The Christmas season really is the best time of the year. Theres nothing better than spending time in the kitchen baking Christmas cookies, gathering with friends and family around the twinkly Christmas tree, or just curling up on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate watching Christmas movie after Christmas movie. But first comes the most fun of all...decorating! Just like flowers in the spring and pumpkins in the fall, your outdoor holiday decor is a fun way to celebrate the season. A front door all decked out with lush evergreen garlands and cheery red bows warmly welcomes your guests and says a festive hello to all who drive by. If youre looking for outdoor decorating ideas beyond the standard evergreen wreath, below youll find inspiration for easy ways to beautifully adorn your homes exterior with creative garlands, wreaths, planters, and more. Get even more ideas for outdoor holiday decorating:1Dress Your WindowsBecky Luigart-StaynerHomeowner Landon McAfee drapes his cottages front door (painted a holiday-ready green!) with garland of a mix of Leyland Cypress and white pine. As a finishing touch, all of the window ledges get a holiday spruce-up with a layer of greenery clippings.TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 45+ Gorgeous Christmas Garland Decorating Ideas for Dressing Your Home Up2Adorn Your StatuesBecky Luigart-StaynerAs an alternative to a traditional planter, consider placing wreaths around statues that flank the front door. Here, dog statues look extra festive at a Mississippi hunting lodge designed by Richard Keith Langham.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Set up a Seating NookAdam Albright for Country LivingAt Alyson Morgans Wisconsin farmhouse a wreath made with foraged branches and tendrils of dried vines and botanicals takes center stage above a wooden bench loaded up with pillows. An unadorned pine tree in a crock ups the seasonal charm.TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 20+ Easy Ideas for Beautiful Outdoor Christmas Planters4Add Color With a Charlie Brown TreeNat Rea for Country LivingWhile your garlands and wreaths may be perfect and lush, theres nothing more charming than a less-than-perfect fir tree weighted down with ornaments. A galvanized bucket provides a humble, no-fuss container.TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Wrap Porch Columns With GarlandsRikki Snyder for Country LivingOn this upstate New York farmhouse, all the porch columns are wrapped with Fraser fir garlandsa perfect pairing with evergreen wreaths and festive red bows.TOUR THIS HOUSE6Hang an ArrangementBERNADETTE HOLSTEINTheres no rule that your front door wreath has to be round. Choose your favorite outdoor-friendly vessel, like this wicker cone, and fill with an arrangement of evergreen and berry-filled branches. Finish with a festive bow. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Put a Tree on Your PorchDavid TsayI love the idea of having an outdoor tree, and this is a perfect way to do it, says textile designer Heather Taylor of the 10-footer on the screened-in porch of her familys California cabin, whereyes, even during the winterthey bundle up and gather to enjoy time together. TOUR THIS HOUSE8DIY a Tobacco Basket WreathBRIAN WOODCOCKA rustic tobacco basket makes for the easiest DIY wreath! Just add floral wire to fasten greenery, plus a few pine cone accents, some bright berries, and maybe a gingham ribbon to finish it all off.RELATED: 50+ DIY Christmas Wreaths to Give Your Guests the Prettiest WelcomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Hang Wreaths With RibbonDylan Chandler for Country LivingKaley Cuttings Connecticut farmhouse makes a merry first impression thanks to wreaths hung at each window with layered ticking-stripe ribbons.10Mix Your GreensDavid Meredith, styling by Meta ColemanFor a garland with lots of interesting texture, choose one made with a mix of types of greens, such as pine, cedar, boxwood, or even, like here, olive leaves. Complement the simple, natural look with wood and terra-cotta planters holding a variety of evergreen shrubs. