Bunny's out; rustic dιcor is in

Cheryl-Anne Millsap  /  Staff writer

"Country Living: Shortcuts to Decorating Country Style," by Caroline Atkins. Published 2004 by Hearst Books. List price $29.95 Country Living: Shortcuts to Decorating Country Style, by Caroline Atkins. Published 2004 by Hearst Books. List price $29.95.

Decorating "country" style no longer limits you to bunnies with floppy ears, rag rugs and checkerboard motifs. Instead, it has come to mean incorporating soft colors, sun-faded fabrics and rustic furnishings into modern interiors.

If you're a fan of such magazines as Country Living, you're already into the style and look of this book. If this kind of country is new to you, the book makes an excellent primer.

Divided into chapters focusing on various areas of the home, including hallways and bathrooms, the gorgeous illustrations feature a mix of contemporary colors and furnishings, with vintage items and shabby chic trash-to-treasure projects.

Each chapter lists tips on choosing colors and accessories as well as ideas for clever storage solutions.

The final section covers "Quick Country Essentials," or ways to keep true to your country roots no matter where you live.