Design Hints

Nothing has more country charm than primitive accents and furnishings -- but if you can't afford or find the real McCoy, try Lori Vidito's suggestions for giving timeworn zest to plain-Jane walls, furniture and accessories.

Faux-get About Real Tin: To get the look of a tin ceiling or wall without paying a high price, put up anaglypta wallpaper that has a tin-ceiling texture, paint it black and add a lighter contrasting color to raised areas. Wipe off the extra paint with a wet rag, making sure not to get the topcoat in the grooves.

Put Out a Distress Call: Add dents and dings to wood by banging it with a hammer or a chain. To create wormholes, heat the tip of a nail until it is hot. Hold the nail with pliers and hammer the nail into the wood just a little, then pull it out. Keep the holes small and close together for a more realistic look.

Make It Rough Around the Edges: To give old-time character to new cabinets, sand their edges slightly and paint the surface with a dark-colored base coat. After the paint dries, brush on a thin coat of white or cream paint, letting the sanded imperfections show. Add a few nicks and scratches to give the wood an even more authentic, aged appeal.

Add a New Twist to Old Materials: Create new decor using reclaimed material such as discarded flooring, windows or architectural elements. Lori bought the black shutters in the kitchen at a yard sale and gave them some primitive character by cutting out stars with a scroll saw.