Rustic Accents for Your Home: 45 Projects from Vines, Twigs & Branches

by Ann Ramp Fox

The natural world is our home, and we like to bring a little bit of it into the house, writes Laura Donnelly Bethmann in the preface to this unique home decorating guide. She and co-author Ann Ramp Fox practice twigology, which they define as "the art of forming whimsical, practical, naturally pleasing twig things while enhancing one's knowledge of the unique characteristics and beneficial qualities of trees." Now they share their art in this colorful handbook filled with easy-to-make, attractive, and inexpensive features and accents for every room using vines twigs, and branches. One look and you'll yearn to be a twigologist, too. Getting started is easy with the authors' clear, straightforward instructions, a few simple tools, and some free of inexpensive materials. In no time at all you'll be creating your own natural-feeling home environment, accented with the whimsical projects you've made with your own hands.

Genres: Nonfiction

117 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Diann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not providing a "finish" date as this book is a "how to" for various projects. Things one can make from those vines, twigs and SMALL branches.

I'd hoped for more items for outside the home, but only the bird houses fit that notion. However the herb drying rack (basically shaped as a pyramid with the top removed) is on my list, as is the flat bottomed basket which would be useful for holding things (like eggs?) that you don't want rolling around overmuch. But the title of the book DID say "For Your HOME".

Techniques and instructions seem well-thought out for all readers. Some of the techniques can certainly be used to scale up for outdoor trellising and those other outdoor projects I'm hoping to tackle someday soon. A great tag sale find!

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book and I like a lot of the projects too...but who thought it would be a good idea to do illustrations instead of photographs? It's difficult to see what the finished project might look like from a single hand-drawn image from a one angle. This book would be much better served by lots of different photographs, especially since adaptation is going to be key since no two sticks are alike.

Still, though, a fascinating and unique craft book. I'd like to revisit this when I have more time and access to sticks that aren't covered with snow.

[Jessica Pangborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for ideas on what to do with a bunch of little sticks and rocks, this is the book for you. Basically, it's a stick craft book. The title is deceiving. 🫤