Italian Basin Pitcher Bowl

For some, the phrase “rustic style” suggests a house like “La Pitchoune,” the late chef Julia Child’s cottage in Provence, with its exposed wooden beams and well-worn antique furniture. For others, rustic furnishings and decor prompt images of a place like the Lake Placid Lodge in Upstate New York, with its stone fireplaces and knotty pine paneling. Indeed, rustic furniture design takes many forms: twig furniture, a plank trestle table, a hand-stitched quilt, a chandelier made of deer antlers.

The rustic style originated in the late 1800s in England, where it was heavily influenced by Romanticism. By the 20th century, it had spread to the United States, adopted by wealthy New Yorkers and the National Park Service alike. Although there are many categories of rustic furniture, one of the most popular and familiar manifestations of the style is the 1903 Thomas Lee Adirondack chair.

Rustic design is perhaps mostly about texture and humble materials: hand-hewn wood, woven rush seating, wrought iron, coarse stone and weathered metal. As a decor, it exudes warmth and honesty, while a single piece of countrified design adds an intriguing visual counterpoint in a sleek, modern environment.

Easily identifiable by its rough textures, earthy colors and natural materials, rustic furniture helps bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. As you can see on 1stDibs, rustic wares offer no end of inspiration.

Antique and vintage stone sinks bring a touch of nature to your home.

A stone sink can be used as a functional statement piece to complement your kitchen decor. In your bathroom, a stone sink can add a rustic flourish and will fit in nicely if the rest of your furniture is characterized by natural textures, unfinished lines and neutral colors. It can also present a nice contrast if your space is more city than country. Part of the appeal of these sinks is that no two are alike. The difference in the stone’s coloration, pitting and veining will ensure that each piece is unique.

Stone sinks are typically carved from a single solid slab, and they come in all kinds of materials, including marble, soapstone, travertine and more. It’s important to note that all types of stone sinks will stain, so you’ll want to be careful with colored liquids around your sink. Make a habit of wiping your stone sink with a soft cloth after every use to prevent mineral deposits from forming. (Your stone sink is a “no steel wool” zone.) For regular cleaning, you’ll want to use a mild dish soap instead of an abrasive cleaner to prevent scratching your sink.

Stone sinks are durable and versatile. They’re a sensible addition to your already stylish kitchen, they will pair well with the dark walnut cabinets at your bar and will be a natural fit in more ways than one for the serene oasis you’ve made of the upstairs bathroom.

Explore an extensive collection of vintage, new and antique stone sinks on 1stDibs.