Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Elegance of rustic series - This Old House photo-shoot (the masculine element of rustica)


Next month, This Old House magazine will be here for a photo-shoot of "Bella Cottage". 
(see link on the right for a step-by-step story of the re-model). 
 This Old House's audience is 75 percent male so the magazine is always looking for a feminine style to showcase what might also appeal to the male audience. 
Journey with me as I introduce you to a new "client's" file - an avid bow hunter and fisherman - but beware the disclaimer, 
                                   there will be antlers...                                                 
(Work with it girls, as antlers are shed annually)
I introduce "the compromise" here (more later in the post).
Our male counterparts love natural wood (not chippy paint) and if there is any paint to be had it will likely be black or gray.
Trust me when I say they only tolerate our pillows...
See the combination of the feminine and the masculine in both photographs to know...
it can be done. 
Wood +Textures + Antlers
The rustic flooring anchors the room but does not define it. The wood armoire, although lightly washed, maintains the integrity of the natural wood.  The painted side table is in gray tones and displays the clean lines of  a glass collection showcased in front of a heavy, dark wood-framed mirror.
The antlers on the wall tie it all together. 
Restoration Hardware attitude...
Here we have the lighter woods with the mottled natural wall texture with a focal point of...
antlers...
I could live with this, can you?
How about this....?
Bedrooms. "Just say No" to the log bed and camouflage comforter set and show him these designs.
I am not much for this comforter here either and the amount of pillows is pushing it but there are leather pillows and clean lines and color on the walls
... and antlers.
It works.
I like this. We've got stripes and plaid, black painted wood, 
(white walls & pillows
and antlers...
Makes you think about the possibilities, no?
A pallet as headboard, stripes, gray, and a simple wall adornment...
off-centered antlers 
used for hanging jewelry.
This room is rich with texture & color -
natural wood, navy stripes, lots of light, hearty potted plants,
& perfectly imperfect antler chandelier 
The Art of Compromise
If the photos before these did not do this trick,
 take a look at the next three and see what you think about the combination of washed natural linen and walls, weathered baskets, & shed antlers
                                    The simplicity defines elegance.

_____________
The next five photographs speak for themselves. 
This is my couch, Restoration Hardware (The Lancaster), and much coveted by all my male friends as it is the deepest couch you can purchase - perfect for dogs and doubles as a twin bed without the back cushions. 
This look is more traditionally male but elegant nevertheless and "rustica"
Perhaps my favorite photo.  I can never get enough of "menswear" - leather, plaids, contrasting solids - and then there is the brick wall and wide planked worn wood flooring.
Need I say more...?
The barn doors, brick wall, and heavy, natural hewn wood flanked by a single wine barrel for a side table leaves me speechless (a rarity..)
Both feminine and masculine in an earthy, retro sort of way...
Horizontal aged wood walls have a language all their own.
Combine that with a framed aged map or chart, jute rug, & stacked wine crates for storage and an interesting chair (tractor seat stool) and you are here...
Flooring from aged wine crates.  Incredible.
The environment that inspires me.
The image that reminds me of the simplicity and the power of the feminine and masculine together. 
___________
Happy birthday today to Jamie Hodge
&
thank you for the "push" to another level of inspirazione. 


3 comments:

  1. Hi Kim,
    Oh as I read your email tonight having not a minute in the last 2 weeks to breathe I was able to get to my emails and saw that you wrote:)
    It is a beautiful gift to be featured in any publication and you deserve to be in them all.
    I am so excited to see what they come up with and how the photos turn out!

    I know about Sunday she works with FiFi and you are in beautiful hands.

    Thank you for the email, I have been working on a remodel...Blowing out a wall that divides the kitchen from the main room, what a difference in opening up these to out dated rooms and really giving it flow. I am doing everything from ground up and it is finally showing progress in what this house deserved to be.

    I hope your trip to S.D is pleasant and finds you celebrating your Birthday with cheer!!

    I will be back to visit you soon and can not wait to see the photo shoot lay-out :)

    Congrats girl!
    xoxo
    Dore

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  2. Holy moly. That ROCKS. I love it all! Love antlers. Congrats on the feature. You can totally resell that. I'm thinking Elle. My next house is going to be rustic. Easy. Uncluttered. Unprecious.

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  3. Kim,
    How wonderful about "This Old House"! You have a wonderful, comfortable sense of style that doeas appeal to both male and female! Just acquired from ebay "antlers" for my twenty two year old son. He wanted them for his room and I found them. I maight take them for the family room!
    ~Nancy

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