The Neutrals and Grays of Wire, Tin, and Cotton Sacking With Thoughts About Decorating Styles

Doesn't this look clean and crisp? 
Or. . .is it too much white for you?

There are different schools of thought about farmhouse decor. . .One favoring farmhouses in the last century that were filled with color and a miss-match of everything from fabric to mixing bowls. . .On the other hand, nowadays we think of the farmhouse in neutrals of whites and grays. . .

When I started blogging The Country Farm Home 2011, everything was beginning to feature whites. . .from shabby chic cottages to the new guy on the block--the country farmhouse. . .Believe it or not, finding farmhouse decor was rather difficult in those days. . .My blog was one of the first. . .and let me tell you, I sure went through a number of styles before I landed on the one that fit our farm style. . .I decided to throw out trying to mimic other's and come up with my own. . .I have always decorated according to the house type, so our farmhouse needed to look like one. . .but with an updated sense of style. . .So which school of thought did I lean toward?. .Both. . .As I've often said, I chose the neutrals of cotton growing in the field. . .white, black, gray and browns. . .with pops of color. . .because no, I cannot "do" just white. . .but white mixed with other neutrals and a little red or denim blue fit the bill for me. . .It made the little farmhouse light, bright, and airy. . .I also found that with neutrals, the decor could change easily and often. . .

Trends do come and go. . .They cycle. . .but each time an old trend surfaces again, it is built upon and made better suited to the lifestyle and decorating style of the present generation. . .I like to think that is what I've done with my own farmhouse style. . .and with the objects I include in the decor. . .Not just reminiscent of the past. . .but a statement for the present that this is a farmhouse in which we live now. . .

Wire baskets, galvanized buckets, milking items, cotton sacking and ticking will always spell 'farmhouse' without saying a word. . .These are items I guarantee you I saw in the numerous farmhouses I visited when growing up in this small farming community. . .I simply use them in a different way. . .

As I was spring cleaning, I realized I've been accumulating a lot of wire items and more galvanized tin. . .from the barns and storage buildings over the years. . .Nine years after I began our farmhouse style, I still love the look and patina of such items in my decor. . .I doubt that will ever change. . .because these items ARE part of the history of our farm. . .and thus, of The Country Farm Home. . .

But what I can say is. . .I will continue to remain open to new trends in decor that may surface. . . and incorporate those I like . . .for I think that's the secret in any style. . .Take a bit of the past, add some present but apply it to your own style. . .what makes you happiest. . .Isn't that the true sense of decorating?

I think it is. . .

Free COUNTRY RUSTIC SUMMER E-MAGAZINE!

Here's a special gift for you! You can download the entire Country Rustic magazine today! DJ Williams is bringing you this opportunity due to the COVID-19 causing  so many stores across the county to close for a time. She didn't want you to miss a single issue!

"Due to the COVID-19 virus which has affected each of us personally on so many levels, as well as adversely impacting businesses across our country and all over the world, the majority of shops and stores which carry Country Rustic Magazine are under mandatory closure orders. Instead of printing our Summer Issue, we will be providing an alternative for our readers to enjoy our Summer Issue from their homes.

Country Rustic Magazine is happy to release a special Summer Issue in the format of an E-Magazine which is FREE and available to readers for download from our website. Please note that in order to DOWNLOAD this Issue, it will be necessary for your to “ADD” it to your shopping cart and Checkout to make the purchase which will ring up $0.00, unless you have also put other items in your cart. We apologize for any inconvenience. . .

Our best wishes to you and your families for wellness and safety.
DJ Williams
Editor-In-Chief"

So take advantage of DJ's offer and CLICK HERE. 

Don't miss THE COUNTRY FARM HOME features in this issue, too!

Plant Now For Herbal Kitchen Wreaths

Wreaths are not just for Christmas! . .An herbal wreath can add so much to your kitchen year around. . .The big perk, though, is fresh herbs for all your recipes. . .There are just no purchased dried herbs that stand a chance against ones freshly picked from your garden. . .or dried on a wreath such as this. . .where they retain their flavor. . .

In the coming 2020 Fall Issue of COUNTRY RUSTIC magazine, you will find a short history of herbs and my experience making wreaths with them at the Felix Valle House State Historic Site in Ste. Genevieve, MO, including instructions on how to make a wreath such as this. . .But for now, I want to encourage you to plant some herbs NOW to make wreaths in late summer and through fall.. .It's time to get those garden gloves and tools out!!

It is not necessary to have a traditional garden spot. . .You can plant herbs in pots and flower beds. . .As long as you can find a small space free of weeds, herbs will thrive and are some of the easiest plants to grow. . .

A few of my favorites to grow and dry on wreaths are: Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Tarragon, Basil, Yarrow. . .Those are my base herbs. . .Any other herbs will help to fill in the spaces. . .But it's your choice. . .I do suggest you check some of your recipes when deciding which herbs to use. . .

So, ladies get busy. . .Don't waste time getting your herb garden planted. . .The months will slip away fast and before you know it, you'll be making your own amazing kitchen culinary herbal wreath. . .

It's Spring! Planting Time! Here's A Story To Make You Smile!

