Innholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2023 i American Farmhouse Style

EDITOR’S LETTER IF YOU HAVE PETS OR KIDS, you know that the “perfect” Christmas home is often out of the question. My husband and I have a Bengal cat, and thankfully, he’s never been one to try and climb the Christmas tree—he prefers to lurk underneath and pounce on whoever walks by. This year, though, I have a toddler who’s running around and curious about everything. I can’t hang any breakable ornaments within her reach on the Christmas tree, and I’m wary about hanging the Christmas stockings. I also usually wrap gifts as soon as I get them and put them under the tree as added decoration. Not this year! But in exchange for those minor inconveniences, I get to watch as she experiences the wonder of the Christmas season…

1 – Fresh greens, page 21 2 – Paper snowflake forest, page 23 3 – Cheater Christmas wall art, page 22 4 – Mini Christmas tree, page 23 Tip To keep greens as fresh as possible, mist the back of your swag, garland or wreath every 2-3 days to keep the branch ends damp. FRESH GREENS Fresh greens, like those from Lynch Creek Farm, bring both the sights and smells of Christmas to your home. Deck out your dining room, kitchen table or even kitchen island with the best of the season. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Fresh garland (used here: Lynch Creek Farm premium garland)• Other table décor, as needed• Fresh swags, 1 for each chair or barstool (used here: Lynch Creek Farm country apple swag)• Wire• Wire cutters WHAT…

ILOVE THE LOOK OF WOOD BEAMS ON A CEILING. However, real wood beams can get expensive, not to mention heavy to DIY. But Decorative Ceiling Tiles offers faux wood beams that look realistic and are a fantastic DIY option. They’re affordable, light weight and easy to install. So, let’s update the living room ceiling with beams and beadboard. WHAT YOU’LL NEED Decorative Ceiling Tiles has options for stain colors and textures, including primed faux wood beams you can paint or stain yourself. I decided on four 8x8 light walnut faux beams with a hand scraped finish. I also gathered 1x10x8 boards, 4x8 sheets of beadboard, brad nails and liquid nails. WHAT YOU’LL DO I started with the beadboard. I used a combination of liquid nails and brad nails to install…

VINTAGE BOTTLE BRUSH TREES are making a comeback. I remember my family putting these little trees in their homes during the holiday season when I was growing up. A few years ago, when I decided to do a very merry vintage Christmas theme for my décor, I knew I wanted to add vintage bottle brush trees. HUNTING Starting with vintage markets and yard sales, I found them tucked down on the bottom shelf or in a box of old Christmas decorations. Who knew one Christmas tree theme would inspire me to start this collection? Bottle brush trees have a unique look that can vary in shape and size. There are skinny ones and others that are filled with old-school glitter. My favorite place is to pick them up from a yard…

• SIMPLE FOUNDATION. If you have a table with a wood grain you love, you can use a runner, so the table isn’t completely covered. Or to cover a folding table if you’re hosting a larger party, use a simple solid-colored tablecloth you can use as a foundation. • FRESH GREEN CENTERPIECE. Use trimmings from your Christmas tree as a running centerpiece down your table. Alternatively, if you have a faux Christmas tree, head to your local Christmas tree lot and get a bundle of branches. Tree lots usually sell them for under $10. • LOTS OF CANDLES. Light is a theme of Christmas, so candlelight is the perfect touch for your tablescape. If the other elements of your table are simple, use the candles as a main feature and…

PROS: • SIMPLICITY. Perhaps the biggest perk of a flocked tree is the effortless charm it instantly adds to your tree, whether faux or real. The look of the “snowy” branches brings a sense of warmth and classic Christmas vibes to your home. You can even leave the white-dusted branches bare of ornaments for a minimalist, rustic look.• DIY-ABLE. Want a fresh festive look for your tree this season? Create your own fun family holiday décor project by looking up one of the many flocking tutorials online.• REUSABLE. If stored properly, a faux Christmas tree with flocking can be a great addition to your holiday décor for years to come. CONS: • MESSY. Even if the flocking has been done properly, with the hustle and bustle of the holidays there…

The Villas at Spanish Court, the focus of our Louisiana Project House this year, are nearly ready to fling open the doors and welcome guests for shortterm stays in Minden, Louisiana. This piece of 1930s small-town American history has not only been restored but ushered into its next era of life with stylish designs perfect as a home away from home. “We’ve come a long way in a short time,” says Sara McDaniel of Simply Southern Cottage, the design maven and genius behind the Villas’ transformation. And the sentiment couldn’t be truer. Before the Villas officially opens for guests, we welcome you to peek into some of the newly-finished spaces and get a progress report on what’s still left to finish. HAPPY SPACES Old and new details intermingle beautifully in the…

