Natural materials and finishes define primitive decor.
Decorating in primitive style imparts a rustic look on your interior. Rather than adding glossy, trendy pieces to your decor, you integrate family heirlooms, vintage finds, junkyard gems, do-it-yourself projects and found objects for an artisan vibe. Primitive decor blends well with several interior decorating schemes, among them shabby chic, folk art, bohemian modern, French country, western, Mexican hacienda, Japanese Wabi-Sabi, tropical, Moroccan and farmhouse. Does this Spark an idea?
Primitive Paint and Finishes
Primitive interior design eschews pastels and saturated colors for an earthier look. Keep natural architectural elements such as exposed wooden ceiling beams, hardwood floors, stone walls, a stone fireplace, wood panels, logs and unpainted tile for a rougher look, or add a thin coat of antique whitewashed or watered down milk paint to subtly brighten the space. Distressed paint, vintage veneers and weathered wood blend beautifully with this look. If you have newly painted furniture, artificially distress it by gently sanding away glossy finishes or adding a crackle paint top coat.
Primitive Furniture
Primitive style favors solid wooden furniture that looks homemade, with telltale artisan touches such as wood joinery, oxidized hardware, hammered tin panels, painted tile surfaces, ornamental trim, multiple niches or engraved details. In the living room, a tree stump coffee table in front of a leather couch with a wooden frame can define the space. In the bedroom, a wrought iron bed may sit under a chandelier or a Moroccan lantern. A primitive bathroom might feature a claw foot tub and a vintage medicine cabinet holding apothecary jars of beauty supplies. Primitive kitchens may have a pie safe with a fine mesh screen inside a wooden frame for a door.
Primitive Accessories
Vintage art and found objects personalize primitive decor. Use mismatched canning jars to hold flowers, exhibit seashells or serve lemonade. A large piece of driftwood may decorate a fireplace mantel or serve as a centerpiece on a farmhouse table. Pick wildflowers or herbs from your garden to brighten windowsills and add a spot of color to the preponderance of earth tones in primitive style. Frame large paintings, photographs or drawings with rough wooden or bamboo frames.
Tags: found objects, primitive decor, primitive style, wooden frame
