Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2021 i American Farmhouse Style

THIS FALL, I HAVE ENTERTAINING ON MY MIND—and not just for the magazine. My daughter’s first birthday is in November, and I’m already in planning mode. From designing a theme (a vintage honey bee motif) to food and drinks (including a signature honey cocktail for the adults), a tablescape (hello, sunflower centerpieces), invitations, favors and games (including a bubble machine) there’s a lot to think about, plan for, make and order. But that’s the fun of hosting and entertaining—the planning and prep that goes into making an event special. We have some fun entertaining ideas for you this issue, whether you’re hosting for the fall holidays (page 108), or simply getting together with friends for the first time in a while (page 112). Upgrade your kitchen with entertaining accessories both…

They say one person’s trash is another’s treasure, and in this case, blogger Jennifer Howard of Cottage on Bunker Hill turned her own trash into a treasure. Here’s how you can turn a juice bottle into your own cute fall décor vase. Tip PAMPAS GRASS MAKES A GREAT FALL FLORAL, AS DOES A DRIED BOUQUET. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Empty juice container (Jennifer recommends the “Simply” brand) • Hair dryer • Craft knife • Sandpaper, 220 or 400 grit (optional) • White chalk paint (Jennifer used Waverley paint in “Plaster” white) • Paintbrush • Dark-colored wax (Jennifer used Annie Sloan Soft Wax) • Chip brush • Oak-leaf wood ornament • Twine • Fall florals of your choice WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Clean out the juice container to remove all traces…

Of all the old treasures you can hunt down, the vintage thermos best represents American nostalgia. These cool containers carted around hot cocoa and warmed hands at football games, accompanied people on picnics and at camp sites and kept people cozy during the colder months. Now, vintage thermoses add color and character to shelves as décor pieces from the past. WHAT’S IN A NAME? Many use the word “thermos” as a general term for a container that keeps liquids hot or cold, but it actually began as a brand. Thermos® was founded in 1904, and though someone else invented the idea of vacuum insulation, Thermos® was the first company to create consumer products using the concept. Eventually, other companies followed suit, and the name became a generic term. BUDGET-FRIENDLY Thankfully,…

Tip ADD FARM-INSPIRED CLOTHES, SUCH AS A LEATHER JACKET AND COWBOY HAT, TO THE HOOKS IN YOUR ENTRYWAY TO FURTHER THE FARMHOUSE STYLING. The home you create should be like enjoying your favorite comfort food: a place that makes you feel relaxed and nourished in mind, body and soul. Homeowners Lisa and Colin Black live in such a home, one that brings Lisa the comforts she remembers from growing up surrounded by handcrafted items and traditional values. “This house reminded me of my Midwestern roots. I’m from farm people, hardworking generations who taught me values like personal integrity, treating the land with respect, living within your means and keeping your eyes peeled for the unexpected,” Lisa says. “The photos and some of the artifacts in the house are from my…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Measuring tape • Utility panels • Saw • ¼-inch metal rod • Nail gun and nails or paneling gun • Paint of choice • Paintbrush or paint rollers WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Measure the wall where you want to have paneling. Instead of real shiplap, you’ll get utility panels. Get as many as you need to cover the wall; then rip the utility panels into 5-inch wide pieces. 2. Invest in a ¼-inch metal rod, which you’ll use as a spacer to measure your wall and the space between the boards. 3. Once you have your strips, put your first piece of shiplap in place to make sure it’s the right size. You’ll start from the bottom, just above the baseboard. 4. Use a nail gun…

Colored cabinets aren’t just a temporary fad. Kimberlee believes the increased popularity of colored cabinets is here to stay, though the color choice may change based on current trends. WARM TONES. Kimberlee is seeing movement toward warmer versions of neutral shades. For example, bold color selections that can also be neutral include navy or green. Gray and off-white are always popular options, too. GO BOLD. Another trend Kimberlee has noticed is increased interest in red cabinets. “What we’ve seen is people wanting to take bolder risks with their cabinet colors,” she says. Choosing a bold color for cabinets can help a space stand out and feel personalized, while adding character and interest to a room like a kitchen. “It’s labor intensive, but it’s easy enough to change the color,” Kimberlee…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Fireplace (real or faux) • Measuring tape • Pencil • ½-inch plywood, whole sheet • Dark-colored paint of choice (Wendy used gray) • Paintbrush • Cut logs or wood slices • Wood glue • Moss • Hot glue gun and glue WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Measure the opening of your fireplace. Take into account if there’s any kind of door (the insert will cover it) or anything that will modify the size of your insert. 2. Mark the measurements on your plywood and cut it to fit snugly into the fireplace opening. 3. Paint the insert with a dark color, which will add a sense of depth. 4. Gather your log slices together. You can use slices you cut from a branch yourself or buy packs…

