Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2024 i Country Sampler Farmhouse Style

Editor’s Note One of my favorite songs that puts me in a lazy-days-of-summer mood is the classic from Porgy and Bess sung by Ella Fitzgerald, which begins: “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high.” I realize it represents a bygone time, but the slow drawl of it just reminds me of relaxing on a front porch swing, slowly rocking back and forth and enjoying a faint breeze. Birds are chirping and kids are laughing down the street. I smile and wave at the neighbor as she works in her garden. I can smell summer’s perfume and feel its warmth. Summer days like this are beyond compare. In this issue of Farmhouse Style, we showcase three homes that exude that simple summer atmosphere. Two…

This summer, make every day feel like a vacation by incorporating a bit of coastal farmhouse style into your home. Though it may seem more suited to homes near the ocean, the look easily blends with the farmhouse aesthetic, creating an inviting atmosphere that evokes the relaxed feel of cozy beach cottages and a seaside landscape. Sun-Kissed Hues One of the features that modern farmhouse and coastal style have in common is a neutral color scheme. Hues inspired by sea and sand are at the heart of coastal style, with bleached whites, soft blues and greens, and warm beige tones dominating the palette. Shell pink, navy blue and driftwood gray are also part of this look. Because the palettes have a lot of crossover, it is easy to mix in…

Ready to teach the young people in your life some old-fashioned skills? A great place to start is The Children’s Heritage Sourcebook: 100+ Back-to-Roots Activities for Kids & Teens (Welcome Books, 2023). Written by Ashley Moore, Lauren Malloy and Emma Rollin Moore, this book is a year-round resource packed with ideas and inspiration to engage kids in the art of self-sufficiency. Try one of these kid-friendly projects, which are described in step-by-step detail in the book. □ Grow microgreens. Sprout edible seedlings in your kitchen no matter the season. In a bowl filled with moist potting soil, kids can plant seeds for kale, clover, pea, radish or sunflower and then watch them grow. Once the seedlings are a few inches tail, carefully cut across the stems with scissors and let…

An interior designer and avid DIYer, Sandra is a literal pro when it comes to creating living spaces that are as inviting as they are interesting; a large part of achieving that is an effective use of layering, maintaining a limited color scheme, and giving each grouping space to breathe and shine. Here are some tips and takeaways to try at home: EXPLORE. Take time when building collections and investigate various retailers, from small sellers and thrift shops to larger stores and venues. If aiming for a storied look, avoid buying themed decor sets and opt for single items. ASSEMBLE. Many of Sandra’s vignettes begin with something tall surrounded by items in odd-numbered groupings, and she’s sure to employ different shapes and finishes as well. Take photos during the process…

“I love the colors and textures that nature adds to a space,” says Daune, who leads online and in-person workshops that include advice on finding and using foraged beauty. “Luckily for me, I have a big garden,” she says, explaining that many of the dried plants and greens in her home come from her own backyard, an oasis she and Keith have created in the 28 years since they bought the house. She offers a few tips for integrating natural materials into your own interiors. Cut and Dried. Search your yard and neighborhood for pods, stems, flowers and vines with interesting lines and shapes. Dried shelf fungi from trees are another eye-catching option. Watch out for materials when you go for walks or bike rides. “Many flowers and greens will…

Try out other fruit-andflower combos, such as limes or small melons with zinnias or dahlias. Pair Fruits With Florals Make a floral sculpture that’s perfect for the kitchen or the dining room by combining green pears, yellow roses and pretty greens. Line the bottom of a wire bowl with vibrant green moss. Place a shallow bowl on top of the moss and set a rectangle of soaked floral foam upright in the bowl. Stake pears with bamboo skewers and arrange them around the bottom and top of the foam. Cut roses and arrange them around the center of the foam. Tuck in ferns and ivy to fill gaps. Continue adding foliage until all the foam is covered. Arrange Delicious Layers Top rows of bright berries with a justpicked bouquet to…

Install a Repurposed Birdhouse Many birds are avid insect eaters and can help control garden pests as well as disperse seeds and assist with pollination. Provide a nesting spot for feathered friends by turning a vintage cathedral-style radio cabinet into a birdhouse. Detach the back panel of a nonfunctioning radio and remove the internal components so that only the wood case remains. Create an opening for birds to enter, perhaps by removing a dial from the front of the cabinet and enlarging the hole slightly. Replace the backing, making sure it can be removed for an annual cleanout. Mount the birdhouse on a post that is at least 5 feet off the ground to deter predators. Situate it in a shady area facing the opposite direction from prevailing winds. Since…

1 Berry Basket Planter The classic shape of a berry basket makes for a cute hanging planter. Using a paper punch, make a hole on each side of all four corners of a molded fiber berry basket. Put on gloves and spread adhesive grout mix evenly over the entire basket, inside and out. Clear open areas and holes and let dry. Apply additional layers of grout mix if necessary; the container should feel stronger and firm to the touch when dry. Thread a length of twine through the holes in the top rim and tie the ends in a tidy knot. Cut four even lengths of twine and knot one end of each to the twine on the inside corners of the container. Gather the other ends together and tie in…

NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET DIRECTORY If you’re looking for a place to shop for farmfresh fruits and veggies, flowers and other locally produced items, either near your home or in areas you’re visiting, check out the National Farmers Market Directory. Simply enter a ZIP code or city and state to generate information on farmers markets in the area, including the location, schedule, and types of products for sale. https://nfmd.org Find unique, uncommon and heirloom flower varieties for your garden at Floret. You may recognize the name from the documentary series “Growing Floret,” which is available to watch on streaming services. The family-run flower farm based in Washington state offers a curated assortment of seeds, tools and supplies to help you grow beautiful flowers. Founder Erin Benzakein has written several books, and…

The allure of the casual, comfortable nature of farmhouse style is conveyed by many homes, whether they are on farms or not. The three houses in this issue are far from Midwestern rural fields, taking root instead near a lake in South Carolina, nestled among nature in North Carolina and amidst ancient oaks and marshland in northeast Florida. But one thing they all have in common is that familiar blend of weathered furnishings, carefully curated found objects, and relaxing open spaces.…

After many years of living in the Northeast, Ellen and Gregg Winter were ready to spend their winters somewhere warm and sunny. They began with “a very exhaustive list of places far and wide,” Gregg says, even including spots outside the United States. As they narrowed down that list, a clear winner arose: Amelia Island, which is located just off the northeast coast of Florida and is renowned for its pristine beaches, natural beauty and laid-back lifestyle. More specifically, they discovered the Crane Island development, a boutique community situated amid the barrier island’s ancient oaks and marshland. Homes in the development are required to fit into traditional architectural styles that convey a similar coastal aesthetic. There was just one thing missing before they could move in: “There were no houses…

Through the years, Jennifer has remodeled her kitchen twice. Find all the details of her remodeling projects at https://jennifermaune.com/kitchen-remodel-ideas. While Jennifer Maune was expecting her sixth child, the Arkansas mom and avid home cook decided to chase her culinary dreams and enroll in cooking school. She never imagined that just three years later, she’d be a contestant on the 13th season of “MasterChef,” Fox’s popular competitive cooking show featuring Gordon Ramsay Representing her home region, the South, she made it all the way to the final round. Jennifer’s earliest kitchen memories are of helping her grandma make Thanksgiving dressing and macaroni and cheese. “My maternal grandmother was an amazing Southern cook, and my love for cooking came from her,” she says. As an adult, Jennifer relished preparing traditional Southern favorites…

In this age of screens, social media and sameday delivery, it’s more important than ever for kids to learn basic skills that will put them on the path to a confident, productive life. Homesteaders past and present have provided children with a real-life education in self-sufficiency, often through daily hands-on tasks. While much of this old-fashioned knowhow isn’t necessary today, practicing homesteading-related skills like gardening, cooking, or animal care can provide untold benefits to the youngsters in your life. Getting kids interested in learning practical skills shouldn’t be very hard. Teri Page, author of the book Family Homesteading and blogger at Homestead Honey (https://homestead-honey.com), notes that homesteading pursuits are particularly appealing to young people. “Homesteading is an inherently creative process that cultivates a sense of wonder, a connection to nature,…

The long sunny days of summer may have you spending hours hanging around outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your DIY plans. Those endless days are perfect for completing a painting project on your driveway (no fumes in the house!) or crafting charming decor or wildlife habitats. We’ve got some great ideas for summer DIYs in this issue, including fresh centerpieces, personalized travel keepsakes, furniture redos and cool creations for backyard critters.…

Textured Wallpaper Treatment Make over a wood nightstand with a roll of paintable anaglypta wallpaper and cool gray and white hues. STEP 1 Remove hardware and lightly sand all wood surfaces. Use an air compressor or bristle brush to remove all surface dust, especially in corners. STEP 2 Measure the areas where you will apply wallpaper and mark on the back of the paper. Cut pieces using a metal-edge ruler and sharp craft knife. STEP 3 Working with one wallpaper piece at a time, apply a generous coat of spray adhesive to the back. Carefully place it on the nightstand, starting at the top edge. Press the paper outward, smoothing out any wrinkles or air pockets. As the adhesive dries, smooth any additional wrinkles. Once all the pieces are attached,…

No matter its size, your yard can become a haven for local wildlife and help combat habitat loss and species decline. Bees, butterflies, birds, amphibians and other beneficial creatures require basic resources to survive, and you can ensure those resources are readily available. Follow guidance from the National Wildlife Federation and take steps to provide the four essential elements of a wildlife habitat on your property. FOOD: Your space should have native plants, foliage, nectar, berries, seeds, pollen and sap to nourish wildlife. Supplement with seed, suet or nectar feeders. WATER: Sources of water should be available year-round for wildlife to get a drink, bathe or breed. This can include natural water sources, such as a lake or stream, as well as birdbaths, butterfly puddlers, and garden ponds. COVER: To…