Inspiration to creation - From modern rustic cabins to affordable and DIY decor

Inspiration: Modern rustic spaces like this living room.
--Rustic because of the stone fireplace, worn wood of the coffee table, and earthy colors.
--Modern because the designer added dark, glossy wood floors and dark, smooth exposed ceiling beams; contemporary sofas and modern leather and chrome lounge chairs - all with clean and simple lines and angles.

source

And this inspirational space:

source

Again, these spaces all have a mix of wood tones and textures crafted with modern, simple and clean lines completed with contemporary and modern sofas, lounge chairs, and other furnishings.

source

I LOVE these gorgeous homes which have reinvented the traditional cabin. And I LOVE taking elements from these to make home decor that *anyone* can have in their own home!

Creation! Modern rustic key and coat rack with hooks made from driftwood tree branches.

flickr

I combined two different pieces of wood: One a smooth board, the other a rougher cedar plank, then stained them both a dark brown/black color using Rustoleum Kona.

Flickr

Modern lamp which mixes smooth, finished wood with rough, weathered, mother-nature sculpted pieces of driftwood tree branches. Shiny and matte, smooth and textured, light and dark, simple geometric base with randomly-sculpted driftwood pieces:

Flickr

And...

Shiningcity at Etsy

Shiningcity at Etsy

Easy modern rustic wood wall decoration

Take a tree branch, introduce it to a bandsaw (or  coping saw) and some wood glue and what do you get? A one-of-a-kind modern rustic wall decoration!

If you're not into DIY, you can purchase this piece here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/117498191/modern-rustic-wood-slices-wall

DIY modern rustic pencil holder

A bit of modern rustic for the office-- and it was easy to make!

Supplies:

--a small branch or two

--popsicle sticks

--acrylic paint

--wood glue

--wood stain

--polyurethane

I started by making a simple box from 1/8" hardboard, but any square or rectangular box from wood or hardboard would work fine. 

I used a bandsaw to cut the branch and popsicle sticks, but a coping saw (an inexpensive hand saw) would work just fine.

Next came the stain for the popsicle sticks, followed by a quick, light sand to the branch slices. While sticks were drying, I painted the dividers and the box a slightly grayish blue. Then I just started gluing! 

I cut the dividers from the hardboard, but they can easily be constructed with popsicle sticks and glue. Because I wanted the dividers angled, I added small strips of wood for strength to keep them in place. 

Once I was happy with the look and the glue was dry, I gave the entire box inside and out a coat of polyurethane. I finished by giving the inside a couple more coats for added durability.

My inspiration: 
Modern landscaping design and interior use of wood slices:

Modern Landscape design by San Diego Landscape Architect Argia Designs Landscape Design & Consultation

Traditional Media Room design by New York Interior Designer Laura Kirar Design

I love how it turned out!