Welcome the holidays with a primitive Thanksgiving vignette.
A home decorated in the primitive style is cozy and welcoming. Comfort is key. There is nothing formal in this type of decor. It depends largely on well-weathered furnishings and accessories crafted to reflect a time when things were utilitarian rather than decorative. But the primitive look is not limited to farm houses in the country and rustic cabins in the woods. You can achieve this distinctive style no matter where you live. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Furnish your home with primitive antiques. Look for pieces with a patina that can only come with age. Check for areas where the finish is weathered, exposing the wood underneath. These spots should appear in places such as around handles and knobs on old cupboards, chair seats on wooden chairs, the rockers on aged rocking chairs and the corners on dressers, cupboards and tables.
2. Switch out hanging cabinets in your kitchen with free-standing pieces such as pie safes, canning cupboards and Hoosier cabinets. Put a primitive hutch to work holding items such as dishes, glassware, vintage baking implements and table linens. Replace an island with a chopping block, grain bin or dry sink. Put a vintage porch post to work as a pot holder. Install a farm-style apron sink, a brick backsplash and slate or wood counters.
3. Dine at a weathered farm table or vintage round, oak pedestal table. Surround them with mismatched plank bottom chairs. Throw a burlap or natural linen cloth over it. Center the table with a bouquet of dried flowers in a crock or a handle basket filled with Granny Smith apples.
4. Hang a wrought iron chandelier over your dining room table. Choose one that burns candles or one that uses candle shaped light bulbs. Add a little romance to your bedroom by installing one above your bed. Bring another primitive touch to your kitchen with a wrought iron ceiling light above the sink or island. Provide task lighting with wrought iron floor lamps. Soften the mood with table lamps fashioned from crocks and topped with plaid or punched tin shades.
5. Dress your windows with muslin curtains hung from twine. Create a valance from a tree branch. Opt for tab curtains hung from wooden rods.
6. Warm the floors with rag throw rugs or braided area rugs. Install beadboard half way up the walls. Paint the upper half and stencil the top of the wall or just above the beadboard.
7. Furnish your front porch with hand-crafted twig furniture. Dress the front door with a twig wreath embellished with a simple twine or raffia bow. Add an old-fashioned screen door.
8. Accessorize your walls with quilts, game boards, folk art and barn stars. Display collections of vintage toys on shelves or peg boards. Create vignettes on tables and the tops of cupboards. Use things such as antique wooden bowls, crocks, dried flowers, grapevine wreaths, candles and Shaker boxes.
Tags: wrought iron, curtains hung, curtains hung from, dried flowers, Furnish your
