Happy almost Spring everyone! I feel as though every Spring I crave adding warm neutral colors into the home on top of creating a light and airy space! Which also means just having less “stuff!”  But then every fall I feel as though I fill those empty spaces I worked so hard to create!

But today I would love to share my thoughts on Vintage Rugs!  There is something about the charm and character they bring to a home I just crave for this old farmhouse!

This brings me to share our new to us vintage rug! I found this rug at Revival Rugs and wanted to share a little more about them and why I loved using them to find a vintage rug of my dreams!

Vintage rugs sure are beautiful, but it can be so daunting find the one! Each rug varies not only in colors, but sizes, thickness, wear, etc. etc.

I loved using Revival Rugs because of the multiple photos posted with each rug, the great descriptions listed, professionally clean, and lets face it- the free shipping gets me every time!

Buying a rug is a lot of commitment, at least it feels that way for me! To help me find the perfect one I saved the photos of the rug far away and close up. I used those photos to compare and contrast and even visualize in our room! I also loved the filter choices with Revival Rugs to help narrow down my choices!  If you need a specific size you can add that in the filter alone with narrowing down the color rugs you like etc!

Lastly, I wanted to share one more thing I look at when buying rugs.  What they are made out of and the thickness of the rug! This one is 100% wool with a thickness or .2.  I have found some rugs are so thin and have so much wear which also brings to their character, but I wanted a rug the kids could enjoy playing on and can withstand the test of time bringing me to wanting 100% wool!

I reached out to Revival rugs in partnership with this blog, and they would love to offer you 10% off! Use code thewhitefarmhouseblog10!

Happy rug shopping and have a good day friends!

Hi you guys! I have been wanting to make over this room for a long time, but have been crippled by knowing exactlyyyy what to do!

Sometimes it takes a leap and a lot, a lot of work.  I finally gained the courage to paint the wood stained bench, and I couldn’t be happier!

** I fell in love with Farrow & Ball’s paint quality when we put in our kitchen a few years ago, and after seeing their new Colour by Nature products, I knew this was the time! I chose for the walls Snow White and the bench was painted Skimmed Milk finish Modern Emulsion.

 

I love how warm this room feels with two large window for so much natural light pouring in.  The hubby told me this morning he loves to sit here just as his grandpa did drinking coffee and watching the sunrise.  That hit home.  This room doesn’t need to be perfect to be loved, but giving it a little sprucing to add comfort and warmth is just what we needed.

This table was once our kitchen island for some time, and I am so glad I found it a new home right here.

The chairs are new! I have had my eye on them for so long, and couldn’t be more happier with their quality or esthetics. You can find them here.

 

The peg rails is also a new add to this room. I love how the hubby wrapped it around the room to optimize space, and add practicality!  You can never have too many hooks or shelf space right??

I used three baskets from Will & Atlas for hats, mittens, sunglasses and more!  I feel in love with the quality of their baskets a few years ago, and have been hooked ever since! The cute little handles on either end make it easy for the boys to take a stool and pull them down, plus the soft sea grass does not scratch the wood as a metal basket would! I truly love these baskets so much and would highly recommend them for the million of uses you could do! You can find them here.

**This post with made in partnership with Farrow and Ball as this paint was gifted to us. All thoughts are my own, and I am forever a fan of their quality paint.

One trend I have been falling in love with recently is all about the lighting! Lamps, lamps, and more lamps.  Living in Michigan with shorter days and longer nights, I too fell head first for the idea of a cozy lamp to give off warm lighting.  And there is know better place for this is in the KITCHEN. Sorry, was I took excited right there?!  I have bought and returned at least three lamps until I found THE lamp.

I love its shape, its texture, and warm earth tones paired with the perfect glow.

If you’re curious too which lamp this is, it is called Calabria by Troy Lighting. Here is the link!

Thank you for stopping by, and as always let me know if you have any questions feel free to comment below!

 

Happy Fall!!

