Attaining a country décor look is easier than one might guess. It can be as simple as adding a few touches to the bedroom, a few decorative accents to the living room, or a few additions to the kitchen. Just tweaking the lighting or changing the wallpaper can make a big difference in a home. A few thoughtful touches and well placed items will turn your house into the country retreat everyone wants to call “home”.

Country living is all about a return to a simpler time when furniture, wall décor, window treatments and other household items were unpretentious, hand crafted, often multi-functional pieces that served a definite purpose. There are many different country styles including French country, cottage, rustic and farmhouse, English country and traditional. Each of these design styles has unique elements that identify them. However, they all share the same country living ideal of creating a relaxed, comfortable and inviting space for your family and guests to enjoy.

This website will answer many of your questions about country décor. We will define the individual country styles and include design ideas for all the rooms in your home. For example, country kitchens are the heart of the home and we provide information on how to choose the perfect kitchen curtains, wall décor, furniture and even appliances, cabinets and countertops that will turn this functional space into a warm and cozy room. Living rooms, dens and family rooms require comfortable upholstered furniture and we provide helpful information on how to choose the appropriate style and fabric for your country home. With thousands of fabrics to choose from, making the right selection can be difficult. Our website offers information on different types of fabrics and how they can best be used for window treatments, bedding and upholstery. Accessories add the finishing touch to a room and we offer many different ideas on what accessories to choose to enhance your chosen style of country décor and how to properly display them for your ultimate enjoyment.

Our information has been gathered from design professionals from around the country. They are familiar with the history of country design but are also experts, for example, when it comes to choosing the most durable fabric for a family room sofa that can stand up to kid’s messy fingerprints and the dogs muddy paws. Your questions on how to choose an affordable and washable print for those kitchen curtains or luxurious bedding fabric for your master bedroom will be answered on this website. But the best advice we can offer is to relax and enjoy the process of turning your country home into a warm and comfortable spot for your family to gather as well as an inviting space to entertain guests.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a comfy chair and spend some time reviewing our country décor website. Click on any of the links on the sidebar to find the answer to many of your decorating questions as well as informative and inspirational material that may just motivate you to begin decorating your own country home.

Rustic kitchen cabinets

If a farmhouse, rustic or simple country kitchen are your preferred design style, you will want to choose cabinets that reflect that decor. The features of rustic kitchen cabinets include:

• A rough and distressed finish. Paint may appear to be peeling, edges are scuffed and grooves are darkened with age.
• Hardware is simple in design with a rusted, oil rubbed or matte finish. Shiny finishes are never used. Vintage pulls are always a lucky find.
• Many rustic kitchens use open shelving in place of upper cabinets to give the kitchen a vintage look. These shelves can be used to display jars full of dry goods, pretty cups and saucers, crystal, cooking spices etc.
• Door inserts are often made from recycled barn wood with the original paint or finish left intact.
• Coordinating counter tops and back splash areas use old fashioned white porcelain tiles to maintain the rustic appearance of the kitchen.
• Use additional cabinetry to create a hutch for the adjoining breakfast room or dining area.

Painted kitchen cabinets

Painted kitchen cabinets can be used in a rustic, country, French country, cottage or farmhouse style kitchen.

• White painted cabinets brighten up a cottage kitchen. Nickel hardware and a simple door design add to the overall country kitchen feel. For added detail, bead board can be inserted into the center of the doors and given a distressed finish. Fancy corbels add even more interest to the tops of cabinets and, with the addition of a shelf connecting the corbels, provides additional display and storage space.
• Cabinetry painted a fun color such as barn red or muted blue adds a touch of Americana to a country kitchen. Keep these colors muddy and muted to avoid being overwhelmed by the bright colors. Depending on your own personal taste, hardware can be simple metal knobs and pulls or unique pieces that depict kitchen items such as fork, spoon and knife drawer pulls or whimsical farm animal designs.
• Gray is a very popular color in decorating right now and gray painted kitchen cabinets are the perfect color for painted cabinets in a rustic country kitchen. Add glaze and use distressing techniques to avoid a “battleship” look. Warm it up with beautiful hardware with a satin nickel or bronze finish. A simple shaker style door front or an added bead board insert will also warm the gray color.

French country kitchen cabinets

French country kitchen cabinets feature warm wood tones that may be distressed to show signs of age. Door fronts can be embellished with beveled molding with a slight arch at the top for a bit of French flair. Hardware can be wrought iron pieces, rusted metal or an oil rubbed bronze, again with an aged patina.

