Your Primitive Homestead:
Bringing it Together in A Primitive Way
Tips on Getting the Early Look in YOUR Home!
Finding the right primitive accessories to add to your home can be the one key piece in "Bringing it Together." In early days, most needful wares were displayed around the house only due to the fact that the colonists did not have drawers and closets to tuck their non essential items into. The wares that were used were needful pieces that were most likely used during the course of the day.
When thinking in terms of "Primitive" accessories, be mindful to use
needfuls that are "like" matches to your displays. You do not want them to overtake your display~ just to add a little "hominess." Consider adding items that are pleasing to your senses: Color, Texture, Scent.
Colonists were the *BEST* at "accessorizing" strictly out of need. The clothes including Prairie Aprons and Bonnets were hung on Peg racks , linens were folded and stacked on beds, benches and in cupboards, gatherings from the garden hung from beams to dry, Taper candles hung by the Hearth. All idea's we use today to make our home more inviting.
Some of my favorite "cheap" accessories are drieds. They are easily
accessible and can be changed frequently to accommodate the season. Making your own drieds are easy and affordable no matter what your budget! You can fill your totes, bowls or crocks with drieds or hang them from peg racks, use in garlands or hung from beams to add instant texture and color. Drieds can also be scented to add a warm fragrance to your home.
Consider these when looking for some color and texture:
*Dried garland (Year round) Hung from Peg Racks, Cupboards, Windows, chairs. Cranberries, bay leaves, squash, pumpkins and oranges all make great garland and will instantly add a touch of color!
*Gather herbs and tie with string to dry out on your herb or peg racks.
Remember to gather at least double the size to allow for shrinkage when dried! Once dry, you can also add these to crocks, baskets or gathering trays.
*Taper candles are also a great "filler" when making it prim. Most candles on the prim market today are heavily scented and their scent can be noted without even lighting them! Fill these up in your wooden bowls, or crocks, or tie a set of two together and set next to an old hog scraper. (Remember in early days, candles were the only source of lighting so candles could be found in every room, in every home!)
Using old linens, quilts or throws can also be a great way to add color and texture. Placed on old benches, on top of a trunk, in an old cupboard or placed across the end of a bed. Try to add like colors but an occasional "unmatched" piece can throw in additional color.
Make your collections work for you:
For collectors, group your like pieces together to make a big statement~ Add your collection of bowls to a bowl rack, display your pewter pieces on your table or on a rack. Stack your pantry boxes, firkins or breadboards for a stronger statement~ add dimension and height while saving space! Nest your wooden bowls, yellowware bowls and baskets and place on top of your cupboards, dry sinks or counters.
Here are some simple suggestions for adding a touch of Early America to your home:
Walls:
*Paint your walls in warm shades for a soft, warm inviting look!
*Stay away from filling walls with little items, find some bigger pieces
that will anchor the room such as Crock Benches, Step Backs, Cupboards, Dry Sinks, Dough Boxes.
*Consider adding peg racks~ you can easily change the display, be it theme or color with just some simple rearranging!
Cupboards, benches and chairs:
*These are a great way to accessorize! Open the doors of your cupboards and hang some favorite pieces over the door!
*Stack your linens.
*Group pantry candles in a row.
*Stack your favorite pieces on your benches~ crocks, linens, coverlets,
wooden bowls.
*Add a stack of books to a single chair.
In the Kitchen:
*Add a collection of covered crocks to your counter.
* Display a breadboard with small bowl of fixins and some utensils on top.
*Add a peg rack with some hanging drieds and some pretty tea towels.
*Fill old mason jars with staples~ beans, seeds, rose hips.
* Place a old wooden bowl with soap by the sink
*Nestle sugar cones, prairie cakes, plum puddings and other smalls in your cupboards and on your counter tops.
Dining Room:
*Place on old trencher or wooden bowl in the center with fixins or candles.
* Turn your larger wooden bowls upside down and place on the top.
*Display your collection of Pewter or wooden wares.
In the Washroom:
*Add folded towels to an old crock or crate
*Place a small wooden bowl with soap next to the sink.
*Place everyday "needfuls" such as cotton balls, q-tips, etc. to mason jars and display on a shelf.
All around the house:
*Utilizing covered boxes, bowls, crocks, totes and crates are a great way to keep your "what knots" out of view and easily accessible!
Nothing bespeaks the essence of Early America like homespuns and calico's:
*Add these fabrics for color and texture in the form of cloth covered books, rag balls, prairie aprons, bonnets, dust bonnets, pin keeps, candle keeps, covered boxes, and seed bags.
*Hang linens and other textiles from racks. If your not lucky enough to find old pieces, consider slightly newer pieces that you age yourself!
*Use homespun's to make your own curtains and window coverings~ if you can sew a simple stitch you can make your own curtains! Instead of using a traditional curtain rod, String your curtain with twine and attach to your windows being sure to let them droop slightly. Tie back with twine or matching tie backs.