Are you a primitive lover? If you’ve been with me for a while you know that I am. The scruffier it is the better I like it. That being said, I also live in a fantasy world that includes lovely fabrics, rich textures, beautiful crystal and fine dining, with a family that is much more beer and paper plates. So I’ve been thinking, can things be Primitively Elegant? Why yes, I think they can.
Many years ago I remember standing in Ralph Lauren Flag Ship store in NY City. I was so enamored by the rich textures, beautiful wood, and overall sumptuousness of all there was to see. Nestled into these displays were leather suitcases, riding boots, and fishing floats, and old leather books. Lots and lots of books. The look was rich, old world, and collected. A carefully curated space that just begged for you to come in and sit a spell. I remember standing in that space and wondering if there was any way that I could create a similar mood in my own, very humble home. That was when the mission started, although it started years before at my parent’s knees.
That was about the time I started moving from my Yellow Ware collection to blue and white transferware. A collection started for a plate wall above my bed, has served me well and turned into a much larger collection. During those years with a smaller budget, while working at Ethan Allen, I mostly focused my energies on upgrading the furniture. Upholstery, and case goods, tables, chests and beds. The occasional antique show would find me on a Friday night scouring the booths down at the Civic Auditorium (which is no longer there). Under the tutelage of my mom, she would steer me toward a great find either for herself or me. On Sunday’s we would hit the estate sales. I learned.
By the late 90’s I was ready to get serious about some primitives. I no longer wanted new furniture but furniture with a history. Stuff that had a story to tell. If I couldn’t afford the real antique I wanted a bench made (non-mass produced) piece. Comb back Windsor chairs that were made by hand, a Tennessee Pie Safe with a yummy green finish. Of course I had the many pieces my dad had made for me. My Welsh Cupboard, the headboard I am still using, the chandeliers he created. My style had solidified somewhere between those days of discovery at Ethan Allen and antique shopping with my folks.
Somewhere around 2015 I became concerned that my “style” had lost its way, and I lost my way. I had to do some soul searching, to take my own temperature if you will. I started investing in lots of books to try and figure out if I was still “Country” and was there any thing wrong with that. French Country was all the rage, and I was wondering if I could go there. I loved all the shabby rooms and chippy paint and I thought it could have some potential. But I had pieces I still loved.
Hmm! I picked up a French Voters Registration from a French Brocante’ and I love it still. I had it framed and it now resides in the bedroom. The balloon chair is definitely French in style. A consignment find during that time. I always intended to paint it but, couldn’t quite decide on the color. Now I like it the way it is. This chair has become my perfect sewing chair.
What I discovered was my style of country didn’t quite fit in, with what was previously considered “Country” in the 80’s-2000. I always strived for the more sophisticated side of “Country”. Not quite traditional and not all the way country, but somewhere in the middle. A more authentic interpretation. Reproductions that were the right proportions, with the ‘right’ finish. Those that looked like they could be 150 years old, not the kind that were the “style of,” manufactured in the hundreds for the everyday market.
After about a year of study I discovered, Yup I’m still country!!! And I became comfortable in my skin again, and started (in my head, shouting from the roof tops). I’M STILL COUNTRY AND THERE IS NOTHIG WRONG WITH THAT.
I found an old trunk at an antique mall in Fremont NE. It is primitive, complete with dry rot, bug runnels, missing lock box, I was in love. Pennsylvania German, early 19th Century, the large hinge straps had me at HELLO, though you can’t see them. I knew it would be perfect in the lower level for open storage. All my small trees are stored in there. Everyone thought I was strange in buying it. My mom thought so too. Still love it. Loaded with pretty things and primitive on the top it is one of those primitively elegant pieces.
The Tennessee Pie Safe has very simple lines and is a hand made copy of the original that I picked up in Blair NE. Its pierced tin and lovely curved shelf on the inside makes me sad that the doors have to remain closed all the time. It is a great storage piece for china, and a wonderful server for entertaining. It’s ever changing parade of accessories from primitive to elegant creates a wonderful anchor for the wall of barn siding.
The first time I went to Williamsburg VA showed me where I wanted to be. In the Governor’s Palace a camel back sofa in a linen black and white buffalo check slipcover, spoke volumes to me. I was in love. In the 18th Century they often used lighter slipcovers in the summer. The homes would get so hot, and often these sofas would be covered in crewel or heavy damask. The 1920’s Chippendale style Kittinger Camelback sofa has gorgeous hand carving on the arm and feet but, done in a simple windowpane check, brings it down a step, so it’s not too formal. Of course all the scuffs on the feet give it the story of years and years of people, including myself running into those legs.
I am in a place now where I love my home. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. There are so many things about it that I wish I had. But, I am content. A home filled with quirks and personality. One that doesn’t scream a particular “style”. A home that has seen our family through joy and sorrow, frustration and the everyday. It has stretched and flexed to accommodate whatever we’ve thrown at it. A primitively elegant not to fussy home.
Are you hooked on style or are you more curated? Let me know.
Thanks for stopping
Shelley
