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 Atelier Marolles, Jean Touret
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
Rustic Wooden Candlestick, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rustic carved wood candlestick, France, 1970s. An elegant, hand-carved solid wood candlestick featuring a twisted column resting on a square base adorned with geometric patterns. It...
Wood
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
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
$535Sale Price|42% Off
H 14.38 in W 13.78 in D 7.49 in
18th-19th Century Hand Forged Iron Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful 18th-19th century hand forged iron candleholder. A wonderful example of primitive folk art. A perfect balance between utility and aesthetics. Southern France, Spain, 18th...
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.
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
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
David Marshall Brutalist Candlestick, Spain, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Aluminium and Brass Brutalist Candle Holder by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. David Marshall Desenos Brutalist three-arm aluminum and brass candlestick. Very good condition. Original...
Brass, Aluminum
$2,175 / set
H 12 in W 7.5 in D 6 in
Mid-20th Century Pair of Brutalist Candleholders/Sculptures by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
These two pieces by Israeli artist David Palombo are in his signature Brutalist style and use the two materials he is best known for iron and natural stone. Fully functional as candl...
Stone, Iron
$490
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
$1,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 46 in W 19.5 in D 17 in
Late 19th Century Monumental Rustic European Forged Iron Floor Candelabras-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A striking pair of antique wrought iron five-light candelabra floor stands, showcasing a beautifully aged blackened finish. These stately candleholders feature twisted iron detailing...
Wrought Iron
$423Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.9 in W 13.19 in D 6.5 in
French Wrought Iron Candle Holder, French, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
French wought iron double candle holder. The candles will be delivered with the candleholder Good condition. Shipping: 16 x 33.5 x 48 cm 2.7 kg.
Wrought Iron
$3,765 / set
H 16.54 in W 18.51 in D 6.3 in
1950 Large pair of candlesticks by Jean Touret, Ateliers Marolles
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of five-branch wrought iron candlesticks by Jean Touret from the Marolles workshop, handmade in France in the 1950s. The candlesticks rest on four square feet that flare outwar...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Louis XV Style French Bronze Candle Sconces
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of Louis XV style French two-light cast bronze candle sconces. Nice quality casting with original patina. Not wired, for use with candles. Circa 1900-1920 Dimensions: 10"W x 6...
Bronze
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
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