Innholdsfortegnelse for August/September 2022 i American Farmhouse Style

In the fall of 2020, I was 8 months pregnant with our daughter and a wildfire kindled about 5 miles from our house. California is known for being a tinder box, and we could literally see the orange glow of flames coming up over the nearby hills. So naturally, we started packing. What do you take when you might have to evacuate? Pets, important paperwork, computers and hard drives that have loads of family pictures, and any physical sentimental items. I even had my husband get a box of Christmas ornaments down from storage (he thought I was crazy). But it’s the practical items you can easily replace—that special box of collected family Christmas ornaments? Not so much. The other décor item we lugged into our front hall was the…

Furniture flipper, painter and the creative force behind Farm to Market, Anna Calcote grew up in the Midwest on a farm. It was there that she first gathered an appreciation for furniture with a heritage. Many of Anna’s favorite pieces were well-loved, having been passed down through families. “I started refurbishing pieces for my own home, neighbors and friends. Before I knew it, I was busy,” she says. Today, the great majority of her pieces are made in the USA. It’s the history of each item that attracts her interest. “I love it when I can look up the original manufacturer from an old label and learn a piece of American history,” she says. Plus, American made means higher quality that can last a lifetime. “When hunting for pieces to…

Tip Do you really need a coffee table? No. If you have side tables or other places to set drinks from the sofa, you don’t really need a coffee table if you want the space to remain open. How did the coffee table get its name? The first coffee shops, or “coffee houses” as they were called, popped up in England in the 17th century. But they were mostly the domain of men. Women stayed at home and invited one another over for tea, which they had over low “tea tables.” When coffee became more popular than tea in America in the 19th century, furniture makers started calling tea tables “coffee tables” instead, which led to the popular name for this piece of furniture. Where to Place YOUR COFFEE TABLE…

Mixing old and new isn’t a new idea—just a good one. Whether it’s combining vintage and current pieces or putting her own spin on a tried-and-true idea, mixing old and new has become the specialty of Instagrammer Ashley Knie of Designs by Ashley Knie. The passion to unite old and new started when she was shopping for home furnishings at an antiques store 15 years ago. A wall cupboard and hutch caught her eye, and the wheels began to turn with possibilities. “It just completely opened my eyes to vintage furniture and vintage things,” she says. “Not everyone has it, it has a lot more interest and it’s made better.” Tip Hide cords, remotes and other electronic accessories somewhere in the room where they’ll be accessible but not visible. Tip…

• FIND BALANCE. Ashley emphasizes finding the right balance of items, choosing either to use two or three pieces from a collection or using those pieces exclusively. “Either you need to have a minimal amount of something, or you need to have a ton,” she says.• FILL A TRAY. Rather than bunching items directly on the coffee table or countertop, collect large groups on a tray, blending old and new accessories together. “You can have more things on that tray without it looking cluttered,” Ashley says.• ANALYZE A SNAPSHOT. Ashley often takes a photo of a grouping instead of trusting her eyes after staring at the vignette for so long. “It’s weird how that works,” she says. “You would be surprised.”• MIX TEXTURES. Integrating plants, shiny metals and woven baskets…

• DIAGNOSTIC. All the existing walls had to be demoed, which, once complete, revealed the termites’ handicraft. “It was worse than expected,” Sara says. They had eaten away most of the studs, especially on the bottom, resulting in perilous conditions.• SECOND OPINION. It’s always a good idea to call in the experts. Sara had her pest control expert come over to assess the situation. He confirmed what she suspected—that the termites have been busy and created a lot of devastation.• PERFECT PLAN. Working with her team, Sara came up with a cost effective yet solid plan to replace the studs. “We decided, in essence, to ‘cut off’ the damaged portion and replace the damaged pieces, bracing them for additional support,” she says.• PROPERTY TREATMENT. Another important step was treating the…

