Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2018 i American Farmhouse Style

The first Christmas I was married, I was under the false impression that I needed to have a complete collection of Christmas décor for my home. My parents’ house was filled to the brim with holiday décor, and decorating for Christmas had been one of my favorite traditions growing up. But when I moved out, I was starting from scratch, and my single garland and few handmade ornaments felt puny next to the volume I was used to. I’m a few years into my marriage now, and our Christmas décor has grown—from handmade stockings and a collection of vintage ornaments to a Nativity set we picked up in Europe. And I’ve realized that my parents’ home was full of Christmas décor for a reason—they’d acquired it over the years, piece…

1. Go through the drive-through at a fast food or coffee shop and anonymously pay for the person in the car behind you. 2. Invite your next door neighbors into your home for hot cocoa. 3. Assemble a care package in a plastic zipper bag: bottle of water, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant and a gift card to the local grocery store. Place it in your car to give to the next homeless person you see. 4. Find a local charity and volunteer for 2-3 hours. 5. Deliver Christmas cookies to someone who lives alone. 6. Do the chores of another family member (in addition to your own). 7. Buy an extra bag of canned goods at the grocery store and deliver it to a local food bank. 8. Sing…

The packages you place under your Christmas tree can elevate the look of the whole scene from ordinary to extraordinary. By coordinating your wrapping, you’ll turn your presents into décor and can enjoy the look throughout the season. Here are 5 tips to get started. 1. SAVE AND WRAP BOXES. Oddly-shaped gifts are hard to wrap. One easy solution is to use gift bags, but gift bags often take away from the charm of your Christmas tree (and they’re not as fun to unwrap). Instead, start saving boxes—everything from shipping boxes to shoes boxes. Then you can place your oddly-shaped gifts into the boxes for a coordinated look. 2. MIX AND MATCH WRAPPING PAPER. Be strategic when you choose your wrapping paper. Pick a couple solid colors, then one or…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: THE BASICS: • Hot water• Hot chocolate mix (see page 8)• Mugs• Spoons THE TOPPINGS: • Candy canes or peppermint sticks• Cinnamon sticks• Whipped cream• Chocolate sprinkles• Mini marshmallows THE TREATS: • Chocolate cookies, such as Oreos• Caramel melts• Wafer cookies, such as Piroulines THE ACCENTS: • Trays• Cake stands• Glass jars• Wood scoops• Tags TIPS: • Use clear glass jars for your various accoutrements so guests can easily see what’s inside.• If you offer simple syrups or any other kind of liquid, place the bottles on a tray or paper towel in the back so drips don’t get on your table or fabric.• Add a few sprigs of greenery around the table for a full look.• Don’t forget to leave space at the front of the…

The holiday season is often full of hustle and bustle, last minute gifts, decorations and rushing from one holiday soirée to the next. Located in beautiful central Utah, the home of blogger Stacy Risenmay of Not Just a Housewife is a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple moments during the busy holiday season. COZY BACKDROP Stacy’s 1938 brick cottage is a picturesque home on a large plot of land. Inside, Stacy matches the traditional farm cottage style of her home with tasteful Christmas décor that maximizes the festive spirit in a small amount of space. “I like to keep things a little traditional,” Stacy says. She keeps in mind the modesty of her brick cottage, as well as her desire to revamp and reuse staple décor pieces…

1. START SIMPLE. Your Christmas décor doesn’t have to completely take over your house, or even come together in just one year. “Think and plan out your overall design to avoid buying random décor,” Jo says. Build up your Christmas collection over time to make it look cohesive. 2. ADD TEXTURE AND LAYERS. As with any neutral palette, it’s important to add texture and layers to keep the interiors looking interesting and give your neutrals an extra pop. Christmas is a great time to add cozy texture with soft blankets, fluffy pillows and warm drinks on the sideboard. 3. USE FRESH EVERGREENS. “I use a lot of evergreen during the holidays,” Jo says. “It adds such a wonderful fragrance to our home.” And you don’t have to stop at the…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • White or brown parcel paper• Stamps• Ink• Ruler• Pencil WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Roll out a sizeable piece of parcel paper onto a clean, flat surface. White is a great option for a colorful Christmas, while brown will complement a neutral palette.2. Choose a stamp that complements the theme of your Christmas décor and pick an ink color that will stand out against your paper.3. Taking the size of the stamp into account, use a ruler to mark parallel lines on the parcel paper for a uniform look. Make sure to stagger them at every new line.4. Following your marks, press the inked stamp on top each mark to create your pattern.5. Make sure the ink is fully dried before you attempt to wrap your gifts.…

