Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2022 i Country Sampler Farmhouse Style

As my family and friends will tell you, I absolutely love being outdoors. I like walking through the woods and seeing the dappled sunlight on the path. I can’t wait to pull out my kayak and paddle along a gurgling river, and I enjoy wandering quietly along a beach collecting sea glass. Even when I’m at home, I find myself gravitating toward the outdoors. I’ll hang my hammock and spend an afternoon reading, or I’ll plant tulip bulbs in the yard and then relish the thrill of seeing them pop up in the spring. I’ll relax on the porch with a glass of iced tea and my computer and do some writing, or just sit in the backyard at night watching the stars. Summer is the best time to live…

Readers (like you!) tell us time and again they love repurposing and upcycling—creating beautiful new decor from cast-off pieces and everyday items. Well, we love it too! Which is why in this issue, you’ll find an abundance of creative decorating projects using unexpected and even utilitarian items to make something truly unique. See what our designers did with candleholders, light-bulb cages and more in Flea-Market Fix-Ups, discover unusual ideas for recasting old drawers in our Designer Challenge, and see how homeowners are turning run-of-the-mill stock tanks into pintsize pools. Plus, discover fun tips for hosting a backyard picnic with a sunny citrus theme.…

≈ Install a pool pump. Take the time during setup to add a pump and filter to remove debris and circulate the water. Search for instructions online to install a pump kit, cutting holes in the tank to accommodate the valves. Use silicone sealant or rubber washers for a leak-free fit. ≈ Add chlorine tablets. To keep the water free of dangerous bacteria, place chlorine tablets in a floating dispenser. Chlorine may cause the metal to rust over time, so use only the minimum amount necessary for safety. ≈ Cover when not in use. This is one of the easiest ways to keep out debris. Purchase a cover specially made for your stock tank or try one made for a hot tub. You can even create your own with wood…

SUSTAINABLE CANNING COURSE If you’d like to learn how to preserve the bounty of your garden, consider signing up for an online class taught by an expert. Homesteading mentor and author Ann Accetta-Scott of A Farm Girl in the Making offers The Sustainable Canning Course, a series of self-paced classes that will teach you all you need to know to start canning. https://afarmgirlinthemaking.com/the-sustainable-home-food-preserving-course-canning-edition FARMHOUSE FROCKS Lena Schlabach started Farmhouse Frocks in 2014 because she wanted to create beautiful clothing for women of all sizes. She works with local Amish seamstresses to make dresses, tops, bottoms and rompers that perfectly complement the farmhouse aesthetic. The company has expanded to carry home decor for every room, including everyday essentials and seasonal accents. Shop online or visit the brick-and-mortar location in Millersburg, Ohio.…

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF A COTTAGE IN THE CITY, WWW.ACOTTAGEINTHECITY.COM. Every era has its trending colors—remember mauve and dusty blue from the 1980s and burgundy and hunter green from the 1990s? These days, color forecasters work to come up with “colors of the year,” which are hues that they predict will be popular on a plethora of products. Most paint companies tout their picks, and it seems like many of them were seeing green for 2022. To name a few, Benjamin Moore chose October Mist, Glidden picked Guacamole and Sherwin-Williams selected Evergreen Fog. However, the Pantone Color Institute went in an entirely different direction with a purply blue hue called Very Peri. When it comes to trending colors, don’t feel obligated to overhaul your rooms, unless you are feeling inspired by…

Inspiration can come from anywhere, whether it be a small historic farmhouse, a handsome lakeside home or a redone ’70s ranch. Enjoy peeking into the four fabulous homes in this issue and discover your own inspiration as you see a California farmhouse transformed from dark and dreary to filled with light, a dated Florida ranch refreshed and renewed in classic neutrals, a newly built Pennsylvania dream home that includes an elegant wedding venue, and a South Carolina family abode filled with vintage favorites and collectibles.…

When Ashley and Steve Smolenski began looking for their forever home nearly 15 years ago, they never considered the possibility of settling down in the city. “I’ve lived on a farm my entire life,” says Ashley, who wanted to raise her own family in a similar rural environment. Originally seeking a fixer-upper farmhouse with a picture-perfect view, they couldn’t find one that fit the bill. So, they decided to build their own on family property in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. “I wanted an old farmhouse look with a full wraparound porch,” Ashley recalls. “We bought plans online that were close to what we wanted and then made changes as we went. We were the general contractors and did much of the work ourselves, which allowed us to really make it our own.”…

Necessity is the mother of all invention, according to the often-quoted adage. It’s certainly true in Brittany’s inviting breakfast nook, which features a “library” of vintage books topping the windows near the table. “I have a bank of windows that overlook the lake, and I didn’t want to block any of those views, but the space needed some contrast,” she explains. Brittany came up with the idea to install a shelf above the windows and then contemplated collectibles to display there that would add to the feel of her new “old” home. She settled on vintage books, seeking out a single color—green—to make a strong statement. “Green is also my favorite color and easily transitions season to season,” she says.…

Step aside, thirsty livestock—stock tanks are in high demand again this summer. Pressed into service as make-do swimming pools by savvy DIYers, galvanized-metal watering troughs offer a sturdy, watertight structure and a classic design that aligns with farmhouse style. The tanks are perfect for a quick, budget-friendly backyard makeover, as they are available at most farm supply stores and at a low price point when compared to typical pool installations. The tanks are deeper than a plastic wading pool, more durable than an inflatable pool and less of a commitment than a conventional above-ground or in-ground pool. You can pick up a ready-to-use tank, fill it with a garden hose and be relaxing in the water in just a few hours. By spending a bit more time and cash on…