AMERICAN ROOTS, PAGE 24 For more on Dresden & Company, call (740) 565-4332 or visit dresdenandcompany.com. Onyx 9” by 9” baking dish. American potters’ collection large bowl in sand. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, PAGE 66 Babynest: Amazon. Visit amazon.com. Kitchen cabinet boxes: Ikea. (888) 888-4532 or ikea.com. FESTIVE ELEGANCE, PAGE 82 For more on Janan, follow her on Instagram @athomewithjanan. Family room table, primary bedroom headboard: Restoration Hardware. (800) 910-9836 or rh.com. Foyer ornaments, bucket, truck, kids’ room bookshelves, wreaths, pillows: Hobby Lobby. (800) 888-0321 or hobbylobby.com. Foyer tree: King of Christmas. Visit kingofchristmas.com. Kids room bedding, pillows: Beddy’s. Visit beddys.com. Kids room chair: Wayfair. (866) 263-8325 or wayfair.com. Kids room pillows: Home Goods. (800) 888-0776 or homegoods.com. Living room coffee table, bench, family room sofa: Ambiance Home. Visit ambiancehome.com.…

WHERE TO HANG Christmas Stockings Don’t have a fireplace? Don’t worry! Santa Claus will still find your Christmas stockings if you hang them in one of these locations. FAUX MANTEL. If you have a faux mantel, this is just as good as a real one for hanging up stockings during the Christmas season. Plus, there’s no chance they’ll get too close to any fire flames. STAIRCASE RAILING. To do this, simply use some twine to tie the stocking to the staircase railing. This will look even cuter if you also have a garland to tie to the railing, so it hides the twine. WALL HOOKS. Who says you can’t hang your stockings straight from the wall? Simply screw in some cute wall hooks—or for rentals, even command hooks will do. Just…

WANT TO BOOST YOUR FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS DÉCOR? How about a shiplap Christmas tree? “The first Christmas in our house, my husband built a wood Christmas tree out of reclaimed shiplap,” says blogger Rachel Harper of The Ponds Farmhouse. “We placed it on our screened porch, and it has been a perfect addition to our farmhouse style.” Here’s how you can create one yourself. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Sturdy container for the stand (Rachel used a vintage iron pot)• Shiplap boards (Rachel used 5 ½-inch wide boards)• Miter saw• 4x4-inch wood post• 6x6-inch wood post• Optional: sandpaper, 220-grit or higher• Cordless drill or drill press• ¾-inch PVC pipe, 55 ½-inches long (alternately, ¾-inch hardwood round dowel rod)• Christmas tree decorations WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Decide on the container you’ll use for…

SINCE THE VICTORIAN ERA, tufted furniture has been a stylish trend with a practical purpose. Reinforcing fabric at regular intervals creates a dimple-like pattern and makes the upholstery less likely to sag. The resulting looks add dimension to furnishings like sofas, chairs, headboards and ottomans. A traditional diamond pattern is most common, but some pieces also have indentions in a square or linear shape. With a light or natural fabric and coordinating fastener for the dimple, tufting is a cozy addition to any modern or rustic farmhouse style. 4 WAYS TO STYLE TUFTED FURNITURE AT CHRISTMAS The comfort of tufted furniture pairs perfectly with the coziness of winter and the addition of holiday accessories. 1. HOLIDAY PILLOWS. Place a few everyday pillows in the same tone as your sofa or chair…

THE WINNER OF American Farmhouse Style’s Tree of the Year contest, Shonda Maynard, loves a full Christmas tree. This time, she added striking color to her normally-neutral tree. To match new gold-framed mirrors in her living room and the vintage theme of her house, Shonda decided to nix her usual burlap and wooden accents in favor of gold and red ornaments. She selected a multitude of sizes, shapes and textures, accompanied by vintage-inspired ornaments. “I wanted something different,” she says. “When I thought of gold, I knew the red would look great with it.” Shonda tucked sprigs of red berries into the tree to fill bare spots, then topped it with a gold star. The flocked tree is a look she often uses because of its fuller effect. Shonda is…

EVERLASTING EVERGREEN Dena decks her home’s exterior with fresh evergreen garlands and wreaths that last throughout the holiday season. Here are her tips for decorating with evergreens, both real and faux. 1. AIM FOR FRESHNESS. Dena trims evergreen branches from her property’s trees for the ultimate fresh sprigs to make into wreaths or garlands. If you can’t trim a bit off trees in your yard, Dena suggests going to a tree lot and asking for their latest trimmings. Many places will give these away for free if they aren’t selling garlands or wreaths. 2. SPRITZ WITH WATER. Even if you aren’t attempting to hang your evergreens near a fireplace, Dena recommends spraying the back once in a while with water to keep them fresh. “I’ve had a wreath last inside the…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Wreath form (preferably of brown branches)• Dried branches• Wire and wire cutters• Hot glue gun and glue• Dried flowers and leaves (Inge used clematis)• Loose wool or pre-made wool pom-poms• Moon Styrofoam form• Twine or brown yarn• Ribbon WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Start to insert the dried branches into the wreath form. It’s easier to work with a craft wreath form made of brown branches so your decorations add to the base and don’t need to obscure it completely. You may be able to secure the branches without added help, but you might need to use wire or hot glue for some of them. 2. Make sure some of the branches stick out past the wreath form to give it a not-quite-perfect feel. 3. Layer in…

