Primitive & Country Decor (condos, houses, live)

[KellyCrash]

I lived here for 8 years and moved away for 4 and now we're back again. I have always noticed people up here had a different style than what I am used to. I just thought it was early american type of yankee thrift... Recently, I discovered it's called Primitive Country or something like that. I even heard someone use the word "primitive" today at the Christmas Tree Shops.

It's so not for me. I prefer transitional style of decorating. But I am fascinated about this very New England style. I admire it and think it's quite homey.

Can anyone tell me what those old farm house doors are called? I'm trying to Google it so I can show a friend, but finding nothing. They look like a board with hinges. Obviously probably not as simple as that, but that's what it looks like to me. I see them a lot on old antique houses in rural areas.

[seeriously]

Gee, I don't know about any particular decor going on in MA. My son's house looks like a Pottery Barn catalog with all the latest colors and edgy furniture. A lot of the older people are still sporting wallpaper and colonial borders in their homes which gives them that *grandma's house* feel. What I don't get is the one-car garage. They're still building condos (where there's land to build) with one-car garages. Yankees don't ask for much, I guess.

[CaseyB]

I've heard it referred to as Primative, Country Primative or maybe Rustic. Not really as popular now as it was at one time.

If you mean the real doors, this site seems to have some examples of styles of farmhouse doors.

[KellyCrash]

Thanks Casey. I think those doors are close, but they are usually very old looking. Very shabby with no window. I need to just stop & take a picture.

Verobeach - I guess if you've come to MA and only been in your son's house you might not have seen this particular style of decorating. I've been in several homes here whether it be friends, family, or house hunting. Not only do I pick up on it in people's homes, but in the shops/stores where the stuff is sold.

This might help country primitive - Google Search

I was just happy to have a name for it so I could show some friends who have never been to New England. That style is very unique to this area.

[Beachcomber4]

Hi Kelley- I used to own a 200+ year old house and had those doors. We had 2 on our barn and one on the side of our house that was not used but we kept to retain the look of the house. I don't know that they had a name per se, they were just barnboard doors.

[seeriously]

KellyCrash, I grew up in Massachusetts and I always considered this type of 'decor' as no decor at all, just homes needing updating.

[in_newengland]

Doors of Colonial New England pictures from new england photos on webshots

You probably mean plank or batten doors. C & P this link to see some examples. I used to hate the New England style too -- until I traveled around the country and came back.

There are imitations of it that do look trashy and kitschy (sp?) but the real thing is a work of craftsmanship and of art. I don't think primitive is the word. To me, primitive means something else. Country means something else. Genuine old New England is something unto itself.

[KellyCrash]

This is exactly the style of door I was looking for a picture of. Thank you!