Rural homes are often patriotic by nature. Mix rustic with patriotic style elements to create a comfortable, welcoming room.
Several home furnishing and lifestyle catalogs specialize in rustic décor, and patriotic elements in this style are not hard to find because patriotic is almost synonymous with rural. But, if you find that catalog pieces are too expensive or inauthentic, look to antique stores, estate sales and do-it-yourself projects. It's easy to find rustic and patriotic accents or furnishings to give your home the country authenticity and national pride you want.
Creating A Style
It's easy to go overboard with rustic patriotic décor. Mix patriotic elements with other rustic decorating pieces such as plaid fabrics, weathered wood frames and tables and pieces in patriotic colors--red, white and blue--that aren't otherwise symbolic of the United States, such as wooden animals, braided rugs and painted tin cans or pails.
If you don't want your entire room or house to be filled with red, white, and blue, mix them with neutrals such as moss green, tan, copper or ivory, or leave one color out except in a few accents. For instance, decorate mostly in red and white with a few splashes of blue in paintings or knickknacks, and use rustic metals such as bronze, tin and copper for more style. Stick with one touchstone for your patriotic decorating, such as the American flag, going easy on the stars. Conversely, decorate with lots of stars in American colors, but minimize use of the flag. Doing this will help you avoid a cluttered look, a common pitfall of rustic decorating.
Finding Elements
Country decorating catalogs abound with patriotic decorating pieces, such as Amish barn stars, Americana art and other accents. Look for more authentic patriotic decorating pieces such as old, handmade log furniture or vintage quilts, for a truly rustic and time-honored American look.
Time your patriotic supply purchases either well before the Fourth of July or just after it for the most savings. Look for patriotic décor with the rustic feel you want, such as metal star garlands, cute wooden flag wall art and plenty of other patriotic home and garden accessories. Forgo matching bedroom sets for red, white and blue patterned linens that can mix and match, keeping an eye out all year for sale prices on matching styles.
DIY Decor
When you can't find the level of patriotic rustic decor you want, create your own with easy painted wall stencils or home craft projects. Use rustic colors such as a dusty red, cool ivory or even sunny yellow, and create a shoulder-high border of stars, flags or whatever you like around your room. Other patriotic symbols could include eagles, Liberty bells, Uncle Sam, the great seal or the Statue of Liberty.
For an original rustic patriotic piece of wall art, stencil some of the greatest American inspirations on your wall, such as the Pledge of Allegiance, the preamble to the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address or words that have meaning to you, such as honor, country, freedom and duty.
Make patriotic crafts at home. Use iron-on transfers of rustic flags and some cotton batting to transform plain white square pillowcases into patriotic pillows for your couch, or re-cover chair and sofa cushions at home with blue-and-white striped or checked fabrics for a homey, yet patriotic renovation.
