A Rustic Garden Blog

When you spend a lot of time in your yard, you may spend a lot of money on outdoor furniture. While many people may prefer to redecorate their kitchens or bedrooms, outdoor enthusiasts love nothing better than shopping for new yard furniture. But once you invest in a quality set of handmade furniture, you’ll want it to last for a while. It’s important to understand how exposure to the elements can affect your yard furniture.

Here are some things to consider when purchasing your outdoor furniture; is it waterproof? Is it treated with oils (like linseed oil) that will promote fungus growth? Will your furniture be close to a pool (chlorine can damage wood)? And, will the furniture be situated on the grass or cement? Once you have figured out the answers to these questions you can start your shopping.

Decorating with country antiques would not be complete without the country cupboard. There are many different styles that make up a good cupboard. It can be varnished or painted but the construction is important. Prior to the 1880’s these cabinets were constructed by hand and not in a factory settings. There were furniture shops but still the furniture was made buy hand using techniques that keep the cupboards strong for generations.

Today antique cupboards are respected for their construction, surface originality, and unique style. All these factors determine the price in today’s market. Finding a great cupboard can be challenging.  

Out on a buying trip this weekend I found 6 antique mantels. I usually have one or two around but really 6 in once purchase is  a bit much. Architectural and country furniture are the antiques that I love to seek out. 

I just could not pass them  by. Two of them are identical in old white paint. A couple more have unique trims that I liked. My favorite however was plain one with the original black surface.

This simple mantel was salvaged from a mid 1800’s brick home in eastern Missouri. The mantel was removed from the maids quarters located above the kitchen. Fireplaces would have been the main source of heat at the time the home was built.

Certainly the mantels throughout this historical home would have been much more elaborate but the owner would not have waisted even pennies on the maids accommodations.

Abraham Lincoln said “Whatever you are, be a good one“.  Why would anyone want to be average? Each one of us have many areas that average could define us but we all have a few good attributes that mark our personalities. One person might be a good Mother, a good Artist or a good Carpenter.

When you are good at something you will enjoy it and in most of us we find a way to make our living doing what we enjoy and what we are good at.

This world we live in has become a disposable world. We change our cars, sofas and cloths because of the look. That is no excuse for not shopping for the best! Purchasing handmade furniture made in the USA will bring you more satisfaction and in the long run be the Best Investment for your $.

A Rustic Garden is now teaming up with the Michigan Furniture Manufacturing Co. Their area of expertise is making handmade furniture all with a country look just like our American ancestors did. Each piece is handmade to order for our customers with the surface colors to fit their style.

Why would you want to buy anything else when you can buy the “Best” and it is made right here in the USA.

Antique Furniture, Primitive Antiques and Country Decor are without a doubt some of my favorite things.

I have this early 1800’s cherry step back cupboard in it’s original red wash that I have had for years yet it still speaks to me. When I drive up to my home and the kitchen light is on it just glows. For me it is big and beautiful. Termites must have found the wood yummy years ago and  ate one of it’s back leg but that does not lessen the WoW factor for me.

Most people have a favorite car, boat, dress or other things that they love but for me it is this 3 legged country antique cupboard that warms my heart.

Country home decor is comfortable, warm and welcoming. Combining a few country cupboards and  a primitive table with braided runners and mats can be a great start.

Hang a wrought iron planter on the wall but place a vintage wooden box in the planting area to hold your candles or extra linens. Placing colorful home decor accents in unusual  places brings the eye to your whole room and welcomes your guests to experience country style.

Just revamped our kitchen and did not spend much so that is a big plus. Used  repro tin ceiling tiles as the back splash. The cabinets were varnished oak so the colors blended too much so I got busy with the paint brush. Using a off white paint I covered the cabinets heavily then sanded the edges and scuffed them here and there. The next day I brushed on a dark Minwax stain then wiped it off. After it cured I brushed a semigloss  poly to protect them.

The results was awsome! The cabinets looks vintage and is a great contrast to the other surfaces and walls in the room. The final step was adding new rustic hardware. 

The result complements our lake house’s country home decor 

Last fall my family purchased a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Fun, fun, fun. It still does not seem real yet but I have so many country  antiques throughout that is is starting to get comfortable.  I live with antiques.

Early painted furniture and original country store collectibles are some of my favorite purchases. I stopped on I70 near Colombia Mo at Artichoke Annie’s Antique Mall and found a wonderful 1800’s trade sign. It read Perkins Horse and Carriage Dealer on a 18″ wide 7′ board all hand painted with green paint over cream. Did I over describe this? Well maybe but I just love antiques and you could say I decorate with unique home decor.

I am finding the best products to add that country feel to your home. We have just added handmade furniture that we can get in several different worn antique painted finishes. Accent rugs are a must to cosy up your living spaces and my personal favorite is the historical looking hooked rugs but we also have beautiful braided rugs in every size.

To complete your decorating you must add just the right amount of light. and in our line of wrought iron home decor you will find traditional lighting to round off that country living feel.

When you think of all the unique wrought iron wall decor that is available today to decorate your walls I find that I always lean toward Country Antiques. My family has just purchased a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks and rustic home decor is the direction we are going. It is so easy since I have a business that has 1000’s of rustic antique items to choose from. I usually end up wanting more space to decorate so I don’t have to make the decisions regarding what fun items make the cut.

These  1890 year old shutters have their old original blue paint and the metal wall art is constructed from vintage ceiling tin removed from 1900 era buildings. Architectural Antiques are being recycled into home decor by decorators everywhere.