1. USE A SHARED DOCUMENT. There are a lot of details that go into party planning. Create an online document or spreadsheet so you have a central area where you can find and divvy up tasks. Create a checklist of everything that needs to get done, and write the name of the person in charge of that task so you can all keep track.2. DIVIDE AND CONQUER. Planning a party with other people is helpful because not all jobs fall on you. Divvy up the tasks based on who’s good at what, from decorating tables and arranging flowers to bringing appetizers and hosting.3. RSVP TO ONE PERSON. This may seem like a given, but have only one person collect the RSVPs. Create an evite or physical invitations for guests to…

BOOKS TO EXPLORE AMERICA Whether you’re traveling this summer or staying home, explore the US through a book from each major region. WEST COAST: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. This is the true story of the University of Washington rowing team, who competed for (and won) gold at the Nazi-occupied Berlin Olympics in 1936. Published by Penguin Books, ©2014; penguinrandomhouse.com. WEST: Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand. Another true history, this book recounts one of the most famous American racehorses who ever lived, and the team who helped make him successful. Published by Ballantine Books, ©2002; penguinrandomhouse.com. MIDWEST: Jayber Crow: A Novel by Wendell Berry. This novel takes place in a small town…

I love a DIY project that requires no tools but creates a huge impact. I’ve been renovating my kitchen and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the ceiling. My home was built in 1980, and part of the original charm is a grid-style ceiling in the kitchen. Although many people have told me to paint it, I thought I’d try something different. Have you heard of Decorative Ceiling Tiles? They offer tiles to help take your ceiling from plain to beautiful easily and quickly. WHAT YOU’LL NEED Decorative Ceiling Tiles has something for everyone, including glue up, nail in and drop tiles. My kitchen requires drop tiles, and I didn’t need any tools other that scissors and a box cutter. The hardest part was deciding on a tile design.…

Most people have a favorite flavor of ice cream, but how about a favorite vintage ice cream bucket? “I’ve always had a passion for all things vintage, and began collecting my first ice cream bucket in college,” says blogger Rhonda Kaiser of Southern Home and Farm. Ice cream has been a part of American culture since colonial days—history records that founding fathers such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin enjoyed ice cream. THE FINDS As such, ice cream buckets are a great vintage collectible to hunt. “I found most of them at my favorite antiques show I attend twice a year, the Round Top Antiques Fair,” Rhonda says. “I always ask vendors for details on the history of each antique I purchase. My collection comes from all over the country,…

1. HOMEPLISTIC, for home décor and vintage items. Visit homeplistic.com.2. ART TO FRAMES, for art frames and prints. (718) 788-6200 or arttoframe.com.3. RUGGABLE, for rugs. (877) 331-4662 or ruggable.com.4. SMALL WOODS, for wall art and frames. (903) 321-2435 or smallwoodhome.com.5. THE TERRACOTTA COLLECTIVE, for small décor accessories, jewelry and gifts. Visit theterracottacollective.com.6. HARDEMAN HOME, for candles, soap and small accessories. Visit hardemanhome.com.7. THE LONGEST THREAD, for Turkish towels. Visit thelongestthread.com.8. CAROUSEL BRANDS, for little girl clothing. Visit carouselbrands.com.…

• STROLL. Take the time to physically walk through nearby galleries, woodshops and other specialty stores. Many cities have artisan fairs and farmers markets where candlemakers, artists and other makers sell their wares. Stopping by brick and mortars allows you to explore your town and forge relationships with resident artisans—who are likely your neighbors too.• SUPPORT. Does your area have a local college or university? College art shows are one of the best ways to support up-and-coming artists and grab authentic, superb pieces at a great price point. Attending college shows is also often free, and can be a fun date night or family outing.• SCROLL. Lauren loves social media sites like Instagram for connecting with artists, craftsmen, upholsterers and other small businesses in the home décor industry. These makers…

