Design April/May 2015 July/Aug 2013 | Page 40

you will pick it up and throw it away . Similarly , if you just hang an old , rusted garden spade on your wall , it will be just that : an old , rusted garden spade out of place .
The right spot
If the bed were not in the bush , but in a house , it would hardly have any effect . It might still be a comfortable bed , but the entire element of surprise would be taken away . Choosing the right spots for introducing your rustic elements into your home is as important as the balance of the quantity and quality of these elements .
How do I apply these principles ?
There are three basic categories to focus on : 1 . The house lay-out ( floors , walls and ceilings ), 2 . The furniture , and 3 . The décor .
The best effects are achieved if they are all incorporated together in smaller amounts instead of only focusing on one category .
A few examples :
These are not hard and fast rules , but rather ideas to help you think in the right direction . If you have a contemporary lounge , add a rustic coffee table , but repeat its texture in the décor on the opposite walls and in dark wooden beams in the ceiling . Do not group all rustic elements together , for example a rustic coffee table on a rustic rug with a rustic pot on it . This will visually create one unit and look out of place .
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If you want to give your contemporary kitchen a rustic feel , put a rustic top on your contemporary cupboards , and repeat the rustic texture in either the floor or décor items on the walls . If you have a rustic floor , do not change the lower cupboards to a rustic finish .
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In a contemporary bathroom , clad a focal wall with a rustic finish , and repeat it on the opposite side of the room with rustic décor or a rustic cabinet .
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In a dining-room , change your two head chairs to rustic chairs rather than all the chairs , and add a sideboard and wall décor in rustic finishes .
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If you have a staircase that you would like to make more rustic , change only the tread or only the railings , not both .
Accentuating a contemporary style with rustic elements creates wonderful contrast , warmth and interesting effects . Just be careful not to start a power struggle between the two styles .