by CSN Staff Writer

In todayís modern world it seems that too many people want to decorate their homes with a lot of flashy, high tech, and downright weird looking things. Some folks would rather keep things a little more traditional and we call this style ìcountryî. When it comes to decorating a country home, there is one easy rule: keep it simple. The key to a well designed country home is finding dÈcor that creates an atmosphere that feels wellÖ like home. Country living is all about being warm and friendly, whether it being through the use of color, lights, or decorations.

The most commonly found elements in a country home are wrought iron or wooden furniture. You want your country home to look lived in, which is why found and used items lend themselves so well to country design. Wood and wrought iron furniture are good choices because they show ware easily and some pieces even come with a distressed finish to help create a more authentic feel. Choose simple furniture pieces that arenít too showy or fancy. A simple trick to help achieve a weathered look is to purchase new wood furniture, paint it, and then wipe most of it off before it dries. This will give your furniture a weather-beaten look that fits well in a country motif.

Leave the floors bare to give your home a real down home country feel. Instead of carpeting the entire floor, use scattered carpets to accent your home. Wall to wall carpet is a modern idea and by leaving the floor uncovered you can really make your home feel older and more traditional. Add a braided or southwestern rug to certain rooms to for a nice country touch.

In terms of country lighting, why not try a wrought iron chandelier? Lighting that incorporates natural elements that wood, animal bones or antlers make wonderful country fixtures. Many wrought iron lights and chandeliers feature animal inspired designs as well, such as cows, horses, or roosters. This rooster chandelier is an excellent example of how simple farm designs can add come country flavor to your home.

Now for the fun part; once all the basic elements are in place, then you can begin to add the finer accents to your home. Things like antiques, handmade items, and other country items can make your home feel more playful and fun. Flea markets, swap meets, and second hand stores are great places to find country decorations for your home. Simple items like antique signs or handmade bowls can add all kinds of character to your country dÈcor. As long as it is to your liking and matches your room, there are no limits to what items you can use to adorn your home.