perfect [rustic chic] style

When I hear the word rustic in relation to interior design I think cozy but I also tend to think dark and heavy as well. However, that is not necessarily always the case--rustic can also be bright and light when white is added to soften the natural elements or by using lighter toned wood.

And the chill in the air is definitley leaving me wishing I had just that type of cozy space to warm up in.

I just think there is something about cooking a pot of chili in a rustic (and chic!) kitchen that is much more appealing than in a contemporary or modern one.

And the being immersed in the warmth of rustic style's natural elements would make it so much easier to bear to dropping temperatures (and snow!)

(via lonny magazine, nuevo estilo, canadian house and home, living etc, and jeffery bilhuber )
How would you define rustic?