Instead I'm going to share some of my favorite rustic components and jewelry with you. This is such a vast and lively field of design that one could do many blog posts on the same topic. There's no way I'd be able to include all my favorite work in this category. But here's a start.
So just what is rustic style? I have a
feeling that everyone might define it differently. But here's what the
Encyclopedia Britannica has to say:
rustic style, in decorative arts, is any ruralizing influence; more precisely, a ... (style where) the main components of which are carved and fretted to resemble the branches of trees. Stemming from the idealization of nature and the “simple life” that occurred in the mid-18th century, the vogue for this kind of product persisted well into the 20th century. It was especially popular in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. It naturally endeared itself to the British Victorians, with their passion for the picturesque, and was also generally admired in the United States...
Some sources that I looked at called it modern-rustic style and tied it in with organic and renewable materials, highlighting an appreciation of nature. This would include woodland themes, the use of natural materials such a wood, hemp cording and leather. It is a style that is inherently casual and unfussy.
Colors tend to be a soothing combination of warm mid-toned wood,
with shades
of soft gray, cool clay and greens. Other colors may serve as subtle accents, but don't expect any garish brights in this style. That seems to hold true for all the items I
have collected for this post. Would you add any other colors to the list?
Sometimes rustic gets lumped
together with its girlier cousins: "shabby chic" and "country charm". I've been very conscious of this distinction over the past few years as I've been updating the look of my show booth and my shop. A paint peeling bird cage or tea stained doilies have a somewhat rustic look, but they speak more toward "country charm" than rustic. Instead I've used grayed woods with earth-toned and clay colored table coverings. Next on my wish list is linen or burlap covered jewelry displays.
I make sure that my photography consistently expresses "rustic" as well. My jewelry is photographed on a rustic slate tile. Props consist of a piece of wood with rustic bark and lichen. The woodland theme is emphasized further with the ferns and flowers that I include in nearly all my pictures.
-Linda
