A Rustic Garden Blog

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.

Having a summer cabin is one of the best investments that any family can make. After all, property is always sure to rise in value. Even if the market is terrible, things are only going to plateau or dip slightly, but there will certainly be an upswing again. This ensures that the value of your property rises over time, but it will also prove cost effective in the short run. After all, having a place to stay for a week or two on vacations will save you the money you would have had to spend on a hotel or condo. This can really add up over the years.

And while not many people think they have the extra income to purchase a separate cabin, consider buying it with multiple people in your family or circle of friends. This way, the asking price will be cut in half, quarters, or even more. This might still be a strain for many, but if possible, it would make a great source of retirement income. Or, you could pass it along to your children as part of their inheritance. If it does become more a family fixture than an investment, don’t forget to go all out with the decorating; it’s the perfect opportunity to add rustic décor, which may not go in your everyday home.

It is amazing how the amount of light can create a calmer more serene feeling.  Evening hours are more enjoyable on the patio with a chandelier hanging with their candle lit. 

Did you know that there are battery candles that you can place in your wrought iron candle holder. They are rustic and even have a vintage look with a wax covering to mimic true candle light.

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.

Currently I am adding all kinds of electric lamps and chandeliers to A Rustic Garden’s “Wine and Candlelight” category.  It is fun to find such a variety of fashion lighting items.

We have country lighting in so many styles so the decorator can choose just the right look to make their room feel warm and comfortable.

Antique wooden ladders are a great way to go GREEN. Every day we get orders from our customers needing a wood ladder to recycle to display the things they love. No need to cut a new tree. These ladders are from the middle 1900’s and their worn surface shows the history of times past.

The primitive aged look is the very reason that they are so popular now.

Check out these great original blue wooden shutters. We just decorated our lake house and hung a pair on the wall for unique rustic home decor.

They have curved tops that would have fit the late 1800 windows that they were removed from. That home is long gone but these were saved and stored in the barn.

Antiques are always a great investment and make unique home decor. I have been collecting early  antique cupboards for 30 years. Every few months I find  pieces of furniture that is extra special and wish I could keep them but know that to do so would mean that I have to take something out of my home to make the space.

This Fall I found 4 cupboards made of cherry and walnut and they were constructed during the middle 1800’s. Each piece was made by hand by an expert cabinet maker with style that will be loved by many more generations. I guess I will have to sell them….

It is time to add interest to that space where the Christmas Tree stood. Create an area using items that you love for a fresh decorative look. I used this wooden ladder and arranged different antiques to warm up the space and most importantly add color.

Ladders are so versatile whether you lean them vertically as shown or hang them horizontally above a kitchen island or flat against a wall above a sofa.