I wanted to quickly share a few tips I have for giving a cozy fall feel with not too many things!

Once the weather changes to cool nights and a nice fall breeze, I crave coziness in the home!  One thing I love to add is texture. Texture, texture, texture.  One way to add texture is through linens!

There was once a time I would pull out a box labeled “fall decor,” and sprinkle all those store bought decor items consisting of plastic pumpkins, banners, and everything orange all around the home.  Times have changed. Now, each year I’ve started using less and less of that “fall decor” box, and more and more real items I can find around our home 🏠.

I love using plants and flowers for color, and love adding linens to add a cozy feel through texture and color!

 

I chose this pinstripe tablecloth from Cultiver Goods for a hint of spice, paired with their indigo napkins for color! I love to use colors and items I will love year round and not just a season.  Indigo is a color I love year round, and also love the calmness that this color brings.  I paired the indigo napkins with a white pumpkin the boys pick, mixed metals, and greens from flowers!

 

This top photo I used a brass vase from the local thrift store and picked twigs from our pear trees and a dried hydrangea from our plants! I do love grabbing a bundle of eucalyptus from Trader Joe’s, but sometimes just using what you have is just as fun!

 

 

Fall is quickly approaching, meaning shorter days and cooler weather.  The first of fall I always change our bedding to add warmth and layering for those cool evening and cold nights!

First off, I always keep a mattress and pillow protectors on all our beds!  We still have two little boys who have accidents every now and again, and I would have to ruin something so important as a good mattress! I am to the point with the mattress that I have two mattress protectors.  For those accidental nights where I can strip the bed quickly, throw the top one in the wash, and still have a mattress protector on the bed so we can go right back to sleep!  Genius right??

Next, I am a huge fan of linen.  Like linen for everything right?!  The reason I love linen on a bed is because it is naturally antimicrobial, and because it is breathable, it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter! Magic I tell you just magic!

That being said, I have the Comfort Wash Linen Bedding from the Company Store in White.   There is something about white sheets that make a bed feel so clean and welcoming!  We of course are also using the Comfort Wash Linen Duvet in Shale.   I thought long and hard about either wanting to follow the all white bedding trend, or mix it to being our own adding color with warmth.  Well, I took a leap and LOVE it! The shale is the perfect color for fall, and the linen adds the texture I crave in a bedroom!  Now, I have contacted The Company Store about the sold out colors in this duvet.  They will not be restocking ( I am SO sorry!) if you have your eye set on this you better run!  But they are coming out with new Linen Bedding in 2020, so keep your eyes peeled!

Being that we live in Michigan with a change in seasons, a great duvet insert is so important! It is best to know your home and your comfort when sleeping which duvet insert is best.  I have tried many to know what we love! I hate being too cold, or too hot when I sleep, I have had thick duvets that were just too much, and thin duvets that left the hubby and I fighting for blankets in the night!

This leads me to the perfect duvet for us.  The Black Label PrimaLoft Alternative Comforter.

Yes, it is that good 😉

Just a few more fun mentions.  As I mentioned before, we live in a state full of ranging temperatures and seasons.  Layering a bed just as you layer your clothing is SO important!

At the end of the bed I keep two blankets.  One a touch lighter for those warmer nights, and one to give a little extra weight and warmth to give you that perfect sleep for a well rested start to the day!

The Gossamer Blanket is perfect for that light weight blanket I mentioned.  The woven gauze is soft and breathable light weight material that again adds more of that texture I love in a home!  The color I chose is Parchment.

Lastly, I have the Cloud Blanket. This adds that extra weight to help me fall into a deep sleep.  I am a light sleeper as it is, so the feeling of security helps me fall into a deeper sleeper we all need :).  Oh, and did I say its soft? Because it sure is!

I love that these blankets come in bed sizes and not just throw sizes.  Being that they come in a size queen not only do they look full, but we aren’t spending the night playing tug-a-war because we each have enough blankets for a peaceful sleep.

