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.
Chinese Miao Bamboo Tea Container, c. 1920s
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite wooden bucket is an early 20th century Chinese tea canister attributed to the Miao people of southern China. The antique vessel is carved from bamboo with ridged sides an...
Iron
Rustic Polychromed Wood Candleholder, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A charming candleholder, hand carved in wood and polychromed in natural color. From India. Rustic style, circa 1970. Three available, sold separately.
Wood
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
Circular Rustic Iron "Pique-Cierge", France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Charming rustic circular wrought-iron tripod "pique-cierge" (candle-holder). Traces of ancient brown paint.
$795 / set
H 21.25 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in
Pair of 19th Century French Brass "Holy Trinity" Candle-Holders or Pic-Cierges
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a console or a mantel with this elegant pair of antique candlesticks. Crafted in France circa 1880, each "Pic-Cierge" stands on scrolled feet over a triangular base with an ...
Brass
1920s Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique George V English sterling silver presentation bowl; an addition to our ornamental silver...
Sterling Silver
West Country Pancheon, 1920s Terracotta Dairy Bowl
Located in London, England
Wondrous West Country / Cornish terracotta dairy bowl / pancheon. Gloriously hand decorated. Also one of the largest and most intact we’ve handled. British 1920s D 50cm x H 20cm
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century French Carved Oak Statuary Candleholder
Located in Dallas, TX
This large antique wood carved sculpture composition was crafted in France circa 1950; made of oakwood, the statue depicts a church page...
Oak
Wrought iron Atelier Marolles style candelabra
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Wrought iron Atelier Marolles style candelabra
Wrought Iron
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.
Vintage Chinese Willow Woven Fisherman Basket Asian Storage Container
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Chinese Willow Woven Fish or Grain Basket. Vintage Chinese fisherman basket hand woven from natural willow wood with removable lid. This woven reed fisherman’s basket was use...
Rattan, Wood
Pair of French Empire Period Brass Candle Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Candle holder sconces from France from the Empire period. This finely cast pair of sconces features a solid brass structure with a swan holding two chained candle...
Bronze
1920s Czech Wicker Basket
Located in High Point, NC
This 1920s Czech wicker basket exudes vintage charm and practicality, perfect for adding a rustic touch to your home decor. Crafted from natural wicker, each basket features a distin...
Wicker
Early 20th Century French Brass Adjustable Candleholders
Located in Burton, TX
Found in France, these Early 20th Century Adjustable Candleholders were crafted from Brass in the early 1900's. Each candlestick features a functioning push up mechanism on the side ...
Brass
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
$625
H 14.18 in W 9.65 in D 4.14 in
Pair of Vintage French Wall Candle Sconces in Bronze in the Style of Louis XVI
Located in COLMAR, FR
A beautiful pair of vintage, wall candle sconces in a classic Louis XVI style. These sconses are made of heavy, molded, bronze/copper alloy. They are identical and none of them featu...
Bronze
Carved Wood Amber Candle Holder, Latvia 1970s
Located in Rīga, LV
Vintage large brutalist carved oak wood candle holder with amber decoration (2 pieces). Additional information: Country of manufacture: Latvia Design/Manufacture period: 1970s Dimen...
Oak
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
18th-19th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful hand forged iron candleholder, Southern France, Spain, 18th-19th century. Weathered and with old repair
Iron
18th-19th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful hand forged iron candleholder, Southern France, Spain, 18th-19th century. Weathered.
Iron
Glass and Metal Turkish Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A tall lantern, handcrafted in Turkey. Made of metal and glass, with intricately carved details and candle holder in the center, for a 3-inch candle. Dimensions: 36" High x 18" Diame...
Brass
Glass and Metal Turkish Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A tall lantern, handcrafted in Turkey. Made of metal and glass, with intricately carved details and candle holder in the center, for a 3-inch candle. Dimensions: 35" High x 17.5" Dia...
Brass
Pair of 18th-19th Century Hand-Forged Iron Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful pair of 18th-19th century hand forged iron candleholders, Southern France, Spain, circa 1750-1850. Weathered. more photo's available on request. Measures: H:36-38cm, W:25...
Iron
18th-19th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful hand forged iron candleholder, Southern France, Spain, 18th-19th century. Weathered.
Iron
Rustic Ceramic Candleholders from Mexico, Circa 1970's
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Set of rustic ceramic candleholders from San Agustin Oapan, Guerrero, circa 1970's.
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
18th Century Russian Carved Candle Holder Pedestal Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rustic 18th century Russian candle holder or pedestal drink table featuring a hand-carved double waisted form. Beautifully aged and distressed patina on the heavy, solid block of woo...
Wood
Terracotta Candleholder from Mexico, Circa 1980's
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Terracotta candleholder from San Agustin Oapan, Guerrero, Circa 1980's.
Terracotta
Ceramic Candleholder from Mexico, Circa 1970's
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Ceramic candleholder from San Agustin Oapan, Guerrero, Mexico, circa 1970's.
Terracotta