How to Style Your Home with Wicker Accents

Farmhouse Style Explained

Farmhouse style is calm, comfortable, and functional. As classic as farmhouse style is, that doesn't mean it can’t be sophisticated and elegant. There are many branches of farmhouse style, from modern to rustic, and everything in between. Let’s explore three of the common branches of farmhouse style. 

French Country Farmhouse

Also known as french farmhouse, french country farmhouse is one of the most popular types of farmhouse styles. In general, farmhouse style is more functional than it is decorative, but french country farmhouse takes on a unique, more glamorous character. 

Along with traditional farmhouse elements such as the farmhouse sink, muted, neutral tones, exposed beams and natural materials, in a french country farmhouse styled home, you’ll find bold, elegant features such as stunning chandeliers, oversized art, or plastered walls. Marbled counters, and antique accents finish the look. French glamor meets rustic farmhouse for a charming effect that appeals to many - it’s the best of both worlds!

Rustic Farmhouse

Featuring rugged, natural elements and industrial materials, rustic farmhouse style is pure and simple. Bold, rich colors like red are common accents to a neutral palette in a rustic farmhouse style. Subway tiles, exposed wooden beams, and galvanized metals are also popular.

Solid, straight edged furniture and masculine details set rustic farmhouse style apart. For fun accents you can search antique shops for repurposed farmhouse elements such as old chicken coops, crates, farm tools, or galvanized buckets. 

Modern Farmhouse

The relaxed, comfortable and calm vibe of farmhouse style remains, but in a modern farmhouse style present-day touches and sophisticated, contemporary finishes are more present. 

A neutral palette with natural textures for interest is a great place to begin when trying to achieve a modern farmhouse look. Practical and comfortable furniture that is a mix of vintage (or faux vintage) and new are essential. Continuing with the mix and match of materials, natural, wooden, and metal materials mix well with more modern styles such as stainless steel appliances and smooth, glossy counters. Shiplap and barn doors pair well with modern light fixtures. 

Farmhouse style has evolved over many years and continues to stand the test of time.  A combination of nostalgia and modern touches, farmhouse style homes are classic and distinct. 

Simple Kitchen Counter Decor

As the heart of the home, the kitchen wears many hats. Of course, it is where the cooking happens, but it can also be a place for eating, a social gathering space, a hub for organizing calendars and schedules, and more! It can be difficult to manage clutter in the kitchen, but once you have it mastered, you can get creative with little decor on your counters. 

Plants are a great place to begin. Not only do they provide a pop of color, but they can also boost your air quality and your mood if you choose the right ones. You can even choose plants that you can add to your favorite recipes. Decide if you have plenty of natural light in your kitchen, and what types of plants will thrive. Choose plants of differing heights, textures, and colors. An herb garden with basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme will look elegant and provide you with fresh ingredients. Spider plants are easy to maintain and look beautiful in a hanging planter. Snake plants, small ferns and peace lilies provide vibrant greens and need very little light to thrive. If you have a lot of sunlight you can try succulents, aloes, and herbs in the windowsill. 

Functional style is imperative in the kitchen. If you’re a coffee lover, a great way to add style while keeping things functional is to create a coffee bar. A beautiful glass jar to hold your favorite K-Cups next to your coffee machine, a stylish milk frother, and a cute sign that labels the space is just about all you need. If you like cream and sugar, find a pretty dispenser for both. By placing items on a wooden tray you can complete the look. If coffee isn’t your thing, you can achieve the same type of concept with all of the essentials for tea.

Another functional piece for a kitchen counter is a tray to hold your condiment dispensers. Instead of getting them out from cabinets time and time again, try making them pleasing to the eye and easy to access. A wooden spinning tray can hold salt, pepper, and oils in cute dispensers. Bring it together with some faux greenery and you have a charming, functional piece for your counter or tabletop. 

Soap is something you need in your kitchen, and you can display it beautifully by creating a soap bar to sit near your kitchen sink. A mini wood tray would be the perfect little stand for soaps. Transfer hand soap and dish soap into glass dispensers. Use a functional and pretty dish scrubber and add a succulent. 

Don’t forget about the basics. There are so many things you need to have in a kitchen that can also double as decor. You can display utensils, cookbooks, and cutting boards as long as you keep it simplistic and organized. It’s easy to clutter a kitchen, so choose a few items for decor, and find functional space to store things you don’t use, or maybe don’t quite make the cut for style. We are happiest in spaces that are both organized and pleasing to the eye, and the kitchen is no different!

