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.
Antiqued 17th Century Style Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued wood writing desk, with two frieze drawers, on barley twist turned legs joined by stretchers. This is an antique reproduction of the original 17th century. Dimensions: 4...
Wood
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Painted Shop Counter
Located in Houston, TX
This wonderful antique shop counter/desk has a light three plank pine top and an antique painted finish on the bottom. The counter, finished on al...
Pine
Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk
Located in Forney, TX
An early American 19th century pine plantation desk with nicely aged patina. Born in the Mid-Atlantic region / Southern United States, circa 1800s, hand-crafted of solid pine wood with mellow warm tone and rich grain patterns, one-piece construction, having a stepped molded cornice above a tall pair of paneled cabinet doors, opening to reveal an interior fitted with shelves and divided slots for documents, plank boarded back with old metal patch, over a lift-top writing slope with spacious storage underneath, the apron adorned with simple decorative pilasters...
Pine
$4,167 / item
Antiqued 17th Century Style Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued wood writing desk, with two frieze drawers, on barley twist turned legs joined by stretchers. This is an antique reproduction of ...
Wood
Swedish 19th century hand painted pine escritoire writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted pine escritoire writing desk circa 1870. We are pleased to offer this rustic escritoire, made from solid pine and hand painted on the outside using a ra...
Pine, Paint
$919Sale Price|39% Off
19th Century Italian Console Hand-Carved Solid Walnut Two Drawers Natural Color
Located in Buggiano, IT
Late 19th century console in hand-carved solid walnut with two drawers in original natural color. Umbertine style, with intermediate shelf. The carvings are all done manually. In anc...
Walnut, Fir
Antique Pine Sloping Clerks Writing Desk
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Antique pine sloping clerks writing desk A Lovely old piece, the desk is made in solid pine, it has a sloping lid which encloses a storage comp...
Pine
$5,151 / item
Rustic Country Walnut Desk, Driftwood Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
A rustic country-style solid driftwood finished rectangular desk with a rustic finish revealing exposed saw marks. Three small oak-lined drawers to front with mortice and tenon joint...
Wood
Rustic Adirondack Style Hewn Dark Stained Wooden Kneehole Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Adirondack (2nd quarter 20th Century) heavy wooden executive desk with a hewn solid wooden desktop supported by two pedestal bases, each c...
Wood
$2,177
Oak Table/desk
Located in Beaune, FR
Rustic-style carved oak desk or table. French work dating from the 19th century. Dimensions Height 73.5 cm Length 1.53 m Width 85 cm
Oak
$5,151 / item
Rustic Country Walnut Desk, Light Driftwood Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
A rustic country-style solid light driftwood finished rectangular desk with a rustic finish revealing exposed saw marks. Three small oak-lined drawers to front with mortice and tenon...
Wood
Rustic Pink Painted Desk with Brown Tabletop
Located in Rīga, LV
Antique rustic side table or desk with a drawer, may be used as a small kitchen table. Beautiful patina. Additional information: Place of origin - ...
Wood, Oak
$4,099
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes This is a very r...
Hardwood
$2,990
H 25.2 in W 39.38 in D 12.8 in
19th Century Catalan Spanish Carved Walnut Console Sofa Table, Four Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Spanish antique walnut chest of three drawers and original iron hardware. You can use like a commode or chest of drawers or large nightstand. This elegant console was cr...
Iron
$2,407
H 24.41 in W 16.54 in D 11.42 in
19th Century Corner Shelf, in Solid Walnut Hand-Carved, Restored Wax Finished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century corner shelf, in solid walnut hand-carved, restored and wax finished Measure in cm: H 62 x W 42 x D Ang. 29 x 29.
Walnut
Spanish Hand Carved Console With Two Drawers, 1920s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Walnut console from the early 20th century with tablet top on a frieze with two drawer fronts decorated with carved with additional decoration and two original iron handles in each d...
Iron
Sold|$3,335
H 30.32 in W 38.59 in D 20.08 in
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Italian Writing Desk or Dressing Table
Located in London, Park Royal
A charming, hand-painted, Louis XV style, Italian writing desk or dressing table from the early 20th century depicting floral motifs with Rococo flourishes and gilded highlighting.
Wood, Paint
$3,051Sale Price|35% Off
H 33.86 in W 48.43 in D 22.05 in
19th Century Italian Hand Carved Hand Painted Gilt Wood Console Table
Located in Sofia, BG
Italian hand carved and lacquered wood console. Inspired by Venetian style and colours it is decorated with floral elements and gilt wood parts and is beautiful at front as much as a...
