Rustic decor
is as popular now as it has been for generations. Rustic style decor appeals to
those who have a deep appreciation of the great outdoors and want to bring a
feeling of this rugged beauty into their homes.
The most
common theme found in rustic decorating is the use of natural wood. Some common
types of wood that are found in rustic homes include Pine, Aspen, Oak and
Maple. Two popular types of Pine used in wood paneling, furniture and fencing
are Northern White Cedar and Western Red Cedar.
Northern
White Cedar is the lightest commercial wood in the U.S. Found in primarily in
Southeastern Canada and Northeastern United States, this type of wood is
naturally resistant to decay and insect infestation. It has an appealing creamy
white color that will weather to a beautiful silvery gray if left untreated. It
glues well, holds paint well and like all cedar wood, has a wonderful natural
aroma. This makes Northern White Cedar an excellent choice for rustic diningroom,
livingroom and bedroom furniture.
Western Red
Cedar is another common wood used for rustic decor because of its beautiful
natural red color and its resistance to weather. This makes it a great choice
for garden furniture such as arbors and trellises. Like Northern White Cedar,
Western Red Cedar is easy to work with and has one of the longest life spans of
any North American softwood.
Aspen is
another softwood known for its beautiful white color. Aspen is a popular wood
used to make rustic decor such as picture frames, candle holders, mirror
frames, wine racks and more. Quaking Aspen, the western species commonly found
in the Rocky Mountains of North America is famous for the striking color change
of it's leaves in the fall. Aspen trees grow in stands of clones, meaning they
are genetically identical and share a common root system. They need full
sunlight to thrive, making them intolerant to shade. Without the help of
naturally occurring wildfires, Aspen stands have been on the decline. Forest
fires, while unpopular with people, are important to the ecosystem. This is
where careful, controlled harvesting of trees like Aspen can actually help
restore the natural population in the absence of wildfires, which are hard to
control.
Deformities
on wood can actually enhance its appearance. This is the case with burl wood, a
rare, highly sought after material for rustic furniture makers. Burl wood is
formed by a growth commonly found on tree trunks, branches and roots that cause
the grain to grow in a deformed way. Mold or insect infestations are the most
common cause for this condition which is found on species such as Redwood,
Spruce, Walnut and Maple. This deformity results in spectacular patterns that
make unique and stunning rustic furniture.
No matter
what type of wood one prefers, the natural beauty of wood never goes out of
style. While natural wood is dominate in rustic decorating, it can be found in
many other decorating styles as well.
Michelle
Radcliff is the owner of HomeTreasureCove, an online home
decorating store. For more information on purchasing home decor and
home furnishings, visit :
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