In creating a perfect rustic home, many start with the kitchen. After all, what is more rustic, and country, than a home cooked meal with the family.

These days, more and more families are enjoying meals at kitchen tables and chair sets instead of a formal dining room. Dining rooms are a lot of hassle, and are now used more for special occasions when a larger number of people need to be seated. This change is a great thing for the cook, because instead of being left out of all the conversations, while being stuck in the kitchen preparing the vittles, the family can be in the kitchen as the meal is being prepared and can all share this time together. This is also a great way to remind the rest of the family to do their part in helping to set up for, and clean up after, the meal. There’s no escape when they are all in the kitchen.

To get the right old country look in the kitchen, you should start with the kitchen tables and chair sets. This is going to be the centerpiece of the room. Sure, there are all the appliances, but when people walk in, their eyes are always going to go to the table and the chairs where they can take a seat. This table and chair set needs to be comfortable, yet convey the look of life on the farm. A simple wooden set can create this look. A tabletop made of oak or cherry wood, surrounded by four chairs, for the family setting. Look for hand-embroidered cloth napkins or placemats and a real wicker basket for the bread that is to accompany the meal to complete the look at mealtime.

If your family is prone to a lot of conversation at the dinner table, you may want to make those chairs a little more comfortable, by adding a couple of cushions, one on the seat, and another on the back so everyone can be focused on the conversation and not their sore backside. When first buying the kitchen tables and chair sets you also may want to think about getting ones with arm rests, so people don’t feel a need to rest their arms on the table during those talks. Just make sure there is room in the kitchen for the extra space that chairs with arms will need to fit.

Another part of creating the country kitchen look is through the appliances in the room. While we can’t get rid of the refrigerator, there are some home decorators that disguise the modern appliances with false cabinet fronts or curtains to remove them from the view. When it comes to stoves, there is even a trend to change out a modern stove for a wood stove that can add the right flavor and look for the decorative style. While a wood stove may seem like an interesting idea, it is also a costly one to put into place. There is major work that will have to be done to accommodate not only the stove, but also the chimney that releases the smoke as the wood burns.

The formal and elegant style of the English country decorating is very popular in many kitchens today. If you like the look of formal but neutral colors along with toile and floral pattern fabrics, formal furniture and antique accessories then you might want to consider this decorating scheme for your kitchen. The tips below will help you get the feeling of the English countryside in your home.

When thinking about buying kitchen chairs and tables for your perfectly decorated kitchen, you might want to make sure to look for items that augment the design style. This home decor looks best with a more formal seating arrangement – perhaps beautiful cherry wood furniture or maybe even nicely painted pieces. Think about using formal style items to work right with your kitchen .

Making use of area rugs will help to complete your English country kitchen. While choosing flooring for your interior design, be certain you consider something that matches the design in addition to the colors in the room. Look at deploying formal style area rugs in creams and beiges that enhance the other colors in the decorating scheme.

No design would look it’s best without great decorative accessories, so take a look at adding some pottery and dish towels which reflect the English countryside. Use items that reflect a regal and elegant design such as ironstone china bowls and large pitchers as well as vintage dish towels. Utilizing accessories you find at antique shops and yard sales will put your own charming touch on the decorating style.

Lights can be pricey, then again if you do your shopping at thrift stores and sales, you will be able to end up with appealing lighting fixtures to complete your kitchen. To match this style of décor, you’ll need your lighting fixtures to be formal but elegant. Don’t forget that you need good task lighting in addition to overhead lighting and ambient lighting.

Installing the perfect form of window treatments ought to totally make your kitchen stand out. Use curtains or sheers with a fabric valance. Fabrics that look great with this style include toiles, large floral prints, stripes and plaids.

Remodeling your kitchen in English country decorating doesn’t need to be expensive if you use your creativity. Try shopping at yard sales, flea markets and even second hand stores where you can save loads of dough and achieve an individualized style for your kitchen.

