Our Farmhouse
I believe in each of us, there lives a farmer. We grow things—plants, kids, families, friendships, relationships, partnerships, maybe businesses, and perhaps even in the more literal farming sense, we may grow flowers, zucchini, apple trees, etc. Civilizations, cities and towns came to be when we stopped hunting and gathering and planted the first crops.
There is something miraculous about getting my hands in the dirt; planting a little flower or a tomato plant, nurturing it, and watching it bloom or bear fruit, connecting me to a quiet and knowing place within me which is both awed by the miracle that a tiny seed can become a giant watermelon, and at the same time takes for granted that things grow and are harvested and I eat them. Boy, do I eat them—every meal, every day of my life.
For those who read the last blog post, you know for me – this is a personal journey and it is our family story. The farmhouse represents a deep sense of home—a kitchen where love is served up three meals a day and there maybe chocolate cake for dessert; where the beds are comfortable and there are plenty of heavy cotton, wool, and fleece quilts and blankets to keep me safe from monsters in the room after the lights go out and also to hold me fast to the bed, lest I float away in my dreams. Dogs greet me with a bark or a wag and unconditional (although perhaps reluctant) welcome. A farmhouse contains instructive and pure-for-pleasure-reading books; there are board games and puzzles, there are places to gather and visit, and spots where nature reigns—where friends + family may sit, uninterrupted and listen to the birds and the breeze in the trees; where I can feel the sun on my face, and where lemonade or coffee, wine or whisky has never tasted quite this good. I can find a room or a corner or a chair outside where I may connect with myself or with others and laugh or cry or tell a bold-faced truth without worry of judgment or rejection, because I am truly, actually home.
Even though I live in the middle of Salt Lake City, our farmhouse is a place of serenity, where sayings on walls remind me of my higher self and where color lives in harmony with the environment.
Back to basics: For our farmhouse tribute this summer, I chose primarily black and white with gray and tan accents. I collected signs and Americana memorabilia. (see shopping sources at the end of each room’s photos). Most fittingly, some of the decor of the farmhouse theme was given as tokens of appreciation from guests who had felt especially welcome at a past stays at 3 Squares Cottage, bread and breakfast, some are enthusiastic additions of participation to the effort (specifically the ice cream sandwich maker hanging in the kitchen window, and the apple peeler clamped to the window sill from Garner Antiques.) My farm-grown, college-educated workmate, sewed the quilt and pillow cases for the second bedroom, and we laughed ourselves silly, and sang along to Matt Kearney until the job was done.
In farmhouse style, this summer I’ll provide our guests with fresh produce and organic milk and cream. There are free-range eggs available, brought each week by Julie Clifford from Clifford Farms, where there really are happy chickens. If you want to buy some, you’re on the honor system – just place your $4.00 in the birdhouse above the fridge and help yourself. You may run into a farm helper or two, as we are harvesting most every day now and prepping for the 75 (a record number for us) weekly Community Supported Agriculture Farm Share participants that come to our place to pick-up their weekly share of fruits and vegetables, purchased at the beginning of the season as an investment and to show support for urban farming, and are divvied out weekly over the course of the summer.
Design Thoughts + elements
Inspired by Joanna Gaines, and designs within the Magnolia Journal - I couldn't help but turn the cottage into a farmhouse. The design of "modern farmhouse" has gone viral but deep down is a simple + neutral pallet allowing antique pieces to tell a story. All of the bright colors became muted and turned neutral with black, white, cream, tan, and shades of gray. It was easy converting the style as the kitchen already featured a real farmhouse sink.
Living Room + Entry Way
Keeping the design simple with neutral colors, including accent pieces. Rustic wood, industrial metal, and farm animals help bring the theme to life. I repurposed, refinished, and recycled a lot of the furniture already featured in the cottage to execute this vision.
