Rustic Benches: A "Primer"

Rustic benches toe that thin line between intentionally archaic and accidentally antique. As such, many people have wildly varied opinions on whether or not rustic benches are in fact a good idea for a garden or foyer or are instead tacky and forced. Naturally, everybody has their own opinions and it should be stressed at the outset that anyone and everyone can do whatever they wish in their own home regardless of what "experts" and "designers" say. Your personal tastes are your own and if you feel strongly about them then you shouldn't bow to the attitudes and preferences of people who you may never meet. If, however, you are looking for a couple of the prevailing opinions on rustic benches then you may benefit from some basic information.

The reason that many people in the business don't care for rustic benches is because they have been a bit saturated in the last couple of decades by gardeners and home designers who try to make a perfectly good bench look aged and austere. Many think that it is very fake and tacky to simply purchase a new bench that is made to look aged instead of searching for a truly rustic bench that is far more genuine by default. One wonders, though, why critics would be so vocal about something that is new that is meant to resemble something old when such practices are evident in nearly every aspect of consumer culture. Popular music always makes a point to herald older and nostalgic influences and vintage tees are one of the most popular types of clothing available these days. Nearly every pair of blue jeans are made to look older and more worn than they truly are and many soft drink companies intentionally go back to their old labels now and then to remind the public of how long they've been around.

So why do people scoff when poeple speak of rustic benches that are in fact brand new? This has to do with a problem that has plagued interior design for countless years; essentially, many designers try to go for a much more authentic vibe whenever they decorate their homes. This is due to the fact that antiques are a treasured commodity when it comes to furnishing your home and, as pretentious as it sounds, imitations simply won't do in the mind of many outspoken critics. If you have a beautiful, ornate grandfather clock, for instance, you can feel proud to display it in your house. If you have an ornate grandfather clock that is very old and shows signs of wear on it then that too is something to be proud of. If, however, you have a grandfather clock that is brand new but has been intentionally ruined just to get a certain look then that is something considered deplorable by many. This, more than anything, is why people frown at rustic benches. Again, though, it is your decision whether or not to buy an old rustic bench or a new bench made to look rustic. After all, you probably won't be inviting too many prestigious interior decorators into your house any time soon!