Friday 30 September 2011

Untouched: Rustic. Raw. Rugged.

There is something about the crackling of paint, the charm of unfinished wood, the raw beauty of exposed beams and the industrial appeal of exposed brick. All of these elements add up to a look that I deem as the most beautiful look a home can acquire - rustic, raw and rugged.

Nuevo Estilo via The Style Files

Perhaps it is the mere age of tired looking furniture that lends its appeal. Knowing that that particular piece has lived through ages I can only dream about, travelled to far corners of the globe and witnessed the lives of countess people throughout it all. Perhaps it’s the mystery I seek. The thrill of knowing the crooked wall, tired wooden beams and rustic brickwork came from another time. Another life. The ‘untouched’ look lends itself to many interior styles: rustic, country, vintage… Whichever the style, what is always most striking is that way the item of furniture or part of the structure is left in it’s raw, natural state to be appreciated for its authenticity and original charm.

Bringing a bit of ‘untouched’ charm into your home is not as difficult as it may seem. A piece of furniture doesn’t necessarily need to be old to look old. A wall can always be stripped and treated to give it a raw look. The options are endless.

 
I ADORE this rustic kitchen. The main feature is of course the fantastic island, which is central to the look of this room and gives it its characteristic old world feel. What makes it truly stand out is that the island was not touched up, painted, sanded or anything. It was simply left in its original state. This kitchen would not be the same if it had been reworked.

 
Art & Décoration via Hungarian Provence

The above room is equally as beautiful, with its untouched, unvarnished exposed wooden beams and vintage and country style furnishings. Every item in this room seems to have been placed there for a reason. Though mismatched, it all works in perfect harmony.

Gilles Trillard via Home Bunch

I love that the chair in the above image was not painted or touched up in any way. By leaving it untouched, the chairs lines give it a romantic look, and paired with other rustic looking furnishings (the antique trestle table and gothic candlesticks), an old world charm has been created. Note also the rough, pale hued wall behind? This is rustic at its best.

RED/Polly Eltes
 
I love the way the shelves in the kitchen above look as though they were salvaged sleepers left over from a garden makeover. Placed in an asymmetrical fashion on a simple white wall with earthy goodies and simple white crockery, and the kitchen has an innate rustic appeal.


 Though the image above is slightly fuzzy, you can see that the exposed brick wall behind the gorgeous vintage tub gives this beautiful bathroom an industrial feel, while the furnishings give it old world appeal. You can just imagine a tired traveller from yesteryear sinking into this tub after a long day on the road…


I love the idea of utilising antique doors or shutters as a headboard that is as interesting as it is beautiful. I have been in the hunt for old doors to do this exact same thing with. I too won’t be taking out my paintbrush or sandpaper in an effort to enhance the look. The doors speak for themselves, and certainly the feature in this bedroom. I particularly love the bits of blue paint poking through. I would lie in this bed and imagine where and in whose possession these doors have been over the years…

 
Ballard Designs via Our Suburban Cottage

The antique wash table above is a lovely addition to this country setting. Placed in front of the exposed stone wall, and paired with a couple of fun items, this look has a country feel to it. I love the splash of turquoise too. Always a welcome addition to a neutral palette.

  
The shed turned home office above is my idea of heaven. Just a tiny little nook where one can read, write, knit, create, dream. Perfection. What I particularly love about this little space is the desk, which features the original sky blue paint. If it had been sanded down and painted until it was all glossy and new, I wouldn’t appreciate it nearly as much. As they say though, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And boy do I love treasure!

Love, Holly

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