Innholdsfortegnelse for February/March 2023 i American Farmhouse Style

What type of house project gets you excited at the beginning of the year? Is it a renovation or home improvement idea, a crafting project or even an organization/decluttering goal? I always have so many ideas at the beginning of the year—and usually a list to go with them (anyone else a list fanatic?). But like many types of New Year’s resolutions, reality sets in by March or April, and I never make it through the list of projects I want to accomplish. But I’ve come to realize something: Even just the act of writing down my house goals helps me accomplish them. I now keep my project list as a running document, and categorize it by priority. Then I get the most important ones done. And something is better…

Deep in the forests of northern Maine is a 1,000-acre lake off the Penobscot River that’s home to over 800,000 cord of timbers resting along the lake bottom. In the early 1900s, loggers would send timbers to float down the waterways to local wood mills. In the process, some wood sank to the bottom, where it has remained for over 100 years. Now, local company Timberchic/Maine Heritage Timber dredges the waters to recover these lost logs and give them new life. “We pride ourselves on being a small-town operation that pays very close attention to quality,” says Sandi Burns, sales manager at Timberchic. Timberchic set forth with a goal of providing customers with stunningly unique wood for walls, ceilings and backsplashes. “What makes us different is the character and variation…

NOTHING EXUDES WARM, rustic vibes quite like a hardwood floor. Although picking out floors can be daunting, there are several steps to determine which variation of this timeless classic will best serve your home. Amber Stringer, director of marketing for Mullican Flooring, has provided tips of the trade on how to begin choosing hardwood floors. WHICH WOOD WORKS First, start with the type of wood flooring you need: either solid or engineered hardwood. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, you can even look into vinyl or laminate, though these last two aren’t true wood floors. Location is key to what kind of wood will work best. “On a concrete subfloor, engineered flooring is the product [you] will need,” says Amber. Grade or above-grade levels, however, can support solid hardwood,…

FOUNDATIONAL COLOR. Black can be a foundational color in the space. The more black you use, the more foundational the color. For a kitchen, use dark cabinetry. “Do not be afraid of dark cabinetry in smaller spaces. When you pick dark cabinetry as the foundation of the kitchen and you are committed to keeping the remaining finishes above lighter and brighter, the kitchen will not feel dark, even in a small space,” says Kelly. You can also use black in flooring and contrast it with painted cabinetry. Kelly says, “Flooring in black or dark charcoals makes a great foundation for stained wood cabinetry or contrasting painted cabinetry. Whether it’s natural slate or a look-alike porcelain, black flooring can help ground a kitchen.” FOCAL COLOR. This means that black is central…

CAN YOU IMAGINE MOVING INTO your first home with toxic plaster walls, no running water and no heat in the middle of a snowy winter? That was the reality for blogger Tiffany St. John of Painted Roots Home when she and her husband, Ryan, first scored their 218-year-old farmhouse in 2011. The couple knew they wanted a historic home, and even though neglected greenery had almost completely obscured the “For Sale” sign on the property, they took their chances and put in an offer.…

Winter tablescapes are a cinch to create if you plan ahead. Before Christmas, blogger Kate Landry of A Hundred Affections shaped her tablescape with the after-the-holidays winter season in mind. “I thought about how much of my décor I could keep up after the holidays,” she says. “Snowflakes work for winter, too, so I went with them. That’s my design philosophy; I try to decorate with pieces that transfer from season to season.” SCANDINAVIAN STYLE In her winter tablescape, Kate chose a simple Scandinavian farmhouse aesthetic. “Scandinavian style is more minimalist, with green, white and neutral tones and wood or evergreen pieces,” she says. Her farmhouse style already incorporates rustic vibes, so adding in minimalist details felt right. She chose jute placemats and a woven table runner to complement the paper…

CRAFT THE WINTER AWAY Try one of these craft or cook books for indoor winter projects. Simple Hand Sewing: 35 Slow Stitching and Mindful Mending Projects by Laura Strutt will help you gain hand-sewing skills and allow you to take the time to enjoy the process. ©2022 by Ryland Peters and Small, rylandpeters.com. Modern Flower Press: Capturing the Beauty of Nature by Melissa Richardson and Amy Fielding is an in-depth guide to pressing leaves and flowers, and includes craft and art projects you can do with them once they’re preserved. ©2022 by Abrams, abramsbooks.com. The Ultimate All-Around Stitch Dictionary: More Than 300 Stitch Patterns to Knit Every Way by Wendy Bernard will teach you how to create a wide range of knitted looks. It’s a reference book for both beginner and advanced knitters.…

Editor’s note: We’re excited to welcome Jessica Sigmon, the blogger and Instagrammer behind Itty Bitty Farmhouse, for her own column in 2023! You may recognize her name—we featured her fall home in our October 2021 issue. Jessica will be sharing simple and easy styling and DIY projects anyone can do. Winter is one of those odd times for styling your home. All the holiday sparkle has come down, and you’re left with a blank canvas and a ton of greens. Here are my three favorite tips that give that cozy feel in the bedroom. 1. SOFT GOODS Start with the bed and rug. A wool or shag rug of lighter, airy tones will give you free creativity to use any colors you want in your bedding. For the bed, grab crisp white…

