Farmstead Decor {All in the Details}

Hi Friends! I hope you're doing well. If you're thinking that the picture below could use a big bucket of lilacs, so am I. Stay tuned... About two more months. ;) Until then, I thought I'd share some simple farmhouse details that add lots of character and charm in any season...

Lavender Season!

It's that time of year! The bees are busy... And you'll find me gazing at the lavender in the yard wondering how long I can keep it growing - because it's beautiful and I love the scent - or if I need to harvest it for drying.   

Farmhouse Living: Let's Head Outdoors

Hi Friends,

I hope you're enjoying the weekend! We just returned from a week in California and Oregon. It was such a fun time, kicking off summer together as a family. And now, it feels so good to be home!

While I unpack and get the laundry started, I thought I'd share some recent pictures from around our little farmstead...

Before our hops was in bloom, I used a strand of faux greenery to freshen up the grapevine wreath on the weathered chicken coop door. I love how it stays green. ;)  

Here are the Highlights... (Farmhouse Decorating, DIYs and Home Tours)

Hi Friends! Have I mentioned that I love it when you visit? I do! 

And today, I'm rounding up blog posts from January, in case you missed anything. It was a full month here on the blog with home tours, DIY projects and farmhouse decorating ideas that will still work beautifully in February and beyond!

Farmhouse Porch Ideas

Our porch is looking very January meets February. 

Not in a good way. 

I'm needing some inspiration (and a few hours to clean and refresh). Until then, I thought I'd share some decorating ideas from when our porch was a little more welcoming.  

(Some affiliate links have been provided for your convenience.)

1. Galvanized Buckets and Containers

Jultober And A Farmhouse Porch...

Here in the Seattle area, they're calling it "Jultober."

Today, like yesterday, feels like pumpkin patch weather.

And I love that... in October!

But the lavender on our property doesn't lie. It's July.

So I've staged my own little summer reminder on the porch,

 so no one forgets what season we're in...

Sunshine and Lavender...

You may want to sit down for this.

It's 88 degrees. Outside. In April. 

In Seattle.

This kind of weather warms this California transplant's heart.

Our older, 8-year-old chocolate lab is panting like we've dropped him off in the Sahara. And the puppy, let's just say the heat hasn't slowed him down in the least. ;)

Vintage Books and Herbs Mantel...

I guess it's like when you decide to try to lose a few pounds, and suddenly all you can think of is apple crisp with vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce. 

In winter, when most of the outdoors is dormant, I start craving nature indoors.

Meet our dining room mantel...

5 Easy Tips: Outdoor Summer Table Settings

It's that time of year to linger outdoors with family and friends, 

enjoying long days and balmy evenings. 

The house doesn't need to be perfect - chances are you'll spend most of your time outside. Meals are usually lighter, fresher (with the abundance of vegetables and fruits) and simpler (anything that can go on the grill).

There are some easy and affordable ways to 

create a welcoming summer table setting...

1. Mix and match seating for a charming and comfortable outdoor space.

I combined a chippy wicker arm charm, picnic bench, vintage dining chair and bench settee for this table that can seat six comfortable and eight "cozily."

2. Collect vintage white plates, linens and serving pieces. 

You can find unique cloth napkins at antique shops and thrift stores. I have a collection of linen, embroidered and damask white napkins that I use over and over again. I recently found the napkins pictured below at a thrift store for $.50 a piece... and they are in perfect condition!

And when it comes to dishes, nothing says "fresh" or shows off food like white.

3. Add whimsical lighting.

Globe lights, Edison bulbs or white string lights provide a cheerful, 
"light-hearted" atmosphere after the sun goes down...

4. Use seasonal flowers, herbs and/or greenery for centerpieces and place settings.

Fresh lavender from the garden not only looks pretty but smells so good! If nothing is in-bloom, branches and greenery can be used for a touch of nature. Coupled with candlelight, even the simplest elements look beautiful.

5. Bring a little bit of the indoors outside.

Since there's not as much worry about rain this time of year,  bring a few items outdoors for added interest and comfort- like old books (to give your centerpieces a lift), and even a throw pillow or two. 

Before you retire an area rug from your home, try it outside on a porch or deck. I brought the rug, pictured above, from our entryway out to our back porch. A rug that may look tired or worn indoors, can breathe new life into an outdoor space. 

However simple or detailed your table, 
I know your hospitality will warm the hearts of your guests. 

There's nothing quite like sharing life together around a table...

Xo

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Amazing Places to See (Near Seattle in Summer)...

It's officially summer! I hope yours is off to a great start... 

We recently returned from a little getaway to the Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic Peninsula is a spectacular place to visit and take in nature. While we were there, we explored the forest, ocean, rainforest, lavender farms, mountains, hot springs, lake and waterfalls. We saw bald eagles, a herd of elk and deer. 

(All this and we were only gone for two days! :)

We ate lunch and spent time here at Crescent Lake Lodge. It feels like stepping back in time in all the best ways.

The water ranges from turquoise to a brilliant shade of blue...

Set against the mountains and trees, you can't help but stop and stare at the beauty!

These sweet little cabins are where we look forward to returning to, just steps from the lodge and lake - a good choice for loud  active families like ours. Be sure to book early, as they usually fill up 3-6 months in advance!

Canoes can be rented by the hour...

We went on to the forest where we hiked up to Sol Duc Falls.

Our modest (yet still surprisingly pricey) little cabin and our three amigos, enjoying breakfast.

The guys indulged me in a little stop in Sequim, where we visited a lavender farm. My husband and I had visited Sequim once before our boys were born. They have a lavender festival in July where you can tour all the lavender farms, pick lavender and buy all sorts of lavender products and treats (including lavender lemonade and ice cream ~ yum!)

We did a 3-mile hike on the beach, enjoying the sound of waves crashing and smelling the salty sea air. The boys collected and filled (my) pockets with shiny, smooth stones.

We loved watching our three run free. The joy of childhood summer...

It was a fun family adventure... but it's always nice to come back home!

If you're not already following Little Farmstead on Instagram, I hope you will join us here!

Have a wonderful day,

Xo

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Spring Flowers And An Antique Baby Scale...

Do you remember when I found this antique baby scale at a neighbor's yard sale last summer? I've enjoyed filling it with pumpkins in the fall and pine branches and bulbs in the winter. Now that spring is here, I wanted to bring a little garden goodness inside...

I chose ranunculus (because they're pretty), English lavender (for the scent) and dusty miller (the whitish plant that looks dusty - because it will fit in perfectly here ;).

Are you bringing any new plants or flowers indoors this spring? 

So glad you stopped by today!

xo

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From My Front Porch To Yours