Spring is the perfect time to get rid of the old and bring in the new. Spring cleaning has taken over our homes.  Along with spring cleaning comes fresh new home decor. The winter decor has been neatly put away in the closet for next year.  Homes have been redecorated with freshly bright colors and designs.  With so many styles today, which one is best for the bedroom? Believe it or not, plaid duvet covers have become one of the favorite bedding pieces for this spring.  Something about it makes many of us think of the country.  If you live in the big city and want to bring back a touch of the country to your home, then plaid duvet bedding is your best choice. We picture the country life with bright sunny skies, freshly cut lawns and beautiful gardens.  Green and yellow plaid duvet covers represents the same thing.  These two colors are the most popular plaid colors in duvet bedding today.  The green reminds us of nature. The trees and flowers.  The yellow represents the bright yellow sun. 

The best decor to use with this type of duvet cover is fresh flowers and hanging plants by the bed.  Flowers always brighten up any bedroom and reminds of us the beautiful flowers of the country gardens. Place some of the flowers in a wooden baskets for a more beautiful effect.  Pull back cotton curtains with ties.  You can either match the curtain with the same pattern as the bedding and place a solid color valance over the curtain or just use a solid color curtain with matching valance. You do not have to necessarily go with yellow or green this spring .  Any color would look fine.  Use woven or braided rugs on the floor for a more homey feeling. Finish the walls off with coordinating pastel colors to complete the new spring plaid look,

Take a look at all the beautiful plaid duvet covers at Multi Shop Stop

Finally, after the rather rainy day yesterday I opened my curtains to an absolutely gorgeous day today. The lush green Alpine foothills and mountains surrounding Weiz were competing with the brilliant blue sky to catch my attention and naturally I had to get out on the road and explore. I started with a visit to the large pilgrimage church in my home town of Weiz. It is assumed that a church, more specifically a Roman basilica, was located on the hill above Weiz already around the middle of the 11th century. Due to poor lighting conditions inside the church, this building was remodeled several times, until in the mid 1700s a decision was finally made to replace the church with a new building. Construction on the new baroque style church began in 1757 and was finally completed in 1776.

The Weizbergkirche is a very imposing house of worship and was a well-known pilgrimage church, as early as the 12th century. It became a very popular pilgrimage destination in the 17th century, but since then the number of pilgrims has dropped substantially. It is the largest church in the district capital of Weiz, and a landmark that can be seen on virtually every postcard of my home town. I was particularly amazed when I walked inside the church and saw the renovated 18th century frescoes that are once again impressing visitors with their astounding colours and details since their recent renovation.

Directly in front of the church is an elevated plateau from where there is a great view over the town and the surrounding area. A sculpture called the “Balance Beam” reminds people of the transience of life. On the southern slopes of this hill is the cemetery of Weiz which features many graves going back several hundred years. One of the most famous graves in this cemetery belongs to Aurelia Schwarzenegger, mother of that most famous Austrian export: Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I then hopped into my car and drove up to the next higher hill, the so-called “Landscha”, which also overlooks the town and has been a very popular residential area for decades due to its great views. The top of the plateau features a forest and agricultural fields and is a popular destination for joggers and bicyclists. From here I drove into the forest and turned eastwards into a mountain valley called Ponigl.

Just a few minutes outside of town, this area is nevertheless very rural, remote and agricultural. Various farms, some centuries old, are dotted throughout the countryside and still actively involved in agriculture, be it growing corn or raising cattle. The valley ends in a dead end and only forest roads and hiking trails will take you up into the surrounding mountains. One area close by is known as the “Galgenwald” (Gallow’s Forest), an area where local criminals were hanged until a couple of centuries ago. Many legends surround this area and to this day there is an area that features three stone columns that were used a long time ago for executions by the regional court.

Past the quaint village of Oberdorf I continued to my next destination: Schloss Thannhausen (the Castle of Thannhausen), an extensive country estate that was originally mentioned as early as 1177. The current version of the castle was constructed in Renaissance style in the 1500s and features a stunning inner courtyard with rounded-arch arcades. On a regular basis this courtyard is used for concerts and provides a perfect backdrop for musical enjoyment.

After a quick drive back and through the town I headed into the “Weizklamm” (the Weiz River Gorge), a steep incision into the surrounding limestone rocks that drop vertically down to the Weizbach. Interestingly, a main regional road has been built into the rocks and is so narrow in some parts that is impossible for two vehicles to pass each other.