1. BRICK is a great choice when selecting a material for the interior or exterior of your home. It’s durable if installed correctly, comes in a variety of colors and creates dimension on walls that is often lacking with the typical plaster wall. 2. SHIPLAP is dynamic; it can be used for entire walls or just a portion, and a huge perk is it can be a budget-friendly DIY project. Depending on where you utilize it, shiplap can play up a room’s shape and draw the eye to focal points you want to highlight. 3. CLAY is simple, natural and a good way to incorporate texture without any major renovations. Earthenware vases are the ideal departure from glossy glassware if you want something a bit more organic and unfinished looking.…

MATERIAL. Where your kitchen is located will determine what material you choose. “Solid hardwood flooring is a great choice for on grade and above grade, while engineered flooring can be installed on all levels of the home, including the basement,” says Amber. “All hardwood floors are suitable for a kitchen, and when properly cared for, will last the lifetime of the homeowner.” COLOR. Smaller rooms will benefit from lighter colors, but take cues from your style, and always take a sample home. “We encourage homeowners to request samples of the products they’re interested in and view those against the cabinets and décor in their kitchen,” says Amber. STYLE. Mullican Flooring has a wide selection of modern, eclectic, rustic and traditional hardwood floors. “Look at the species and texture to ensure…

2 NEUTRALS + 1 POP OF COLOR. Blogger Lory Parson of To Have and To Host has go to neutrals. “Black and white is probably my favorite color scheme,” she says. From there, add a pop of color with a plate, napkin or even napkin ring, using solid or floral colors to enhance the contrast. 1 FLORAL BOUQUET ÷ 2-3 BUD VASES. “You don’t need to spend a lot of time and money to create a massive centerpiece,” Lory says. “Sometimes all you need is one single flower down the middle of the table.” Roses and Gerbera daisies offer a variety of hues to match any color palette you decide to use. 2 VOTIVE CANDLES X THE NUMBER OF GUESTS. “You can do just about anything with votives,” says Lory.…

• SEATING. How do you use your home? Laughing with friends or reading a book? Liess’ signature “four-chair room” encourages deep conversation and board games. If you want to focus your family on movie nights, have comfortable cushions surrounding the TV. • QUIRKY PIECES. It’s the little signs of imperfection that show personality in your home. Be yourself and have fun. Mix with style and era. Liess’ and her husband’s fathers’ pictures stand on their bar cart, so they can grab a drink with them. Mementos from traveling are a great way to add feeling to your space too. • WALL TREATMENT. What you add to your walls, from paneling to wall art, will help you set the mood in a room. You can draw attention or make a room…

Want the look of a classic New York apartment? Just flaunt your creativity. “Anyone who is creative, musical, cultured, resilient and inventive ends up here,” writes Stephen Sills, a New York homeowner. Here are three ways to bring out your New York side. 1. GO OPULENT. Some New York apartments are known for their extravagant and opulent features such as wall moldings, velvet furnishings and lavish fireplaces. Especially if you like vintage elements, showcasing older and more elegant architecture will work well for your farmhouse. 2. GET CREATIVE WITH COLOR. If you want to paint a wall purple, do it. Color is an expression of your personality, and many New York apartments are bold in their color choices. The neutral-on-neutral palettes that are popular right now aren’t for everyone. 3.…

VETTEL FARM VINTAGE, PAGE 26 For more on 1888 Mills, visit 1888mills.com. ENTERTAINING ESSENTIALS, PAGE 28 For more on Robyn, visit robynsfrenchnest.com. For more on Melissa, follow her on Instagram @mylittlenorthernhome. For more on Sarabeth, visit thefebruaryfox.com. For more on Cindy, follow her on Instagram @farmhouse_on_chestnut. For more on Amara, follow her on Instagram @homeonspringwood. For more on Lucy, follow her on Instagram @lucyrooth. For more on Becca, visit beccaandco.com. FARMLAND-SCAPING, PAGE 32 To see more of Margie’s garden, visit her on Instagram @gracedesignsb. 1 x 4-foot CalArc pavers in Granada white, light sandblast finish: Stepstone. Visit stepstoneinc.com. Chopped Cherokee Creek stone steps: Stoneyard Building Materials. Visit stoneyardbuilding.com. Couches around fire pit, throw pillows: World Market. Visit worldmarket.com. Fire pit: Salvaged steel tank head. Fire pit glass: Woodland Direct. Visit…