It's sure been an upside down world this year, hasn't it? I hope that everyone has made it through these last few months safely. . .I have found so many blessings during these uncertain times. . .and one of them has been our farm. . .We didn't have to stay all cooped up in the house because, when you live on a farm, there's always wide open spaces. . .and plenty to do for exercise. . .There's been spring cleaning. . .spring "take everything out of the barn that I put in last fall" days. . .spring gardens to weed and plant. . .new beginnings all around.

Social distancing isn't difficult for our farmers either. . .since only one person can drive a tractor at any time. . .They are late planting this year, though. . .but not because of shut-downs or sheltering in place. . .They've been sheltering for sure, but from the rain and storms that just don't seem to let up. . .Hopefully, these next two weeks they'll be able to get in the fields. . .

Not a planting season goes by that I don't feel the excitement of it. . .or think about the family stories that have been passed down. . .So, I thought. . .maybe. . .if you need a little diversion from our uncertain everyday life of the present, you might enjoy reading one of those stories. . .about springtime at the old company store. . .Just click on the link below and be taken to a spring day of the past. . .

Take a break. . .and enjoy. . .

Hope it warms your heart. . .

 A COMPANY STORE SPRING

Sheltering in Place: An Inspirational Story

 Mr. B. J. LaShay is taking this Shelter in Place seriously. . .

But. . .with no real fear. . .Just more nap times. . .

We can take a lesson from him. . .Don't you think?

Well. . .here's an INSPIRATIONAL STORY 

to boost your Faith in these coming weeks. . . 

SHELTER IN PLACE: NOAH DID 

From John and Dru,  Little Bit and B.J. . . .

STAY SAFE. . .SHELTER IN PLACE. . .LOVE YOUR FAMILY. . .

DIY Face Mask: A Picture Tutorial

I'm sure no one has to be told that we now have the Coronavirus-19 threat in this country and that face masks are in minimum supply. I know that it is said that masks don't help but I think anything we can do that will possibly protect our loved ones is worth a little time spent.

I don't usually repost other's projects like this on The Country Farm Home, but I have been so impressed with this DIY mask from the BUTTON COUNTER blog that I felt I should share the link. I'll be making several in the coming days and may send a few to loved ones through the mail. Give it a try! And make several. They will need to be washed after each wearing.

DIY FACEMASK: A PICTURE TUTORIAL

TAKE CARE, EVERYONE!

Hearts and Roses

Valentine's Day comes exactly at the right time of year for me. . .It scoots out the weeks of gray skies and damp, cold weather that always come after Christmas. . .and pops in with bright red hearts and ruby red roses. . .so that all is exciting and festive again. . .

But. . .what I like the most about the holiday is that it reminds us to pause for a moment and think about those whose hearts have touched ours. . .Those special someones who enrich our lives. . .and that sometimes we take for granted. . .I'll sound like an old woman now. . .but. . ."the older I get," the more I realize that life is truly fragile. . .Setting aside time to remember a LOVED ONE (or two) should be high on our list for at least one day, don't you think?

Rich Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Mock Cherry Topping (Recipe Here)

It doesn't have to be a grand affair. . .Just a card will do. . .John knows that the way to my heart is Red Roses. . .but I know that the way to his is a Chocolate Cake. . .Yet, the gift is secondary. . .It's the thought behind it. . . that we stopped long enough to think of the other one. . .and doing what we know will make them smile. . .To tell them how much they are in our hearts. . .

Now I have to ask. . .Is there a better day for that celebration than a cold one in February, when it's rainy outside but warm with LOVE inside?

Yep. . .Valentine's Day comes at exactly the right time of the year. . .

Happy Valentine's Day. . .

from. . .

Something Old-Something New

Don't get excited. . .It's not a wedding. . .Just a little change in the bathroom that's fun. . .At first glance, can you tell what's real. . .and what's not?  I had John doing a double-take when I placed my thrift store find (the big painting/print) behind this grouping. . .The blue Ball canning jar looks even more real than it does here. . .If it weren't for the painted flowers, it might be very hard to tell. . .

It's also hard to tell that the bird isn't part of the print, isn't it?. . .Everything just comes together. . .the old water basin and pitcher. . .the new painting/print. . .the blue berries. . .and the blue bird. . .for a setting that teases the eyes. . .fitting right in with plain and simple style.

I do hope that posts like these will encourage you. . .and show how to decorate in style without spending a lot of money. . .I do prefer buying as many decorator pieces as possible from yard sales and thrift stores. . .because I don't feel I have to keep it forever as I would if I'd paid big bucks. . .I can store or donate those items without any feeling of guilt. . .It's a win-win all the way around. . .

Speaking of Spring. . .(I was, you know). . .I've seen a preview of the Spring 2020 Issue of Country Rustic Magazine and I'm telling you, it is WONDERFUL. . .DJ has been playing with new layouts. . .and working harder with each issue to make it better than the last one. . .You should be getting yours through the mail or see it on news stands soon. . .

Of course, Spring at The Country Farm Home is featured in it, too. . .

You know you can't miss that story!!!

It's the third in the series of four seasons at the farm.

I can hardly believe there's only one more. . .