Details can be added to all country style kitchen cabinets that add a custom look and create convenient storage for all your kitchen needs. These might include:

• Beveled molding
• Custom hardware that is available in a wide range of designs including grape clusters, vine and leaf motifs, floral patterns or designs that reflect a special hobby such as sailing, golf, tennis or hunting. These items allow you to really personalize your country kitchen.
• Glass door fronts that break up a long row of cabinetry, reflect light and provide additional storage and display space for dishes, crystal and kitchen collectibles.
• Special finishes such as glazing, striping and other techniques that add character and dimension to cabinet doors.
• Interior details such as a lazy Susan for easy access to spices and oils; special pull out drawers that utilize the often wasted space in the back of cabinets; corner units; customized drawers for utensils and knives; adjustable shelves; hooks for cups; wine glass inserts etc., etc.
• A bookshelf rack placed on the side of cabinets for easy storage and access to cookbooks.
• Built-in wine racks and bottle storage
• Under counter lighting

And don’t forget the backsplash when it comes time to design your country kitchen. You can carry the countertop material up to the wall for a smooth transition or you can create a unique backsplash out of a different material. For example, tumbled marble tiles add a rustic look to a French country or Italian country kitchen while a smooth porcelain tile is pretty in a cottage or farmhouse kitchen.

It is possible to turn a functional and utilitarian space such as a kitchen or bath into a warm and inviting space through the selection of appropriate finishes for your kitchen cabinets and hardware.

Country kitchen pictures can range from rustic folk art designs to beautiful still life oil paintings to heirloom pieces that have been handed down from grandparents. The items you choose to decorate your walls with will depend on the style of decor and artwork you prefer as well as your chosen color scheme. Here are some country kitchen ideas that might make it easier for you to choose appropriate artwork. In fact, a favorite country kitchen picture just might be the inspiration for your kitchen decor.

French country kitchen pictures

French country design is relaxed and casual and celebrates the easy going lifestyle of French villagers. Colors reflect the surrounding countryside and include red, blue, green and yellow. Artwork for the kitchen might include folk art pictures painted in the bright primary colors so often associated with French country design. Farm animals, cheerful flowers such as lavender, poppies and sunflowers, roosters and village people in cultural clothing are common themes. To enhance the French country theme, frame these pictures in black frames and add a black and white checked mat for even more French country flair.

Farmhouse kitchen pictures

A farmhouse kitchen is truly the heart of the home. Rustic elements such as distressed cabinetry and aged hardware along with multi-functional items like large farmhouse tables are used. Country kitchen ideas for your walls might include:

• An old sampler depicting a favorite prayer or kitchen theme
• Black and white photos of past generations
• Old landscape paintings framed with recycled fence or barn wood
• Framed ads for soap, small appliances or the latest gadget
• Children’s artwork

The farmhouse kitchen is all about family and gathering for meals during the day and evening so make it personal with pieces that have been in your family for generations or current “masterpieces” created by the younger members of the family.

Cottage kitchen pictures

A cottage kitchen is, by nature, usually very small and intimate. Therefore, it too, serves a dual purpose as a kitchen, eating area and home office/gathering space.

Cottage kitchens are bright and cheerful with relaxed and casual furniture and accessories. Kitchen pictures might include pretty still life oil paintings of fruit or flowers. A beach cottage picture would depict waves, seagulls, shells and other ocean motifs while a mountain cottage kitchen might use wild life paintings or scenic mountain vistas. Kitchen items such as china, teapots and potted plants used as the subject matter in a painting or picture would also make lovely wall art in a cottage style kitchen and probably reflect your own collection of these items. Pretty birds, ferns and outdoor gardens are also a good choice for small country kitchen pictures.

Inspiration for a kitchen remodel

If you are fortunate enough to be remodeling your country kitchen, pictures and other artwork can be used as inspiration for a color scheme, design layout or design style. For example, a favorite picture of black and white cows grazing on a green meadow and framed in a rustic frame could inspire you to create a colorful and inviting French country or farmhouse kitchen. A vintage oil painting of lovely pink and red roses in a vase might inspire you to paint your cabinetry white, add distressed furniture and floral fabrics for a country cottage kitchen. A treasured collection of needlework samplers from your grandmother is certainly inspiration for a warm and cozy farmhouse kitchen but will warm up a contemporary space as well.

In any kitchen design, wall space is usually at a premium. Items like cabinetry, appliances and doorways utilize most of the area. To introduce artwork into your kitchen, pictures can be small items placed in unusual spaces such as the backsplash area under the cabinets or a small wall next to a doorway. And don’t overlook spaces above windows and doors as well as the space above the upper cabinets.