• CONSTRUCTION TYPE. There are two types of real hardwood floors: Solid hardwood flooring, as the name suggests, is comprised of solid hardwood. “A solid hardwood floor can be refinished numerous times over its lifetime, and it is suitable for on-grade and above-grade installation,” says Amber Stringer, marketing director at Mullican Flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring has natural wood on the top and the bottom, with a durable core, such as plywood, in the middle. This less-expensive option is better for basements or below-grade levels, as it can better withstand moisture and temperature variation, and it provides some of the widest plank options. However, you can only refinish it once because of the different core material. • WOOD SPECIES. All styles of hardwood flooring come in multiple types of wood species,…

The word “cozy” evokes both warmth and intimacy in home décor, and that’s what epitomizes Instagrammer Kelly Blassigame’s farmhouse style. From vintage collectibles to fresh flowers and charming styling, she’s one to follow. Here’s a bit of her story. American Farmhouse Style: How did you get started with the online décor community? Kelly: I was introduced to the online community a few years ago by a dear friend. We’ve always shared a love of decorating our homes throughout the seasons. I was intrigued and inspired by her favorite influencers and small-shop accounts. It was that same day that I created my own page. AFS: How would you describe your décor style? Kelly: Cozy farmhouse style, with a mix of woods and whites, and sprinkles of old and new. AFS: You…

Andi was the winner of our online wood DIY contest! Sign up for our newsletters at americanfarmhousestyle.com to stay updated about other contests. Vintage apothecary cabinets are a hot collectible for farmhouse and flea market enthusiasts. The problem with popular collectibles, however, is that the demand always increases the prices. “Everything I found cost way more than I was willing to spend,” says blogger Andi Chow of The Simply Distressed. “So we came up with our own solution: Make one ourselves.” Here are the steps you can use to recreate her vintage look without the price tag of an authentic collectible. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Ikea dresser (Andi used the Tarva Dresser)• 5-mm plywood, enough to cover the drawer fronts• Measuring tape and pencil• Table or miter saw• Level• Wood glue•…

Laura Ingalls Wilder once said, “Home is the nicest word there is.” For homeowner Ashley Lynn, nothing says home like her beautiful 122-year-old rowhouse in historic Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Although she fell in love with the historic structure, there were certain aspects of the layout that she knew needed to change. “I love the layout and bones, but knew it needed some cosmetic upgrades,” says Ashley. “I wanted to open up the space to make it feel brighter, lighter, more modern.” SMALL SPACES The kitchen was small, dark and mismatched. It begged for upgrades, and Ashley eagerly answered the call. Inspired by her love of Moroccan tiles, she teamed up with Nadia Subaran and Kelly Emerson at Aidan Design to create an aesthetically pleasing kitchen and powder room that blend…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Vintage door• Stripper (we recommend a nontoxic version like CitriStrip)• Plastic scrapers• Protective gloves• Optional: paint stripper after-wash• Optional: kitchen scrub pads• Sandpaper, 220-grit or higher• Stain or paint of choice (Tiffany used Rustoleum stain)• Paint brush• Clear sealer or varnish• Optional: glass pieces for top of table• 4 table legs of choice WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. First, strip the old finish off the door. Depending on the type and age of the finish, you may need multiple rounds of stripper. If the door still has a sticky surface after the finish is gone, use kitchen scrub pads and a paint stripper after-wash to get the residue off. 2. Sand the door until all the finish is gone and the surface is smooth. Wipe any sawdust…

WHILE IT’S IMPORTANT TO have a functional home for you and your family, it’s equally important to enjoy the space you live in. The new book, Creative Style: Liveable, Loveable Spaces by Lizzie McGraw and words by Fifi O’Neill, is full of homes that exude both comfort and style, proving that you don’t have to choose between form and function. “Comfort doesn’t mean forgoing style,” Lizzie says. “Personality in the items you choose and the way you live is also an important factor in creating spaces that are a reflection of you.” PERSONAL SPACE To feel comfortable, your home needs to showcase your interests. “Furnishing your home, your life and your soul takes a great deal of creativity and self-awareness,” says Lizzie. “The best way to become one with your…

DREDGED BEAUTY, PAGE 14 For more on Timberchic, visit timberchic.com. URBAN ECLECTIC + MODERN FARMHOUSE, PAGE 30 For more on Aidan Design, visit aidandesign.com. Range: Ilve. (718) 249-1217 or ilveusa.com. CUT THE CLUTTER, PAGE 34 For more on Killy, visit scheer.co. Barstools: Pottery Barn. (888) 779-5176 or potterybarn.com. Dining room chairs, slingback chair by fireplace: Four Hands. (866) 654-9433 fourhands.com. Dining room light fixture: Regina Andrew. (734) 250-8042 or reginaandrew.com. Dining room table: Restoration Hardware. (800) 910-9836 or rh.com. Kitchen countertops: leathered black pearl. Kitchen light fixture: Roll & Hill. (718) 387-6132 or rollandhill.com. Primary bedroom floor lamp: Visual Comfort & Co. (888) 858-1633 or visualcomfort.com. Rugs: vintage via Black Sheep Unique. (512) 465-2273 or blacksheepunique.com. Sectional sofa: Younger & Co. Visit youngerfurniture.com. SLOW AND STEADY, PAGE 42 For more…