Repurposing Items for Interior Design-Guest Post

Edward Stuart is an art and decoration enthusiast as well as a writer for  http://www.canvasgalleryart.com/. He frequently blogs on the topics of art, art history, design, and home decor.

Decorating a home is a process that never really ends. With the challenge of combining form and functionality, home design really is an art in itself. The best pieces are always those that perform a function and look good while doing it. Here are a few items that do just that.

Lamps

Light is an important aspect of any room, but lamps and light fixtures can also add a design element to a space. By painting the base of a normal desk lamp, you can add a pop of color to your workspace. You can use any kind of rope or coil to create a unique hanging chandelier. Bottles and jars are great for hanging light covers. If you really want a conversation starter, try this Globe Lamp from indulgy.com

Wall Hooks

For a creative coat or purse hook, you can take pretty much anything that is durable, bend it into a  hook shape, and then mount it on your wall. Some great options include kitchen utensils and tools such as wrenches.

End Tables 

        

Tables are great because they can be decorated in a million different ways. You can cover them with a table cloth, add a doily and call it good. You can paint a table any color you like, even add a geometric design, and have a great splash of color or note of elegance in your room. Or, you can repurpose items such as barn doors, old suitcases, and barrels. 

Mirrors

Mirrors can add depth to a room, as well as show off all of your other design features. If you put them in a creative frame, their usefulness is stretched even further. Embed your mirror in a fancy picture frame, an old window pane, or even, as shown below, tennis rackets. Always be careful when cutting glass, or have a professional do it. Be sure to sand the edges to reduce risks of cuts.

Decorating a space has its challenges, but there are a lot of different ways to bring your personality to your home. Make a list of items associated with your interest. If you’re into music, see what you can do with retired instruments or piano benches. If you love to cook, kitchen utensils and pots and pans can serve all sorts of functional and decorative purposes. You are only limited by your own imagination.

Redefining Rustic-Guest Post

When you think of rustic furniture what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Chandeliers made of deer antlers? Bear skin rugs? Uncomfortable wooden chairs? A space that is just way too masculine? If you said yes to any of those, you wouldn’t be alone in your opinion; however, you would be wrong. It’s so much more than any of that. Rustic furniture is one style that needs an image makeover - fast!

handmade glass and ironworks chandelier

Like any style, it seems just about everyone has a different definition. Let’s try to bring the real rustic furniture style into focus though; in the simplest of terms, rustic furniture is furniture that is handcrafted from natural materials. Sometimes (especially in more modern times) this definition has been expanded to include furniture that simply appears to be handmade. Think of furniture made out of wood, certain metals, glass, stone, and leather - not deer antlers and bear skins.

 Italian leather sectional

Due to the typically subdued shades of rustic furniture (since it’s made out of natural materials), this style is often thought of as heavily masculine. That isn’t quite true, or at least it isn’t accurate in a negative way. Rustic furniture brings rich, warm, and earthy tones to any room which instantly adds a touch of comfort and coziness. Rustic furniture is sure to make any room look inviting. After all, no one is afraid of kicking back and relaxing on a sturdy leather couch - there’s no spindly legs or delicate frames here!

hand chiseled marble dining room table with hand forged iron base

The handmade furniture of this style is typically very resilient and long lasting. In fact, the nicks, dents, and scrapes that may accumulate over the years will only add character to the pieces. This is furniture you can really live with, furniture you can interact with on an everyday basis without fear of ruinous wear and tear.

handcrafted wood buffet finished in cinnamon brown with cast iron door panels

Perhaps the most beautiful characteristic of rustic furniture is it’s one-of-a-kind appearance. When furniture is handcrafted you can be assured that no two pieces are exactly alike. All of the materials from hand blow glass to hand forged iron to hand finished wood have variances and imperfections that create an exquisite uniqueness.

handcrafted mesquite wood table with hand forged iron base

Rather than masculine, heavy, and rough, rustic furniture is natural, warm, strong, and unique. It brings the outdoors in and makes any room feel like, well, home.

Article contributed by Alex Webb on behalf of Blue Moon Rustic Home Furnishings. Alex is an HGTV addict who loves exploring different interior design styles. Follow her on Twitter @alexandriakwebb.