The Start of Yard Sale Season {A Few Things I'm on the Lookout For}

The weather is getting better (in most places) and soon we'll be seeing yard sale signs on every corner. I thought I'd share a few things that, if the price is right, I would never pass up!

DIY Gift Ideas... {Farmhouse Inspired}

Hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving! Are you braving the crowds, or keeping it cozy at home this weekend? Today, I thought I'd share a roundup of some farmhouse-inspired DIY projects that would make great gifts. 

These posts were written over the past few years. Though there is a range in the quality of photos, depending on when the post was written, I still enjoy the finished product and hope you will too! 

Just click on the images or links below for instructions...

Grain Sack Christmas Tree Pillows {Farmhouse Christmas Decor}

(Some product was received in exchange for promotion. Affiliate links are included.)

When I first saw these Christmas tree pillows made from vintage European grain sacks, I thought they were so clever and beautiful. And then when they arrived in the mail, they were even better than I had hoped, full of character and charm!

First, More Grain Sack... Second, An Unlikely Coffee Table...

We are well into fall now, and I hope you're enjoying the season. Has it cooled off where you live? Someone flipped the switch here in the Pacific Northwest today. We went from bright, sun-shiny skies yesterday to rain today. 

I'm grateful that the bright autumn shades of leaves are putting on a stunning show to compensate for the grey. It seems like there's a life lesson there - I guess it's that our attitude is shaped by what we choose to focus on... 

And today we're going to notice those beautiful leaves. ;) 

Our New Farmhouse-Style Shop Space {A Peek Inside}

 Hi Friends. Thank you so much for all that support you have shown me as I recently opened up a retail space inside one of my favorite (like all-time favorite) local antique shops, M&M Antiques in Monroe, WA. It has been a lot of fun filling our booth, and we are learning a lot in the process. 

Although this is a busy time of year with back-to-school, I also think it is a really great time to begin a shop space as we head into the cozy, holiday seasons of fall and winter. 

 I hope you don't mind if I occasionally share some shop posts here on the blog... It is another  canvas to try out decorating and display options that I may not be able to pull off in our own home. ;) 

Please come in and have a look around...

DIY Grain Sack Wall Hanging {Easy and Affordable Farmhouse Decor}

You already know how I feel about grain sacks. 

Do you love their sense of history, craftsmanship, simplicity and texture like I do? 

If you do, then this DIY is for you... 

A Farmhouse-Style Herb Garden in the Dining Room...

It may still be awhile until we plant herbs in the garden outside, but it's never too early to enjoy them indoors. 

They add some life, greenery, and freshness to the house... and smell so good!

Plus, it's good gardening warm-up. 

Here are the Highlights... (Farmhouse Decorating, DIYs and Home Tours)

Hi Friends! Have I mentioned that I love it when you visit? I do! 

And today, I'm rounding up blog posts from January, in case you missed anything. It was a full month here on the blog with home tours, DIY projects and farmhouse decorating ideas that will still work beautifully in February and beyond!

DIY Grain Sack Pillows (And Where to Buy Grain Sacks)

If someone were to accuse me of being slightly obsessed with vintage European grain sacks... I'd say they were wrong. 

I am totally obsessed.

And today, I am going to share all of my grain sack secrets and tips... like the best places to buy your grain sacks at the lowest price, how to make affordable grain sack pillows (sew and no-sew options), and if you're not up for making them yourself, where you can shop for a beautiful selection of grain sack pillows.

Grain Sack for Christmas and a Magazine Feature!

This is a good, but busy, week around here.... Parent-teacher conferences (half days of school), getting ready to host Thanksgiving, a 5th grade World Fair, a 1st grade Thanksgiving party, and decorating our home for Christmas. Did I mention that over the weekend I decided to take on a project in our living room? The timing just felt right. ;)

I'm guessing I'm in good company with you all. 

I look forward to sharing our living room project with you soon. But today, I thought I'd share one of my favorite things to decorate with at Christmastime...

European grain sacks.

I love the pops of red that grain sack pillows add to our mostly neutral decor... 

{Farmhouse Table} Wood Chargers & Grain Sack Inspiration...

My husband and I recently enjoyed a romantic date to... IKEA.

As we dined in the cafeteria (do you love lingonberry as much as I do?!), we pondered deep thoughts such as, "Do you think the CEO of IKEA (one of the wealthiest men in the world) has IKEA furniture in his house?"

After finishing our free lunch (thanks to the current promotion - free lunch with $100 purchase), it's only fitting that I found inspiration in the kitchen and dining area...

3 Farmhouse DIY Projects (When Skies are Gray)

These are the days in Seattle when we have to dig deeper to keep our spirits up. 

The skies are gray. 

Dark gray. 

The rain is not letting up. 

The anticipation of Christmas is either over, 
or 346 days out... depending on how you look at it.

In case you're experiencing a touch of the winter blues, or cabin fever, I thought I'd share a few (totally doable) DIY projects that will add some charm to your winter (or any season really) nest. Just click on the link below each picture for instructions...

