For metal hardware, look for pieces that are hammered, carved, fluted, ribbed, and other visual/tactile variations that add a sense of depth and another layer of texture in the room.

I realized she meant rustic as in homemade rustic. Fortunately, I knew how to do just that. I began with a piece of ½-inch square solid stock metal.

The deal was sealed, and Dickerson discovered the market for Mexican metal. Rustic Relics, housed in and around an old corrugated metal machine shop, opened in late 2000.

A quick rustic upgrade you can make to your kitchen is switching out the knobs. It might seem like a minor fix, but focusing on the details is key to completing any design aesthetic.