Howdy Friends! A while back I posted 5 Country and Farmhouse Decor Staples. Well, today I’m sharing even more decor ideas with 5 Farmhouse and Country lovin’ elements to help achieve that style. You don’t have to go out and find any of these to be a country-lovin’, farmhouse decoratin’ individual. You could choose only one or two and still have a dedicated heart for it. But if you’re anything like me and want the “all in” strategy, check these out.
5 Farmhouse and Country Lovin’ Decor Elements
Open Shelving
Don’t get fixed on the old-as-Methuselah microwave in the photo above. We will replace it one day, but for now, this is still a weekend home for us and there are way more important things to work on. Instead, notice the airy looking open shelving. I know this type of shelving doesn’t appeal to a lot of people but it’s an economical alternative to upper cabinets. I love the look and have acquiesced to dusting them more often. When this kitchen had upper cabinets, it was dark, seemed small and the cabinets covered that fabulous genuine shiplap. Now the kitchen has a help yourself vibe that speaks to the casual life in the country.
Vintage Linens
Vintage linens call my name a harmonious jingle anytime I’m in an antique store. They are hard to resist. Especially quilts and handkerchiefs. If I had more space to display them, I’d have them. I’d like to see an entire armoire full of linens and vintage fabrics. But for now, they are hanging on a ladder and draped over the beds and sofa. I prefer to use them or at least put them out to be seen instead of being tucked away somewhere. Tablecloths, napkins, handkerchiefs, pillowcases, quilts; all of them help create a farmhouse look. The quilt above at the end of our bed was my grandma Dora’s. I move it from place to place and will treasure it forever.
Vintage/Antique Furniture
Practicality is one key component to farmhouse design. Sometimes you need furniture that can do double duty. Choosing a piece like that is both beneficial and beautiful. We use a vintage baby bed to hold throw pillows at the end of our bed and sometimes as a serving table out on the porch. Can’t got wrong with multi-purpose! We also use a drop leaf table as a desk, an old dining hutch as a second desk and an antique dresser to hold the TV. Whether or not you invest in a piece or purchase something inexpensive and give it a new coat of paint, both forms express country love.
Crocks or Stoneware
Speaking of multi-purpose items, vintage crocks fit right in. You can use large vessels for a side table base, keeping a collection of rolling pins together or use them to display flowers. Small crocks make great holders for utensils, plants or wooden spoons. Honestly, I love seeing them stacked all over the place. They come with some unique labels and stamps too.
Mason or Ball Jars
Everyone who loves the country feel or wants a farmhouse style has a Mason or Ball jar somewhere in their home. In our Navasota home, we use them as our everyday drinking glasses, for flower vases, to hold a collection of buttons and for our coffee creamers and sugar. Click on this link here if you’d like to see the short post on how I transformed these little cuties. It’s easy peasy and makes a huge difference in the look.
Well, there you have it friends, my 5 Farmhouse and Country lovin’ decor elements I think we all need in our lives. What do you think? I have a list a mile long with more country goodness coming soon. For now, enjoy finding more wonderful treasures.
Oh my goodness I didn’t even notice the microwave until you mentioned it! Was googley eyed over the framed coffee bag and open shelving…as always love your style!
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Dang it! I guess I shouldn’t have mentioned the microwave. 😂. Thank you Gwen for the sweet comment. ❤️
You hit all my loves, what microwave, i was too busy looking at your kitchen and loving every drop. Good post but, didn’t last long enough, i could have looked for an hour.
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That makes my day hearing that Marlene. Thank you so much. I’ll have more goodies soon.
I have a thing for vintage linens. They draw my attention first thing!
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Me too but I can very rarely find them around here. Maybe I’m too picky ?! 😬 Thanks Michelle!
Such a great post! Love all these decor elements—especially the open shelving!
Happy day friend!
karianne
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Were your ears burning? We were just talking about you 😃. Ha! I still love open shelving. No matter how much dusting I have to do. Thanks for the visit today.
Enjoyed your post even though strict Farmhouse style is not my favorite. In my dusty house, I don’t think I’d ever go for open shelving although I agree that it would open up the space! I enjoy your multiple uses for things; I’m the same way. And I love all kinds of vintage linens!
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Love hearing your style opinions Kathy! Thanks for mentioning it. Where do you find your vintage linens? Around here seems like no one wants to sell their stash. Can’t blame them though!
Well, three out of five ain’t bad! lol I have the vintage linens of ancestors past, quilts, doilies, tablecloths, pillow cases etc. Also, the ball jars, milk bottles, even a never used Daisy Butter Churn complete with instruction manual. ( I secretly believe that some misguided husband gave this to his wife post buy butter at the grocery store and she wasn’t having any of it! Hence why it was never used!) Unfortunately, I gave my huge crock away after country wasn’t cool in the 90’s. I could kick myself – I also gave away my blue and white dishes at that time. I have a ton of antique furniture, but the one thing that I can’t rap my head around is open shelving. It’s beautiful – if you aren’t me. I’m afraid that it would never look nice, neat or style for more than a day. Seriously, I love all of these things Cindy! I’m going to have to work harder on the neat factor so that I can do open shelving for sure!
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I’m with you. Some husband thought the butter churn would make a great gift! Wouldn’t you like to have been at that party?! 😂 You can always start off small with the open shelves. Maybe one small wall space in the kitchen or dining area that could use a little something? I know what ever you do it will look great. Thanks Tammy!
Love the baby bed serving piece! Just picked up a cutie-patootie pink doll bed that I need to work into my life. I just can’t leave them in a curbside pile! Kid’s toys just have me at hello; I’ll never grow up! Great list, but I think it needs to be longer;)
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Oh I could have gone on for days with a long list of must have’s. 😉 I’ll post more soon. And I bet that pink doll bed is adorable! Looking forward to seeing how you incorporate it one day. Big hugs Peter Pan 😉
Oh I love your list Cindy! I’m in love the the pink quilt with touches of red! So charming!
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Thanks Linda! I love all things pink so when my grandma Dora handed it over, I was grinning from ear to ear! 😉
That baby bed is so cute!
I feel the same way about quilts. I love the old ones especially.
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Me too Carol. They just don’t make quilts like they used too. Found that baby bed at an opening day sale! It was a steal! 😉
Yhi Cindy,
ou had me at microwave. We just had our 25 year old W/D replaced the other day. We bought them for our 2nd home and 25 years later they helped me raise 3 active kids!
Now I don’t remember what I was going to comment on… dang it! Well I love the framed grain sack (that name doesn’t sound right) above the microwave. And, I loved something else! Happy Thursday! I have a girls social distancing night in later this afternoon! laura
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Well a girls night no matter what form sounds fun! You sound like me about remembering random thoughts. 😂. I like the coffee sack too. Found it for only 7 bucks! Crazy people just gave it away. Oh yeah, I bet you don’t get another 25 years out of the new appliances. We were saying the other day they aren’t made as well anymore. My mom still uses her harvest gold washer and dryer! Say whaaaat?! Yep. That’s old!
Love your country kitchen, Cindy! I like open shelving and yours looks clean and beautiful… <3 Double duty furniture is a must. <3
Happy Memorial Day weekend,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
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Thank you. It has only two super small counter spaces so keeping it clutter free is a must. Doesn’t always happen but it is what it is. I’ve been shopping for the perfect island for 3 years and haven’t come across one yet that I just love. Hopefully one day you can come visit. I’d love it. Happy Decorating! Big hugs.