Much of our time is spent in the kitchen cooking, working, cleaning and enjoying family time together. Kitchen pictures and other artwork not only provide color and interest but they add a personal touch to an otherwise utilitarian space.

1. Take a look at the finish on your cabinets, furniture and countertops. If it appears new and shiny it is not meant for a country kitchen. You can distress new cabinets with a little bit of sandpaper to dull the finish and rough up the edges. Or you can paint over that shiny wood with a color that appeals to you and distress it a bit with glaze, striping or sandpaper. Tip: save yourself the time and purchase a vintage piece and enjoy the years of chipping, peeling and grime that have accumulated.
2. Hardware is one of the easiest ways to makeover a country kitchen. Replace those shiny stainless pulls and levers with pieces that are finished in an oil rubbed bronze, rusty iron or tarnished brass. Choose a vintage design that looks like it just came out of the local general store or find whimsical pieces that reflect favorite food items, hobbies etc. Tip: for a budget friendly fix, paint your existing hardware to look like oil rubbed bronze or tarnish your own brass. Check out your local hardware store for these specialty treatments.
3. Cabinets and appliances usually take up most of the wall space in a kitchen but you can add the magic of paint to areas above the backsplash, for example, or dining room furniture that is in an adjoining space. A current trend is to paint specific cabinetry, such as an island or bar, in a color that is different from the cabinets to make it look like a free-standing piece of furniture. Tip: for a country kitchen use muddied paint colors such as barn red in place of fire engine red or gold in place of sunny yellow.
4. As most kitchens do not have an abundance of windows, window treatments are usually pretty affordable. Add a ruffly valance above your window shades or cover a cornice box in a suitable country kitchen fabric such as gingham, toile, muslin or mini prints. Burlap is so popular right now, is easy to work with, is available in several different colors and can be stenciled, painted or embellished with tape, fringe or other trims. Tip: placemats and napkins, vintage quilt pieces or fabric scraps can be turned into a charming window valance or tiered curtains and is often more affordable than purchasing new fabric.
5. If you do not feel confident in your decorating skills, choosing a theme is an easy way to insure that your colors and patterns “work”. Roosters are a common kitchen theme. Did you know that the use of roosters in a country kitchen dates back to the early 15^th century when these colorful birds were thought to bring good luck to villagers and farmers? Fruit motifs are another popular theme for country kitchens and fruit patterns coordinate well with gingham checks for a truly homespun look. Tip: Whatever theme you choose, be careful not to go overboard. Too many teapots, roosters or apples can be overwhelming and look cluttered and that is not the way you want people to feel in your country kitchen.
6. Many of us enjoy the feel of a country kitchen but do not necessarily enjoy the distressed or vintage look so commonly found in these rooms. A touch of country will warm up a modern space and still allow you to enjoy your beautiful stainless steel appliances, shiny granite or sleek cabinets. For example, introduce a country fabric such as toile or checks into your window treatments or upholstery. Shiny hardware can be replaced with pieces that have a matte finish and light fixtures can be easily switched out for something a bit more industrial to introduce the idea of vintage into your modern and efficient kitchen. Tip: collections are a big part of country kitchen decor so display your collections in a hutch or behind glass cabinet doors.
7. Conversely, a touch of modern can be added to a country kitchen as well. Shiny black granite is a beautiful surface that will create a nice contrast to painted and distressed cabinetry. Shiny brass hardware can replace satin nickel pieces without compromising the country feel you are looking for. Fabric in bright colors and modern patterns such as geometric or abstract can be used as table linens or chair seat covers. Tip: if you are using modern fabrics stick with country colors such as red, blue and yellow and avoid modern colors like neon pink, purple and lime green.
8. Like jewelry is to a little black dress, accessories are to a country kitchen. Vintage artwork, canisters, wall decor and linens can all be changed easily and affordably. If space allows, create a gallery wall to display your vintage watercolors or oil paintings. This allows room for new pieces to be added. Old cabinets turned into shelving units create space to display your prized collections. Family photos and souvenirs collected on vacation add a personal touch that is so important to a country kitchen. Tip: change out your collections and photos every so often to celebrate a holiday, season or just the changing dynamics of your family. For example, if you display a collection of salt and pepper shakers, edit it as new pieces are added. Family photos can reflect the current season, past holidays etc.
9. Every day items can really make an impact on your kitchen decor. If time and/or budget do now allow you to turn your new tract home cabinets into the time worn country kitchen cabinets you desire or that laminate counter top has to stay, consider using vintage small appliances like toasters in place of a toaster oven or glass mason jars in place of those matching ceramic canisters you use now. Hide that fancy food processor in the pantry and, instead, display country kitchen accessories like hand woven baskets to hold utensils or vintage linen dishtowels. Tip: don’t worry about a tiny stain or tear in textiles or a dent or bit of rust on utensils, they just add to the country feel.
10. Last but not least, look down at your floor. Flooring is an expensive item and your budget may not make it possible to tear out that porcelain tile meant to look like slate that your builder installed. Or you already have a time worn wood floor that is just cold and uncomfortable. An easy fix is to cover it with rugs that are more attractive and much more comfortable on your feet. Search out old braided or hand hooked rugs at flea markets and thrift stores. Rag rugs are easy to make yourself and a fun way to incorporate all those old fabric scraps and clothing items you have been holding on to. Discount stores carry a wide selection of sizes and shapes and color combinations. Tip: be sure to add rug pads underneath to prevent a nasty fall and to keep the rug in place.

