Season of Simplicity

Hello again friends!

It's been quite a while so I thought it's time I posted something new!

We have been SUPER BUSY with our c.1863 farmhouse restoration project! Not much spare time at all!

With our farmhouse being new to us I am testing out the waters as far as some exterior décor ideas. I LOVED my simple fall décor so much and the thought of decorating the farmhouse for different seasons makes me happy! I do NOT have much time to put into decorating at the moment, so good thing I really love a SIMPLE FARMHOUSE!

 I have added some simple fresh greenery to our front entrance. I would love to add greenery to the windows as well. I love infusing natural elements around my home. What would they have used back in 1863? No plastic store bought items that's for sure! I would also like some white lights but for now its extra simple! Really because I can't FIND my lights at moment! LOL but Hey! I'm just getting started!

 I love adding fresh natural greenery inside as well. I've added some dried white tallow berries to the mix. I LOVE the look!

 I've dressed up our dining table with fresh greenery in my large wooden dough bowls.

 My household is a busy one having 7 people and pets. We have a lot of STUFF and I can tell you that kids STUFF can be quite colorful! IT BURNS MY EYES! so I have been toning down my décor to a more neutral palette over the last several years as it actually helps balance the business of the home to add a more calming effect and is so simply pleasing to the eye!

A simple bunch of fresh natural greenery tied to some white stockings gives a very festive look.


OK!! so I really just wanted to share an idea we have for the front entrance and give a tiny snippet sneak peek into our c.1863 farmhouse restoration project!

As you may have noticed in the above photos the front entrance of our farmhouse has a rather ugly large cement pad that we will eventually remove and I would like some simple large stones as the step with some flagstone added as the walkway. Here are a few examples of stone steps. I just love the look and I think will look really nice!

 I found the above photo on pinterest and it is from http://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.ca/p/stitchers-christmas.html

This photo above was also found on pinterest and is from http://salmonfallsprims.blogspot.ca/2013/09/the-seasons-come-and-go.html

And this inspirational photo below from https://www.instagram.com/countyroadliving/ has FABULOUS stone steps! LOVE!

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                                                       FARMHOUSE KITCHEN:

A great inspiration to me is artist/designer/author Terry John Woods. I just love his use of ironstone pitchers above this bridge wall faucet so much that I had to find a way to incorporate that into our farmhouse kitchen! Isn't this simply beautiful!? You can visit Terry's brand new inspirational site here http://www.terryjohnwoods.com/



The kitchen window area (see photo below) is unique as the window is much lower than the countertop height. so there is a bit of a box with a small ledge. At one point I added a wider board and sat my herbs on it and I could envision the same type of set up as the photo above. So I thought it would be a great spot for this style faucet! I wanted that ledge for herbs and other pretties like these ironstone pitchers!

Terry also had something that I have coveted for years...sitting right below his kitchen faucet...a soapstone apron front sink!! So guess what will be replacing the stainless sink that was here??

THAT'S RIGHT!! I am SO excited!!

 A craftsman made Barocca soapstone sink made to my specific measurements. Many people oil or wax their soapstone which will turn it black but I will leave mine as is and let it age naturally with use.

MORE photos of my farmhouse kitchen makeover coming soon!
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FARMHOUSE BATH:

....now onto MEL'S SPA RETREAT!!
.....or what is most commonly referred to as the bath-room!
....but Mel's Spa Retreat sounds way better to me! 

Here is a photo of my beautiful daughter painting our farmhouse bath room! This room really needed a brighter coat of paint to freshen it up! Here we are using BENJAMIN MOORE BATH & SPA PAINT, that we got from our FABULOUS restoration project sponsor MY PAINT & DECOR. You can read about WHY this particular bathroom paint is so great HERE!!

We chose the color HORIZON. It is a pale grey that can either look warmer or cooler depending on lighting. In this room it has a slight hint of blue which I thought was nice for our claw foot bath retreat!

And for the bath floor which was a mix of both raw and previously painted wood which we sanded slightly, we used Benjamin Moore Floor & Patio Low Sheen in the color NIMBUS. It is a neutral greige (grey-beige) color which will also change with lighting which I love. Sometimes it seems warmer beige and sometimes a cooler grey. You can read more about this FLOOR paint HERE

 Photos of this complete fresh makeover COMING SOON! Until then here is a sneak peek at my FABULOUS claw foot tub & hand held shower wand faucet!

NOW do you see why I call it MEL'S SPA RETREAT!?
Pretty dreamy farmhouse tub right here!
 Simple farmhouse style!

Well friends, I hope you have enjoyed my simple farmhouse décor and little sneak peek update.
With Christmas right around the corner I am wishing you all the BEST this holiday season and hoping that Santa brings you all health & happiness this Christmas!! xo
Mel