If you take anything home from today, don’t skimp on the things unseen.  The mattress protectors, pad, pillow protectors, and pillows are just as important to get you that restful sleep you need.

 

 

 

 

 

I am over the moon over our family photos from last week.  I remember the days I would hate getting family pictures. The pressure to have all four of us on our best behavior, and looking our best.  I put this crazy pressure on myself and family. All for what? So we could look “normal” for an hour?

My good friend Amy Carroll makes us feel at easy, and in my eyes makes magic of the smallest moments.  We enjoyed an evening together at home as a family.  Here is a glimpse of my handsome boys and the work they do.

 

Meet Smiley.  She was a kitten maybe one pound when we found her crying on our porch.  She suffered from some trauma with a broken jar, but she chose us.  We cared for her and now she cares for us. The bond is strong, and she is another member of our family.  I know where the boys are at all times because Wyatt and Smiley will always be found at their side.

 

We took a walk to the edge of the property.  Filled with old apple trees and too more memories than we could ever imagine if this tree could talk.

 

These boys sure are black and white, water and oil.  They couldn’t be more different, but one thing they have in common is love.  They love each and life unconditionally.  (I spy Smiley!)

 

Thank you Amy for capturing all these memories in a few short moments. For letting the boys guide the night. For letting our boys be boys, yet capturing the small moments.  The love we have for each other.  I will forever be thankful for you.

They say don’t blink or your children will be grown.  I never thought much about the saying until now, but now… NOW it’s as if I can feel it.  Each day they grow older and that only means gray hairs, wrinkles, and what’s left? Memories.  I don’t know what exactly it is these days, but my heart is craving more heirloom quality for my boys so I can cherish their *things* for generations to come. I want to be able to open a box filled with memories from their childhood I will hold on for years. To one day, maybe, even hopefully regift those *things* both they and I treasured.

This leads me to the boys first heirloom quilt from Petal and Branch. I wanted something unique. Something we that would speak to us, and that my boys would be drawn to.  One thing I absolutely loved about Petal and Branch is that these quilts contain just two materials: cotton and linen.

I will say, we did start with ordering a set a swatches so the boys too could decide what they loved with colors and feel 🙂

We picked a canvas quilt in Black Forest Blue by Rifle Paper Co.   I loved the canvas material for a little thicker and stronger feel with two rough and tough boys to roll around on them!

Thank you all for stopping by! I hope you fell in love with Petal and Branch just as I did, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

 

Well, this is it guys.  I don’t even know where to begin.  I am honored to be writing you this post about GE’s new high end appliance line called Café Appliances that we installed in our home.

A few weeks ago our jaws dropped as we watched two delivery men unload our very own set of Café Appliances made by GE and fully customizable.

Lets start with the cosmetics.  If you have been following for some time, you know our previous appliances were stainless.  We had owned and used them for several years, and you know after spending all that money on something you’d think we would have loved them.  But, we didn’t.  I swear I could just look at them and they would scratch, dent, and of course leave every finger print known to man.  Another thing, I don’t love to clean 🤫. So having to wipe them down after every last meal was the lastttttt thing I everrrrrr wanted to do.  So, I didn’t. And the neglect showed.

One of the many things I loved about Café Appliance is their choices matte finishes with their variety of handle options.  You heard me, you get to choose BOTH.

For the dishwasher and fridge we chose matte white.  I told myself years ago I would never again go with stainless. I felt like our hard water ran down the front of our previous stainless dishwasher to leave permanent waterfalls, and the fridge as I mentioned before was covered in scratches and dents that when the sun shown each and every one would gleam 😩.

The matte white finish appliances from Café Appliances do not leave water marks, finger prints, nor scratch easily.  The white brightens up the room, and well, I just plain love them.