Five Creative Ways to make Corner Spaces More Functional

A corner space is often overlooked when planning out home decor. As we accumulate different items in our homes, corners can become messy and unorganized, but if we look at corner spaces intentionally, we can really make good use of them! Check out these five clever ways you can turn cluttered corners into functional, beautiful spaces in your home. 

1. Floating Shelves

That one corner, the one where there isn’t much space but it just looks bare. It creates kind of an “off” vibe in your living room, kitchen, or dining room. It isn’t perfect for much, but for floating shelves, yes please! In your living space you can add floating shelves in the corner to house picture frames, books, vases with greenery or flowers, and other small decorative items. In the kitchen or dining space, floating shelves can house a coffee mug collection, or decorative plates, bowls, or glassware. The key to floating shelves is to keep them clean and simple by spacing items out, not overcrowding, and sticking to a theme or color pattern.

2. A Corner Desk

Working from home has become commonplace, and it really boosts productivity to have a space dedicated to your work. If you’re sharing a workspace with a playroom, living room, or bedroom, a corner desk can be a great way to create multifunctionality and utilize all of the space available. A corner desk can also function for more than one person, by having desk space and drawers on either side of the corner. Decorate with floating shelves above to reduce clutter and keep valuables out of reach.

3. A Full Length Mirror

In a bedroom there are often small corners that end up wasting a lot of space. One genius way to use this space is to place a large, decorative, full length mirror on the floor in the corner. This serves functionally in a bedroom, or even in a large walk in closet, and also looks like it was meant to be there. 

 4. Command Center

An unused corner can be easily turned into a command center to reduce clutter in other areas of the home, and get your family organized! Transform a corner space by adding a small table, floating shelf, or mini desk. Add functional items like mail slots, a family calendar, whiteboard, corkboard, and a key holder. With a few tweaks, your unused corner may turn into the most functional area of your home!

5. Reading Nook

Whether it’s adults that are big readers in your home, kids, or both, converting an unused corner into a cozy, inviting spot to read a book can really get the pages turning! There are many unique ways to accomplish this, but a few key pieces will do the trick. A reading nook needs a comfortable place to sit, a place to store some reading materials, proper lighting, and a cozy vibe. For a child a cute rug, some textured floor cushions, and a small storage basket with some books, magazines, and a clip on reading light may do the trick. A more grown up feel might include a comfy swivel chair with some pillows and throws, and a small side table with a lamp, a candle, and a vase with your favorite floral arrangement. 

If you’ve got a pesky corner in your home that’s been catching your eye (not in a good way), we hope you can find a way to transform it into a place in your home that is loved and used functionally!

Super Simple Summertime Mantel Decor

Who says mantel decorating is just for the cozy winter months? If you have a mantel, it typically takes center stage of the room. In the warmer months we tend to focus on perfecting our porches and outdoor spaces, but there’s something about a summertime mantel that makes the sofa feel extra inviting for movie, or game night to beat the heat. Follow these steps for an easy, bold and beautiful mantel that will last throughout the summer months until you’re ready to decorate for fall. 

To make your space feel spacious or more open, you can put a large mirror on the mantel. The mirror will reflect any windows nearby to bring some outdoor color in and brighten up the space. You can play around with different shapes and sizes and choose a bold neutral color such as black or navy to make the mirror the centerpiece of the mantel. 

What says summer more than floral and greenery? The mantel is a fabulous place to display some pops of color for the summer months, especially if you’ve chosen a neutral centerpiece such as a large mirror. To add interest, try using vases and greenery of varying height and width. Two taller vases with some faux branches or stems on either side of your mirror, paired with several smaller vases or containers holding more colorful flowers or leafy plants match up well together. Choose an odd number of vases to add interest and avoid making the mantel completely symmetrical. As a bonus, find different materials such as galvanized pots, wire baskets, or repurpose a glass pitcher to hold flowers. 

Adding smaller details will bring your mantel together cohesively. You can drape wooden beaded garland over and between vases. Candles or fairy lights are a great way to warm up your space and create a glow, especially when it’s like that you won’t be using the fireplace for any actual fires in the summertime. Don’t forget a few cozy pillows propped up and a cozy throw draped over the hearth!

The summer months aren’t the mantel’s time to shine, but that doesn’t mean we should leave it bare!  A few simple touches will leave your mantel looking dignified and ready for a rare night indoors to beat the summer heat!