This kitchen resembles the
old-fashioned farm kitchen of the
homeowner's dreams.

Blend Old and New

In the history of country decorating, the word "rustic" has conjured up a host of mental pictures. It conveys a lakeside cabin where a canoe and oars rest near the screen door; a row of rough hickory rockers with ticking-striped pillows lined up on a porch overlooking an open meadow; rough-hewn baskets and ironware made in a time when household goods were crafted by hand. No doubt, all such images are quintessentially rustic, featuring furnishings and accessories characterized by their instant patina and weathered, well-used character.

So what makes rustic new? More light. More space. And smart solutions. Rustic still means dark colors, earthenware containers, iron and leather, copper and wood. But today it's rearranged, replicated, and refreshed to make homes more livable. Newly defined, rustic is carefully edited, with fewer dust catchers and more functional pieces. It's peaceful and eclectic, mixing European with American regional antiques, and showcasing natural surfaces and pioneering spirit. In short, rustic is still timber, homespun fabrics, and galvanized tin, but it's also serviceable, sleek, and slightly sophisticated.