The Decor Item Chelsea DeBoer Swears By For A Rustic Down Home Fab Touch

Chelsea DeBoer of "Down Home Fab" has coined the term "South Dakota glam" for the trendy home décor style that combines rustic and modern. When asked about some of its key parts, she names "leather, wood accents, faux furs, and cowhides" as the materials to have. "Get yourself a cowhide. Layer that bad boy anywhere," she says (via Realtor.com).

Rustic interior design embraces natural, rugged, and earthy elements to create a warm, inviting, and cozy atmosphere in a living space. It draws inspiration from the simplicity and charm of rural, countryside living, often incorporating elements from nature and showcasing raw, unfinished materials. The focus of this style is on creating a comfortable and relaxed environment that feels connected to the outdoors, so it's no wonder that cowhide is used to create this effect. No matter the scale at which you use it, cowhide is very versatile and fun to incorporate in various areas of your home.

Cowhide rugs are a popular choice and can be used in living rooms, bedrooms, or entryways to add character with their unique patterns and textures. When placed under a table, near a fireplace, or on a piece of furniture, they can create a good focal point. Cowhide can also be used to reupholster furniture like chairs, ottomans, headboards, or benches and can be a cover material for throw pillows or cushions. It can be turned into a tapestry or decorative material. Simply hang it up or frame it to add something different to your living room or bedroom wall. In the dining room, it can serve as a table runner.

When using cowhide in your home, remember that it has a strong presence and needs to be balanced with other elements in the room. Chelsea DeBoer recommends gold accents. "Get some gold accents to mix in and balance it out. In our house, all our hardware is gold. Our light fixtures are gold. All my vases, every accent, I always tend to get gold," she says per Realtor.com. 

It's important to properly clean and care for your cowhide items to maintain their beauty and longevity. Cowhide rugs are easy to maintain, making them acceptable for high-traffic areas. They can be brushed, vacuumed, or wiped down with a mild soap and damp cloth.

Vintage or antique furniture, accessories, and décor items with distressed finishes are common in rustic interiors as they add a sense of history and character to the space. Modern interiors, on the other hand, are characterized by clean lines, simplicity, and a focus on function and practicality. The trend of combining both then looks like a simple, classic setting enhanced with touches of texture. This is why cowhide makes sense as one of the main materials to give your home a rustic "Down Home Fab" touch.

Another textured material that you can include alongside cowhide is leather because it feels classy and elegant. "Leather is great. We also love greenery. Think nature-inspired and outdoorsy," says Chelsea DeBoer (via Realtor.com). Stick with warm and earthy colors found in nature, like browns, reds, and deep greens, and natural decorative elements like live or dried leaves, flowers, branches, and nature-themed art pieces when designing with cowhide to reinforce the rustic theme.