The Frugal Designer

Oh Little Garden I Covet So Much

Pictures like this make my inner East Coast Gal or Midwesterner heart sing with covetous joy!  Don't you love just love this garden?

{Images via countryliving.com}

Frugal Farmhouse Lighting

Lighting is a very vital element in a well designed space, but there is no need to spend your life savings to complete the look.  Below I have provided pictures of several lighting options ranging from $5 to $39 (the one exception being the intro image which came in at $49 at Lowe's) from a couple of key retailers (IKEA and Lowe's-or I would have been at this all day) that carry affordable lighting options.  Given the eclectic nature of Farmhouse Style, I have chosen a few of those lighting options that embrace the era of farmhouse living in all it's glory.  The looks range from Industrial or Utilitarian to Shabby Chic and all work well with Country Living Decor.  Notice I have chosen mainly wall, pendant, and ceiling lighting...this was done on purpose, since other than the occasional table lamp or task lighting, wall and ceiling lighting would have been the norm.  I would also note that antique or rubbed bronze and brushed steel or brass would have been the typical finishes for lighting during this period.  Anything that has any of those finishes will most likely fit in well even if it isn't perfectly matching, since lighting would have been inherited from earlier generations (though most likely lantern and candle lit) and would have been likely mismatched throughout the house.

Images ordered: Floor lamps, table lamps, wall mounted, flush ceiling mounted, pendants, and chandeliers.

 

   

Inexpensive Farmhouse Inspired Prints

While I perused the available prints at art.com, for works that evoked a farmhouse feeling, one thing came to mind repeatedly: there are no set parameters for farmhouse art.  I found myself drifting through birds, landscapes, country still-life's, even modern photography and pop art and always finding a common thread.  I have striven to choose art from a variety of styles, in the hopes that it will inspire you to seek art of your own that speaks to the farm girl or boy in you, and prompts you to take peek at what is available, and learn to love art like I do (if you don't already).

All of the prints pictured below run between $5 and $50 depending upon the size and format you choose (print, giclee, poster, etc.) and can be found on the art.com website, a fav of mine when looking for art prints or artistic inspiration.  

 

           

DIY - Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

My first DIY project for this month's Farmhouse theme, is not my DIY at all, but is that of the amazing Heather Bullard.  If you aren't already familiar with her, you probably should be!  She has a boutique selling the most beautiful wares, and is a West Coast Editorial Contributor for the about to debut Flea Market Style Magazine, which has already sold out of the pre-order copies...not to worry though, it will be available on newsstands February 23rd, and I personally can't wait!  Definitely check out Heather's blog, she has fabulous photography and lots of wonderful ideas like this wonderful Mason Jar Soap Dispenser tutorial.  It wonderfully fits within the farmhouse collective and gives me such an exciting use for all of the random jars I have purchased and collected over the years!   

Run, do not walk to your nearest antique store or thrift store to purchase old canning or mason jars.  If you can't find an affordable assortment of old jars with which to do this project, buy new ones (check your grocery store) and make them look old by distressing the lid.  This is so easily done with a whitewash glaze.  See my tutorial on whitewashing, refer to the section regarding glazed whitewashing (section 3.), and simply substitute the latex paint for a paint that will bond to metal or tin. Your local hardware store can direct you properly to just such a product.  Make this a very watery glaze (try 3 parts water to 1 part paint) and lightly wash your glaze over the lid and voila and old jar you have made!  Once you have aged your jars..proceed to Heather's DIY post, and you will forever be that much more excited to wash your hands! 

Farmhouse Inspiration Board

I love a little visual inspiration, and right now while I am channeling everything that is fabulously farmhouse, I thought I would share with you all some of the images that are getting my creative juices flowing. 

Images from Country Living