Meghan: Rustic furniture looks like it just came out of the woods. I mean look at it, it looks like a part of a tree but you would not believe how much work goes into making it. And I am here today at Old Hickory to discover how rustic furniture is made.

I am hitting the road searching for answers and finding great design. It is a quest for beauty, function and of course inspiration.

To discover what you need to know when purchasing rustic furniture I sat down and talk with Rocco Liott the president of Old Hickory, but before he dished out some great shopping tips we talked about the origins of Rustic Furniture and how it is made today.

How did Rustic Furniture start out?

Rocco: Well Rustic has always been around I am sure, in fact it probably goes back to England. This type of rustic furniture the pioneers made when they clear their fields and they have wood left over, they not only built their cabins out of it but they also built their furniture out of it.

Maghan: But today rustic furniture is not built the way the pioneers did, forget about small hand tools, large machines have been added to the process to make rustic furniture building more efficient. And to do not think aesthetics of the pieces have suffered any they are still just as rustic looking.

But any shocking to discover that furniture that looks so natural is made using machines in modern manufacturing. You would think furniture with bark on it would be easy to make but that bark covered wood under goes a lengthy process before it becomes one of those beautiful beds or chairs people want in their homes.

Why do you think people love rustic furniture?

Rocco: I think again it is a life style and you feel nature, you bring the out doors in and our furniture is very comfortable even though—

Meghan: No, it is, it is very comfortable.

Rocco: Yes, it relaxes you when you look at it. It is just part of the environment when you go to get away.

Meghan: And if you plan on using rustic furniture to calm your spirit you want to make sure the furniture you choose is well-built.

How do you tell that a piece of rustic furniture is quality?

Rocco: Well it should not wobble, it should be very, very stable, look for the gaps at the ends like on that arm, look for the gaps between the bark and the core because it should be fused, if it is not that means it is probably even cut in the spring or summer.

So from our stand point it is basically stability. Sit in it, it feels comfortable.

Meghan: And when you sit in it you should feel instantly relaxed and if you do not move on to another piece because relaxing and feeling one with nature is what rustic furniture is all about.

Check out my website, AsktheDecrator.com. To discover more about this topic read informative how to articles or watch other videos from my trip. You will find a variety of helpful decorating advice when you stop by.