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Decorate for the Entire Winter SeasonBrian Woodcock for Country LivingAs if fur-embellished ice skates werent wintery or glamorous enough! In this innovative DIY, theyre filled with sprigs of evergreens and finished off with a fluffy pom-pom for a unique wreath that will have all your holiday guests buzzing. A few silver jingle bells or miniature ornaments make things even more festive.12Go All OutCHARLIE COLMERIf you fall in the more is more holiday decorating philosophy, then go for it! This Christmas-loving homeowner went wild with a small tree, wreath, evergreen arrangements in planters, colorful packages, a vintage ski poster, and whimsical flag bunting up above. RELATED: The Best Small Christmas Tree Ideas With Big Holiday SpiritAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Stagger Red & Green LanternsBrian Woodcock for Country LivingNow, heres a home that incorporates the colors of Christmas in a seamless, beautiful way that doesnt interrupt their existing decor scheme. These Tennessee homeowners incorporated the merry hues using a swath of cedar branches tied together with red ribbon, a small tree, and other color-coordinated decorations.TOUR THIS HOUSE14Lean a Vintage Sled Dylan Chandler for Country LivingA vintage wooden sled or two propped by the door brings a seasonal spirit that can stay all winter long. For extra embellishment add a large bow. RELATED: 25+ Vintage Christmas Decorations That Will Never Go Out of StyleAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Swoop Your GarlandKim Cornelison for Country LivingRather than wrapping your porch posts, let the garlands hang down for a more casual farmhouse-style look. It also lets a lot more of that pretty green to showand pop against a wintery white setting.TOUR THIS HOUSE16Stack up Some Hay BalesBuff Strickland for Country LivingThis country Christmas display outside the Junk Gypsies Wander Inn, comes together with just a few items, namely hay bales. They used brightly colored lights and galvanized stars as decorations, but you can adorn yours however you like. RELATED: See more of how the Junk Gypsies Decorate Their Inn for ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Create a Fragrant Door SwagBrian Woodcock for Country LivingIs there a more beautifulor more fragrant!arrangement than a grouping of dried oranges, pine cones, and fresh greenery? We dont think so! Add a burlap ribbon, and you have yourself an eye-catching front door decoration.RELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday Decorations18Bring Out Vintage FavoritesDavid Tsay for Country LivingAt her Michigan farmhouse, Abby Hoppen brings out her vintage thermoses and coolers to add crusty nostaligia to the front porch. A red metal lawn chair and galvanized feeders add more pops of vintage patina. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Hang Garland Around the HouseBurcu AvsarNo porch? No problem! Just drape garland around the exterior of your house or barn for a unique holiday look. Cover the garland with outdoor-friendly ball ornaments of various colors and sizes for extra festive flair20Embellish With BerriesMichael PartenioThis is no ordinary wreathbut it doesnt take a ton of elbow grease to create it either. A simple spray of wheat stalks, a pretty ribbon bow, and a few artificial berries make for a gorgeous final look...and dont forget the tiny silver bells.

If youve ever encountered Louisa May Alcotts coming-of-age novel Little Women, or watched any of its many television and film adaptations, you know its nearly impossible to not see yourself reflected in one of the March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, or Amy. Or, more than likely, see snippets of each sisters archetype mirrored in your own life. I always related most to Jo, a bookish type who feels a little stir-crazy in her small social circle and narrowly defined role as a women. But then theres the oldest sister in me that feels a camaraderie with Meg, a romantic who finds strength and power in her choice to marry and raise a family. Perhaps thats why the story of the March sisters is so enduringwere always grappling with how to be ambitious women. The real beauty of Alcotts Little Women is that, of course, you dont have to choose. The March sisters are just as complicated and nuanced as the women in your own life, navigating ambition, desire, and sisterhood. But, in the spirit of Christmas merriment, you can choose which sister best represents your Christmas decorating style. Do you collect vintage Shiny Brights all year round? Youre a Beth! Can the reflection of your tinsel turn heads down the block? I see you, Amy. Perhaps you start making a dried-orange garland the day after Thanksgiving. You, my friend, are definitely a Jo. Thankfully, nostalgic and handmade decor is trending this year, so no matter your style, youll find inspiration below thats both of the moment and timeless. Curious to see how your favorite March sister affects your Christmas decor sensibilities? Fair warning, these ideas may inspire you add a festive tabletop tree (or two) to your Christmas decor, and they will definitely