Natural Wonders

From early American log cabins to Old West ranches, American fresh country style draws on an array of warmhearted options.

©Santos Furniture Eleven impressive feet tall, this china cabinet is made of hand-carved alder wood with juniper trim. Hand-painted panels depict sandhill cranes.

Mission furniture, an expression of the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 1900s, is a mainstay of this style, since it recaptures the straight-lined, honest, handmade furniture of early settler days. (You'll find mission style works well in several other Fresh Country Style signatures, too; a nice bonus if your family has differing tastes.)

Other options include pieces made from casual, open-grain woods such as pine and oak; twig furniture; and peeled log furniture.

©Santos Furniture A hand-painted wine cabinet/end table features a top of natural speckled granite and expressively gnarled juniper wood legs. The coordinating chair wears deep brown leather with a subtly aged look.

Leather is a classic upholstery choice for this style; woven fabrics with Native American and other timeless motifs are handsome, too. Look for little touches such as whipstitched trim on leather lamp shades: A few great details make the look with simplicity.

Want to create a garden-inspired bedroom everyone can enjoy? The next section has fresh country decorating ideas for a flowering boudoir.

For more decorating ideas, see:

• Cabin Decor Ideas
• Modern Decor Ideas
• Window Treatment Ideas
• Decorating Ideas
• Kitchen Decorating Ideas
• Dining Room Decorating Ideas
  
• Bedroom Decorating Ideas
  
• Bathroom Decorating Ideas
  
• Home Office Decorating Ideas
  
• Home Spaces
• Interior Decorating