• Pi necones. These are a classic country favorite. Strategically intersperse them throughout your home, such as on your coffee table, mantel or a bookcase. You can also decorate them with a metallic silver spray paint and dash of glitter for an extra pop of glamour. • Greenery. Sprigs are a great tool to use if you want to frame a decoration. In fact, a few pinecones on a bed of spruce sprigs is an easy centerpiece to create for your dining room table. • Winterberries. These will add a festive pop of color. Keep them on the branch and twine them through a wreath or put them in a vase for a twist on the usual choice of poinsettias. • Mi stletoe. Cliche though it may be, mistletoe adds…

• ADVENT CANDLE. Similar to an Advent calendar, an Advent candle helps mark down the days until the 25th, and is popular in the UK. You can buy an Advent candle, which is a taper candle with descending dates—each day, you burn the candle to the next date. • PAPER LANTERNS. In China, Christmas isn’t celebrated by everyone, but those who do celebrate often fill their homes with paper lanterns, chains and flowers. Creating a paper chain or lantern is an easy craft to do with your kids or grandkids. • TAMALES. In Mexico, and now in the US, making and eating tamales has become a tradition in itself. Join in the fun by helping make the tamales with a neighbor or friend who already participates in the tradition, or…

COTTON. Soft and durable, cotton comes in many forms used for upholstery, such as denim and corduroy. PROS • Variety of color and pattern options• Easy to care for CONS • Highly flammable• Fades when exposed to direct sunlight WOOL. This natural fiber comes from goats, sheep and alpaca, and it can be mixed with other synthetic or natural fibers to create a blend. PROS • Durable and sturdy• Soft to the touch• Wrinkle and fade resistant CONS • Attracts moths and other bugs• Requires dry cleaning VELVET. This soft, distinctive fabric is made from both natural and synthetic fibers. PROS • Heavy and durable• A esthetically pleasing and elegant CONS • Requires dry cleaning• Fades easily in sunlight LEATHER: A common upholstery material, you can get either faux “bonded”…

When revamping your home this Christmas, deck every hallway, nook and cranny to celebrate the season throughout your home. Stick with what you know about farmhouse style; you can never go wrong when you aim for warmth and simplicity. Consider balance and color above all else, and seek to achieve an inviting environment to entertain and play. Porch Statement Decorate your front porch to make a lasting impression on your guests, neighbors and passersby. Dress up year-round furniture with complementary accessories, such as seasonal pillows and throws and personal mementos, like ice skates or a tray filled with candles and mugs. Surround your front steps with vibrant poinsettias and adorn your trim with garlands to bring an al fresco touch to the entrance of your home. Finally, add a hint…

1. KITCHEN RANGE HOOD. Many range hoods have a small lip at the edge, which is perfect for a fresh garland. Hang a few command hooks and add wire around the garland to hold it in place. 2. STAIRCASE LANDING. If your staircase has a landing with enough room, add a tiny potted Christmas tree on a small table or atop a stack of vintage books. 3. LIVING ROOM ART. If you want your art to have a Christmas vibe, hang a small fresh wreath in the middle of the painting or mirror. 4. HALLWAY DOOR FRAME. Door frames are another great place for small garlands—bonus points if you hang a bit of mistletoe from the garland, too. 5. BEDROOM NIGHTSTAND. Fill a small vase with pine boughs and wake…