inspire a rewatch (or two!) of the Alcott classicboth the 1994 adaptation and the more recent 2019 version. Settle in for a Holiday Movie Night:Meg: The TraditionalistBrian WoodcockYou love the finer things, and put tradition (think a classic red-and-green scheme) and family above all. Just like many eldest daughters before and after her, Meg follows in Marmees footsteps making a tree that feels warm and traditional (like the set for the filming of Little Women (which was based on Alcotts childhood home in Concord Massachusetts). This mini balsam tree, much like its muse, embraces traditional elements like a plaid bow, cranberry garland, and tartan ornaments, plus homey accents like clip-on candlesticks. A stoneware crock serves as a classic base.Jo: The NaturalistBrian WoodcockMinimalist and no-nonsense, you gravitate toward a nature-inspired palette and more literary pursuits. You keep your decking-of-the-halls simple for ample time to spend as much of the holiday season as possible snuggled up with a book.A sparse alpine balsam fir channels Jos less-is-more leanings, while an antique copper pot anchors the display with metallic heft. Bird and pine cone ornaments hit an organic note, while a dried-orange garland appeals to Jo's practical sideBeth: The NostalgistBrian WoodcockSweet and sentimental, you relish holiday nostalgia and cherish all things handmade and handcrafted. Less drawn to grand adventures that your other sisters, you instead, feel the pull towards the simplicity and comfort of home. A flocked spruce and ribbon-candy ornaments hit a nostalgic note. The happy-hued handmade button garland and vintage candy-tin base add simple homespun charm. RELATED: 25+ Vintage Christmas Decorations That Will Never Go Out of StyleAmy: The Free SpiritBrian WoodcockFanciful and (a bit) frivolous, you love the glitz and glamour of the holidays. You likely have a soft spot for sparkle and shiny objects. Unafraid to speak your mind, or make your intentions know you have no trouble embracing the more-is-more approach to decor. An all-white spruce serves as an eye-catching foundation for sparkling snowflakes, pastel baubles, putz house accents, and a sweet ice-skate topper. A hatbox as the tree holder evokes a bit of jet-set glamour.Get More Decorating Inspiration for Your Christmas Trees:Maribeth B JonesDesign DirectorMaribeth B Jones is the Design Director of Country Living where she creates seasonal content full of warmth and playfulness. When shes not wrangling chickens for a cover shoot you can find her collecting vintage oil portraits or flipping pancakes in her sunny, yellow kitchen with her two chatty daughters.

Anyone who has worked behind the scenes of a magazine knows that holiday shoots are a massive undertakinga heavy lift, as photo stylists often say. In addition to getting a home ready for its close-upthink ironing bed linens, sweeping floors, zhushing up bookcasestheres a whole extra layer of holiday spirit to be added. Heres why thats tricky: Because magazines typically operate on a schedule a few months in advance of newsstand datesfor example, an issue that arrives on newsstands in December was likely photographed in Augusttheres a good chance theres a prop stylist stringing lights and pouring egg nog in late summeror, more likely, pouring heavy creamer to look like egg nog. (This is not always the casesometimes we shoot a full year in advance to capture snow!but there always seems to be at least one holiday house that works its way into the issue at the last blazin hot minute.)That was certainly true when we photographed Landon McAfees adorable 800-square-foot cottage in Stantonville, Tennessee, which now graces the cover of our December-January issue. As Senior Homes & Style Editor for Country Living, Im always on the lookout for houses to feature in the magazine and online. Sometimes a property finds its way to me through word-of-mouth (You have to see my cousin's Carolina cabin), sometimes its pitched by the designer who brought the project to life, and, occasionally, I stumble upon a gem of a property while mindlessly scrolling Instagram late into the evening. It was Landons living roomalready whimsically outfitted with blue and green paper garlandthat first caught my eye, so I reached out to him on Instagram to see if he would share more photos. It turned out he was a lifelong reader of Country Livinghe has almost every back issue weve ever printed, which he had proudly displayed on an antique bench in his house when our crew, including myself, Staff Photographer Becky Stayner-Luigart, stylist Matthew Gleason, and Visual Editor Ian Palmer arrived on a sunny (and