Photos: The Rustic Shack
Refresh your spaces with trending products from The Rustic Shack.
Spring is nearly here, and while we anticipate budding blooms and warm weather days, it’s not too soon to refresh our homes for the season. Here to help is Melani Amundson of The Rustic Shack, a modern cottage home décor store located in The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes.
“In the spring … just adding a couple new pieces makes a house totally different,” Amundson says. “And it makes people happy, too.”
Amundson started her foray into home goods five years ago in a backyard she-shed, where she crafted sign decor. Upon growing out of that space, she opened a shop in Rogers in 2019, then moved to Maple Grove in March 2022. Now, with a tried-and-true offering of vendors and an array of steady customers, The Rustic Shack is making the modern cottage look accessible through home goods and interior design services.
We spoke with Amundson about some of her favorite products and how she styles them for a clean, natural and warm springtime look.
Wood Risers and Bowls
As painted wood takes a step back, raw and dark wood items are finding their way into every room of the home. One of Amundson’s favorite ways to incorporate this trend is through wood risers. “They’re just perfect if you need a little filler because you can put whatever you want on it,” Amundson says. “It’s kind of fun … because you can change it with the seasons and just keep that one item, but just change out what you put on it.”
Wood risers can be used in every room of the home, from the kitchen island to the bathroom. Amundson loves styling them with a cozy candle, fresh flowers and a little sign. Another variation is hand-carved bowls, which can be left empty to collect odd items or styled with prayer beads, fruits or small potted plants.
Cement
White-washed cement has been on trend for a few years now, but Amundson doesn’t see an end in sight. “I think cement is going to be around for awhile. It always has been,” Amundson says. “But you’re seeing a lot more cement in the pots and the candles.” Some of her top ways to use The Rustic Shack’s cement candles and plant pots are as décor on four-season porches and to add texture to white kitchens.
Woven Baskets
Have a corner that feels like it’s missing that something? Amundson loves the versatility of woven baskets, which, depending on their size and one’s taste, could hold blankets, plants and florals or hide clutter, such as cords and toys. “They’re good to put shoes in or throws. Just roll up throws and stick them in there with a pillow,” Amundson says. She also loves seeing them used on the shelf that many homes have above the front door, with seasonal florals or a neutral pillow added for visual interest.
Florals
Though it may not be time for fresh-cut blooms from the garden, it’s never too early to bring out dried and faux florals. Amundson is partial to adding some pops of color amidst the traditional greens. “In the spring, I like tulips … I have some tulips that look and feel real, and those sell right away, too,” Amundson says. It’s a simple way, Amundson shares, to refresh your wood risers, baskets and other home décor mainstays.
The Rustic Shack
12121 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.442.7859
Facebook: The Rustic Shack Boutique & Interior Design