Sometimes your circumstances help dictate your career. That was the case for artist Macaela Trapp, the watercolor painter behind MacaelaMade. “My husband was in the military, and I wanted a job that I could travel with and take with me wherever we needed to move,” she says. The result is a successful online shop where she sells prints, cards, stickers and even hand-painted earrings. Painting has always been a passion for Macaela. “I’ve been painting since I was a little kid,” she says. “Watercolor is the one that stuck.” But being a small business owner is more than just the art. “Staying on top of social media is the hardest part about growing the business,” she says. “Being consistent is key if you want to grow, and there are just…

Kitchens are the heart of the home, and adding nostalgia with vintage pieces creates a place where those memories can flourish. Here are my top 10 ways to incorporate history into your kitchen. 1. Vintage Tins. Tins were not only used for food storage but are also a unique canvas for art and advertising. Use them for storage or display. 2. Vintage Canisters. Canister sets were made in every color under the sun, but the rarest ones are chrome and copper. They’re the perfect storage. 3. Showcase a Collection. What better way to marvel at a collection than with open shelving or a hutch? Show it off, especially if your collection is kitchen-oriented. 4. Fun Textiles. Use textiles to add color to your kitchen. Dishcloths, tablecloths and aprons with fun…

1. STUDY THE SITE. List the existing assets (mature trees, sun exposure, fruit trees, etc.) and liabilities (trafic noise, visual blight to be screened, etc.). Walk around and find the sweet spots—the places you’re drawn to, like the cool shade under a tree or a spot with a good view. Then use this info to guide your design. 2. BREAK IT DOWN. Break the large space into smaller spaces, and assign those smaller spaces functions you want to have outdoors. This is similar to designing indoors with a large open floor plan. 3. FLOOR PLAN FIRST. Just as you have different rooms in the house, you’ll have different rooms outside. For example, you might decide to have an outdoor dining room, living room, play area and cooking area. Lay out…

1. BRUSH UP. Old wallpaper brushes add history and can be used in multiples. “I love that you can hang them across a wall, or they can be used as filling pieces in a gallery wall,” Jessica says. 2. COAT CHECK. Vintage accordion coatracks are visually dynamic and, as Jessica says, “are practical and are so easy to decorate. I enjoy hanging blankets and baskets filled with florals on the hooks for the season.” 3. MIRROR, MIRROR. Mirrors are romantic and eye-catching, especially when they are an interesting shape. “They also make a space look more open,” Jessica adds.…

• RUST. This tone is currently trending in modern farmhouse design. “If you’re feeling color-timid, pick a bold color like rust and layer it with neutrals,” Kimberlee says. Adding a neutral throw pillow with a bit of texture will give additional interest to the overall look. • BLUE AND GREEN. Kimberlee suggests incorporating darker and moodier colors to adapt to the cooler season. Navy blue and forest green are prime options. These colors easily layer with other fall colors like rust and mustard yellow, and can even work as neutrals to pair with other colors during summer and spring. • CHARCOAL. Deeper colors are also growing in popularity as more permanent options. While white quartz has long been a common countertop choice, Kimberlee is seeing darker options such as soapstone…

Vintage pieces not only add a sense of charm and character to your home, but they also bring their own story with them. For Wendy, the connection to history is an important part of why she includes so many vintage pieces in her home. An avid collector, she has several vintage collections, but one that stands out is a series of military photographs that adorn her living room. These are all prints of vintage photographs, which Wendy downloaded and had framed. The pictures showcase several classes of military men from different branches. “I wanted to layer them in various sizes to add some character to the wall,” she says. While her family doesn’t know any of the men in the photos, the link of military service and connection to the…

1. THE FLOW. To anticipate what Sascha refers to as “the phases of the party,” try looking at each room your guests will be occupying and imagine when and how the rooms will be used. For example, you can expect that in the beginning guests will congregate near the entryway, but towards the end of the night, the sitting areas should be prepped for winding down with cards and conversation. 2. DURABLE MATERIALS. Even with small, relaxed gatherings, accidents are bound to happen. If you’re worried about wine spills on your antique armchairs or cream-colored couches, consider putting smaller items away for the evening and covering any larger pieces of furniture with a throw. 3. CONVERSATION PIECES. When hosting a party full of people who may not yet be acquainted…

