I'm so excited to be part of a fabulous group of bloggers who are starting a monthly series discussing farmhouse style. Farmhouse styling is hot, hot, hot right now! And like my friend Snoop Dogg says, you gotta drop it like it's hot!
What, not expecting a quote from Mr. Dogg in a farmhouse decorating post?
Every 4th Friday of each month we'll be yammering on about all sorts of farmhouse style funkiness and hopefully give you a little inspiration on how to bring a bit of farmhouse to your neck of the woods.
In fact, I bet you have bits and pieces of it in your house right now and didn't even know it!
So to start off the series, I wanted to discuss what farmhouse style decorating means to me.
To me, farmhouse style is as much of a feeling as it is a look. It's feeling comfortable in your home. Nothing stuffy, nothing perfect. Nothing too serious.
It's feeling at ease in your surroundings. Plop down on the sofa or put your feet up on the coffee table if you want. Nothing to be afraid of here.
It's feeling like you are at home. In your home.
Some elements that shout farmhouse style are:
Eclectic Elements Collected Over Time
Sure, I've been known to run to HomeGoods on occasion, but in all honesty, I much prefer the thrill of the hunt for that one of a kind item. And my favorite hunting grounds are estate sales, thrift stores and yard sales.
And whether old, new, found at an estate sale or found in your basement, collections of seemingly unrelated items grouped together to create a vignette can make a powerful statement. Let's call it the quirky factor.
If you don't think it "goes together", you're right on track.
Worn And Battered Pieces
The more worn and battered, the better.
A good patina just means the items have had a previous life before they came into yours. It makes me wonder about who owned them before. Who cherished them. Who took them for granted.
Don't overlook something because it's not perfect.
Tools And Equipment Used As Decor
What was once meant to be used purely for utility and work, now used as decor!
wire baskets
galvanized buckets
scales
mason jars
tool carriers
chicken feeders
ironstone pieces
Our ancestors would probably think we're nuts to be so excited about a simple mason jar!
Don't be afraid to think outside of the box. Or toolbox 🙂
Mismatched pieces
In a rough and tumble farmhouse setting you wouldn't have the means or inclination to buy matching dining sets from fancy catalogs. You would have inherited a table from your grandmother, been given a few chairs from the neighbor down the road and maybe found a few more chairs in the barn.
Nothing matchy matchy here.
Just because you didn't buy it together doesn't mean it doesn't look good together.
Natural And Earthy
Don't overlook the natural elements in your farmhouse decor.
Twigs, plants, bird nests and even wasp nests are fun and quirky additions to your farmhouse decor. Just make sure the wasps have left the nest for good or you might have a problem.
If you found it in the yard, shake it off and bring it inside.
So to recap my ramblings, Eclectic Elements, Worn And Battered, Tools And Equipment, Mismatched Pieces, Natural And Earthy. They all go into creating a farmhouse style in your home.
So yes, farmhouse style feels like home.
Like walking into your grandmother's kitchen, grabbing a cookie from her cookie jar and getting a big old hug and a cold glass of milk.
That's what farmhouse style means to me. So what does farmhouse style means to you?
Now run on over to check out the other Farmhouse Friday posts.
And if that's not enough farmhouse style in your life, check out my Farmhouse Decor Pinterest board.
And some previous reader favorites on farmhouse style:
Anita
Pam I LOVE your corner cabinet!! I put wallpaper on the back of mine, but I love how you have it all painted inside. You have great vintage items too:-)
Megan
So pretty Pam! I am so excited to be part of this series! Thanks for the inspiration!
Gayle
Great definition of Farmhouse Style. And, Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart were once neighbors 'at the farm' so his quote fit right in 🙂
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
I love all of your farmhouse goodies, Pam...especially that cow with a handle growing out of her back. My house can't make up it's mind what style it is...probably because I am decorating it, and I like everything...
Hope you have a great weekend!
taryterre
I like your FarmHouse Style. Those pup figurines are so sweet.
Kathleen @ faded charm
Great ideas for adding farmhouse style into your home, Pam!
Have a great weekend.
xoxo
Kathleen
Kim
I so agree with you about what farmhouse style is.
Angela
Love your style and you made this Georgia peach girl who's currently living in Canada feel right at home. So glad I was introduced to you by Farmstyle Friday, what a wonderful event to be a part of! I look forward to following your blog.
Jeanette @ Snazzy Little Things
When I think of your blog, I think about some of my favorite vintage things -- old cameras and typewriters. I love your groupings and how they go together. And I'm with you...I have to force myself to shop somewhere other than my favorite antique stores. Love this round up!
Pamela-FromMyFrontPorchToYours
Love your ironston hutch Pam!
Curtains In My Tree
I think my favorite farmhouse kitchen item is ironstone and cow creamers
Thanks for reminding us what is hot hot now LOL
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living
You summed it up beautifully, Pam! LOVE your corner cupboard with the ironstone and dishes in it. And that beat up crate is pure perfection!
Dawn Pinnataro
Well, I wasl just going for a vintage, bring back my childhood memories of Mom's 1st house or my grandmothers' homes, etc and what I remember seeing in their kitchens / houses. And lo and behold... I have a farmhouse style going on! I have milk glass and ironstone and little goodies mixed on my hutch and in my dining room and kitchen. I have even copied a few ideas from you, Pam, like the thermos' and plaid and the funky metal basket with the exact display of scale, jar, plain vintage lunchbos! I fell in love with your funky style! And I find myself drawn to any blog that displays old ironstone, milk glass and litle trinkets mixed in all together!!
Joanne Noragon
My mother used to collect cow pitchers. They stayed at my grandmother's house until she broke up housekeeping. When I was very little my milk came to the table in a cow pitcher.
You have captured the farmhouse style of all the farmhouses I knew in the forties.
Yvonne @ StoneGable
Wonderful post, Pam and so so true! Your thoughts and images are farmhouse style perfection!!! LOVE partying with you!