Decorating with Pat

Farmhouse Style

Want a fresh new look this year? Then the Farmhouse Style might be just for you.

I recently heard that the Farmhouse Style is the hottest trend in decorating. As I began to check out just what Farmhouse Style is, I was a little taken back. It looks like good ole Country decorating at its best. Here is what I learned about Farmhouse Style.

Cleaner Looking
Farmhouse Style is a little cleaner looking than the typical Country Style of decorating. It is an easy way of decorating and you may find it even costs less than some of the other styles of decorating. With Farmhouse Style decorating you will be able to accomplish a warm and cozy atmosphere where your family and friends will feel welcome!

Some tips for decorating in this Style are:

• Lots of wood: floors, furniture and even walls with bead board or wainscoting.
• Vibrant and bold colors.
• Textiles in the form of rugs, throws, window treatments, table cloths & pillows in the form of natural fabrics and lots of cotton.
• It is all about accessories, accessories, and more accessories.
• Metal is big.
• Wall art using rural scenes.
• Rooms decorated with a nature theme: birds, fruits, twigs, etc

It's all about function, and organization. Baskets, crates, totes, etc.

Laid Back
This style of decorating is very relaxing and laid back. It has a strong inviting appeal. There are no hard and fast rules. It can also vary according to your own area of the country. Even city folks are adding this to their top 10 list of decorating styles. It can be used in a loft or row house in the city or even in a log cabin in the country.

I have heard so many people say "I don't decorate country". Stamping this style of decorating with a "NEW" name, may be a way of allowing these folks to see it in a new light by not calling it Country, but "Farmhouse Style". It does sound a little more updated. The thing I think differs between this style and true Country is that there is not as much clutter. It is much crisper and clean looking. Accessories are important, but just not as many. Pick the ones that really make a statement! 
 

Decorating with Pat

Some Ideas for the Changing Seasons

It's fun to feel cozy in the winter with warm colors and soft, fluffy fabrics. In the summer, a cool, airy look is appealing. Read here to get some simple ideas for transforming the look of your home with the seasons.

Here's How:
When the cold weather arrives, have a collection of cozy, fluffy throws to place on your furniture for snuggling. Remove them or replace with soft cotton or silk throws for warmer months.

Remove the toasty down-filled duvet from your bed in the spring and substitute a light cotton bed cover or a simple cotton blanket.

Floral arrangements of pine and holiday colors can be changed for light, colorful ones for the spring and summer. Put away dark brass or pottery containers and bring out clear glass or crystal vases.

Change dark-patterned decorative pillows by covering them with fresh, floral prints or plaids for warmer weather. Either change out the pillows with a second set or alternate the decorative covers.

If you have a collection of plates on display, put classic holiday designs away for the winter and replace with pretty floral china from grandma.

Have your draperies made so they are reversible allowing you to easily turn them from lively to neutral with the seasonal changes.

Be sure to put garden magazines and flower books out on the coffee table in the spring and summer. That will help bring the outside in and add color to your interior.

Tips:
Keep spring and summer colors and accessories light, both in feel and color.

Changing with the seasons gives you an opportunity to get out some long-lost pieces and make them the center of attention for a while.

The change of decor can come all at one time, like spring house cleaning, or over a period of several days or weeks. You'll be surprised what a difference just a small change can make.

If winter seems especially long, forget the calendar and get your spring things out even if there's snow on the ground. You may still need the warm blankets, but the look can be light and uplifting.

Decorating with Pat

 A New Year, A New Decorating Resolution…

It's all about function, and organization. Baskets, crates, totes, etc.

 

Isn’t the New Year an exciting time for you? I know it is for me. I always feel like my slate is being whipped clean and that I have a new beginning. Not just in the impact of my calendar but also in many other areas of my life.

A New Beginning at Home
One area, my home, is also impacted by that new beginning. I can’t wait to get the tree and Holiday decorations taken down and put away, so that I can start getting things back in order around the house. It seems like this time each year; I also can’t wait to do something new and different when it comes to decorating my home. Things look so lost without all those Christmas decorations.

This year my attention has been turned to things that will be very useful, as well as decorative. My favorite item here is baskets. Using baskets in the closet to organize the closet shelves and make them appear like part of my overall decorating scheme is high on my list. How about the laundry room shelves with baskets as well? I have even taken to using the actual basket as a shelf on the wall. It can be a great source for decorating. Don’t forget that you can also spray paint most baskets to fit the décor of your room. Baskets are great in your home office as well. Line your shelves with them, use them on your desk or counter and hang them on the wall. You will be amazed at how fun and useful they will be and what a great time – the New year to be making sure that you are organized and efficient as you go forward into your “New Beginning”.

Recently I came across a wonderful idea that uses containers as a decoration as well as an organizational idea. I went to Home Depot and purchased some tin cans that are the sizes of paint cans. Now use these cans in the bathroom attached to the wall with towels and bath accessories in them. What a cute look it gave the wall and everything stays well organized within the cans. Another great place for these is in a child’s room to organize things above their dresser or desk area. Crayons, hair accessories, Legos – you name it and just about anything fits into those neat little cans. You can use a lot or just a few. If you were really creative, you could even paint them to go along with your decor for that room. When you attach them to the wall, you will nail/screw them to the wall with the bottom of can against the wall. This leaves the opening facing outward for you to fill.

Don't Wait
So, what are you waiting for? Get that tree down and get those creative juices flowing. As you think about ways you can decorate your home for the New Year make sure and think of some that incorporate functionality with the decorative!