Shop: Haobo Home Linen Fabric Accent Chairs (black), Amazon; Gray Iron and Glass Tube Lantern, Hobby Lobby; Skinny Timer LED Candles, Seasons by David; Basic Party Fans, Zurchers; 42 inch Roung Large Rustic Farmhouse Wood Windmill Wall Art, Amazon; Unique Loom Monaco Collection Traditional Vintage Black Home Decor Area Rug (8X10), Amazon; "Home Sweet Home" Cotton Linen Square Decorative Throw Pillow Case Cushion Cover in Simple Words (18X18), Amazon; Welcome Reversible Sign, Hobby Lobby; 3 Squares Cottage (Personalized) Farmhouse Sign, Amazon; Boston Warehouse Rustic Farmhouse Windmill Wall Decor (featured in entry, above window), Amazon; File Box with Flowers, TJ Maxx; White Daisy Flowers, Michaels; Frames for Pictures of Barns, Michaels; Flower Arch - Flowers, Hobby Lobby; Open Sign, TJ Maxx; and Cream Paper Flower Wreath, Sam's Club.
Dining Room
I found a bunch of misshaped mugs from TJ Maxx and could not help but think "farmhouse". Featured in the dish cabinet lined with barn wood, accompanied by simple black and white designed dishes, these mugs add the perfect touch. Each element tells a story and I tried to emphasize the importance with minimizing the color and amount of wall decor.
Shop: Throw Pillows, TJ Maxx; Pig Salt and Paper Shakers, TJ Maxx; Chickens (Set of 3), TJ Maxx; Dishes, TJ Maxx; Wall Decor, TJ Maxx; and Tablecloth, TJ Maxx.
Kitchen + hallway
Featuring antique kitchen appliances and vintage cottage pictures, the kitchen is functional yet modern.
Shop: Industrial Battery Operated Lights, TJ Maxx; Chickens, TJ Maxx; Animal White Cream Pitchers, Steve's Hardware in St. Helena, California; Antique Kitchen Gadgets, Garner Antiques; Natural Wreath, TJ Maxx; Pottery, Ben Behunin; and Fabric Pillow Cover in Black and Brown (featured below the mirror in the hallway), Amazon.
bedrooms
The full-sized bedroom showcases all the color this month, as the patchwork quilt and pillow shams make me feel completely at home. Although they are new, they appear to be made by my grandmother -- which makes me love them even more. Moreover, the queen-sized bedroom (master) keep the simple color scheme in the living room with the black, cream, and tan in which can also be found in the throw rugs and wallpaper. I exemplified the farmhouse feel by adding buffalo plaid in both tan and black and added a black and cream coverlette to the bed.
Shop: Patchwork Pillow Covers/Throw, Tuesday Morning; Indian Black Embroidered Handmade Decorative Kantha Pillow - Home Decor Boho Pillow Sham Indian Cotton Cushion Cover Kantha Floral, Amazon; Welcome Pillow, Seasons by David; Home Brillian Retro Checkers Plaids Farmhouse Tartan Soft Cotton Linen Home Spring Summer Decoration Throw Pillow Covers Shams Cushion Cases (Buffalo Plaid Pillow Covers), Amazon; 4th Emotion Black and White Buffalo Checkers Plaids Linen Throw Pillow Cover Cushion Case Retro Farmhouse Decorative for Sofa (18X18), Amazon; Premium Hypoallergenic Stuffer Pillow Insert Sham Square Form Plyester (26 X 26, Set of 2), Amazon; and Desk, Garner Antiques.
Bathroom
Shop: Rug, Tuesday Morning; Chi Shampoo and Conditioner, TJ Maxx; and Towels, TJ Maxx.
Some of my favorite summer recipes...
Appetizers + Side Dishes
Garlic and Chive Whipped Butter We love this on the Costco “shelf stable” sourdough bread— fresh from our oven
Main Dishes + Salads
Stuffed Cinderella Pumpkin (watch for Cinderella Pumpkins at the Farmer's Market in September)
Dessert(s)
Rhubarb Crunch (*note: can also use cherries)
Most of these recipes and other summer favorites can be found at 3 Squares Produce or on my friend, Si Foster, at A Bountiful Kitchen.
I hope you enjoy the photo tour of our farmhouse and you’ll consider adding some farmhouse elements to your home design and try some of our favorite summer recipes. The effect is both grounding and intoxicating, and you might just see yourself in a way you never have before, right where you’ve been all along – home on the farm.