Vintage Inspired Sign

How to Bring Farmhouse Style Outdoors {10 Ways}

Comfortable. Casual. Welcoming. Rustic. 

These are some feelings that come to mind when I think of farmhouse style outdoors... Where a hurried life seems to slow down and the quiet beauty of nature is all around.

A place for family and friends to gather.

Whether you have an actual farmhouse with acreage, a suburban home in a neighborhood, or an apartment with a small entryway and balcony, there are ways to incorporate farmhouse style right where you live.

1. {Wood crates} A vintage bulb crate next to our front door serves as a rustic shelf for a pitcher of flowers. Fresh cut flowers are a quick & easy way to freshen up a porch.

Wood crates are also good catch-alls for toys and balls.

2. {Ticking fabric, grain sack and burlap} for cushions and pillows add that classic farmhouse feel. 

3. {Old tin buckets} as planters for a simple "just grabbed these out of the barn" ambience. ;)

A repurposed chicken waterer is right at home on the front porch. I found this one at a yard sale for just a few dollars  (I loved the rust for decorating, though it wouldn't work well for chickens ;). You can also find them at antique stores. New, you can expect to pay $20 - $25 for this size (2 gallon). 

4. {Chippy, weathered furniture} brings a comfortable feel to a covered porch. Use an old dresser for a plant stand, gardening tool storage, or simply a focal point.

5. {Vines} I'm so grateful to our home's previous owners for planting beautiful vines around the property. Here they are, growing up the side of our laundry/mud room.

And along a fence, vines, grapes and hops add old fashioned texture and greenery.



6. {Gates} are functional, but can also add farmhouse appeal. 

For an easy way to incorporate a gate or two, prop them up on a porch or entryway. The picture below is from our fall porch last year. I used an old gate and section of fencing on the porch to add more of that "pumpkin patch" feel. ;) I found the gate and fence at a yard sale, but similar pieces can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot. 

7. {Arbors} add architectural interest year-round. They can support beautiful vines and wisteria during the growing months. In winter, string lights up on arbors for a "happy" dose of light, when darkness comes early. 

This arbor, set off of our gravel driveway, marks the entrance to our front yard.

8. {Outdoor seating} invites you to slow down and take in the scenery. I recently moved this bench out near the chicken yard so that we could sit and watch the chickens (may sound weird, but it's peaceful :). Is there a special place on your property - maybe in the garden - where a bench might encourage you to enjoy the view awhile longer?

9. {Outbuildings} like a chicken coop or garden shed open up lots of possibilities, as well as provide you with another charming backdrop. 

10. {Farm fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers} evoke simple country living perhaps more than anything. If you don't have space to plant fruit trees or build raised garden beds, consider a container garden where strawberries, tomatoes and herbs can be tended and enjoyed.

Find ideas on decorating with farmhouse style inside here!

And now I'm wondering, where is your favorite spot at home to enjoy some time outdoors? Or, is there a view you most love, looking out your window? I'd love to hear!

So glad you stopped by...

Xo

Sharing with:
French Country Cottage
From My Front Porch

Share Your Style
Savvy Southern Style
Cozy Little House

One Room, Two Ways...

The other day I decided to try our family room a couple of different ways. I didn't buy anything new (except for the little bundle of white hydrangeas). I just "shopped" from other rooms in our house. 

I started by bringing in the old farmhouse door, that was in the laundry room, for an added architectural detail. 

For option one, I moved in a French-style armchair, grain sack pillow and ottoman. 

I also tried this blue patterned rug for a touch of color.

I kept the blue ticking pillows and burlap pillows, because I love their simple farmhouse cheer. :)

For the second look, I exchanged the blue patterned rug for a more textured, oatmeal-colored rug. In place of the French chair, I put an old white chippy bench in front of the window. 

So, here's look #2...

And here's look #1...

Which do you prefer?

It was fun to see this room in a different way. And, it felt good to change the look without spending money!

Don't be afraid to move things around, from room to room. You many find that certain pieces just fit better in unexpected places. A piece that may have just faded into the background in one room, can be the superstar in another! ;)

In the end, I chose function over form since this is the most used room in our home. Can you guess which look I kept?

Thank you for stopping by!

Hope you have a wonderful day...

xo

Sharing with:
Dwellings - The Heart of Your Home
Cozy Little House
Stone Gable
Coastal Charm
Savvy Southern Style
Katherine's Corner

French Country Cottage

French Farmhouse Chairs {Grain sack}

 Hi there! I hope your day is going well. What are your plans for the weekend?

It has been such a full week for us that I am especially looking forward to this weekend… I bet you are too!

Just stopping in to show you a little project I've been working on.

I was given these two chairs… 
Cute, but I wasn't really feelin' the faux green leather seats… or the dark wood.

So, I painted the chairs white and used a grain sack to re-cover the seats.

This little pair will make great extra seating for the upcoming holidays!

I love the carved flower detail…

Have a wonderful weekend!

Also, did you see this post on the Farm Chicks Show? 
The Happiest Antiques Show on Earth

xo

I'm linking to:
The Shabby Nest
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating
Thoughts From Alice
Cozy Little House