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Capturing the Essence of a Simple Life with Rustic Furniture

Rustic Furniture by author Meghan Carter

  • The feeling and charm of rustic furniture.
  • What to look for when purchasing rustic furniture.
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      Rustic furniture possesses a rugged character that makes you feel as if you're living in a simpler place where things are easier and nature's beauty engulfs everyday of your life. Perhaps that's why rustic furniture is primarily used in vacation homes and resorts where people want to get away from it all and experience nature as the pioneers did - of course with the added every day conveniences. But don't limit yourself to only using rustic furniture in ski, lake and mountain homes, because rustic furniture has the ability to transport you to those destinations even when they're not outside your window.
    To discover what you need to know when purchasing rustic furniture, I visited Old Hickory to talk with the company's President, Rocco Liott. During our discussion, I learned that part of rustic furniture's charm is where it came from.
    "Well, rustic furniture has always been around I'm sure and probably goes back to England," Liott said. "This type of rustic furniture the pioneers would make when they would clear their fields, and they had wood left over. They not only built their cabins out of it but they built their furniture out of it."


    Our association of the pioneers with rustic furniture gives that type of furniture a romantic image - the image of us embarking into nature to discover the unknown and find our true selves. While I'm not sure a piece of furniture can do that, it's a nice image nonetheless. And that image is one many people have grown to love.
    "It's a lifestyle," Liott said. "You feel nature. You bring the outdoors in. Our furniture is very comfortable. ... It relaxes you, and when you look at it, it is just part of the environment you go to get away."
    But you won't enjoy your getaway if the rustic furniture you purchase isn't well made. After all, rustic furniture should look rustic - and part of that romance is being sturdy, strong and durable. The way things used to be made. Quality.
    Unfortunately, not all pieces of rustic furniture are well made. So here are Liott's tips for getting your money's worth when purchasing rustic furniture:

Standing straight. "It shouldn't wobble," Liott said. "It should be very stable." Put slight pressure on the top of the rustic furniture to make sure it doesn't move.
Seamless cuts. "Look for gaps between the bark and the core because it should be fused," Liott said. The ends of chair arms, the tops of bed posts and table tops are places to check to make sure the isn't a gap between the bark and the core of the wood.
Comfortable and Cozy.  "Sit in it," Liott said. Check to make sure the rustic furniture is something you would enjoy sitting in for extended lengths of time.




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