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.