Montana Rustic: Style Tips From Big Sky Country
All photographs courtesy of Erica Simpson
For those in search of a little country to go with their city, rustic additions are a great way to bring pastoral touches to the home. With western wear making a comeback—bandanas, boots, denim, leather, you name it—cowboy fringe is in, and the home is rife with opportunity to add a bit of homespun, Americana to the mix.
To break down the rustic vibe and how to achieve a country look, we contacted Erica Simpson, design assistant for Montana-based interior design firm and retail hotspot Kibler & Kirch, to get the 411 on making the most of a country theme.
Paste: What are some key elements to bringing a Western country vibe to any house?
Erica Simpson: Rustic is natural and raw while keeping cozy! Some of the easiest ways to add rustic flair are wood framed mirrors and animal hides. Using hides is a great way to add a rustic vibe into any already existing motif. In a way, hide is just another neutral; it goes with anything. It can be as small as a lampshade, or you can go all out and layer a couple different cowhides as a large office rug. Just don’t go overboard. Not even cowboys have a purely country style. Adding a modern chandelier to a room full of rustic furnishings adds some dimension, or you can use a classic rustic piece like a wagon wheel, but paint it in a bright color you love.
Western-patterned rugs are also a classic, and lots of over-dyed or brighter, less traditional colors have been popping up in those rugs lately—very fun and versatile. The important thing is staying true to your style. If you are into modern design but want to soften it a bit with some rustic decor, do a coffee table with beautiful modern lines, but in wood rather than a more industrial glass or metal. Also, fake and affordable taxidermy is everywhere. A metallic deer head or brightly lacquered antlers are a small commitment when adding a little Wild West into your home.
Western art is an essential, too. Artists like Ben Pease, Rob Akey, Jean Albus and Gale Arvanites, have a twist of modernity and capture the culture of The West today.
