Innholdsfortegnelse for February/March 2024 i American Farmhouse Style

As many of you may remember, our dear colleague and friend, Victoria Van Vlear left her role as Editor of American Farmhouse Style after an extremely successful 9-year tenure. She is greatly missed, but we are happy for her new career pursuits and the time she is able to spend with her two little girls. Some of you may know me from our sister brand, Cottages & Bungalows as well as Flea Market Décor Holiday and our Holiday Décor special issues, and I hope you will bear with me as I take on American Farmhouse Style and learn the ways of the genre. Victoria has tiny feet, but her shoes are big to fill! I grew up in a small town in Minnesota, graduated from college in Iowa, spent 34…

When it comes to best using the space in your home, sometimes you have to think outside the box. In this 1980s Bethesda, Maryland home, the homeowners had big goals for their overall renovation, and the mudroom was part of that. They reached out to George Bott and Shannon Kadwell of Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc. to create their dream home. ROOM WITH A VIEW To start out, George and Shannon had to examine the entire layout. With three children, the homeowners wanted to expand the size of the laundry room/mudroom within the floorspace of the original kitchen. “We moved the laundry room to where the kitchen was to capture a larger space, and then moved the kitchen to the back of the house in order to get better views of…

My husband Skip and I are middle school sweethearts and have been married for 24 years. We have three sons, Jack, Ethan and Carter, who are our greatest gifts. We also have two German Short Haired Pointers, Cooper and Beaux. We’re both life-long Louisiana residents and have a large extended family living all around us. I have always loved to decorate. I remember thumbing through my mother’s magazines while dreaming of decorating my own home someday. I had binders filled with pages of my favorite spaces and styles torn out of the magazines for inspiration. Magazines were my first introduction to decorating and I savored every page. In 2018, I joined social media to promote my handmade business and as time went on, I began to share more of my…

Start small. “I started with painting,” Astra says. Even if you want to tackle a big project or a whole room, start with something that’s more manageable, such as painting a room or a piece of furniture. “After I did paint, I went to accent walls, with a bit of woodworking,” Astra says. “I’ve worked my way up to tiling kitchens and ripping out walls.” Take it one step at a time so you don’t feel intimidated. Get inspiration and help online. When Astra started her DIY journey, she went to two main places: YouTube and Instagram. “I watched a lot of YouTube videos, and follow a ton of DIY accounts on Instagram,” she says. There are online tutorials for almost any project you want to complete in your home,…

Break up the work. Don’t be intimidated—while decorating large, open spaces can be a challenge, it’s not impossible. It may seem like you must decorate the whole space at once, but in reality, you can break up the spaces into smaller, manageable projects that you can tackle one at a time. Break up the functionality. Before working on the design of your large rooms, decide how you’ll use them. Will they be main living spaces such as the living room and dining room? Or how about a multi-purpose room with a pool table area, TV area and kids’ play room? Figure out what you need in the space before you design it. Break up the spaces. Now that you know how you’ll use the room, come up with designs that…

• The most effective way to achieve your design goals is to work with a realistic budget. If you do not have a budget in place, work with a designer to help establish the budget. • Be sure to share images of colors, places and textures that appeal to you. You can share inspirational interior images as well, but a good designer will typically refrain from duplicating a design from an image. We opt to pull key elements from gathered images, conversational notes, and clues from our preplanned design meetings. And please be sure to mention design elements that you dislike. This moves along the process swiftly. • Our firm needs to know what your budget for the project is, and we offer a service to research the costs for…

• Vision. Have you always pictured yourself soaking in a luxurious freestanding bathtub? Or perhaps an upgraded shower? Remember, this is your home and your vision. “I’d always envisioned soaking in a large bath with views to the outdoors,” Amanda says, and that’s exactly how she designed her primary ensuite. Don’t be afraid to create a space how you’ve always dreamed it. • Lighting. “Lighting is really important,” Amanda says. “Make sure to layer in different types.” You can use pot lights or sconces in your bathroom, and if you have the ceiling height, she suggests a light above the bathtub or shower as a statement piece. • Tile. Oftentimes, design can take a back seat in areas like guest or kids’ bathrooms. One way to fix this is to…

Make Valentine’s Day even sweeter with a sweetheart table all your own. Matilda Reuter Engle, designer, and proprietor at Middleburg Hospitality, who oversees Glenstone Gardens and Red Fox Inn & Tavern, says you can have a dreamy sweetheart table just about anywhere. She created her tablescape in the courtyard garden of the Red Fox Inn, a space boasting a rich history along with unique textures, sights and sounds to demonstrate that celebrating your own individual love story can depend on thinking outside the box. HISTORICAL ROMANCE Like any good historical romance, there must be horses for dashing leading men and beautiful ladies to ride off on into the sunset. The courtyard garden sits beside a building that used to be a stable for horses. The riders who stayed at the…