hot!) August day to make holiday magic. If youre curious to know more about how we get a house ready for its holiday spotlight, here are eight insider tips, including our secret weapon for adding pattern, good sources for faux greenery, and the best holiday album to play in the background while you decorate. See The End Result of Our Tennessee Photo Shoot Here!Pick a Tight PaletteA cohesive color palette goes a long way toward giving a space a strong point of view. Here at Country Living, we go to great lengths to make sure our homes in any given issue dont feel redundant, decoratively speaking. For example, if one house goes all in on red and green, maybe theres another house that opts for a neutral scheme. Well typically take the lead from the homeowners, as well as their surroundings. A mountainous, snow-covered log cabin, for example, feels like the perfect spot for a nature-inspired Christmas with loads of greens. However, a timeless white farmhouse might be the perfect spot for touches of tartan. This year, our stylist, Matthew Gleason, and I decided to play off the campy, colorful vibes of Landons cottage and his collectibles by leaning into classic blues and greens and accenting with retro-inspired touches such as colorful Christmas tree lights and picnic-friendly plaids. Pile On The PatternThe quickest way to add festive flair to any house is through textiles. In Landons house, much of that pattern came courtesy of plaid blankets, which can make a big impact if youre on a budget. (Look closely and youll notice at least seven blankets throughout the house!) I love layering them over the back of a sofa to break up a big spread of solid color, draping them around the bottom of a tree like a tree skirt, or positioning them at the foot of a bed to add more interest to solid-colored bedding. (Ive also wrapped them around a less-than-desirable dog cushion for the sake of aesthetics!) As much as I love vintage throwsand Landon already had plentyyoull also find lots of good options at the Tartan Blanket Company, Pendleton, and ChappyWrap. If youre more into a block print or muted palette, check out Rejuvenationwe used a lot of the companys textiles in Alyson Morgans Wisconsin home, which you can also see here or in our December issue.Ian PalmerLandons pup, Benjamin, double-checks our ornament selection. Theme Your OrnamentsAs much as a we love a collected tree of handmade family ornaments, trees tend to photograph better when theres a unifying thread. You can focus on a material (felt, mercury glass...), a theme (woodland, Nutcracker...), or a color scheme (red and turquoise, orange and lavender...). Landons tree plays into his love of retro camp style with loads of mini plaid thermos ornaments, vintage Shiny-Brite ornaments, and just a few other finds with special sentimental value. (See if you can spot the brass bear at the top of the tree!) The crafted paper chain garland that spans both the tree and the living room adds the perfect nostalgic finishing touch. Another tip: If youre adding ornaments of assorted sizes, start by staggering your larger hero ornaments and then filling in remaining spaces with the smaller ornaments. This will help things feel visually balanced. Oh, and I love using green hooks on a green treethey just blend in so much better.RELATED: 40+ Rustic Christmas Tree Ideas for Your Country FarmhouseDont Overlook The Kitchen When were photographing a house for the holidays, we try to convey a sense of the season in every roomkitchen included. A lot of homeowners tell me they dont do much when it comes to decorating the kitchen for Christmas, but thats precisely where you should be putting forth some effort, since its where we all spend so much time. (Maybe thats why the kitchen Christmas tree is trending.) In Landons house, we played off of his red-and-white checkered floors with ample greenery, adding shaggy garland around the window in the breakfast nook and more sprigs to the kitchens windowsill. Oh, and for the sake of the photo, we swapped the placement of Landons cool red metal chairs and his wooden bench. (Having the chairs in the foreground blocked out most of the table.) Becky Luigart-StaynerStylist Matthew Gleason and his assistant Teddy Schober put the finishing touches on the living rooms holiday decorations. No detail goes overlooked!Layer On The Greens You know that old Portlandia skit about putting a bird on everything? Take that same mentality and apply it to boughs. For this photo shoot, we worked with a nearby Tennessee tree farm to cover the house (inside and out!) with white pine, which (phew) we were lucky to source in the middle of August. I