There you have it; ten easy and affordable ideas to turn an ordinary kitchen into a country kitchen that you, your family and your guests will enjoy as a warm and inviting gathering spot.

1. Cabinets. New finishes and door designs that are appropriate for country kitchen decor are available. These include faux finishes that look and feel aged; distressed paint finishes and beautiful wood tones. Molding is available in many different styles as well as special doors inserts that include bead board, glass panels, etc.
2. Appliances. Appliances are the “furniture” of the kitchen. You will want to consider your personal design preferences when it comes time to pick a specific style. You might incorporate a stove that looks like something right out of a mid-century farmhouse in your own rustic kitchen. New or refurbished refrigerators that meet current energy standards but look old-fashioned will fit the decor of any country kitchen including a cottage, farmhouse or rustic design. Cabinet doors can hide modern appliances such as a dishwasher, trash compactor and microwave oven.
3. Room layout. If you have the opportunity to add space to your kitchen, now is the time to consider other tasks that you perform in this room.
• If possible, include a casual dining area that can accommodate the family for breakfast, lunch or weekday meals. Consider a built-in banquette with hidden storage under the seats or a wonderful round table and chairs for great conversation. An old farmhouse table will accommodate several people and add a sense of history to your country kitchen. This space can also act as homework central during the week, making it possible for you to keep an eye on the kids, help them with their homework and just be nearby.
• A small cubby or built-in desk area is the perfect spot to pay bills, check out recipes or work on a laptop. Incorporate plenty of drawers and cubbies to keep the area neat and organized.
• Take into consideration any special hobbies the family has such as wine tasting, specialty cooking etc and incorporate these into your kitchen design. For example, a counter with plenty of room to pull up a stool and enjoy sushi or set out bottles of wine for the monthly wine tasting party will be appreciated by you and your guests.
• Proper storage is an absolute must in any country kitchen, particularly a small area. Cabinet manufacturers have come up with several unique ways to maximize storage by using every inch of the kitchen. Corner units, rotating shelves, slide out units and under counter storage are just a few ideas for a small kitchen design.
4. Decor. The decor of your country kitchen includes furniture styles, fabric choices, paint colors and accessories. These are all determined by your own personal style. Is your country kitchen rustic in design or do you prefer the bright and cheerful look of a cottage kitchen? Maybe the warm woods and colorful fabrics found in a French country kitchen are more to your liking. Or perhaps you are trying to replicate the warm and cozy feel of your grandmother’s farmhouse kitchen with its worn woods, heavy iron pots and pans and artwork and photos yellowed with age.
• For a rustic kitchen choose cabinetry with a weathered finish of paint or distressed wood. Repurposed or reclaimed barn or fencing is always a fun option for cabinetry and furniture pieces. Open shelving can also be incorporated for your upper cabinets. A simple tile countertop and backsplash would be used. A multi-purpose farmhouse table can act as an island for preparing meals and, when cleared, becomes the dining table. Accessories might include old utensils hung above the stove, vintage oil paintings or magazine ads framed in mis-matched wood frames. Fabric for window treatments, chair seat cushions etc. would be homespun weaves such as linen, cotton and muslin in friendly patterns like gingham checks, colorful solids or simple floral designs.
• A cottage kitchen will most likely have white or painted cabinets with a simple bead board door design. Countertops may be simple porcelain tiles or an elegant white marble. Open shelving also works well in a country cottage kitchen as a place to display a pretty collection of tea pots, colorful dinnerware or potted plants. If open shelving does not appeal to you, consider glass door inserts for your upper cabinets that, when lit, act as a night light in the evening. Fabrics will be soft and feminine and include plenty of floral patterns and the accessories will continue the floral feel with still life oil paintings of roses, fruit etc.
• A French country kitchen utilizes the beauty of wood in cabinetry and furniture. A center island might be painted red to look like a piece of furniture as opposed to kitchen cabinetry and feature a distressed butcher block countertop. Fabric patterns are a mix and match collection of stripes, checks, floral and toile all jumbled together on a banquette, dining table bench or in the window treatments. Accessories are fun and colorful and include folk art images, family photos, paintings of farm animals or the scenic countryside. And a rooster, the sign of good luck and bounty, are a must in any French country kitchen.
• It is not necessary to bind yourself to one particular “country kitchen” style. The kitchen, like all rooms in a country home, is functional first and warm and welcoming to family and guests.