1. CHOOSE NEUTRAL TONES. Illze decorated with varying shades of brown, black, tan and white, giving the barn a clean, elegant feel. She didn’t shy away from rustic elements such as the rafters and parts of the exposed brick walls, which adds to the rustic farmhouse feel. South African tones tend toward more black and white, even with elements like the barn rafters.2. LEAVE ROOM. South African and Australian homes tend to have lots of space, and Illze matched that feel in the barn by not filling up every nook and cranny with furniture or décor. Let some of the walls remain blank, and it’s fine to have white sheets on the bed when the walls are also white.3. SIMPLE STYLE. While creating great design with texture, Illze also added…

• SERVEWARE AS DECOR. Tina recommends getting neutral-colored dishes and serveware you can use as décor. “Find old pitchers and soup tureens to use as vases, small plates and bowls to add in a bathroom as a soap dish, bowls for rolled wash clothes, plates on the wall in the dining room, stacks of plates and bowls on a side table or in a shelf or open cupboard…the ideas are endless,” she says.• FUNCTIONAL FINDS. Need some extra storage? Old wire baskets are Tina’s go-to. “I’ve used them everywhere: for towels in a bathroom, magazines in our living room, cozy throws and extra pillows in our family room, toiletries in a bathroom and guest bedroom, books in a child’s room and dishes in the kitchen,” she says.• PICK BY PALETTE.…

When the homeowners called Uma part way through the project and told her they wanted a custom golf-simulator in the upper floor rec room, she got right to work. “The examples for the most part looked like temporary set ups or situated in basements that felt like home theaters,” she says. Instead, the goal here was to craft something custom that maintained the farmhouse style as much as possible. There were quite a few technical elements that went into designing this custom feature. These included 12-foot planks for the surround, and linen interiors. “For the inside of the golf cage, we had our upholsterer fabricate rustic linen panels,” Uma says. This helps with both the acoustics and aesthetics in the space. While maintaining the look was important, so was the…

• CREATE A COVER. Ashley built a custom-sized cover out of shiplap to hang over her television. It was a decorative statement, but not a perfect solution. She found it to be bulky and challenging to remove for nightly viewing. For something lighter, try bi-fold doors to mount over the television. Alternatively, mount a pull-down screen or a cover with hinges that swings up toward the ceiling.• USE FURNITURE. This has long been a popular option to tuck away televisions. There are armoires and cabinets specifically designed for hiding these items, or you can alter an old piece to accommodate electronics. Having an item custom built will ensure it fits with the size and scale of the room.• HIDE THE ACCESSORIES. Multifunctional baskets can hide a multitude of devices and…

• VISION FOR THE FUTURE. Sara inventoried each set of existing tiles, determining which she could leave in place and which ones needed to be replaced. “A lot of the tiles have broken pieces from the demo or other damage from the years of neglect,” she says.• NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. Sara will replace the tiles that are beyond repair. This means she’s on the hunt for the perfect vintage replacement pieces that will seamlessly fit into the surviving tiles. Local shop Shreveport Salvage has been her saving grace. She’s dug through their stashes and found many matching pieces. So far, the solid pieces have been the easiest to replace.• VARIEGATED VARIANCE. Variegated tiles have beautiful, ethereal surfaces with subtle shading differences, and the Villas have a variety. “These…

• GOLD ACCENTS. Incorporate gold accents with intricate detailing, which can work with a variety of farmhouse styles. Picture frames, mirrors and art with decorative embellishments are great focal points for rooms. Tie in the gold accents with hardware, bookends, candlesticks and light fixtures.• ANTIQUE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. Remember that not every item in your house has to match, especially if you’re shopping vintage. Hang a wall gallery of china plates or display them in an open hutch. Find matching decorative vases, kitchen canisters and antique glassware. Put your dishes and utensils on display to show a love of family tradition.• RUGS AND CURTAINS. The Gilded Age look features floor length curtains with matching valences, wallpaper and linens. While farmhouse style often doesn’t take this approach, you can go for a…

