Farmhouse charm can only be described as a feeling…not a set of rules.  There are so many feelings that come to my mind when I think of  adding farmhouse style. 

I guess the first thing you have to remember when trying to achieve this look…is what life is like on a farm.  To begin with, farm life is simple.  The American farm family lives, generally on a budget.  They don’t have access to the store anytime they like…so they have to keep this in mind…when grocery shopping…shopping for clothes…ect.   Generally, their houses used to be built by them…and possibly neighbors…so they weren’t sophisticated.  They were built very simply.  Most of the decor was made generally by the women…or the men, not store-bought.  So, with that in mind…let’s look at this, shall we?

Beadboard – This was used…because it was well…cheap, and it protected the walls.  Country women…or men for that matter…didn’t have time to be fixing walls…so things had to be tough.  They generally had loads of kids…mostly to help on the farm, and things had to be durable…and last for ever…beadboard was the ticket…it got put on everything.

 

  Walls

 

 

cabinets

If you’ll even notice…this gorgeous farmhouse sink…even mimics the beadboard.

 

Sinks

That said…lets look at the farmhouse sink:  They were generally deep, for all the big pots and pans.  Farm women were very busy ladies.  They generally made and preserved all there food…so they needed these industrial depth sinks.

Not all farmhouse sinks were neccissarily apron front.

This sink isn’t an apron front…but just like those…it’s big and deep.

 

Cabinetry

Generally cabinetry was a specialty item.  It didn’t come custom built into homes…so if you got any…it was just the bare necessity…which usually meant, not at all on top.  So open shelves came about.

If you’ll notice…these shelves were only built as big as needed…just the depth of the canning jars.  That was typically how things got done…as needed, and as folks could afford.

 

Farmhouse Tables

Almost always long and built out of whatever would might be found, salvaged or left over from another project.  These tables saw a lot of wear and tear.  They had to hold up to all the work of the kitchen, along with lots of kids.  Homework,  and company.  They couldn’t be prissy.

Part of the charm of these tables…is the rustic, beat up look that they almost always had.

 

Roofs

Have you ever thought about why there is almost always tin on a farmhouse?  Again…what’s available, quick…and lasts forever. 

Granted, today’s tin roofs…aren’t our mamma’s…but they still have an awful lot of farmhouse charm.

 

Truth be told…they aren’t tin anymore either.  However…we have tin on almost all our outdoor roofs…except the house.  We have FINALLY upgraded to a pretty steel roof.

Would you just take a look at this farmhouse with the red roof….isn’t that just stunning?

This home….is just the epitome of the Farmhouse style, my opinion!

Okay…this isn’t a tin roof…but it spoke to me…and I had to give in to the voice!  How’s that for farmhouse charm?

 

 

Lighting

Again…as with all the other elements….lighting was all about simplicity. 

Look at this picture…it has just about every element I’ve talked about.

 

 

Countertops

The countertops generally, were no different from anything else, of that time….simple simple, simple…and what’s available.

Typically, these wooden countertops were dark and very warm, from the wear and tear of baking, cooking, cutting and canning.

Women lived in their kitchens for so many years….is it any wonder that when we think of farmhouse charm…the kitchen is usually the place our minds wonder?

 

 

Fireplaces

This fireplace…is just about as rustic as one can get.

Although modern and sophisticated in many ways…this fireplace, for some reason, just oozes country charm to me.

There are so many other ways farmhouse can be broken down also.

 

French farmhouse –

By adding some curves to the furniture…some Roosters…and lanterns…generally that’s what a farmhouse needs…to look Farmhouse French
 

 

Cottage Farmhouse

– Cottage is typically smaller in scale…generally has some stone thrown in…and loads of whites, and chippy paints.

Pimitive Farmhouse

 – This is just exactly what it sounds like.  straight lines…because the technology wasn’t there…and really rough detail.

 Although, most of this room is not…the cabinet behind the couch, is as primitive as it gets.

 

English Farmhouse

– English…in my mind…just says florals.  Add some flowers…and some chinz…and you’ve got English farmhouse.  Although it’s generally a little more sophisticated, and chic, it really is nearly that simple to get a little English Farmhouse look.

 

Even outside…some floral additions…just make the difference.

 Okay….that really puts farmhouse charm into perspective…and makes it fairly simple to understand…and gives some very reasonable ways to add this charm from less complicated times, into our busy lives today.