When the time comes to design your country kitchen, take time to determine your specific needs and the end result will be a kitchen you will enjoy for years to come.

Primitive crafts can be broken down into several different categories. Here are just a few:

• Antiques
• Wood crafts
• Holiday crafts
• Artwork
• Dolls
• Country crafts
• Americana
• Functional crafts

Let’s break those down even further and take a closer look at some of these categories.

Antiques

Many antiques are simply crafts from an earlier era. Creating needlework samplers, hand carved figurines, embroidered linens and primitive dolls and wood crafts were ways to while away the evening hours. Remember, there was no TV in those days! You either read or enjoyed working on some sort of hobby or craft.

You can collect and display these wonderful items as artwork in your home where they can act as inspiration or be used as patterns for modern day crafts that you might enjoy. Who knows? Someday your needlework may be for sale in an antique shop and inspire some young person of the future.

Wood crafts and dolls

Carved wooden toys, figurines and functional items such as tools, bowls and utensils were affordable to make as wood was plentiful. Men enjoyed sitting on the porch whittling and carving as they relaxed and the end result might be a beautiful bowl or a hand carved set of animal toys for a young child.

Primitive dolls were also easy and affordable. Fabric scraps were used for the body and clothing and eyes and other facial features were easy to embroider. The same techniques can be used today to create special toys and dolls that are safe and sustainable and can be handed down from generation to generation.

Holiday crafts

Halloween and Christmas are particularly good times to create hand-crafted items as gifts or for decorative purposes.

Halloween crafts might include:

• Pumpkins, ghosts and other Halloween motifs made from scraps of wood can be used to decorate the front porch to scare away the trick or treaters or used indoors as wall or table decor. Keep the design and finish simple and rustic to maintain the primitive look you are going for.
• Stencil and embroidered designs can be done on table linens, pillows and mantle scarves in fun Halloween designs you make yourself. Do you remember potato stencils where you cut a design in the center of a potato, covered it with paint and pressed it onto a piece of fabric or paper? Your kids will enjoy this country craft as much as you did and you will create wonderful holiday memories in the process.
• Gourds and pumpkins can be carved and decorated and turned into many different objects. Hollow out a pumpkin and use it as a candle holder on your dining table or glue artificial flowers to a pumpkin for a sophisticated country look. Gourds come in so many different shapes and sizes and can be turned into funny looking creatures or use them in their natural form for a beautiful display.

Christmas craft ideas can be just as simple and fun to make:

• Wooden signs that spell out holiday greetings, made from old wood and hung with a metal wire offer a simple country welcome on the front door.
• Ornaments can be hand crocheted, knitted, embroidered, painted or carved from small pieces of wood. They will add a warm and personal touch to your holiday tree or given as hostess and teachers gifts, for example. Most people enjoy and appreciate an item that has been lovingly and painstakingly made by hand.
• Scraps of fabric can be wrapped around a Styrofoam ball and used to fill a bowl with country style balls. You can choose fabric that coordinates with your home decor, use traditional holiday colors or create a patchwork quilt effect with different colors and fabric patterns.

Americana crafts

Americana style crafts have been popular for a long time but have experienced resurgence in that popularity during the last decade. It provides us an opportunity to display our national pride.

