I was speaking with someone in his early 20s a few weeks back who was lamenting the glut of what he considered “modern” design and the seeming disappearance of “rustic” style. He referenced a couple of Canadian interiors magazines as his evidence. (The magazines, in fairness, tend to focus on more transitional and contemporary designs due to their readership demographics.)
This Adrian Swinstead bench is stunning! The Bog Oak seat seems to float above clear legs, seamlessly blending modern with a truly rustic piece.
I have to respectfully disagree – I don’t think rustic has disappeared. I think it is more prevalent in certain markets, Toronto not being one of them. I also think that rustic style has adapted to suit changing preferences. What I see a lot of might be more accurately described as “modern rustic.”
An “Adirondack” wall sconce in graphite and silver, available in Toronto at Royal Lighting, that I specified for a recent cottage project. It elegantly references the outdoors without feeling out of place with the other décor elements.
Rustic design typically encompasses “unrefined, natural elements that together look and feel quite cozy.” Common design elements include wood with knots and imperfections, possibly reclaimed and well used. Natural stone, either as floor tiles or left more rough and irregular. Worn, matte metals, perhaps with a hammered or punched finish. Colours are subdued and natural, reflecting the great outdoors – the entire spectrum of browns and greens, as well as deep oranges and rusty reds.
This Uhuru Street wood bed is in a decidedly modern style, but the headboard screams “Rustic!”
With modern rustic, pieces tend to appear more sophisticated; they reference rustic styles but incorporate more “modern” materials. Or, conversely, meld more modern styles with reclaimed materials, such as the wood used in the headboard, above.
Reclaimed and salvaged materials play a key part in many designs, as these Rotsen tables so brilliantly demonstrate.
While colours remain earthy, they step outside the typical spectrum; they can be brighter and more alive. Metal choices, as shown in the sconce above, need not be aged or tarnished looking. The style is much more playful and relaxed, but still natural and rooted.
Any of these Pantone 2013 colour palettes would make for a phenomenal modern rustic scheme. Each combination is loaded with neutrals, yet the overall impression is that they are full of life and vibrancy.
Tagged: Adrian Swinstead, Colour Trends, Interior Décor, Interior Design, MeCC Interiors, Modern Rustic, Pantone, Reclaimed, Rotsen, Royal Lighting, Rustic
mecc interiors inc.
[...] you’re a fan of the new rustic, you’ll appreciate Werner Neumann’s Birchwood collection, part of his larger Organic [...]