Simple Rustic Home – The Home Style Directory

Inspire Notes:

Serene and peaceful with plenty of nature and natural elements. This is the picture perfect Formentera based home of Consuelo Castiglioni, creator of luxury fashion house Marni. It is an evocative build, parts of the house are almost biblical in feel and I don’t know about you, but it is in these kind of hushed, simple, low-tech environments that one feels able to ‘catch up’ with one’s true self again and throw out all the built up walls and pretense.

I can almost hear the impatient morning call from the neighbouring farms cock crowing through my speaker and smell the warm, freshly baked bread with a dipper of olive oil waiting to be laid out on the table above. That beautiful table setting seems like it would almost blanch if you were to place a processed burger in it’s vicinity!

Above is a rather magnificent wooden day bed from which to look out on to the beautiful views, swap the car fumes for the beguiling scent of fresh greenery and flowers while dosing off to the sound of a short intermission rainfall, before the main act returns refreshed and dazzling…the warm summer sun!

A mixed purpose area which serves as a thoroughfare but also with scatter cushions on the floor and chairs for just chilling.

The vibe is artisanal. Here accessories and fittings are handmade and heartfelt. The bedding from the local weekly open-air market or perhaps some handmade cushions from one of the nicest neighbours… Exposed beams and rough sawn doors add to the unfussy, authentic feel.

A stone bath with shamelessly unpampered walls. No paint, no wallpaper! And no sleek modern storage. No bottles of perfumed chemicals masquerading as luxury tonics to the natural human state, just a sponge on the side with a bar of handmade soap! Haha! Can you handle it?!!

However, I rather like the juxtaposition of the shiny modern stainless steel kitchen island with the rough rustic edges. Very ‘un-Jesus’, but simple, polished and stylish nonetheless. The twin mats add just the right amount of decorative diversion needed.

Uh! Too beautiful for words…A light fresh breeze, the warm sun, a chilled drink, the right few people, beloved pets nonchalantly wandering around pecking or snuffling at discarded biscuit and breadcrumbs, a few jokes, an uncommitted discussion on something or other…another unplanned nap…then supper!

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This home style is pure, chunky, uncontrived rustic living. Here we can’t talk about grand statement furniture, although that rustic day bed is really saying something. This is a step back to rose coloured glass softer times, from the elements chosen for this living space, to the slowing down of pace that those same chosen elements would inspire. The slow running bath, the large floor cushions which call to you to just flop lazily into them. The slo-o-o-wly eaten food served on the porch to folks in no special hurry to get anywhere…or get indigestion.

This kind of space is hard to achieve in the middle of a busy town because as soon as you stepped outside all the calmness, peace and back-to-nature-ness would be lost in the flurry. No, this is more for those with the full commitment to simple living or a those lucky to have a place to run to for a break from the madness.

But lets look at some elements that we can invite into our busy lives wherever we are. When you surround yourself with artisanal items there is already a certain vibe added to a space. It says something about the person who chooses to largely eschew factory manufactured goods for handmade fair. Hence we have sourced some artisanal throws, cushions and bed clothes in line with this space to create that feel.

You might also look into decorative art pieces made by artisans or Fairtrade designers at the Style Index to add that raw artistic or cultural edge to your space. Check out also antique fair like the beautiful Italian water jug for bringing instant character and spirit to the surroundings. Candles and simple rustic homeware such as the serving bowl also assist in creating a lovely rustic vibe.