Primitive Country Focal Points and Accents
A primitive country focal point in a room can be compared with the active verb in a sentence - you need it for the room to be complete.
Once decided upon a focal point, you can then arrange the larger pieces and furniture in a way that will empower the accent or collection. In other words, when you are sitting in the room eyes will natually and easily be attracted to the focal point in a most natural and comfortable way.
Well talk about some some country decor focals and accents in a moment, bear with me, I just need to discuss the room at large first…
The manner that the furniture is placed must also encourage conversation. Start by placing chairs, with no more than three meters of space between them. More than that means you won’t be able to hear your family or guests without raising your voice. Naturally the chairs or armchairs must be placed facing the focal point.
Each chair should have a little table placed comfortably by. Coffee tables are excellent for this as a shared space to rest drinks and books. End tables are more intimate and personal and are generally placed very close to an arm or club chair.
The most common furniture arrangement is a U-shape in which the open space of the U is occupied by the focal point.
Here’s an example: focal point on the northern wall, couch on the eastern wall, another couch on the western wall and two armchairs on the southern wall.
An alternative to the U-shape style but nearly as accomodating to good decor is the ‘L’.
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I would like to know how to paint furniture primitive the old worn look I know you sand the edges but to get the paint to come out right
Ernie:
Start off at your home decor store by talking to the paint person. You’re looking for the older heritage colors (unless you have a very good eye for antiques and old paint).
Paint your piece, sand the edges as you know, and then apply a light wood stain over the edges (and perhaps over the entire piece). I use a Puritan Pine colored stain for most of my pieces - very light in color and warm in tone.
If you’re really looking for primitive country look, a real rustic look, you might also like to finish with a crackled clear coat on top (flat, never shiny).
Have fun!
My country home is decorated in a primitive country although not as rustic as I’ve seen some primitive country decor. My walls are currently beige. I want color. My kitchen, dining area, and living room are all opened up to one another. I have a cathedral ceiling in the living room with oak beams. I would like to use a red color and possibly a mustard yellow. What do you think about mixing these two colors?
I am currently remodeling a barn built in 1889, has some history. I love primitive decorations and feel that they are at home in this barn, where the barn beams are put together with wood pegs. This has become rather costly, my question is; if anyone knows of ways to find items through recycled area’s or anything like this I would greatly appreciate the help. I really want to keep the barn as orginal as possible.
Thank you for your help, and your magazine is amazing!!
Kelli