will, however, admit that we occasionally resort to faux greeneryand some of it is so convincing. I especially love Balsam Hill and Afloral for real-looking faux greenery. For live greenery were able to get in season, my personal favorite is shaggy cedar garland layered up with dried orange slices and pinecones. It just feels so quintessentially country! Plus, its more pliable than standard fir garland, meaning its easier for us to manipulate as needed. Ian PalmerWe turned Landons desk into a makeshift wrapping station with color-coordinated papers.Edit Your Wrapping PaperIm not gonna lie: One of the most tedious things about a holiday photo shoot is wrapping all the presents. I save Amazon boxes throughout the year (as does Matthew), so that were prepared with all shapes and sizes that we can reuse when its time for seasonal photography. And then theres the wrapping! We pre-wrapped roughly 50 to 60 boxes for this shoot, most of which we hauled to the shoot in our roomy Kia Carnival, the Official Vehicle of Country Living. I find sticking to three or four gift wrap patterns is a good formula for feeling cohesive but not too matchy-matchy. You also cant go wrong with simple brown kraft paper wrapped up with ribbon or chunky yarn. Another fun trick: Repurposing vintage vessels under the tree as boxes, which we did under Landons tree with tin picnic baskets. RELATED: The #1 Top Tip From a Gift Wrapping ProIan PalmerWe packed a whole lot of presents into the Kia Carnival, the Official Vehicle of Country Living!Put Your Backyard to WorkMagazine stylists love a good branch. (You will 100 percent start noticing this!) Whether youre looking to add dramatic height to a kitchen island arrangement or a bit of nature to a bathroom, the best thing you can do is head into your yard with a set of clippers. (Our stylist Matthew also styled this Mississippi farmhouse for a fall issue, and even raided a burn pile on the property for the dried branches in the boot room.) Cue Up a Christmas Playlist When youre decorating during the off-season (any anytime, really), music is a surefire way to shift your mindset from hot-as-hinges to ho-ho-ho. I love to play the classics, but lately Ive really been feeling Kacey Musgravess A Very Kacey Christmas. Music helps lighten the mood and puts everyone in the spiritespecially important when weve invaded someones home for a few days! RELATED: The All-Time Best Christmas Songs for Your Ultimate Holiday PlaylistTour the End Result of Our Christmas Photo Shoot at Landons Cottage Here!Special thanks to the roomy Kia Carnival, the Official Vehicle of Country Living, for helping us make holiday magic. (Stay tuned for the Kia Carnival hybrid coming in 2025!)Tour More Houses All Styled up for Christmas:Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Whether its the crackling logs on the fire or the smell of gingerbread wafting from the kitchen, theres nothing like spending the holidays snuggled up in a cozy, classic farmhouse decorated for the occasion. (Even better if youre watching a classic holiday movie such as Miracle on 34th Street or Home Alone.) The best part about creating that magical holiday feeling? You dont have to go over the top. Farmhouse-style Christmas decorations can be as humble and nostalgic as their surroundings. From simple garland swags on a wrap-around porch to a fresh-cut fir tree festooned in nostalgic ornaments, holiday decorating should be as timeless as it is chic. Below, weve gathered up our 20 all-time favorite touches to give your home a festive farmhouse feel just in time for merry Ol Saint Nick. Just dont forget the milk and cookies! Ready to Dive Into Holiday Decorating? Check Out More Farmhouse Christmas Ideas:1Layer Your GarlandAdam Albright for Country LivingSometimes, simple evergreen garland just isnt enough! In this farmhouse living room, antique brass bells, pinecones, and dried orange slices are woven into garland to give it some visual texture. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday Decorations2Add Flair With Foraged FineryRikki Snyder for Country LivingIn this New York farmhouse, freshly gathered greenery and berries add a rustic feel to the entry while happy hits of citrus bring a pop of color. Playing up natural elements such as these is an easyand inexpensive!way to make your holiday decor feel luxe. