If you’re looking for a wall treatment for a rustic cabin or cottage retreat, you may want to consider a real rock wall. Pick a stacked stone or river rock design. Either element gives you a green way to blanket your wall in style. Using different placement and mortar adds to the design. Here are four terrific options for your next project.
• Stacked Stone
Of all the stone wall treatments available, most people gravitate to stacked stone. Although it’s one of the hardest to install and more expensive to buy, the look and feel of stacked stone has a texture that is hard to duplicate.
Skilled artisans put stacked stones together for decorative walls and fireplaces like putting together pieces of an intricate puzzle. Some craftsmen fit the materials together so tightly, they don’t even need mortar to hold the structure together.
You can also add odd stones that protrude from the wall to create small shelves or ledges to set votive candles or other decorative ornaments up for display. The result is a true work of art.
• Brown River Rock
River rock is another popular rock element that gets its name from where materials can be found – along riverbeds and streams. Water washes over the surface of the stones to give them a smooth, polished appearance. For a deep, rich rock wall, combine brown river rock with dark mortar. Indirect lighting can cast a soft glow on this rock surface and bring warmth to any room.
• Grey Stone
For a more urban, yet earthy appeal, create a rock wall with a combination of light grey, dark grey and black stones. Set these natural beauties in white or light mortar and let the wall blend in with black and white or contemporary spaces.
• Light Pebbles
A slightly different application of rock or pebble changes the look entirely when you install lighter-colored stones on their side instead of laying flat. Use white or cream-colored mortar to present a soft, airy feeling in the project. You can also mix small amounts of other soft colors to pull a specific color palette into the wall.
Create your own version of a rustic wall with rocks that suite your taste and budget. Whether you purchase or collect your own rocks, you’ll be working with an environmentally friendly building element that lets the beauty of nature adorn your space.
Check out pictures of these ideas in the Rock Walls ideabook on Houzz and you might get the inspiration you need for your next home project.
Enjoy more home decor ideas from Terry Mulligan:
10 Tips to Take Your Next Decorating Project Over the Top
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