1. WREATH. Make a few extra ornaments and hang them from the wreath on your front door to give guests a first glimpse into your Christmas theme. 2. MANTEL VILLAGE. Add village charm to your mantel with a few gingerbread houses. Decorate them simply with white frosting to match your gingerbread men ornaments or have your kids help you make a candy castle. 3. PLACE CARDS. Set a gingerbread man at each place on your dining table and add the guest’s name with frosting. 4. HOT CHOCOLATE BAR ACCESSORIES. Make miniature gingerbread houses with a door cut out on each end of the house. Then when you make a cup of hot chocolate, prop up the house on the rim of your mug using the door openings. 5. WALL ART.…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Printer or graph paper• Pencil• Scissors• Brown craft felt• Wreath form• Permanent markers in white, silver, black, red• Thin ribbon in several colors• Hot glue gun• Thick ribbon WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Design a basic gingerbread man template or download an outline from the Internet. Cut your template to size.2. Use your template to cut out 15-20 gingerbread men from the craft felt. Make sure you have enough to cover your wreath form.3. Decorate your gingerbread men. Use permanent markers to draw their faces and emulate frosting. Add a small bow by tying a length of thin ribbon and hot gluing it as a bow tie.4. Position your gingerbread men along the wreath and glue them in place.5. Tie the larger ribbon into a bow, then…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Birch branch, at least 1” in diameter• Heavy duty pruning shears• Sand paper• Thin rope or jute twine• Nails and hammer or command hooks• Stockings WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. When you’re choosing a branch, look for one as straight as possible, and at least 18” long. Cut off any smaller branches with the pruning shears.2. Sand down any rough patches, as well as the cuts on the end, being careful not to sand away the bark.3. Cut a length of rope or jute twine, at least twice as long as you want the branch to hang. Tie each end of the rope around each end of the branch in a cow hitch knot.4. To tie a cow hitch knot: Wrap the end of the rope around…

With all the hustle and bustle that accompanies the Christmas season, decorating your home can seem like a daunting task. But Instagrammer Jamie Druke of @BluestoneHill proves that sometimes the simplest of details can make the biggest impact in your home. Her farmhouse style manages to blend the elegance of a carefully curated design with the cozy comfort of a dream holiday home. NATURALLY FESTIVE The key to Jamie’s earthy holiday decorations is simple: step outside. “My favorite Christmas décor is free,” Jamie says. “I search the woods for clippings, birch branches and tiny little evergreen trees.” Taking your home from autumn to winter doesn’t have to be a dramatic change. Jamie drapes garlands over her mantel, wraps them around her porch beams and uses them to frame her paintings.…

The holidays are about sharing love and spending time with family and friends, but they’re also the best excuse to throw a party and whip out your favorite Christmas décor. For farmhouse fanatics, that means plaid patterns and greenery galore. Chrissy McDonald, designer and lifestyle blogger at Harlowe James, shares some of her tips and tricks to host the season’s best cozy, yet casual Christmas dinner. DÉCOR Use your dinning table as a centerpiece for your décor and the theme for your gathering. “I approach any empty table with flowers first,” Chrissy says. From this focal point, she layers linens and, of course, the place settings. Seasonal plates can be fun, but often expensive and space consuming. Chrissy suggests buying neutral dinner plates and accenting the setting with themed salad…

HANDMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS For more on Leia and Kim, visit twentyeight12.com. Red woods burlap Christmas stockings, set of 5, $195. Felt ball garland, 2cm in red, white and gold, $19. GORGEOUS GIFT WRAP Knit tree skirt: Colorways Gallery. Visit Etsy.com/shop/ColorwaysGallery. Plaid wrapping paper: Zazzle. Visit zazzle.com. TENNESSEE CHRISTMAS For more on Amy and Katie, visit cityhilldesign.com. Candle holders: Hobby Lobby. (800) 888-0321 or hobbylobby.com. Ceiling: Wall Concept. Visit wallconceptusa.com. Chandelier: Terra Cotta Designs. (888) 580-9862 or terracottalighting.com. Deer head: Park Hill Collection. (888) 603-3334 or parkhillcollection.com. Table garland: Freshly Floral by Haley. Visit freshlyfloral.com. Wall art: Katie Toombs. Visit katietoombs.net. BARN HOUSE CHRISTMAS For more on Theresa, visit athomewithtmarie.com. Ornaments, plaid pillows, silver and glass trees, fur placemats, mini tin houses: Pottery Barn. (888) 779-5176 or potterybarn.com. Ornaments: Home…

Advent calendars are a fun way to anticipate Christmas. But instead of getting a treat each day, celebrate the spirit of Christmas by serving others with this fun DIY Advent wreath. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Wreath (we used the 24” King of Christmas wreath)• Thick plaid ribbon• Thinner burlap ribbon• Scissors• Wire and wire cutters• Hot glue gun and glue• 25 brown craft tags• Number stickers• Pen• Thin ribbon, in color of choice• Miniature clothes pins WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. With the plaid ribbon, tie a large bow, making sure to leave plenty of length for the tails. Tie a smaller bow with the burlap ribbon. Hot glue the two together.2. Loop a length of wire around the back of the bow, then tie it to the top of the…

