Accessories: Bringing it Together in a Primitive Way
by Jules
Finding the right primitive accessories to add to your home can be the one key piece in "Bringing it Together." In early days, most needful wares were displayed around the house only due to the fact that the colonists did not have drawers and closets to tuck their non essential items into. The wares that were used were needful pieces that were most likely used during the course of the day.
When thinking in terms of "Primitive" accessories, be mindful to use needfuls that are "like" matches to your displays. You do not want them to overtake your display~ just to add a little "homeyness." Consider adding items that are pleasing to your senses: Color, Texture, Scent.
Colonists were the *BEST* at "accessorizing" strictly out of need. The clothes were hung on Peg racks, linens folded and stacked, gatherings from the garden hung from beams to dry, Taper candles hung by the Hearth. All idea's we use today to make our home more inviting.
Some of my favorite "cheap" accessories are drieds. They are easily accessible and can be changed frequently to accommodate the season. Making your own drieds are easy and affordable no matter what your budget! You can fill your totes, bowls or crocks with drieds or hang them from peg racks, use in garlands or hung from beams to add instant texture and color. Drieds can also be scented to add a warm fragrance to your home.
Consider these when looking for some color and texture:
Dried garland (Year round)
You can make your own by cutting up colorful fruits or veggies from the garden (or the grocer) and stringing them yourself. Cranberries, bay leaves, squash, pumpkins and oranges all make great garland and will instantly add a touch of color! These can be hung on Racks, Cupboards and chairs.
In the fall, Gather herbs and tie with string to dry out on your herb or peg racks. Remember to gather at least double the size to allow for shrinkage when dried! Once dry, you can also add these to crocks, baskets or gathering trays.
Taper candles are also a great "filler" when making it prim. Most candles on the prim market today are heavily scented and their scent can be noted without even lighting them! Fill these up in your wooden bowls, or crocks, or tie a set of two together and set next to an old hog scraper. (Remember in early days, candles were the only source of lighting so candles could be found in every room, in every home!)
Using old linens, quilts or throws can also be a great way to add color and texture. Placed on old benches, on top of a trunk, in an old cupboard or placed across the end of a bed. Try to add like colors but an occasional "unmatched" piece can throw in additional color.
Make your collections work for you:
For collectors, group your like pieces together to make a big statement~ Add your collection of bowls to a bowl rack, display your pewter pieces on your table or on a rack. Stack your pantry boxes, firkins or breadboards for a stronger statement!
Cutting out the Clutter:
When thinking in terms of accessories, you do not want to create the appearance of clutter! Sometimes to many needfuls will make the room look unkempt. You want to go for simple and streamlined. You just want to "bulk" up the simple pieces you have. Here are some simple suggestions:
Walls:
*Stay away from filling walls with little items, and rather find some bigger pieces that will anchor the room.
*Consider adding peg racks~ you can easily change the display, be it theme or color with just some simple rearranging!
Cupboards, benches and chairs:
*These are a great way to accessorize! Open the doors of your cupboards and hang some favorite pieces over the door!
*Stack your linens.
*Group pantry candles in a row.
*Stack your favorite pieces on your benches~ crocks, throws, bowls.
*Add a stack of books at a single chair.
In the Kitchen:
*Add a collection of covered crocks to your counter.
* Display a breadboard with small bowl of fixins and some utensils on top.
*Add a peg rack with some hanging dried and some pretty tea towels.
*Fill old mason jars with staples~ beans, seeds, rose hips.
Dining Room:
*Place on old trencher or wooden bowl in the center with fixins or candles.
* Turn your larger wooden bowls upside down and place on the top.
*Display your collection of Pewter or wooden wares.
In the Washroom:
*Add folded towels to an old crock.
*Place a small wooden bowl with soap next to the sink.
*Place everyday "needfuls" such as cotton balls, q-tips, etc. to mason jars and place on a shelf.
ALL around the house:
Utilizing covered boxes, bowls, crocks, totes and crates are a great way to keep your "what nots" out of view and easily accessible!
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Jules is a self taught artist with most of her items being inspired by Early 1800 wares. Striving for the simple unrefined look that was a way of life for our ancestors.
The Saltbox Peddler© was started in 2002 and offers a line of primitive handmade goods along with a "how to" line of recipes. Her current wares can be found on her website and on E-bay, as well as numerous primitive shops around the US.
All Rights Reserved © 2008 A Prim Krafters Journal
A division of oldevillagedepot.com
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