Americana crafts are patriotic in design and color and include:

• Stars and stripes in all different forms. Weathered tin stars can be grouped on a wall indoors or outdoors. Add a needlepoint flag pillow to your sofa or side chair. A tattered old flag can be framed and used as artwork or paint an old board with milk paint to look like an old flag.
• Red, white and blue are the colors of Americana crafts. Bright primary shades do not work particularly well in a country setting so use more muted shades or “muddy” them a bit to get the desired color. This color combination can be created through the use of fabrics on items such as table linens and pillows or with paint on wooden crafts like painted boxes, furniture, candlesticks, glassware etc.

Artwork

The term artwork is subjective but to most of us it includes items that have been created by a trained artist such as oil paintings, hand blown glass or hand thrown pottery pieces, custom quilts and needlework suitable for framing or custom designed furniture and other wood pieces. All of these items will provide you with a prized piece that you can proudly display in your home for years to come and is usually well worth the price you pay.

Functional crafts

Functional crafts are items that are hand crafted but serve a function as well as being decorative. This includes things like primitive furniture pieces such as tables and chairs, dishware, blankets, quilts and other bedding, linens, utensils, tools and lamps, just to name a few.

Sources for primitive crafts

You can purchase primitive craft items at art fairs, antique stores, flea markets and even garage and estate sales.

If you are looking to make your own, primitive craft supplies can be found at specialty art stores, discount craft stores and even from online retailers. Here you will find the necessary paint and tools as well as some primitive craft patterns that will inspire and guide you. Wholesale suppliers are also available to those with a business or resale license.

Regardless of whether you purchase them from an artist or create them yourself, primitive crafts are a fun and personal way to add color and personality to your country home.

Defining primitive artwork

Primitive artwork is most often thought of as handcrafted, less than perfect pieces. A painting, for example, does not meet the standards of a classic renaissance, abstract or expressionist painting. In a primitive piece the lines are crude, the scale is off and proportion may be non-existent. But that is what gives it its charm. Other primitive artwork styles include:

• Folk art. Folk art consists of hand crafted pieces that represent a local culture, history, costumes etc. It may include carvings of animals, buildings and people; or it might represent a specific period in time. Tramp art, for example, includes simple frames and boxes that were made by the “tramps” during the depression. Materials that were used were items that were free and easy to find such as wooden sticks or metal cans and bottle caps. These were put together in sometimes intricate patterns and designs and are highly collectible today.
• Primitivism. This is an actual term that seeks to describe early pieces that depicted the lifestyle of primitive cultures through the inclusion of primitive motifs, clothing etc. A fine example of this is Paul Gauguin’s depiction of life in Tahiti through his now famous paintings. In other words, artists “borrow”" elements used in ancient art to create newer, more modern art.
• Naïve art is an accepted form of art that Wikipedia defines as “…characterized by a childlike simplicity in its subject matter and technique.” Many view this style of primitive art as being created by unskilled artists, when, in fact, it requires a great deal of talent to create this type of art. These sometimes whimsical paintings will add color and interest to a country home.
• Crafts. Crafts can be considered artwork, especially in a primitive environment. The very nature of a craft is that it is hand made. Crafts range from actual paintings to needlework, pottery and ceramic items, hand sewn dolls, woven baskets, hand hooked rugs, and weavings. Primitive crafts include hand milled soaps, candles, baskets, needlework and carved wooden pieces.
• The term Outsider art came about in the mid twentieth century and was used to describe art created by patients in an insane asylum. Today the meaning more often refers to naïve or brut art that is created outside the standards of the conventional art world and less to do with the mentally ill.

Sources for primitive art

Primitive art pieces can be purchased at craft fairs, art festivals, thrift shops, flea markets and, for very expensive items, through an art gallery. Even garage and estate sales and your grandparent’s attic can produce interesting, and maybe valuable pieces that will enhance your primitive decor. Museum stores are another great source for reproductions of primitive art and a visit to the museum may even provide you with a glimpse of the “real thing” before you purchase the reproduction. You may want to educate yourself on the value of certain items you are interested in before you begin your search. This will help insure that you are getting a legitimate item at the best value available.

What do Chicago and primitive art have in common?

Chicago has a history of supporting the primitive arts that goes back to the discovery of outsider art in the late 1940’s. French artist Jean DuBuffet coined the phrase outsider art and began to amass his own personal collection that now exceeds thousands of pieces and is permanently housed in Switzerland. In the early 1950’s the Arts Club of Chicago featured DuBuffet’s writings on this topic. The Arts Club has also featured many primitive displays since it’s inception in 1918 including American Primitive Paintings in 1943, Accent Rugs designed by American Painters in 1955 and Primitive Paintings from the Pacific, the Americas and Africa in 1964.

