, old looking or very outdoorsy. Rustic decor is inspired by images of the outdoors and inspiration also comes from old items, but it is really all about comfort and elements that feel familiar and properly placed.
If you are considering a more modern approach to rustic decorating, then contemporary rustic decor is what you seek. Modern cabin decor will mix rustic elements with clean lines and modern finishes. This is achieved through wooden antiques, architecture, furniture and other decor items. It is easy, clean and warm, and filled with unfinished surfaces, organic elements, and a mix of new and old.
Adding an antique wash on cabinets and other furniture, a rustic area rug featuring acorns or pine branches and nuts, and hardwood floors give any room just the right dose of country. Pair wood furnishings with metallic accents such as leaf style knobs or handles or add glass vases filled with leaves or branches that will bring in a modern rustic feel.
One classic example is rather than adding a rustic lamp featuring a bear in the woods scene you may wish to select rustic lighting that will be more modern, like a clean brushed metal lamp with an elegant coordinating lamp shade. The rustic bedding and window treatments you select should include solid earthy colors accented with leathers and micro suedes, silver buttons or featuring a contemporary pattern of stripes or plaids.
The key to rustic cabin decor, whether it be traditional or modern style, is to pull your inspiration from the natural surroundings you wish to bring into a home. Rustic decorating allows you to experiment with your creativity. Keep in mind the common elements between traditional rustic and modern rustic decor; it should be warm, inviting, slightly eclectic and bring you a feeling of the outdoors.
Article Source: LogCabinStyles.com