I filmed the entire 2.5 km drive through the Weizklamm and quite often I had to stop and let one of the many transport trucks that frequent this road pass. Mirrors in the corners help drivers see whether there is traffic approaching, and the locals are very used to driving on this narrow road in between the rocks. On top of the rock cliffs there is a hiking trail called the “Jägersteig” (Hunter’s Trail) which provides great views over the surrounding mountains and the gorge.

Past the gorge there is a fork in the road: on the left side you will reach the country village of Passail, and on the right side you continue beside the river to a small hamlet called Schmied in der Weiz. I turned right and decided to take a steep country road up to the mountain village of St. Kathrein am Offenegg, a popular tourist destination with several hotels, restaurants and bed and breakfasts.

St. Kathrein offers many hiking trails, an educational forest trail, a publicly accessible herb garden as well as skiing in the winter. Settled already in Celtic-Nordic times, German settlers moved into the area in the 11th century. A church was mentioned as early as 1295 and the current church was modified and enlarged several times over the centuries. I walked around and into this small country church which is surrounded by a cemetery and offers a beautiful view westwards towards the Passail Basin.

Bring the beauty and warmth into your home with our prints, rustic decor, home furnishings and kitchenware. From whimsical to dramatic, you’ll find something to please everyone in your family with rustic home furnishings.

For many city dwellers, rustic home furnishings are a way to escape the hectic urban lifestyle for the peaceful tranquility of rural living. When it’s impossible to leave the corporate rat race behind, an urban apartment or city house decorated in rustic home furnishings can be a relaxing place to unwind after a stressful day at the office.

Country decorating utilizes natural materials as much as possible and decorative items that look handmade even when they aren’t. Wooden floors may be polished to sheen, yet have characteristic marks from decades of being walked on. Braided rugs are scattered about, providing texture and warmth. The walls may be painted in neutral shades or earth tones, or perhaps papered in small floral patterns or bold country motifs.

For those living on country farms or in mountain cabins, the rustic decorating style is a natural choice that showcases the tradition of a farming heritage. And for those who live in-between, the suburbanites, upscale country home furnishings can provide a comfortable gathering place for family and friends to enjoy each other’s company, or to relax after a long commute.

Popular designs incorporate such elements as apples, floral wreaths, roosters, birdhouses, hearts, and Americana folk art for borders or to be used either above or below chair railing or crown molding. Wide borders with bold patterns complement smaller matching designs, checks, stripes, or plaids that can be used for larger wall areas.

A bear or moose motif may be used with more rustic home furnishings to create a log cabin ambience or to bring the feel of wilderness living into the dwelling. Chandeliers that look like wagon wheels or that are made from antlers, whether authentic fixtures or reproductions, are common lighting elements for rustic decorating.

From moose wall plates and elk switch plates, to bear coat hooks and deer towel bars, loon key holders and pinecone or leaf curtain swag holders, we are your source for rustic metal art decor featuring wildlife and fish themes for decorating your log home, lodge, cottage and log cabin.

A dark brown leather sofa fits perfectly in a country theme, especially when teamed up with either complementary or contrasting upholstered chairs. Comfort is a primary factor when it comes to selecting seating for the rustic dwelling. Throw pillows and curtains can be made from the same fabric to add a unified look to the room, though window shutters are an innovative alternative to traditional drapes when it comes to window treatments.

A stack of folded quilts, perhaps piled in an open trunk or a large basket, invites family and friends to wrap themselves up on chilly evenings while watching television or reading a good book. Or handmade afghans can be draped over the back of the sofa and chairs. Such simple decorating elements provide a hospitable feel to a family room. Baskets, in a variety of shapes and sizes, are also an integral element of country decorating whether handmade or mass-produced. To add additional interest, baskets can be lined with calico prints or trimmed in lace, filled with balls of yarn and embroidery projects, or hold freshly baked cookies for mid-afternoon snacking.

Another idea for bringing elements of nature into the house is to arrange a small collection of bird houses on a plant shelf or countertop. Other collectibles can also be displayed, perhaps rag dolls or stuffed teddy bears.

