When you visualize rustic beams, or tongue and groove woods, do you see a rustic mountain cabin? The extreme end of the spectrum would be to visualize a log cabin with everything being wood except for the fixtures! Although, I love to see a well-done rustic cabin some rustic accents or elements can be incorporated very successfully and beautifully in more modern or contemporary homes, as well as in other regions.
I have recently had the incredible opportunity to visit a beautiful place called Caneel Bay in St. John, US Virgin Islands, and while I was there I wanted to evaluate my surroundings in order to broaden my knowledge on different regions and climates as well as bring something relative back with me to either share or incorporate into design. The architecture is what one would expect, which had a more island feel to it with larger windows to utilize the views, straight and simple lines, concrete to withstand the storm seasons, but what I noticed was that the older buildings had been up-fitted around the original woodwork. There were rough sawn beams used in the roof systems of the covered verandas, which really added to the comfort and character of the space. Large rustic timbers were used as stair treads with open stringers behind, which created a more open feel, and although the interior finishes were not wood the ceilings were stained tongue and groove hardwood. So, in experiencing these applications of rustic woods in that setting gave a nice example of the diversity in applications and styles.
Incorporating the use of wood into design has broadened and become more popular with more ‘styles’ over the years. It has been mixed with many different styles in many different ways, and even though the rustic cabin is not the newest trend the rustic woods are now being incorporated into modern and contemporary design in some astonishing ways! You can incorporate wood into your home without diminishing the brightness of the space as well as not making it feel ‘old fashioned’ or too mountain like.