When you’re entertaining guests, you often have two goals: to show off your hosting prowess and to have fun. That first goal includes everything from the table setting to the food and ambience. But depending on the timing and location of the party, as well as how busy your life is at the moment, the first goal can be eclipsed by the second. But as décor enthusiasts, we want both, don’t we? Here a few tips to help you get there. 1. MEAL PLANNING. Whether you love or hate meal planning, it’s a good practice to use when hosting a party or friends for dinner. Set yourself a reminder five days in advance so you have time to figure out what you’ll serve and buy the ingredients before that day.…

Shanna Walker is a wife, mother, auntie and the voice behind Simply Mine Designs. She lives in Utah with her family and has connected with the online farmhouse community through her journey to transform her forever home—a fixer upper—into her dream home. Here’s a bit about her and her home. American Farmhouse Style: How did you get involved with the online farmhouse community? Shanna: When I stumbled upon the home décor community on Instagram, I knew I’d found my tribe. Taking a chance and posting that first photo of my home was scary for me. But it has become so much more than just home décor. I have gained self-confidence, true friends and opportunities I never dreamed possible. AFS: How did you pick the name Simply Mine Designs? Shanna: I believe in…

A farm table’s purpose has always been to be a place for family and friends to bond. In 2013, Chip and Joanna Gaines began their journey of bringing life to old homes through Fixer Upper, and the popularity of their show brought the farmhouse table back into focus as a staple for making family and friends a priority. Little has changed in the evolution of the table’s purpose of bringing people together—however, the style of its legs has. Various types of legs have emerged as options for the farm table, from turned-style and rolled legs to X-style and industrial metal legs. Whatever style of farm table you go with, make sure it’s one that will stand the test of time. LEGS TO Stand On Look for these 4 types of…

Entertaining for guests, whether it’s a casual family dinner, birthday celebration or holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, has the potential to be fun or full of stress. You want the table to be beautiful, the food to taste great and your guests to think you’re a capable and gracious host. Here’s advice from a few online experts who love to entertain. Aim for EXPERIENCE ROBYN HUFF, ROBYN’S FRENCH NEST “To me, the key to setting a pretty table is to first start with the intention of creating a beautiful experience for my family and guests. I like to consider what story I want to tell or what environment I want to create, then follow with tablescape choices that best define that feeling. For this table, my goal was to create…

1. FIRE. A fire pit extends your outdoor season and lets you stay out at night, despite the darkness and chill. Margie says there are many backyard-fire pit options, such as tabletop, prefab, portable or built-in fireplaces. 2. BETTER WITH BLANKETS. Add throw blankets to your outdoor seating areas that coordinate with your outdoor throw pillows. Store them in a basket that you can easily move into the shed or garage to protect from weathering. Margie likes to use inexpensive down lap blankets because they’re extra cozy. 3. LET THERE BE LIGHT. Mix in candles, lanterns and market lighting to warm up the outdoor atmosphere in addition to bringing in light. 4. LIBATION STATION. Serve hot toddies on cool evenings to warm your guests inside and out. You can do…

1. HELLO PUMPKIN. Use autumnal squashes to make centerpieces or to decorate your porch stairs. They come in different sizes and colors, so opt for a variety. 2. CALL FOR COZY. Create a quaint environment with candles and fresh fall flowers. Put candlesticks in gold tapers and nestle flowers in baskets or galvanized tins. 3. TEXTURIZE. Chunky throw blankets in plaid prints and earth tones say fall, and will help your guests ward off October chills in comfort and style. 4. FALL FOODS. Anything pumpkin or pumpkin spice-flavored is a must. Also, piping hot cider garnished with cinnamon sticks, and hot foods like stews will warm guests from the inside out. 5. LAYERING LINENS. Think in layers when it comes to your tablecloths and linens. Layered linens add a sense…

With muted, warm tones and soft, inviting textures, fall off ers a sense of coziness, comfort and familiarity. For us farmhouse enthusiasts, it’s the perfect time to showcase down-to-earth simplicity and charm. Blogger Wendy Zock of The Curated Farmhouse loves classic, vintage farmhouse style because of its homey feel. After a cancer diagnosis left her unable to work, she started her own small business crafting painted wood signs. That was when she discovered a love for home décor and DIYs. "I love white walls, wood tones, with pops of color for the seasons.” Finally, this military wife and mom of three shut down her business and now focuses solely on creating and sharing her home décor. “Finding the perfect items for each space made my home feel cozy, and that…