Valerie and Mario are a husband-and-wife duo who love to DIY, thrift and upcycle to customize their New Jersey home. Valerie shares their construction and decorating successes with the online farmhouse décor community at We Dabble. Here’s a bit of their story. American Farmhouse Style: How did you get started with the décor community online? Valerie: My daughter Stephanie suggested I start sharing our home and projects on Instagram because she saw how her father and I worked on DIYs, and how I have a passion for decorating and vintage finds. So, I went for it. Once I started and found others who shared my same passions and how wonderful the community is, I was hooked! AFS: You and your husband make a great team! Tell us about how you do home…

If you are lucky enough to have inherited a handmade quilt from your grandmother or another branch on your family tree, then you already know the sentimental value attached to it. The warmth it generates comes not only from its fabric but also from the quilter who put her heart into every detail of its creation. Perhaps you’ve thought about acquiring more quilts to spread the warmth throughout your home but were unsure where to begin the search. Suzanne Smith Arney, a freelance art writer with a special interest in quilts and textiles, offers her advice on collecting, displaying and caring for handmade quilts. “The most successful collections start with the heart,” Suzanne says. “What is it that you love about quilts? If you’ve been thinking of launching a collection,…

Who doesn’t love a good throw blanket? Amana Woolen Mill gifted this beautiful Bow ‘En Arrow Wool throw blanket to me and I just love it! Amana Woolen Mill, the only remaining cotton mill in Iowa, has been making cozy throws for over 160 years and it truly shows. “The Amana blankets are woven from either recycled eco-friendly yarn, 100% cotton yarn, wool or Merino wool,” says Sara Montgomery, Art Director for Amana Woolen Mill. “Our small team of seamstresses hand finish the textiles.” It is so soft and perfect for winter nights snuggled up on the couch. The soft hues of gray, brown and ivory in this pattern work so well in my mostly neutral home and the fringe detail adds subtle texture. It wiill be easy and such…

1) It is important to choose the firm that can best understand and achieve your needs, desires and goals. A series of meetings starting with an interview process is important. 2) Ask questions about the builder’s process, timeline, communication tools and response time to questions, especially regarding the design options. 3) Tour some of the builder’s current under-construction homes and, if possible, a delivered home. This can give the client a realistic idea of the builder’s work ethic, follow-through and management abilities. 4) Ask for references from past and existing clients. All successful custom builders will have a list of satisfied clientele that can help you understand what went right—as well as what went wrong—during the process.…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • 3 x 6-foot plywood or OSB board • 18 square 12-inch mirrors (Astra used the Blodlönn sets from Ikea) • Wood glue • 50 feet of 1 x 2-inch wood trim • Brad nailer and nails • Wood putty • Sandpaper • Painter’s tape • Stain of your choice • Paint brush or rag WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Cut the plywood or OSB board to the finished size of the mirror. The dimensions here are for a 3 x 6-foot mirror. 2. Lay out the mirrors across the board, spaced evenly. There should be a bit of wood showing around the edges of each mirror. 3. Use wood glue to glue the mirror pieces onto the board. Let them dry. 4. Cut four 6-foot pieces from…

Structure. The structure is what defines a timber frame home, and it’s just what it sounds like: a home made from a frame of timber beams and posts. Joinery connects the beams, which often have decorative features so the beams can remain exposed inside the home. Walls. The traditional construction of a timber frame home is for the walls to be on the outside of the frame, which allows the frame to stay exposed on the inside of the home. Exposed ceiling beams are popular for farmhouse style, and the timber frame is a perfect way to get them. Layout and style. Timber frame homes are both long-lasting and versatile in their style. Because of the sturdy construction, these homes don’t need load-bearing walls in the middle of the house.…

It has a Secret Garden. The Inn was established in 1728 before the town of Middleburg, which is the halfway point between the Winchester to Alexander trade route. “Riders needed a halfway point to feed and rest their horses, so we were here even before the town,” she says. Middleburg built up around the property, making the courtyard gardens and verdant walkways feel like a secret garden in the middle of a bustling New England town. The Tavern Has Multi-Course Dinners. The Tavern sources fresh ingredients from Virginia’s Piedmont region, like cider glazed fried rabbit for adventurous eaters or peanut crusted rack of lamb for those wanting something both regional-inspired but also closer to home flavors. Dinners always have multiple courses. For Valentine’s Day this year, the Tavern will have…

