Decorating a home using a mixture of contrasting decor styles can create a unique and fabulous one-of-a-kind space.
Adding different decor pieces together without a plan rarely ends in a good result.
If you would like to decorate your home in a mix of rustic and elegant decor styles, here are a few tips.
photo courtesy of Katina Rogers flickr.com/photos/katinalynn/5232187126/
Compartmentalize
When mixing styles, keep each style a bit separate, not totally mixed with each other.
If decorating a dining table, don't mix some elegant plates with some rustic plates - all plates should be the same.
Don't mix some rustic art and some elegant art - all art should be of the same style style.
Consistent Color Palette
Use common colors among your rustic and elegant items.
Make the room look like you intended for the two styles to go together, not that the room was decorated by two completely different people.
Usually a room with rustic elegance will have minimal color since the rustic and elegant pieces will demand attention on their own.
Vintage and Antique
Often vintage and antique items were originally elegant, however they have become worn over time.
These items blur the lines between rustic and elegant making them a perfect addition to a room.
Such examples include mercury glass, an old farmhouse table, and an antique mirror with some of the silvering starting to come off.
Photo by Mountain Log Homes of CO, Inc. - Discover dining room design inspiration
Architecture vs Furnishings
When people decorate using a mix of rustic and elegant, they often choose to make the architecture rustic and the furnishings elegant.
Rustic architecture often uses exposed brick and rough wood.
Paired with the rough architecture is often soft linens, elegant light fixtures, a slipcovered or velvet sofa, and/or a grand piano.
Blur the Lines
There are some items that tend to be both rustic and elegant.
Such items include antlers, claw foot tubs, turtle shells, wrought iron, sea shells, candles, simple flower arrangements (perhaps from flowers and greenery in your own garden), and most any item from nature.
Not Too Much
When designing your home with rustic elegance, don't go overboard.
Sometimes less is more.
Use a few statement pieces, but don't clutter up the place.
When in doubt, use simple items such as a plain white comforter with minimal decorative pillows.
You can even go without accessories on surfaces such as your coffee table.