Throwing any party is a lot of work, but it can be especially hectic during the Christmas season with so much else going on. Here are five tips for staying sane as you decorate, shop and clean. MATCH YOUR PARTY DETAILS TO YOUR CURRENT HOLIDAY HOME. Don’t create a whole new dining room experience for a single party. Whether this includes your tablescape, kitchen decorations or even sprucing up your guest bathroom, use your usual holiday decorations for your entertaining event. This will save you extra work and help the party décor flow seamlessly. SET YOUR DINING TABLE EARLY. Instead of setting up your tablescape the day before the party, think of it as another Christmas decoration, and set it up when you initially decorate for Christmas. This will save…

FOR Her FOR Him family friendly in THE Kitchen…

• ROOFING. Daniel suggests using steep roof lines to make a silhouette that will look charming when you add lights during the Christmas season. • WINDOWS. If you have unique window shapes, highlight them with simple string lights or add wreaths on the windows to draw the eye to the detailing. • STAIRCASE. Take advantage of the staircase shape and wrap the railing with fresh garlands or simple string lights to give the room a cozy Christmas feel. • CEILINGS. Do you like to put a tree in every room? Contrast your varied ceiling heights with different sized trees.…

WORK AREA. Whether it’s a built-in counter in your craft room or a fold-up table in your garage, set aside a work space for gift wrapping that you can leave up for a few weeks as you and your family wrap gifts for each other. GIFT WRAP BASKET. Fill a basket with your rolls of Christmas gift wrap. This has two benefits: it will contain your rolls, keeping them from literally rolling all over the place, and it will help create a cohesive-looking tree, because other members of your family will use these same rolls when they wrap their own gifts. CONTAINERS FOR TRIMMINGS. You can use Mason jars for ribbons, brown lunch bags for tape and scissors and larger jars for bows and tissue paper. Keeping these items in…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • 1 batch of fresh gingerbread dough (your choice of recipe)• Rolling pin• Cookie cutters• Scewer or ice pick• Frosting of choice• Thin twine WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Roll out the dough on a generously floured surface.2. Working with one piece of dough at a time, use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes, whether gingerbread men, reindeer, snowmen or angels.3. Before you bake the cookies, use the skewer to poke a hole at the top of each cookie for hanging. Make sure the hole isn’t too close to the edge of the cookie or it might break.4. Bake the cookies as the recipe directs, making sure to cook them the full length of time so they aren’t soft. If you want to keep some cookies to…

The iconic phrase ‘White Christmas’ gets a modern farmhouse redo in this Missouri home, where hair dresser-turned-interior designer Jo Shetley eschews the usual red-and-green holiday color scheme in favor of a neutral palette. Jo, who styles and posts about her home on her Instagram account @the_simple_farmhouse, is known for embracing a serene colorscape year-round. “You’ll find out pretty quickly that I love shades of black and white wood,” she says. “They make a clean starting point that can be enhanced with texture, and I carry this through right into my Christmas décor.” During the Yuletide season, Jo turns her interiors into winter-themed wonderlands that enchant her Instagram followers and, more importantly, her three children. Jo says, “It’s so wondrous to see everything through our kiddos’ eyes.” “You'll find out pretty…

If you have a small home, it can seem clausterphobic to add Christmas décor during the holidays. But homeowner and blogger Rachel Bousquet of Hygge Home brings Christmas cheer to her home with small touches and an organized theme. “You don’t need much to get a cozy Christmas feel,” she says. “Simple things go a long way.” MOUNTAIN RETREAT Rachel’s 1,100-square-foot home transforms into a winter retreat during the holidays. Despite sunny skies and warmer temperatures, she manages to make her home feel like it’s located on top of a snowy mountain. “This year, I went with a cozy cottage cabin vibe,” she says. “I used pops of red and lots of plaid to achieve this look.” Rather than swap her everyday décor for Christmas splendor, Rachel built upon the…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Large embroidery hoop• Artificial garland• Wire cutters• Floral wire• Hot glue gun and glue• Two large bells• Red velvet ribbon WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Measure the circumference of the hoop, then cut two lengths of garland, each 1⁄3 of the circumference.2. Place the garlands along the bottom of the hoop with the needles pointing upward. You don’t want to cover the whole hoop, so leave the top 1⁄3 uncovered. Place a thin line of hot glue along the bottom of the hoop and attach each garland so they meet at the bottom. Secure the garlands with a few pieces of floral wire for extra support. 3. Take a thin ribbon and loop it through the tops of the bells. Tie it in a bow to secure…