BUILDING A MODERN FARMHOUSE Page 28 To see more of Classic Homes of Maryland’s home builds, visit their website, classichomesofmaryland.com. Follow them on Instagram @classichomesmaryland and on Facebook at classichomesof maryland. View their Pinterest page at classichomesmd, email them at Sales@classichomesmd.com or call (301) 256-4110. General Windows: Pella® Lifestyle Series™ black-clad windows, pella.com. Flooring: Mullican Wexford® White Oak Marble hardwood, MullicanFlooring.com. Interior doors: Jeld-Wen® Birkdale molded wood composite interior doors, Jeld-Wen.com. Siding: James Hardie plank board and batten, JamesHardie.com. Garage doors: Cloplay Gallery 3-Layer Long BB Panel, ClopayDoor.com. Kitchen Countertops, backsplash: Calacatta Laza quartz, MSIsurfaces.com. Faucet: Brizo Litze® fixture in matte black and luxe gold, brizo.com. Cabinets: Mid Continent/Showplace Cabinetry, Concord/Pendleton door style in maple wood, MidContinentCabinetry.com. Range: 36” Gas Pro Harmony® range, thermador.com. Oven/microwave: 30” double combination built-in oven…

Open shelves are a great way to open up a space while also allowing for practical storage, as well as an opportunity to display your favorite collectables and décor. Whether you’re replacing cabinets or adding brand new shelves, this DIY project by blogger and home style influencer Kierste Wade (@oldsaltfarm) is the perfect solution for any space. The instructions can be altered to accommodate as many shelves as you’d like, but Kierste is using three shelves. WHAT YOU’LL NEED (PER SHELF): • Two ¾ in. x 12 in. black pipes • Two black pipe flanges (to fit 12 in. pipe) • Two 3/4 in. black pipe end caps • 1x12 in. pine board • Circular saw • Stain or paint • Hardware for pipe • Drill • Stud finder •…

Hi, Farmhouse Friends! I truly cannot put into words how honored and excited I am to have been chosen as the 2024 American Farmhouse Style Brand Ambassador! I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to share my love for all things farmhouse and take you along as my husband Skip and I continue to renovate our starter home into our forever home over the next year. My home is my happy place. Through hard work and creativity, we’re striving to turn this humble little home into a cozy, welcoming space that reflects our style on a small budget. From large-scale DIYs to crafts, recipes and thrifting, I hope to inspire you to add your personal touch to your own spaces and décor. I sincerely hope you will join me…

If you’re renovating or remodeling your kitchen or a bathroom—or even a laundry room that has a countertop—deciding which countertop material to use is a big decision. But don’t worry: We’ve done the research for you. Here are the top six farmhouse-friendly options, and the pros and cons you need to know to make an informed decision. GRANITE Granite has been a popular countertop choice for many years. Do be aware that while granite countertops are a classic choice for American homes in general, they tend to be less popular with farmhouses, and many homeowners are replacing their granite countertops for more farmhouse-friendly options. Pros: • Heat and scratch resistant• Requires very little maintenance• Doesn’t require cleaning chemicals, just soap and water Cons: • So hard it’ll dull knives if…

Using white in your home can be scary from a functional standpoint, especially if you’ve got young kids. However, incorporating white into your color scheme is a great way to create a bright, modern feel. Designer Amanda shares some helpful tips on how to keep a white color palette looking fresh. Mindful Maintenance. While most paints are washable, you want to make sure the color and finish you pick can safely be wiped down. “For example, an eggshell finish often doesn’t wipe down as well as satin,” Amanda says. Do some research before you select your color and finish to help make maintenance easier. Functional Furniture. When it comes to furniture, you’ll want to be just as eagle eyed as with your paint. Different types of fabrics and materials can…

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Liz Marie Galvan’s Create Your Own Cozy is a flawless blend of practical advice and farmhouse style inspiration. A home is not a home until it makes you feel cozy and crafting that perfect homey atmosphere is no easy task. That is, not without Galvan’s handy guide to help you along the way! The third installment of Liz Marie Galvan’s Little White Cottage series walks through creating a cozy home in the midst of life’s chaos. Complete with meal plans, fill-in prompts, and renovation tips, Create Your Own Cozy is a homemaker’s guide to comfort. “Cozy is more than an end goal; it’s a process that can be curated every step of the way.” Create Your Own Cozy is part workbook, part advice, and all parts cozy. Prompts allow you…