Now for the stove. Why in the world would I ever replace our previous working white stove?  I can’t really explain why I did such a thing, other than the stove by Café Appliances triumphs it.  I mean seriously, it is just plain amazing.  I wish I could attach a video this blog to show you all the reasons I love it, but that is so far beyond my technological abilities it just isn’t going to happen anytime soon 🤦🏼‍♀️.

But believe me when I tell you, the stove by Cafe Appliances are what dreams are made out of. At least my dreams anyway 🤣.

We chose stainless in this option- and that too I can’t really explain why we (I) did. I just did! I guess I wanted to be different.  And I wanted something to give a timeless feel I will love for decades to come.  Our stove is the 36 in dual fuel with gas cooktop.  The hubby ran gas pipe and added a propane tank just for this cooktop. Cooking on a gas cooktop daily is worth all that extra work times a thousand.  Believe me.  Oh, and one more thing about this gas cooktop from Cafe Appliances– they really did a fantastic job with the design.  And I don’t just mean with there asethetics.  I mean with its cooking and cleaning ability.  I have heard by many that they choose an electric stove top strictly because they did not like hassle of cleaning a gas range.  Well, let me tell you, Cafe Appliances thought of that.  The grates come out in easy three sections that leave one nice flat surface to clean.  BOOM.

Oh, and the way the flames adjust to the size of the pan you’re cooking with is another plus plus plus.  My last stove had different size burners for the various pans that can be used, but really I love cooking on the front burners no matter what pan I had.  That mistake of mine often left hot pan handle as my silly self used a large front burner instead of cooking on the proper size burner in the back with smaller pans. Café Appliances you outdid yourself with having the adjustments you created with your burners! No matter what burner you choose on the Café stove you can adjust it for the size pan you have :).

Thank you all for taking the time to read my thoughts, and let me know if you have any questions as always 🥳.

Well, it has been an honor to get to know, and to have worked with Ratio Coffee this past year.  About a month ago, Mark, the founder of Ratio Coffee, asked to interview me about our home.  How it all began, the home, the blog, etc.

It was a short question and answer I thought you too might want to read. 🙂

And as always, thank you for stopping by and following our journey.

The day has finalllyyy come for me to show you our latest project!  As many of you know and have watched on my Instagram stories, the hubby has spent days and countless hours giving this old butcher block new life! P.S. Do you see that stamp on the back right there? It reads Michigan Maple Block Co., Petoskey Michigan! Now how cool is that??!

The Before-

This was my first photo sent to me before I took a risk and bought it!

Here are a few more of it at home before we (he) began to work on it.

Now here is what he did-

First, last Saturday night we set out to buy a planer.  Not every new project means you get a new tool, but for this one particular, there was absolutely NO way to have done what he did without one.  So, we decided to bite the bullet and just go get one.

After hours of plaining, next he belt sanded the top and sides.  It is always best to go with a lower grid sandpaper and work your way up.  The higher the grid number the finer the grains and smoother it sands the wood.  After the belt sander he finished with a palm sander, and top it off with a little hand sanding.

Mind you there were hours spent and many long evenings after work that went into all that that I mentioned in just a few short sentences.

Finally, the time had come to oil our butchered (I mean beloved 😉 butcher block.  After a little research, there are various products out there you can use for oiling butcher block, but mineral oil seems to really be the best choice out there for various reasons.   I purchased the mineral oil we used at a local drug store, but it is readily available at almost anywhere in the pharmacy section (under laxatives…!).   It is also food safe and can be used on any wood surface.  Oh, and it is what I use on our soapstone counters too!

Lastly, he took off the old and rusted chrome plates and wire wheeled them to clean them off.  Next he spray painted them black and screwed them back on.  I think they look better than new :).

And folks that was it! Plus the two men it took to move this into the home.  The hubby even joked he may have to strengthen the beams in the basement for this piece. Well, that was part joke part truth.  It weighs a ton!

I guess that means it will have to stay a while….!

Sooooo, what do you think???! #ForTheLoveOfDoug