BEING THE HOST for a Christmas event is an opportunity to create an atmosphere and experience your loved ones won’t forget. In her new book, A Home to Share, author Leslie Saeta shares how she’s turned her home into a gathering-friendly space and offers tips on making your home a welcoming place for holiday get-togethers. SEASONAL SAVES Making your home special during the holidays doesn’t have to be expensive. “I am not the gal who spends lots of money on holiday décor or flowers for a dinner party,” writes Leslie. Instead, she looks for creative and cost-effective ways to add seasonal touches to her home, such as shopping for vintage dinnerware and ornaments. “Blending flea market finds with new pieces creates a welcoming, make-yourself-at-home atmosphere,” she writes. “I want my…

1. Rinse the raw chestnuts, then soak them in clean water. Discard any that are cracked or floating. 2. Place them on a cutting board, flat side down. Score an X in the top of each one, which will allow steam to escape (like when cooking a baked potato). 3. In a large skillet or frying pan, lay the chestnuts flat side down. Roast over the grill or another open fire for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and flip each chestnut with tongs. Roast the other side for 5 minutes. 4. Peel off the shell while they’re still warm and eat directly. Alternately, you can chop up the nut meat and use in your favorite recipe.…

American Farmhouse Style’s Christmas tree of choice in 2022!…

VINTAGE MINIATURE CHRISTMAS HOUSES, called “putz” houses, are a favorite Christmas collectible. The name comes from the German word putzen: to decorate or adorn. The first putz villages were made from natural elements like twigs, stones and leaves. Now, Christmas scenes have become an elaborate decoration, displaying an entire village of people enjoying winter. Collector and owner of Forest Knolls Vintage on Instagram, Amanda Upton has been growing her putz house collection for years. “One of my favorite childhood memories was setting up the old ceramic Christmas village with my sister and my mom and dad,” she says. “I loved adding the fake snow, the trees and seeing it all lit up.” Most of her collection comes from estate and garage sales. When you find one putz house, there’s usually an…

SHOPPING FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE? If you’ve decided to go with a live Christmas tree, you’re helping support the US tree economy and provide forestry for wildlife. But what’s the best Christmas tree type to get? Here are four top evergreen species. 1. NOBLE FIR The noble fir is known for its longevity and beauty, and is often used not only for Christmas trees, but fresh wreaths. Its needles turn upward, which exposes the lower side of the branches and makes ornament hanging easy. It also has stiff branches that can hold heavier ornaments. 3. DOUGLAS FIR Another popular US Christmas tree is the douglas fir. The branches are usually packed tightly together, and their needles fan out from the branches in all directions, which gives the tree a dense,…

SIX YEARS AGO, homeowner Inge and her husband Bart were looking for a house they could completely renovate. This detached house, built in 1925, seemed above their budget, but the couple was lucky. “The house was very neglected, but we both saw potential in it,” Inge says. They’ve since renovated it, and it serves as a beautiful neutral backdrop to their candle-lit Christmas décor each year. HOUSE WITH A PAST “We were looking for a house with good foundations that we could completely refurbish,” Inge says. “I can' t wait to get the Christmas stuff out of the closet. Star garlands, wooden Christmas trees, lights, old ice skates and pine cones.” “This house was the one. The location was perfect, close to family and to the center of town,” Inge…

Blogger Amanda Vernaci created her built-in fireplace specifically with Christmas in mind, so she can display her Christmas décor and holiday wreaths. Here’s how you can recreate these built-ins for less than $600. MATERIALS: • 10 shiplap boards, 6-inch x 8-foot• 2 IKEA Billy bookcases with doors• 2 IKEA Billy bookcase extensions (as needed, based on your ceiling height)• 4 pine boards, 1 x 2 x 8 feet• 1 gallon primer (used here: Zinsser B-I-N)• Crown molding• Baseboard molding• 11⁄16 x 11⁄16-inch pine cove molding • Caulk• 1-gallon white semi-gloss paint (used here: Sherwin Williams emerald urethane trim enamel in pure white)• Stain (used here: one coat Provincial and one coat Antique White) TOOLS: • Brad nailer• Measuring tape• Miter saw• Drill• Caulk• Wood Filler WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Prep.…

Rhonda Kaiser is a master of all trades when it comes to home and garden. From interior design to being a certified Texas Master Gardener, she shares her home’s interiors and community exteriors with friends online. Here’s a bit of her story. American Farmhouse Style: How did you get started with the online farmhouse community? Rhonda: I started to share my passion for all things gardening, education and design. I have years of training in interior design, master gardener education, landscape design and even working as a florist. Sharing my love of all was an easy choice! AFS: Tell us a little bit about your gardening experience. Rhonda: My gardening experience stems from years of schooling and passion to learn more about it. I am a certified Texas Master Gardener…