8 Farmhouse Tips for an Inviting Home

Did you guys miss me? Sorry it’s been a little while, but Luke took some time off and we got lost in the country. We actually found the most amazing place on AirBnB. We’d never booked a trip this way before but we fell in love with Vermont and Still Water Bindery B & B run by Patty! It is in the small town of Newfane in Southern Vermont just over the border from Massachusetts.  Patty’s home is one of the most inviting I’ve ever entered and I thought I’d share some photos and some of her decorating tricks. Today I’m sharing 8 Farmhouse Tips for an inviting home!

Exterior Still Water Bindery, an excellent B&B with wonderful farmhouse charm.

“A Little Bit of Country is Good for the Soul”

I’m not sure who said that but it’s so true. We were only up in Vermont for a four days but it felt so much longer. We had time to walk in the woods, swim in a stream, explore, fill our bellies with delicious food and really spend time together.

8 Farmhouse Tips for An Inviting Home

8 Farmhouse Tips for An Inviting Home

1. Barns, Barns and More Barns

Um, I’ve always had this dream of a barn. For real. Have you guys? My dream will probably never come true, but I so enjoyed Patty’s barn. It is glorious and so were all the barns we passed.

Barns and Farmhouse Style

I mean look at that beautiful red paint:

Red Barn and farmhouse style

How to bring the farmhouse look into your home.

If you’re not lucky enough to have a real barn you can decorate with paintings of barns as Patty has done in her screened in porch.

Barn Art a great way to bring that farmhouse feel into your own home.

Barn Paintings & Reclaimed Wood - a great way to bring that farmhouse look into your home.

2. The magic of outdoor rooms.

We spent A LOT of time out in this screened in room. We enjoyed watching Belle walk across the birch beams above to the barn. We sipped wine and coffee out here and had a fantastic game of Monopoly one night with the boys. It was fabulous to enjoy the outdoor sounds of nighttime in the country without getting eaten alive. The crickets chirping and the sky full of stars was such a dream.

Screened in Porch with Metal Chairs in Splashy Fun Colors

The furniture in this outdoor room was an eclectic mix which added to the cozy and relaxed vibe.

Screened Porch is ready for a farm to table dinner

A Couch Area in a screened in room makes for an inviting space to relax and unwind.

The couch was so inviting to sit and catch up on book reading!

3. Shells Work (even in the country)

Patty loves the beach just as much as me. I was delighted to find collections of shells in Patty’s bathroom and outdoor shower.

Look how beautifully the collection of simple shells work on a shelf.

Pretty Shells On Shelf

This was such a simple display but so pretty. I couldn’t help but taken multiple photos.

Collection Shells Are Wonderful Even in the Country

I love how Patty nested shells in the support beam in the bathroom.

Beams filled with Shells

How pretty are these in the outdoor shower?

Shells in Outdoor Shower

4. Mismatched Beds are Charming

The boys slept in the sweetest room with white walls, painted wide pine floors and filled with books and art. I loved the mismatched beds painted in the most cheerful blue.

Mismatched Beds add sweet farmhouse charm, especially in a fun shade of blue.

5. Handpainted Furniture Adds Warmth

Patty had a few pieces of painted furniture. Some in her signature blue, but others with a story. How fabulous is this piece build be her grandfather?

Antique Hutch Hand painted in a vibrant design

It was hard to get a good picture, but here you can see the beautiful detailing closer up. Patty painted these beautiful details.

Hand PaintedDetail

6. Collections from Nature

Collections from nature are also important in creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. There were heart shaped rocks:

Heart Rocks and other Beautiful collections from Nature.

Feathers in a pretty basket:

Collections From Nature Make a Home Inviting

Woven baskets:

Baskets

Pretty Flowers:

Morning Glory

7. Front Porches for Relaxing

Patty’s front porch was made to sip lemonade on.

Exterior Farmhouse and how to get the farmhouse style

She has plenty of seating – pretty adirondack chairs and wooden benches.

Greenery and a place to relax

Front Porch Living

Patriotic Flags are always in style on a front porch

Oh, and a lovely blue ceiling with a clothes line for fresh smelling laundry!

Blue Ceiling and a Clothes Line for drying sheets in the country breeze

You all know how much I love blue ceilings (our sunroom has one! 😉 ).

7. An Old Tree Swing.

The boys saw this swing and they were delighted!

Handmade Swing

How sweet is that? I love how it is blue too! We don’t have a tree in our yard to do this so the boys were just so excited to see that Patty had a swing!

Swinging and Country Living at Its best!

A summer's day in the country

Happiness is truly a swing attached to a tree!

Swing Cuddles

John took this off us (slightly out of focus), but still cute. 😉

8. A Place to Create

Patty has a studio on her property where she teaches paper making and book binding and I think I’d love to go back another time and learn this.

Studio of Still Water Binery in Newfane

Her home studio is nestled amongst a beautiful garden filled with wildflowers:

Sunflowers and pretty gardens in Newfane Vermont

Wildflower Gardens

If you couldn’t tell we had a fabulous time. Oh, and I need to share one photo of Skye, Patty’s silver lab. She’s so adorable.

Skye, the silver lab

Skye has her own room right off the kitchen. She is such a love.

I actually took so many photos I can’t even fit them in this post. Patty also has some beautiful photos on her AirBnB listing here and you can read more about her work here.

0 0 votes
Article Rating

Similar Posts

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Judy Coggins
Judy Coggins
7 years ago

Vermont is magical and my favorite vacation spot. We spent many years with our family driving the unpaved roads, antiquing, swimming and enjoying the mountains. We stayed at a wonderful family owned/run motel with little cottages and two gorgeous collie dogs (Bruce and Lassie) that sat by our door waiting for our girls to bring them a snack. Glorious memories… Thanks for sharing yours.

Bara
Bara
7 years ago

I had my own mini vacation viewing the photos. New Englind, there is so much simple beauty and natural treasures to be hold. A delight to my eyes to see the rock collection. I have a heart rock collection also. I must check in going there in the magical time of fall. Life is good.

Janet
Janet
7 years ago

I too have wonderful childhood memories of Vermont. Oh how I could move east again….
Thanks for taking me down memory lane! Oh and I’ve got to know….who’s Belle? 🙂

Lisa
Lisa
7 years ago

What a charming and inviting home.

P.S. painted furniture makes every home look charming.

Lisa

Kristen @ Making Home
7 years ago

Love Vermont so much! We went to a little B&B in Waitsfield for our anniversary last year and it was the most lovely relaxing experience! Glad you had a nice time!! Beautiful pictures 🙂