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 Adirondack furniture and the low-slung 1903 Thomas Lee Adirondack chair.
Rustic design is perhaps mostly about texture and humble materials: hand-hewn reclaimed 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 wares help bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.
As you can see on 1stDibs, vintage rustic chairs, dining tables and other pieces of rustic furniture offer endless inspiration.
Jean Touret & The Artisans of Marolles Pair of Candle Sconces, France circa 1960
By Jean Touret, Atelier Marolles
Located in New York, NY
Stamped: Marolles Jean Touret moved to Pezay, a rural area near Marolles, in 1946. While there, he became highly conscious of the uncertainty that Industrial development would bri...
Oak
MCM Mexican Modern Whimsical Sun Candleholder 1970's Pewter
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical Rustic MCM Mexican Pewter , Sun Candle Holder circa 1970's. great patina.
Pewter
Vintage Monumental Antler and Metal Wall Sconce
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage monumental antler and metal wall sconce is a dramatic celebration of naturally shed fallow deer antlers, their broad, palmate paddles fanning outward in an intricate, ra...
Metal
$2,250 / set
Vintage Metal Ball Finial Wall Sconces - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Standing an impressive 52 inches tall, this striking pair of vintage wall sconces combines a slender, linear profile with rugged architectural texture. Each fixture features a heavil...
Metal
$1,550 / set
Vintage Boho Carved Wood Candle Sconces - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add striking, sculptural elegance to your walls with this dramatic pair of Vintage Boho Carved Wood Candle Sconces. Towering at over three feet tall, these statement sconces feature ...
Metal
1950s Italian Painted Metal Leaf and Branch Candle Wall Sconce
Located in Austin, TX
These Italian candle sconces from the 1950's are from the once iconic JL Hudson's department store in Detroit. From color palette to design, these hand-paint...
Metal
$1,250Sale Price|47% Off
H 29 in W 40 in D 6 in
Vintage Italian Gilt Metal and Wood 7-Light Candle Sconce, 1960s
By Palladio
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
8-157 Italian gilt metal and wood 7-light candle sconce with foil details. Large size lends itself as an elaborate wall sculpture.
Metal
Pair of Bronze Cherub Figural Candle Sconces
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Bronze Cherub Figural Candle Sconces. Measure 7" in width x 4" in depth x 12" in height.
Bronze
Pair of Cobra Candle Holders - France, Circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exotic pair of brass candlesticks with intricate etched pattern and red enamel finish.
$316Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 2.5 in D 4.25 in
Vintage Skultana Wall Sconce Designed By Pierre Forsell
Located in Doraville, GA
Vintage solid brass wall sconce for candles designed by Pierre Forsell for the Swedish firm Skultana in the 1950’s. The sconce has its o...
Brass
Italian Florentine Gilt Metal Floral Wall Sconce
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage metal and gilt candle sconce features an elegant curling rose branch with abundance of highly detailed leaves and two rose flowers, one is half-open and another is almost at ...
Metal, Gold, Iron
Pair of Colonial Brass 3 Light Wall Sconces
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of colonial brass 3 light wall sconces. Classic 18th c design sand cast in beautifully patinated brass. They have never been wired.
Brass
$660Sale Price / set|51% Off
H 9.85 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentica...
Pewter
A Pair of Queen Anne Gilt Candle Sconces
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of Queen Anne style gilt framed mirrored sconces of good quality having lovely water gilt and burnished molded frames with re-entrant top corners, faux mercury glass plate and...
Giltwood
$660Sale Price / set|51% Off
H 9.85 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authenti...
Pewter
$660
H 18.9 in W 12.21 in D 7.49 in
Hollywood Regency Gilt Tole Metal Triple-Arm Floral Wall Candle Sconce, 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Romantic Hollywood Regency wall sconce with sculptural gilt tole flowers, curling vines, and candleholders for three taper candles. A highly decorative Hollywood Regency wall candle...
Metal
Italian Silver Gilt 5 Arm Candle Wall Sconce, Pair
Located in San Angelo, TX
Unique and simple pair of silver gilt Italian 5 Arm Candle Wall Sconces that feature antique Italian bobeches. These are lightweight and are neutral toned making them perfect for man...
Metal
Pair of 18th Century Embossed Copper Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th Century Embossed Copper Sconces. Two candles each, sunflower design. Nice vintage condition.
Copper
Set of Two Rustic Earthenware Candle Holders, Spain, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Two Rustic Earthenware Candle Holders, Spain, circa 1960 - Original Condition Illuminate your home with the warm charm of this beautiful set of two rustic earthenware candle ...
Earthenware
Sold
H 12.5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Vintage Brass & Wood Taper Candle Holder Handheld Sconce Lantern India 13"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage wall hanging candle holder crafted to resemble an antique brass grain scoop with turned wood handle. Single taper candle cup in base of sco...
Brass
White Iron Candlestick Wall Scones Pair
Located in Malibu, CA
Whimsical oversized candle sconces, a pair featuring curlicues, leaves & twisted iron. Scalloped candle cups. Refinished in shades of white. Beautiful and unique, this iron wall ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 6.75 in Dm 6.25 in
2 Antique Brass Candle Holders Chamber Stick Wall Hanging Frying Pan Candlestick
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of antique primitive brass chamber stick candle holders in the manner of a frying pan with tall straight handle that could be used to hang the holders as wall sconces.
Brass
Pair of Antique Hammered Brass and Iron Candle Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An unusual and very decorative Oval Back Candle Sconces, possibly Spanish. Oval hammered brass and wrought iron wall sconces measuring 13 1/2" High x 10 1/2" Wide by 10” Deep. Flow...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 14.18 in W 10.63 in D 4.34 in
Pair of Spanish 18th Century Hand-Forged Iron Wall Candleholders / Sconces
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique pair of 18th century hand-forged iron wall candleholders. Easy to attach at your wall Spain 18th century. Weathered but very good condition. More photo's available on request.
Iron
French Wrought Iron Candleholder or Sconce
Located in Winter Park, FL
A rustic French wrought iron candleholder with spike to hold a 3" diameter pillar candle. Nice weathered patina. May be placed on a table or ...
Wrought Iron
19th Century English Tole Wall Mount Lantern
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming 19th century English painted tole wall mount lantern of tapered form with traces of original green paint, a stovepipe top and a door on...
Iron
Sold
H 26.5 in W 15.5 in D 13 in
Pair of Italian 19th Century Candle Sconces of Wood with Grey Painted Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian 19th century carved wooden plaque sconces. This pair of Italian candle sconces have been fashioned from 19th carved wood wall plaques with 20th century arms. The ca...
Metal
Sold
H 15.75 in W 6.25 in D 4 in
Pair of Spanish 18th Century Hand-Forged Iron Wall Candleholders / Sconces
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique pair of 18th century hand-forged iron wall candleholders. Easy to attach at your wall Spain 18th century. Weathered but very good condition.
Iron