The story behind Lori Wall Beds began in 2008 when a woman from Chicago, named Lori, designed a Murphy-style bed by hand. She was hoping the folding bed would afford her some much needed space in her home. Artistically inclined, she managed to make the bed both save space and look beautiful, and started selling them. Brenden Marquardt, a woodworker, discovered Lori’s handmade beds 6 years later. Brenden supported her by helping her produce the beds in a more streamlined process, and eventually took over the business with his brother, Kyle. This freed up Lori to pursue her dream of a homesteader lifestyle, and to honor Lori’s legacy, the business became one of two sister companies under the name Homestead Brands. Brendon and Kyle refined the Lori Wall Bed design.…

Amber Skiles of The House of Elements is on a mission. “Over 320 million books are thrown away each year. Not recycled, simply thrown away,” she says. “While The House of Elements wasn’t initially created to reduce this number, as we have grown and learned, it has become an unintended mission.” The House of Elements sells fabric covered books, as well as sets of color-coordinated books to use as décor. Amber started the business as a creative outlet. “Selling vintage home décor satisfied my penchant for thrifting and my need to do something outside of office work,” she says. The curated decorative books became her bestseller, and Amber fell in love with the books’ unique histories. “I’ve always been nostalgic with a love of history, so finding beautiful old books…

Did you know? Candlesticks used to be a premier wedding gift. When a young couple got married, relatives would scrimp to get them a nice set of silver cutlery or brass candlesticks. Now, those same items are an up-and-coming flea market trend. “I’ve been collecting the brass candle holders for about five years now,” says Celine Perreault, Instagrammer @celineshouseonramsey. “I’ve found all of them at local thrift stores, ranging from prices $1.99 to $3.99 a set.” They’re a great collectible to hunt at both the flea market and your local thrift store. “When I’m thrifting, I always go through all the aisles,” Celine says. “Sometimes I find them in with other candle holders, but I’ve also found them in with all the knick knack items.” When she gets them home,…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • 20 8-foot 2”x 4” boards• Skill saw• Pocket hole kreg jig• 3” pocket hole screws• Drill• Jigsaw• 2 12-foot 1”x2” boards• Box of 3” wood screws• Wood stain of your choice• 8 decorative L brackets for shelf (optional)• 4 iron casters (optional)• 8 hooks (optional) WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. First, assemble the five shelves. Decide the length you want and cut the 2” x 4” boards accordingly.2. Each shelf is made from four 2”x4” boards laid side by side. Join them together by making pocket holes with the pocket hole kreg jig, then screwing the boards together with the drill. Repeat this step to make all the shelves.3. After your shelves are built, use a jigsaw to notch out a 1” x 2” rectangle in each…

1. GET LOCAL ART. Incorporate local artwork whenever you can. Not only do you support your peers and neighbors in their businesses, but you also bring home a story to share with your guests. Local art galleries are a great place to start in finding artists you love.2. PRIORITIZE PUBLIC AREAS. When deciding where to add local artisan pieces, focus on the areas you open to friends, like the powder bathroom and dining room. This way, you can share those quality pieces when you have guests over.3. RELY ON NEUTRALS. For the base of your home, choose neutrals in elements like the flooring, walls and trim. Then bring in local artisans to add pops of color and texture, from rugs to artwork and furniture. Of course, if you have a…

1. CACTUS. Add some texture to your space with a few cacti. Since they don’t need much water, these plants are fairly low maintenance. Just be careful not to prick yourself—or perhaps use these plants in your garden instead of inside.2. GRAPEVINE. Give your home a dramatic touch by incorporating grapevine branches. Try weaving them together with a string of lights for a magical effect.3. OLIVE BRANCH. This type of greenery is famously known for symbolizing peace and friendship. Arrange a few branches in a vase to create a welcoming centerpiece.4. PALM TREE. Accentuate your living space with something exotic. Since there are various kinds of palm trees, make sure to choose one that is right for your climate.5. FERN. Hang your ferns in baskets from the ceiling or put…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Furniture of your choice• Rag• Sandpaper, 220 grit or higher• Primary paint color of your choice (Tina used Sherwin Williams “Festoon Aqua”)• Paint brush or sprayer• White paint• Stiff brush for white paint• Cardboard to wipe your paintbrush on• Chalk paint (Tina used Waverly “Truffle”)• Paper towels WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Wipe the piece down with a rag. If it has more dirt than a light coating of dust, clean it with soap and water, then allow it to fully dry.2. Sand the piece with the sandpaper. Depending on the paint you use, you may not need to completely remove the old paint or stain, but if you do, be thorough. Wipe down the piece again when you’re finished.3. Paint 2-3 coats of your primary color…