Country home decorating is a popular decorating style that has stood up to the test of time. Take pleasure in the simplicity and appeal of country home decorating no matter where you live–it is all about feeling relaxed and peaceful. Ideas for adding that look of country to your home include:

Vintage Fabrics – They are marvelous collectibles because of their creative, imaginative patterns. Also, the softness and pliability that comes with years of use provides that comfortable, relaxed look. Use vintage fabric scrapes for pillow covers, curtains, decorative table runners and doilies, quilt pieces, covering photo frames, drawstring gift bags, small purses, pot holders and oven mitts. Be sure and shop for fabrics that are in good condition and have minimum stains.

Dried Flowers and Potpourri – An easy way to add beauty to your country home decorating idea is to use dried flowers and potpourri. Flowers are easy to dry by hanging them in a bunch upside down in a dry, dark room that is well-ventilated. Then stand them up in plastic foam until they are used in an arrangement or in potpourri.

Antique Daybeds – Daybeds are described as any type of seating with the main purpose of daytime rest. They have been around for centuries. What a wonderful way to add country home décor to your home and at the same time add another sleeping area!

Paint By Numbers – Yes, the popular 1950’s paint by numbers is alive and well. Even though the craze seemed to fade away in the 1960’s, today it is coming back as collectors view paint by numbers as historic folk art. Look in flea markets, garage sales, thrift shops and on the Internet for these country home décor treasures and give your home a truly timeless country look.

Integrating these country home decorating ideas into your home décor will not only provide enjoyment for you and your family as well as for your guests, they will also become great topics of conversation!

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Country home decorating is a very popular design choice. It is a style that conveys welcome and warmth. It also adds a touch of whimsy and thoughts of simpler times. These things help create a relaxing environment for family and friends to enjoy.

One of the first places that people use country home decorating is the kitchen. Kitchens are the hub of a home and should be warm and inviting. Some popular kitchen country home decorating themes are roosters, chickens, cows, and apples. These items usually have an antiqued finish on them to enhance the country theme. Some frilly gingham curtains will add just the right country touch to your kitchen.

Wreaths are appropriate in country home decorating in all seasons. You can get them to match any color scheme and reflect any theme. Not all wreaths are pine based. Some are simply branches woven together. You can make one yourself using craft supplies. There are many online sites and books that will give you step by step instructions on making wreaths. Wreaths are pretty on doors to welcome people to your home. They can also be hung as decorations inside on walls or interior doors.

Gingham is a classic way to create a country home decorating style. This fabric instantly gives a country impression. It can be used in upholstery on couches, arm chairs, dining room chairs, and more. It is also used in window treatments, and even shower curtains. Gingham is a very versatile fabric that washes well and is durable. You can use it in many decorations including wreaths and swags.

Gingham patterns can be used for more country home decorating things than just fabric creations. You can use a gingham checked wallpaper to decorate your walls. You can use the same wallpaper to accent practical things like a file organizer or a wall shelf. You can also find gingham printed shelf liners that make opening your pantry a nice surprise.

Vintage hardware is a great country home decorating idea. It adds a whimsical touch of eras gone by. You can get hardware in all different styles and finishes. You can find great vintage hardware to suit all your country home decorating needs.

Stenciling is another popular country home decorating trick. You can stencil around the top of a room like a border. You can also stencil pretty designs to match your décor on wooden shelves or homemade wall plaques. This is a great way to incorporate your personality and beliefs into your home’s decorations.

Finding country home decorating ideas is not difficult. Look for items that appeal to you and include them in your current décor. There is a lot out there, so have fun looking!

The eternally charming English countryside is the inspiration for a warm, cozy kitchen done in English country style. Imagine an English stonewall cottage with flower gardens outside the backdoor while reveling in the warmth of a cup of tea by the kitchen hearth, or imagine a more formal kitchen of a traditional English country estate full of natural materials like cherry wood, marble and stainless steel. Either way, comfort, warmth and a welcoming ambiance are the order of the day.

Start by Choosing Soft, Warm Colors
Base your color palette on hues found in a quintessential English country garden. Buttery yellow, lavender and rose, pale greens and blues are colors that can accent a creamy neutral wall color or warmer wall tones with undertones of red or yellow. Or use faux painting techniques to create the illusion of stone or old plaster.

