Modern farmhouse design is all the rage right now, owing in large part to Joanna Gaines and her HGTV show Fixer Upper. Adding some of this style to your home doesn’t have to break with bank with our list of 20 farmhouse finds under $20.
I think the appeal of modern farmhouse is that it pairs two aesthetics that are seemingly at odds with one another: modern and farmhouse. Before the Gaines’ entered my life, I thought of farmhouse as gingham check curtains and lots of raw wood. More country than necessarily chic. And modern to me has always meant simple, but a little bit cold. But, somehow the two together work beautifully, at least as conceived by JoJo. While there is a lot of wood in her designs, most of it is painted white. Stark white. And she contrasts that with a lot of black – in her doors and windows, rugs and wall decor. The effect is a simplicity that is at once clean and warm and therein lies the fascination with the trend that finds followers from New England to Milwaukee to Phoenix and back to Waco.
If you love the look – or even if you’re not ready to fully commit – we’ve found 20 fun farmhouse accents to easily and inexpensively add to your decor. Enjoy! (more…)
I love to ponder the history of our home: who lived here, what life was like through the decades, and how each family made its mark herein. We struggle to walk that fine line in this old farmhouse- what is reasonable to alter and what is not. This wall in our kitchen, in which there is an original fireplace (we think), serves no other purpose. It cuts the otherwise large kitchen in two, thereby extinguishing any designs on that extra-large center island, or any island at all for that matter. Still, we are committed to preserving it (for now). I like the stone veneer fireplace and have even warmed to the off-center firebox. A burning fireplace is beautiful to behold. Our non-working fireplace is anything but. When you enter into the kitchen from the dining or living room, this is your view. Meh. This farmhouse needs some fireplace love, and decor. (more…)
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Do you have the fever for the flavor of a farmhouse? You’re not alone. The fervor has swept the country. And why not? The farmhouse mood is easy and relaxed.
The historic farmhouse may, however, be a far cry from the image your mind conjures with its open floor plan and shabby chic flourishes. Farmhouses were historically small in scale and designed for practicality. As families and needs changed, small rooms were opened to allow for more family and multi-purpose space. Perhaps, our love of the farmhouse is a nod to our past, to a simpler time, when the home was considered an adjunct to the land. The wrap-around porch, still synonymous with the farmhouse, illustrates that love of the land and the timeless charm of country living.
Though my family lives in an authentic antique farmhouse, I find myself feeling out-farmhoused after only one episode of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. After a marathon, I’m packing my bags for Waco. The fact is we can’t all demo our homes and start fresh, nor would we want to, when push comes to shove. Most days, I love my home, quirky charms and all. So, what can we do in our own homes to add some of the farmhouse feel without undertaking a major renovation? These are features you can add to the home itself, without breaking the bank. The list does not include furnishings or decor suggestions, as that is a list unto itself. (more…)
