I think as much as I love the style, I love what they represent. Farmhouses have always brought me a sense of peace. Farming is serious business and lots of hard work, but overall, they represent for me a simpler time and a fruitful life. I used to think I was meant to be born in 1988 because of my love for 80's music, but now I know I was just off by like 100 years and was really meant to be born in 1888. Laura Ingall's and I would've been great friends--I just know it!
As we were driving to Michigan this summer, we drove through more farmland than I've ever seen in my entire life. Hundreds and hundreds of miles. The farmhouses were stunning. A beautiful {typically white} farmhouse in the middle of vast farmland surrounded by a grove of beautiful trees. And leading up to that grove of beautiful trees was usually a tree lined dirt road. It was breathtaking. I wish I could've stopped at each one and gone inside for a cup of coffee and a chat. Oh the stories those houses could've told me.
So while I don't consider myself an expert in all things farmhouse, there are some things that characterize a cozy farmhouse. All of these are my personal preferences, so they will vary from farmhouse lover to farmhouse lover.
Here are a few of my favorite things from around our suburban farmhouse...
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #1 - Open shelving in the kitchen. I tend to lean towards all white plates, bowls and serving pieces/decor--except coffee cups and glasses.
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #2 - White pieces of furniture. This small table that I use as an entry table is an antique that was my Mom's. It was a walnut color--which I'm not fond of AT ALL, so I painted it white and sanded it. Don't be afraid of white!
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #3 - Old window frames. I found this piece at a local shop called the French Courtyard. They decoupaged pages from an old book onto the glass then used plaster for the beautiful floral pattern. This is one of my favorite things in our entire house.
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #4 - Old wooden planks + rusty metal letters. I can't remember the booth I bought this at, but I got it at The Woodlands Junior League Holiday Market last year. Wish I could remember the name. Whoever they are, I'll be scoping them out this year too!
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #5 - A good cake stand. This one is my current favorite and is from the Pioneer Woman collection.
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #6 - A framed boxwood wreath. There are several wreaths that characterize the farmhouse look, but boxwood is my personal favorite.
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #7 - Mason jars. I've been collecting mason jars for years. The two bottom ones on this shelf are my favorite. I got them at an antique shop in downtown Tomball.
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #8 - A farmhouse sign. This is kind of Cozy Farmhouse 101 in my book. Nothing fancy, just simply stated.
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #9 - Farmhouse lighting. You can find farmhouse lighting just about anywhere these days. Our entryway fixture and our kitchen table fixture both came from Lowe's! World Market has a great selection as well!
Cozy Farmhouse Necessity #10 - The Farmhouse Table. I purchased this table at World Market years ago and ended up painting the base and two chairs white, the bench and other two chairs a powdery blue/aqua color and sanded down and stained the table top light grey. I typically keep it very simple on the table because, well, we have three boys. Fresh flowers and, on occasion, a burlap runner.
And there you have it, my {almost} complete list of some of my favorite things that make a farmhouse a farmhouse.
I love you guys. Thanks for reading my blog--all two of you. You guys are the best!
Your Farmhouse Friend,
Becca