Add Cabinetry in Wood Finishes
Wood is the mainstay of English country kitchens featured in plain, flat paneled cabinet doors with simple, sturdy designs. Wood may be white washed or pickled to create a well-loved, well-worn appearance and hardware may be made of hammered metal or ceramic. Gleaming cherry wood is a traditional choice for countertops that offers a warm appealing radiance to the kitchen Intermixed in a wooden counter-top, you may find a section of cooled marble for rolling out pastry dough and in a large English country kitchen that serves an estate or country house, stainless steel countertops may dominate the prep and cleanup areas with a deep stainless steel sink. A cottage country kitchen is more likely to feature a porcelain apron style farm sink.

Weathered, Rustic and Comfortable
Cozy, homey appointments are standard in every English country kitchen, whether tucked into a hillside cottage or a grand estate. Even in a formal English country home, the kitchen will feature a large table and rush seat chairs with comfortable cushions for the kitchen staff or children of the home. A rustic beamed ceiling or stone fireplace is an authentic touch, and if your kitchen does not have these features, add features to complement the romantic cottage ambiance. An old mantel from an antique store can be mounted against a wall and a small electric fireplace designed to mimic an antique iron stove can be set beneath it; top the stove with a brass tea kettle and cheery checkered tea towels. An old china hutch can be set in a corner to give the illusion of built-in display. Use area rugs, curtains, patchwork or woolen throws, pillows and cushions, earthenware pitchers and old tea sets for realistic detail. Take care to keep things eclectic and not too matchy-matchy or pristine: comingle big floral prints with chintz, chenille, plaids and tweeds. A pot rack above the stove or sink can display an array of copper pots, iron skillets, brass pitchers and baskets.

Layer other accents for interest on every wall. Open plate racks with blue and white English china are apropos, as are bunches of herbs hung in the windows and fresh flowers gathered in an old vase or sugar bowl. Add wall art with antique appeal, such as old dishes and plates, silver trays, and old paintings with English country motifs. Accent the counter-tops with ceramic jars or clear glass apothecary jars stocked with treats and pantry staples, and of course, tea pots, tea cups, lemons, sugar bowls and creamers must be part of the mix.

English country garden themes continue to be one of the most popular choices of house styles as they are relatively easy to achieve and suit both traditionally styled and modern homes.

With the recession still affecting many people across the UK the vintage or ’shabby chic’ style of interior design is an easy and relaxed style which enables people to mix old with new and still having stunning interiors without having to spend a fortune on either decorating or furnishings.

Quintessential country styles are those which revolve around soft cottage garden flowers, lazy days spent in the country, as well as replicating the styles of manor houses of the wealthy in gentle pastels or more intense deep colours which were popular in large proportioned rooms.

Light and airy rooms filled with wafts of summer flowers brings peace and tranquillity to many people’s hectic lifestyles. Having ‘bolt holes’ in the countryside are also becoming more and more trendy as people try to address their work-home balance.

The country cottage theme incorporates a mix of floral fabrics with stripes and checks, usually with pastel colours. The latest trends also include an eclectic mix of more vibrant colours which are more typically associated with the Mediterranean, Azure blues, terracotta and sunflower yellows offer warm tomes which also invigorate the senses as well as providing a peaceful reflection of lazy Tuscany days filled with warm sunshine which help people to relax and de-stress once they arrive home.

One great advantage to the English country home theme is the ability to have each room slightly different with an overall cottage feel which brings a sense of balance and cohesion to a home. However, this style of interior design does not mean you can a jumble of mess and untidiness! It is certainly not an excuse not to plan each room carefully to achieve the desired look. Living in a cottage obviously gives people a great advantage as to the overall design scheme, however the colour combinations and mixes of textures and styles of fabrics used for curtains and soft furnishings allows for experimentation and a relaxed way of achieving a stunning interior.

Stripped floorboards are another feature along with stripped antique pine bedside tables, chest of drawers and wardrobes, along with doors. Floorboards and furniture which is too shabby can easily be painted with a white wash style of coating and adds to the overall charm of this style of interior.

Bedrooms are a great way to express the country theme by using crisps white bedding which has a rose or floral print. Quilt covers, curtains and plump cushions add to the overall look and are usually coordinated or matching. Vases filled with fresh seasonal flowers, picked from your own garden whenever possible, adds the essential finishing touches to all rooms, including the bedroom.