Wood
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.5 in W 34.5 in D 23 in
19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from fruitwood with a warm patina and lovely wood grain patterns. Fronted by a single s...
Fruitwood
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk. Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...
Mahogany
$2,879Sale Price|30% Off
H 37.8 in W 38.59 in D 20.48 in
19th Century French Mahogany Writing Desk with Folding Front Part
Located in Sofia, BG
French mahogany writing desk with folding front part and hidden drawers in the upper part. There are also three big drawers in the lower p...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Walnut Console Table with Two Carved Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French walnut console table from the 19th century with two carved drawers, turned legs and plain side stretchers. This charming French walnut console table from the 19th century fe...
Walnut
$5,500
H 31.5 in W 42 in D 60 in
19th Century Oak Partners Desk, Leather Writing Surface, Brass Hardware
Located in Toronto, CA
A wonderful probably, 19th century oak partners desk, with a leather writing surface. Each side has a bank of drawers and a cupboard door for serious storage, or you can put both ban...
Oak
$3,133 / item
H 29.93 in W 43.31 in D 23.63 in
French writing Table 2 drawers in Solid Cherry Wood - Louis XVI Directoire style
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is part of the Mélanie collection, a modern interpretation of the French Directoire style of the late 18th century. This style is famous for its straight, classi...
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Antique English Painted Desk
Located in Cambridge, US
England, ca. late 19th century. A charming and perfectly rustic desk right out of a Cotswold cottage. Features sturdy pine construction with waxed top and ochre-painted sides. Five d...
Pine, Paint
Early-Mid 19th c. Primitive Farmhouse Cabinet c.1820-1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A 19th century hand made primitive farmhouse cabinet with brass lock and large interior space. The interior section has a two shelves. This piece has retained its original han...
Brass
French Twin Clerks Reception Desk, Rustic Pine, Greeter
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Twin Clerks Reception Desk, Rustic Pine, Greeter The table is full length, with 2 storage compartments under, it stands on sturdy stretchered legs A Great Stand Alone in it...
Pine
Swedish 19th Century painted pine escritoire writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted pine escritoire writing desk circa 1870. We are pleased to offer this rustic escritoire, made from solid pine and hand painted on the outside using a ra...
Pine, Paint
Art Populaire Writing Desk, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Populaire; Rustic; Monoxylite; Writing Desk; Cabinet; Table; France; Auvergne; Wabi Sabi; Naive; Folk Art; Travail Populaire; Writing desk and cabinet from the enchanting 19th...
Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 61.5 in D 25 in
Antique circa 1900 Rustic European Desk with Old Paint and Natural Pine Top
Located in Centennial, CO
An eyecatching antique circa 1900s rustic Hungarian pine desk with old paint and a natural top writing surface. A laurel leaf wreath motif on a cream background ornaments each door; three drawers offer a nice amount of storage. Knee hole measures 25.5" high x 25" wide x 23" deep. Old paint is chippy but intact and charming. Old paint colors range from dark green to turquoise and robins's egg blue...
Brass
Turn of the Century French Patinated Wooden Desk
Located in High Point, NC
Time has transformed this vintage piece into a unique and unmissable accent. Built in France at the turn of the century, crimson red and charcoal black paint has worn to a dramatic, flame-like patina. An angled tabletop creates an ergonomic surface for writing or drawing; the surface lifts to reveal ample desk space. Narrow cupboards...
Wood
Antique Pine Desk, 1910's
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Charming pine desk, European in style. Solid pine, good rustic condition, with cosmetic wear and tear commensurate with age. 7 Drawers in the front, which open and close ok. On the b...
Pine
Early-Mid 19th c. Hand Painted Slant Desk, c.1820-1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
About Early to mid 19th century hand painted slant front desk with a lift top, large interior space with three drawers and brass knobs. The lower section has a hinged door with prim...
Brass
French Solid Oak Secretary Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Rustic French 2 piece oak wood secretary desk with metal hardware. Beautifully designed and made. Has dovetail on drawers and connections. Solid sc...
Oak
Rustic Reclaimed Pine Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Rustic reclaimed pine desk with saw-horse inspired base. This unique piece has a reclaimed plank top and is held together with 8 rods and 16 bolts a...
Wood
Mid-century French Pine Single Drawer Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rustic mid-century modern French writing table or desk crafted from pine. Made in a minimalist style with a plank top, single storage drawer, and parson style legs. The table measure...
Pine