How to Make a Living Room Primitive

Select a color that reflects the primitive style and paint your walls. Subtle, darker shades of forest green, burgundy, navy or ochre are choices that will complement your decor.

Plan your floor. A dark, wooden, plank floor with a matte finish is ideal. Scatter braided accent rugs over the floor to add color.

Cover your upholstered furniture with natural fiber slipcovers. Linen in a shade of ecru provides a beautiful homespun touch to your room. Subdued plaids in dark colors will also work well.

Dress your windows with simple linen or cotton panels. Suspend them from a wrought iron rod and draw them off to the side with a metal hook mounted to the wall.

Accent your sofa and chairs with a generous number of pillows. Complement the fabrics you have showcased on your furniture and look for embellishments, such as buttons or appliques from old quilts.

Paint wooden accent tables. Use a shade of dark oyster for the legs and aprons. Paint the tops with a dark color or black in a matte finish. Lightly sand the edges to suggest natural wear.

Accessorize your room. Place small tin or wrought iron primitive sculptures or candlestick holders with bees wax tapers on the tables. Add a stack of graduated Shaker boxes and hand thrown pottery on the coffee table. Place hand woven baskets under tables to hold magazines or toys. Primitive bird carvings and decoys will add an unusual accent for tables, a mantel or shelves. A pitcher filled with wildflowers or sunflowers will brighten the room.

Decorate your walls. Display framed antique portraits on the wall as a grouping. Prop a large 19th century photograph or engraving against the wall on your mantel. Quilts and early hand-hooked accent rugs can be hung as art. Primitive pastoral paintings and needlework samplers will also complement your decor.