Chicago is also the home of the Primitive Works Gallery located in the Fulton River District. This gallery is home to thousands of primitive art pieces that have been gathered from around the globe. Collections include furniture, art and artifacts, textiles and other items. They also offer their own collection of primitive style furniture and accessories that have been inspired by ancient designs. These items can be purchased via the gallery’s in-house design team.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to primitive artwork. You may prefer the colorful and whimsical folk art designs of past cultures or the history associated with a handcrafted wooden bowl, for example. The unusual facts associated with tramp or outsider art may attract your attention or a quiet country sampler may be the answer for you. Choose carefully and whatever type of primitive art you choose for your home is certain to provide you with enjoyment for years to come.

The term primitive basically refers to something from the past. It can be a rustic wooden sign that once hung outside a country market during the depression years, a rusty metal sign selling war bonds from the 1940’s or something as recent as a peace sign from the turbulent sixties. Perhaps you enjoy unique or iconic sayings that appear on signs. Of course, one of the most famous sayings is “Uncle Sam wants you” or
Make love, not war”.

How to decorate with primitive signs

The list of available signs is endless. The ones you choose are determined by your own personal design style and in what room or manner you would like to display the signs. Here are ten easy ways to decorate with your primitive signs:

1. Primitive wooden signs with names of old businesses abound. They can be purchased at antique stores, flea markets, barn and garage sales and, of course, from online retailers and auction sites. Be sure to check out your grandparent’s garage because you are sure to find an old sign or two tucked away. It is fun to find a sign that is personalized with your family name, references a favorite vacation spot or has sentimental meaning like the name of the hotel where your parents spent their honeymoon. These signs can be hung above a doorway, for example or if they are large enough, can even act as a unique headboard.
2. Nostalgic signs that bring back memories of times gone by are always fun to collect and display as primitive artwork. These can be logo signs from a favorite cereal you ate as a kid, the soap your mother always used or even the name of the town newspaper. Again, depending on the sign, these can be used as wall art or grouped together in gallery fashion for a unique display. For example, country signs that advertise soap, detergent or other cleaning supplies work well in a bathroom, laundry area or kitchen while a sign from your hometown is a special find and can be placed on the shelves in the den or home office.
3. Signs featuring specific country motifs are popular as well. Did you know that a pineapple is a colonial sign of welcome and the large stars you see displayed on the side of a barn or the front of a house are meant to bring good luck? Crows appear on many different signs and were often used in the name of a business i.e. Crow’s Tavern, Black Crow Restaurant, Old Crow Boot Shop etc. Search for these special motifs so you can welcome your guests in a traditional, primitive manner.
4. Rustic signs made from tin or other metal often advertise gasoline or soda pop or identify the entrance to a large ranch. Soda pop and beer signs look great grouped together over a bar or in an outdoor kitchen or barbecue area. Other ideas include a “no swimming allowed” hung near a pool or ‘Beware of dog” attached to your pet’s crate or kennel.
5. Primitive sayings that feature old fashioned blessings or simple prayers are often hung in a child’s room, at the front door or in the family room. Some examples include “bless this house”, “faith, family, friends” or “bless all who enter”.
6. Following a similar theme, country samplers often featured entire prayers and blessings sewn onto a simple muslin background. These samplers look sweet as artwork in a nursery or a special greeting to those staying in your guest room. Again, Grandma probably has several of these old samplers hidden away.
7. While not exactly a “sign” old game boards make unique and interesting artwork. If you have several of them, hang them in a game room or family room. If your collection is not large then hang them on the wall with similar memorabilia.
8. Kids will enjoy a collection of whimsical signs hung in their play room, bedroom or study area. Farm animals appeared on signs advertising dairy, feed and other farm equipment. Kids can relate to the colorful and fun advertising mascots like super heroes, the Michelin man or the Foster’s Freeze ice cream cone.
9. Pop culture might include rock and roll stars from the 50’s, Rosie the Riveter from the 40’s or those wonderfully elegant flapper ladies from the roaring 20’s who appear on metal, wooden and paper signs.
10. If you have a large collection of primitive signs, the garage is a great place to display them. They do not need protection from varying temperatures and will cover those bare walls with something pleasant to look at.

There you have it… ten ways to display primitive signs in your country home.

No matter what you call it; the couch, sofa, settee, divan or loveseat, a country couch provides a comfortable and inviting spot to sit and visit with guests; stretch out and take an afternoon nap, read a good book, watch a little television or snuggle up with a loved one.