1. CEDAR WOOD PANELING. This is the exterior on this historic barn. Over time, the natural cedar finish will fade from its current golden yellow color to a beautiful gray.2. RECLAIMED BARN WOOD. This is a unique option for anyone who wants to add a historical touch to a new build, or even just more history to a remodel. With natural patina and tons of character, reclaimed wood is a vibrant and stunning exterior option.3. BOARD AND BATTEN. This method of siding involves installing different widths of wood vertically. The end result is textured and visually interesting, and you can paint or stain it for the finish of your choice.4. METAL SIDING. Sometimes a cheaper option, metal siding gives an updated and modern look to any barn. You can also…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Cement mix• Larger metal or plastic bowl (as a mold)• Smaller metal or plastic bowl (to nest inside the mold)• Cooking spray• Rocks or another heavy item WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Measure the amount of cement you’ll need by filling the larger bowl with water, then pushing the smaller bowl inside until the excess water overflows. “It doesn’t have to be the exact same shape, you just have to have something that gives you the space to create a bowl,” Ashley says.2. Pour the remaining water into a separate bucket for mixing. This is roughly how much cement you need.3. Spray the interior of the large bowl and the exterior of the small bowl with cooking spray.4. Mix the cement as per the manufacturer’s directions, and…

1. PLASTERED. First, the team had to tear away the existing plaster. This was necessary to see the structural strength of the arches.2. ARCH ENEMY. Since the arches are made of wood, termite damage was a big concern. With the plaster removed, Sara was able to see how much the pests had munched away. “The frames of the arches remain, and we repaired the damaged places,” she says.3. IN GOOD REPAIR. The next step is putting sheetrock back over the repaired arches and finishing the sheetrock to match the original plaster.4. PAINT JOB. Finally, the arches will be painted to match the rest of the walls. “As state-of-the-art apartments, the Villas have charming details like the arches, and I’m so excited to restore them,” Sara says. “They truly are one-of-a-kind.”…

Planning a baby shower can seem like a big responsibility, but for Meghan Murray and her friend Diana, it was a time to celebrate their expecting friend. Baby showers are a time to celebrate a new life, but also the mom-to-be. They’re usually hosted by someone close to the mom-to-be, such as her mom, sister or a friend. COLOR SCHEME Meghan and Diana co-hosted the party at Meghan’s home, using vintage and personal decorations and tableware. Much of it was from Diana’s personal collection. The coming baby was a boy, and luckily, Diana had royal blue and white china sets. “Our friend was expecting a boy, so the blue was also quite perfect,” Meghan says. MENU AND THEME Like any party, a baby shower menu can be whatever you want…

American Farmhouse Style: How did you get started with the online farmhouse community? Jaclyn: When I first started my Instagram account, I was primarily sharing DIY projects. There were so many talented women also sharing similar projects, but we each had our own unique style. We all worked together to share each other’s talents. It was such an inspiring time. AFS: Have you always liked farmhouse style, or has your style evolved? Jaclyn: I’ve always loved vintage style and antique furniture pieces. When the farmhouse style movement started, it was an easy style for me to fall in love with. Over the past two years, my style has slowly been moving back toward transitional with a modern/moody vibe. I’ve always loved high contrast like black and white, that’s one of…