Defining Primitive Decor
Typically Primitive Decor is defined as Early Americana decoration. Often it includes antiques from the period but is not exclusive to it.
Modern items can be made to appear from this era and used. There are those who have deep held beliefs that modern items cannot be a part of this definition.
Yet for those who hold to a historical accuracy, I would argue that the word primitive is not exclusive to Early Americana. This distinction is held by decorators of today but is often seen in another light by other communities.
Primitive decor within other circles can reach back to Native American cultures and beyond. To be more true to its application it can apply to early periods of mankind’s development by structures, tools, furniture, or other implements.
Some may call live edge wood work primitive. Not all definitions are equal. What is commonly accepted by the interior decor community does not capture the universal meaning to its purpose.
Where Did The Words Primitive Decor Come From?
Unlike art which can be classified to periods of culture and development, ideas behind modern primitive decor come due to marketing. The idea is a way to create a class or set of decor.
The term and its use comes from the Regency Era within England. It would be the early 1800’s that would begin to define what is Primitive Decor.
There was a divide between what was seen as Primitive and its development between England and America. Soon it would be the Pioneer life that would begin to define this in North America.
Some will argue as to what qualifies as primitive. This is not a subject with solid definition.
Victorian Art can be defined by period, style, and cultural impact. Art Nouveau is the same and its boundaries are defined. Primitive decor is an idea which someone holds to not an art.
If one works within interior decoration it would serve them well to know what primitive means to the client they are serving. If the clients background is based more within primitive living then this will not equate to Early Americana.
They will miss the mark in what they provide to the client.
Primitive Living Impact On Primitive Decor
Within the past 20 years or so the rise of primitive living has caught on. What this means can also be relative to who is defining the meaning. Yet its impact in the home decoration world has been profound.
Those who wish to return to a more natural way of life have thrown off many modern aspects of living. These people will leave cities for a countryside where their home is more basic and rustic.
They will turn to more organic foods often growing as much of their own as they can. The focus is often health driven.
Self reliance and sustainability is also a major component within their thoughts and beliefs. A more rudimentary and simplistic approach to the world allows for much of the noise to be left behind.
Here mental and emotional health at home come to the front being another component of its benefit.
These people are not seeking the nostalgia of Early Americana. Their implements are not antiques.
The tools they use are modern or fashioned from older methods for their daily use. The furniture and decoration within their homes receive daily use and have real application.
It is due to this trend that the ideas which many use to define primitive decor begins to miss its mark.
Among their tools and other implement use you will find a wide range of periods represented. Often they range from Native American methods to early European in nature.
A Cultural Push Defining Meaning
Culture always will ultimately define anything. This is always the case with art. Decor is a mere byproduct of both culture and art.
There are purist who will hold to primitive decor being antiques. At the very least they will cite that the items used to represent this period are of better quality and not mass produced.
Both of these ideas come from someone behind a computer screen at a desk.
Cheap products will be made of any variety and imported for sale for any and every label which one can imagine. People will buy them for many reasons.
What is more important is to not miss the underlaying cultural shift causing it. People are returning to older ways.
Today there are artists who work within the primitive aspects of art exclusively. Call it decor if you like.
Yet these items are made in our time thus not antique. They are true to period and are functional. In this way they are also not decor. History is actually being brought back to life by their hands.
Primitive Decor Is History Coming To Life
The coolest part of this topic is how history is coming back to life. As people return to these older ways we begin to see ideas return which have been lost to history.
It is no longer about decoration alone. The pieces made by these artisans are functional and to period.
There are homes which sport old clay fire pits that serve as a stove. Some enjoy living within a modern Yurt. These homes can be implemented in such a way to allow them to connect as rooms to a broader floor plan.
Others use primitive decoration within a home of modern materials and concepts such as shipping containers.
With this blending of old and new ideas we find the word primitive being reinvented. Yet it cannot be done without restoring some of history bringing it into our modern age.
This offers a great opportunity for those who enjoy primitive decor in a way that could not be had before.
Authentic Options To Period By Modern Hands
For those who enjoy these primitive aspects within home decoration there are more options today than there were 20 years ago. There was a time when the only option one could have was an expensive antique or a cheaply made replica. Times have changed.
As primitive living continues to gain in popularity so does the options one can have in authentic replication. Keep in mind that these items will often be plain, simple, and unimpressive by modern standards.
