Rustic Rules - Again!

I ran across a wonderful house featured in House and Garden, UK. It's the home of the antiques dealer, Josephine Ryan, and is located in the South of France. The use of casual rustic furniture throughout makes for such a warm and welcoming feeling!

All photos from House and Garden, UK

The use of rustic furniture doesn't feel like Ryan has scrimped in any way. It shows great decorating confidence. She has created a space that you feel you can kick back and relax, and have lots of friends over for long Summer parties.

You might find rustic pieces at flea markets, barn sales, and, of course, at auctions. It just takes some vision! This early 19th century French fruitwood farm house table is perfect! It extends to 117 inches long, so would be great for your big parties. This sold at a New Orleans Auction for $1,845 off an auction estimate of $1,800 - $2,500.

This mid-19th century French pine table would be great in a kitchen.  This measures 72 inches long, and also sold at a New Orleans auction for $522.75, off an auction estimate of $500 - $800.

I love these Moderne metal chairs! Josephine Ryan mixed chair styles at her dining table, and you might do the same - some metal and some wood. These sold at a Copake Auction in Copake, NY for $50, off an auction estimate of $25 - $50.

Benches are great at dining tables, and this rustic set would be perfect. I like this table and benches because of their style, and their bargain price. This set sold for $700 at Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia, off an auction estimate of $300 - $600.

Notice how Ryan uses a rustic bench a a place for display in the bottom photo. The bench can double as extra seating when needed. This bench sold at a Stair Galleries auction in Hudson, NY for $100, off an auction estimate of $100 - $200. It is 112 inches long and is red-painted Swedish.

The top photo shows a metal chair in the back of the room fitted with a cushion. This chair is a close cousin. This sold at a Copake Auction for $50 off an auction estimate of $25 - $50. 

You can go totally rustic in your decor, and add some big cushy white upholstered IKEA sofa for maximum feeling of relaxed decor. Or you can mix in some rustic pieces with more refined furniture for an unexpected look. Just be creative and bold!

Cover your walls with black and white prints 'at auction'!

Black and white prints are a great way to add interest to your room - the more the merrier! Frame them in simple black frames, either the same size or lots of different sizes, and you instantly have a chic art installation with lots of interest.

All photos from Pinterest - Top one from Elle Decor via Pinterest

I love the first two photos for the almost haphazard way the pictures are hung. I am sure it's a lot more planned out than that, but I love the unpredictability of it. The frames need not be expensive. 

The bottom photo is about the symmetry and the frames. This is very controlled looking, and very chic.

Auctions are a great way to pick up interesting, and not necessarily expensive, prints (and frames).

Doyle New York  has a 'Doyle at Home' auction coming up August 15th. The 'At Home' auctions are usually filled with affordable decorative things, including prints. The print to the left is one of 6 illustrations in Lot 83 that have an auction estimate of $200 - $300.

For an instant collection of 17 framed prints, the Doyle auction Lot 92 has an auction estimate of $100 - $200. Almost no matter what each one is individually, I'll bet they'd look great as a collection on a wall. 

Stair Galleries in Hudson, NY often has affordable art offerings. They sold a lot of 5 engravings and prints, including this one to the left, for $50 off an auction estimate of $150 - $250.

Copake Auction in Copake, NY has an auction coming up August 25th. This lovely set of Currier and Ives 19th century framed prints is in Lot 433, and has an auction estimate of $150 - $250. Including some antique prints adds much more character to the collection.

The Doyle auction include quite a few lots of frames. This one is Lot 81, and has an auction estimate of $150 - $250. Just get some mats for your prints to make them fit, and this can be a very inexpensive way to frame your art. I even like them with some chips and nicks because it gives them more character. 

Check out auctions around where you are, and see what collections of prints you can start to build. Fill up an entire wall in the bedroom, hallway, living room, or entryway. Your collection will say a lot about your interests and style!