Opt for duvet sets which have a white or ivory main colour and choose from gorgeous pinks hues of English roses or the lilac of English lavender to instance bring romanticism to a bedroom.

For people who are looking to have a warm earthy feeling to their kitchen along with the simplicity of nature then country kitchen decorating theme is the way to go. Today the country kitchen look has become one of the more popular interior decorating designs being used at is provides an overall welcoming and friendly feeling to a very important area of the home.

However if you are considering to decorate your kitchen in a country style then you will also need to consider whether this will be limited to the kitchen or will spread in to other areas of your home. Plus you will need to look at your budget if you want to be able to carry out such a style of decoration to your kitchen. Below are a number of decorating ideas that you could use if you want to produce a country style kitchen in your home.

1. Colors
For any country style kitchen the colors you should be fresh, clean and warm and the ideal colors to achieve this are browns, yellows, greens, whites, pinks and the various different shades in between.

2. Accents
By adding just a few accents such as fruit, flowers, vegetables and plants will also help to increase the feel of a country kitchen that you are trying to achieve.

3. Furniture
It is preferable that you use lighter woods or wicker furniture in your country style kitchen design and it is wise if they can be upholstered in either gingham or floral type patterns. If you want to save money then instead of buying new furniture why not just make slip covers for the furniture you already have.

4. Flooring
The preferred kind of flooring for a country kitchen should be made from a natural material such as wood, tile or flagstones. However if these will not be covered in the budget you have then the same look can be achieved using wall to wall carpeting or laminate flooring instead. However, it is important that the flooring you use is the right sort of colour (any light shade). You could even use hooked or braided rugs instead in order to add an authentic look to the finished room.

5. Accessories
The final thing you need to consider when doing a country kitchen decorating design is what kind of accessories will work best and that the family will enjoy looking at. Why no put some family photos in to wooden frames, a painted rustic scene is a good idea, whilst plants, candles and even lace curtains can provide you with a finish that are all important to finish off your country style kitchen.

It is important that when designing your country style kitchen is to have an open mind and only include those features which appeal to you the most.

If you have ever wished that you could recreate the tradition and warmth of your grandmother’s kitchen, you’ll be happy to know that it is possible to fill your kitchen with country charm along with the modern features you value.

One feature which can distinguish a country kitchen from other styles is the cabinets. Instead of looking for the traditional maple or oak cabinets, consider painted white cabinets. Glass cabinet doors are another nice touch. You could also add period cabinet hinges and accessories. You may find originals at an antique or second hand store. Also, many companies produce replicas that can be ordered through home improvement stores.

Furniture can be used in unusual ways to give a kitchen country charm. An armoire can be used for storing linens, dishes or even for concealing a television. Look around in antique stores for an old milk chest or wooden ice box to use for storage.

A few changes in accessories can make a world of difference. A different wall paper border, country curtains or a display of old fashioned cooking utensils can help pull your look together. Farmhouse sinks are also very popular, and look great in a country style kitchen.

More and more families are choosing to eat their meals in the kitchen, leaving the dining room for special occasions. If that is the case in your home, you’ll want the table and chairs to maintain the country charm. Of course, they also need to be comfortable and practical.

A table and chairs made from cherry or oak is ideal for the small family setting. Buy cushions for the seat and back of the chairs to mix and match with the kitchen curtains. If you are handy with a sewing machine you can make your own, and have your pick of fabrics. Shop around for hand embroidered cotton clothes, napkins and a wicker basket for storing bread and other items.

When choosing a floor for your country kitchen you may want to consider hard wood. For an extra touch of authenticity, check with your local lumber yards to see if they can tell you where to purchase reclaimed wooden flooring from old houses and barns.

When creating the country kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, it may not be possible to purchase high end appliances. If it is within your budget, a few companies produce replicas of vintage appliances. While these appliances have the look of your great-grandmother’s appliances, they have all the modern features you’d expect in new appliances.

There are several websites and magazines that can help you achieve the exact look you want. Don’t be afraid to mix fabrics and accessories. Experiment until you find the look that is perfect for you and your home. While some people don’t like change, others grow bored with their decorating. This is an economical way to get the most mileage out of your décor.You don’t need a lot of time to make changes that will brighten up your home. In just one day you can make small changes that will make a big impact.