Primitive life is based upon essential living. Its components exist around the primary needs for life being food, shelter, and clothing.
The tools to meet those ends are basic. Yet each period of history can offer different implements to those ends.
A potbelly stove would be considered Early Americana and thus primitive. It may not be true to a Native culture but it is to another culture in time.
With this mixing of periods in time, implements used, and our use in decoration, we can accommodate more than the narrow definition.
Those who participate in primitive living do the same mixing modern with old techniques. A home that is decorated from different periods and cultures with a modern mix is not out of place.
It is a part of our present cultural shift.
When To Not “Break The Rules” Of Primitive Decor
If one is seeking to stay true to period for historical reasons, such as within a historical home, there may be more consideration that is needed. What is done to the home structurally should remain to period.
Many historical societies will require this if your home is represented by them.
Other aspects within historical homes that are impacted are financial in nature. Not staying true to period can impact the home value.
In turn bringing the home more to period can increase its value. Yet this situation is not the case withing the broader home owner community.
Within historical settings such as Cades Cove we clearly understand the primitive decor there would be true to the lives of those who lived there. Yet if you seek to duplicate this for uniformity and beauty mixing times and culture would be undesirable.
In this case staying to the period of what your vision is will be needed.
Problems For Interior Decorators In Definition
Clarity is essential with decor terms. Some terms require more input from a client for the interior decorator to understand expectations than others. Primitive decor is one of these which needs clarification.
What is primitive to period within the mind of a client may in fact not be to the period they are thinking of. The turn of the early 1800’s saw many industrial changes and innovation which we now assume existed prior to that period.
If a decorator is within a historical setting knowing these differences can become important.
When dealing with the average home owner these differences will have far less focus. You will find the client either not caring or unknowingly mixing periods of Early Americana. For many it is all one and the same.
Early Americana of the 1800’s finds much more industrial innovation and Victorian influence. By comparison that which predates 1800 will have more Colonial representation and technology which predates the Victorian period.
What ones idea of primitive is can matter.
The Future Of Primitive Decor
We can see the future already being shaped without needing to guess at where it is heading. Yet to see a more localized view one could visit historical tourist districts and measure its impact.
Gatlinburg for example will have the feel of the old Smoky Mountains within its culture.
The local artists cater to this atmosphere and history. With this often primitive will be defined by region or specific location.
Just across the border from Gatlinburg we find Cherokee NC being a mere 30 minute drive away. Here is a very different feel of those same mountains through another cultural set of eyes.
This mirror of two worlds separated by a mere 30 minutes is a perfect representation of how complex the word primitive can be. Yet ultimately how it plays out within our present world and use will determine its direction.
As primitive living becomes more popular with people reaching back to natural methods and means we see the cultures will begin to blend. Along with this blending our modern world will become mixed into the fabric. Each will share a component to something new that is being created.
This trend is not a passing fad. The why behind this shift is what is interesting. Once understood then one can begin to see how it will remain for quite some time to come.
Our present culture has within it many minds which see us arriving at the necessity for primitive living for different reasons. One side wishes to throw off processed food, chemical dangers to our lives, and a plethora of other health reasons.
These people seek out a more primitive life for the health of their family.
Alternatively another picture of our culture sees political instability, natural disaster, or other causes for a return to primitive life. What drives these people is preparation for this potential future end.
Self preservation is often the motivating factor.
There is another facet of our society which wishes to revive older ways due to simplicity of life. The modern noise from constant media they say creates an unhealthy environment.
Children stay on ipads or phones rarely going outside to play. Adults lose contact with each other due to screen time despite being in the same room.
Here these people wish to return to a more natural way of life. There is no doom or gloom nor are they wishing to throw off fast food forever. Rather reconnecting to nature and what is around them is the goal.
These motivations are the primary driving force behind society and its shift towards a primitive mindset. In time we will continue to see this shift become more focused and prominent.
It is due to this that we will continue to see these period distinctions blend becoming more generic in decor application.
Additionally this application will also become more functional for practical purposes rather than aesthetics alone. The cheap mass produced home decor from these periods will be used more by the city dwellers than those returning to a more practical life.
There is no doubt that this aspect of art and decor is alive and well. It will continue to be so for quite some time into the future. I do hope with this shift will be a return to genuine craftsmanship and art steering away from the imported world.