Regal Toppers Shapely light-bulb cages from the past can make whimsical topiary forms for your small houseplants. Choose a coordinating knob for each wire cage and insert the knob’s screw through the hole in the top of the cage. Add a washer to the screw from inside the cage and secure with a nut. Trim excess length off the screw, if necessary, before securing. Anchor the base of each cage in the soil of a climbing or trailing plant such as ivy or angel vine. Artful Design Retired from their household duties, old register grates can be found in a multitude of sizes and patterns. Repurpose a favorite as a trivet to hold hot foods or as a platform to stage decor. First, remove any hardware or movable parts from…

TRY IT YOURSELF If you want to create a lamp from a vintage fan you already have, Cordero Handcrafted Lighting offers socket and cord kits and a downloadable video tutorial for purchase. Before the advent of air conditioning, electric table fans helped circulate air and cool indoor spaces. New York engineer Schuyler Skaats Wheeler created the first electric table fan in 1886. It was a small, two-blade personal desk fan. Although effective, it was dangerous because it had an exposed motor and there was no cage surrounding the blades, which were patterned after those seen on windmills. Early electric fans were quite expensive and found only in large offices and upper-class homes. More manufacturers began producing fans in the late 1890s and early 1900s, including well-known companies such as Westinghouse,…

When painting or refinishing treads, work on every other step so you can still use the stairs during your project.…

When Deena Benz purchased a historic California farmhouse in 2014, her goal wasn’t to turn back time. Rather, she wanted to preserve what made the home so special and enhance its best qualities so it could be enjoyed for many more years to come. Built in 1886, the 1,500-square-foot home is the oldest in the town of Los Olivos, located in the Santa Ynez Valley, north of Santa Barbara. Luckily, it didn’t require any structural, electrical or plumbing work when Deena moved in. But the dark wood tones and other dated finishes called for a little brightening up, and she was more than happy to oblige. “I’m definitely into painting and rehabbing furnishings,” Deena says. “I have two power sanders, and I will paint almost anything. There’s always potential, always.…

“I love my screened-in back porch,” Brittany says. “It overlooks the lake and has the nicest breeze. I love to sit out there with my coffee in the mornings. It was one of the best decisions we made.” If you are lucky enough to have your own outdoor oasis, try Brittany’s tips to make the most of it. ■ THINK INSIDE OUT. “My top tip for outdoor spaces is to make them look and feel as much like an interior space as possible,” Brittany says. Use indoor accessories, art and antiques to bring the area to life. For example, Brittany hung a painting of a barn quilt to provide color and pattern behind her porch swing. ■ BE WEATHER WISE. Select furniture pieces that will hold up to the elements.…

1 The pool is only for kids and not big enough for adults. While kids do love stock tank pools, you can fit two adult-size floats (and multiple adults without floats) in a standard 8’ stock tank. 2 The metal will get too hot in the summer. The water inside the tank keeps the metal (even the rim) cool. And if you are really worried about the rim, you can cover it with pool noodles. 3 A stock tank belongs only on a farm. With creative customization, stock tank pools can look great anywhere. They are ideal for small urban yards and can be painted any way you want. 4 The tank is going to rust immediately. With proper care and maintenance, you can prevent rust for many years. You…

• Pick another fruit. From watermelons to peaches to cherries, summer offers plenty of in-season produce to inspire your outdoor meal. • Embrace color. Let one or more favorite hues be your thematic guide. Consider a mix of jewel tones, different shades of blue, or classic red and white. • See the world. Craving a beach trip or a return to your Parisian getaway? Recreate the feeling through your picnic decor and food choices. • Celebrate anything. Turn your picnic into a mini party to celebrate the summer solstice, a half birthday or National Hot Fudge Sundae Day.…

Showcase Small Treasures Turn a unique rounded-front sewing-machine drawer into a tabletop display cabinet. Using the inside width and depth measurements, cut two shelves from craft wood. Cut four lengths of mini quarter-round wood trim or square dowel rod slightly shorter than the depth of the shelves to serve as shelf supports. Equally space the shelves inside the cabinet and glue a support underneath the left and right sides of each, toward the back. Allow the glue to dry completely. For extra support, add small nails in discreet areas through the shelf supports into the sides of the cabinet from the inside. Paint the cabinet interior, shelves and supports white. Predrill holes and screw in four ball-style furniture knobs for legs. Trim the screws, if necessary, so they don’t protrude…

HAWAIIAN SLIDERS Serves 12 Sweet and buttery rolls filled with thinly sliced ham and melty Swiss cheese are a party favorite. Karly Campbell at the Buns in My Oven blog says it never hurts to double the recipe because they go quick. INGREDIENTS 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls 12 ounces thin-sliced deli ham 12 slices Swiss cheese ½ cup butter, melted 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons dried minced onion 1 teaspoon ground mustard 1 teaspoon poppy seeds INSTRUCTIONS 1. Slice all the rolls in half and place the bottom halves in a 9” × 13” baking dish. 2. Place ham and cheese on the bottom halves of the sliced rolls. Cover with the top halves. 3. Mix together the remaining five ingredients in a small bowl and spoon over…