Furniture styles

There are many different styles of couches and other country furniture available for purchase. Your own personal interior design preferences will determine what style is best for your home. Listed here are 5 examples of country style sofas that may work for you.

1. Traditional style couches will work in just about any interior. They are not too modern, not too country, they are just right. They usually feature a two or three cushion seat back, rolled arms and the bottom can be skirted or plain. Tip: avoid a tight back and/or straight lines as these styles tend to be a bit too contemporary for a country home. Designer details might include button tufting, rustic nail head trim or some contrast welting.
2. Slipcovers are a great choice for a country couch. To begin with, they are washable and that might be important if you have young children, pets that enjoy the comfort of upholstered furniture or a messy husband. The relaxed and rumpled look of a slip covered sofa works well in cottage or French country decor as well as a traditional country home.
3. Country living can mean different things to different people and a specific time period can also determine a furniture style. For example, if you prefer the fussy and cluttered look of the Victorian age then you will want to choose a sofa that reflects that time period; which would be formal and stiff with ornamental wood carved arms and frames. If the Arts & Crafts movement is more to your liking, a couch in that interior would have large wooden arms and frame and possibly cushions that sit against a slat back.
4. Leather is always a favorite. A country leather sofa will be large and comfortable with worn and distressed leather that has developed a patina over time. It will just get better with age and requires very little care so is perfect for a busy family room.
5. Country homes are welcoming. Therefore, a dual purpose sofa such as a sleeper or a futon that can do double duty as a bed for overnight guests is a good choice when space and/or budget are a concern.

Fabrics

Once you have chosen the style and shape of your couch you must decide on the fabric. This can be a difficult decision as there are literally thousands of fabrics to choose from. As an individual you must first take into consideration the room and people who will be using the couch. If you have rambunctious kids and messy pets you will want to choose a fabric that is durable and possibly has a pattern that will hide stains. On the other hand, if you live alone or it is just the two of you, you are freer to choose a luxurious fabric like velvet or polished cotton that is not quite as durable. Other fabric choices include:

• Plaid. Plaid is a casual and welcoming pattern. A plaid sofa will not only add to your overall country decor but it coordinates with other patterns and has the added benefit of being able to hide some stains and everyday wear and tear. A multi colored plaid sofa in a family room can be paired with blue chenille chairs, for example, to create an inviting space for your family and stand up to crayons, dirty soccer shoes, hairy pets and other “nuisances”.
• Durable micro fiber fabrics are available in a wide range of country colors and will eliminate worries about accidental stains, spills and normal “kid dirt”.
• If a country cottage or French country look is what you are seeking, consider a fabric that features a soft floral pattern in tea stained colors. You can upholster the couch or use slip covers for this casual look. Add a collection of throw pillows in coordinating stripes and checks and lots of fluffy fringe and ruffles and you have a delightful cottage look.
• Chenille is a favorite of many country design lovers. It is durable enough for every day use and, while casual in appearance, is not rumply or messy looking. A wide ribbed chenille resembles corduroy and a smaller ribbed pattern has the look and feel of velvet. Choose the best weave and fiber mix for your own personal needs. Chenille can be used as a covering for your living room sofa but is sophisticated enough to upholster a pair of chairs or small loveseat in the master bedroom.
• Velvet provides a soft and luxurious look and feel to your country couch. If durability is a concern, seek out some of the new indoor/outdoor lines that fabric manufacturers have introduced. These have the look and feel but are more durable than velvet and often eliminates worries about crushing, a specific nap direction etc. An emerald green velvet couch accented with leather welting is a masculine look for a den or library.
• Tightly woven poly/cotton blends can turn that ordinary looking futon into a smart looking piece of furniture for a guest room, small apartment or teenager’s bedroom. Maintain the country look by choosing patterns and colors that support a country theme. For example, an Americana print is fun to use in a red, white and blue color scheme in a teen’s bedroom. Durable denim can be accented with accent piping in a deep barn red, for example, and accented with colorful throw pillows made from quilt scraps. You get the idea.

A couch, along with other upholstered furniture pieces, should be durable, comfortable and attractive. You want to purchase the highest quality you can afford. Johnston Benchworks is a family owned company that takes great pride in their commitment to produce the finest quality, hand made upholstered pieces that include sofas and loveseats.

A couch is a very important piece of furniture in a country home. It provides multiple seating when the family is gathered or you are entertaining, a place for you to stretch out and relax after a long day at the office and is the perfect spot to cuddle up and read a bedtime story at the end of the day.