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Sneak in a SledDylan ChandlerCelebrate the winter seasons activities by propping a sled or two against by an exterior door. These graphic antique pieces add tons of charm for relatively little effort. RELATED: These DIY Wreaths Add Instant Christmas Curb Appeal To Your Front Door4Try a Blanket TableclothAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingYou dont need to invest in pricey tablecloths to give your Christmas gathering a seasonal spin. Take a note from design maven Nora Murphy and rely on your favorite tartan plaid blankets to set the holiday scene. RELATED: Set Your Christmas Dinner Menu with Any of These Fool-Proof Holiday Menu IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Use Unique GreeneryAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingWhile evergreen garland is a tried-and-true source of Christmas greenery, you dont have to stop here. In this farmhouse bathroom, topiaries and indoor plants also feel festive. (So does the cute red gingham pillow!)RELATED: These Are The 80+ Best Ways to Add Soul to Your Bathroom, According to Designers6Accent Everything With RedDavid Tsay for Country LivingThis white farmhouse plays up holiday cheer by layering on the reds. A bright door beckons visitors inside for hot cocoa, while red bows on both the garland and the wreaths add a classic Christmas punch. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Heres How To Tie The Perfect Bow, According To Our Craft DirectorAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Go All in on BowsDavid Tsay for Country LivingYes, bows are still on-trend! In textile designer Heather Taylors California cabin, delicate bows were chosen over ornaments to add a sense of whimsy to the otherwise classic cabincore feel.TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These Are The Top Christmas Decorating Trends of 2024, According To Designers8Pretty it up With Paper ChainBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonA classic paper chain does all the holiday heavy lifting in this Tennessee Christmas cottage. When your decorations are this classic, it doesn't take much to make your home feel holiday-ready. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Embrace A Colorful ChristmasDavid Tsay for Country LivingRed and green might be the classic color pairing for the holiday season, but this colorful kitchen shows that you can rely on your homes existing palette to make your space merry and bright. Here, a wreath festooned with antique ornaments lends cheer to an equally vibrant Pyrex collection. 10Wrap Your Presents *and* Your PortratiureRikki Snyder for Country LivingPresents arent the only thing getting wrapped in this holiday-ready hallway. Simple festive ribbons tied around artwork is a great way to elevate your everyday decor. RELATED: These Gallery Wall Ideas Are Stylish AND Easy To ReplicateAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Keep it SimpleKim Cornelison for Country LivingWhile we love perfectly placed garlands as much as anyone, we know that sometimes simple is best. On this classic white farmhouse, boughs of unadorned pine garland hang straight down, instead of wrapping, the porch columns. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: The Best Outdoor Christmas Decoration Ideas12Trot Out the TartanAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingTouches of tartan feel right at home in this airy entryway. When in doubt, bring out the tartan for a classic look during the holidays. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Ready Your Room Year-RoundDavid TsayLovingly named The Christmas Room, this farmhouse living room boasts a built-in holiday look thanks to wall-to-wall red plaid carpeting and evergreen-colored paint. The year-round decor is the ultimate backdrop for vintage collectibles, including 4-H ribbons, Shiny Brite ornaments, red barn paint-by-numbers, and grain sacks repurposed as stockings.Get the LookWall Paint Color: Lafayette Green by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Heres How Much Your Favorite Vintage Christmas Decorations Are Worth Today14Set up a Festive BarJean Allsopp for Country LivingNothing says holiday cheer like a grab-and-go bar set up. This antique chest of drawers plays host to a few bottles of bubbly and snacks, proving that all you need to get a holiday party started is a Christmas cheers!TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These Christmas Cocktails Are Guaranteed to Give Guests A Warm Welcome This Holiday SeasonAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Merry up Your Mantel With IronstoneErin Little for Country LivingIn this colonial farmhouse, space is at a premium! An oversize fireplace gets a festive flair thanks to antique ironstone filled with blue and white baubles. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: The Complete Collectors Guide to Ironstone16Make It Merry With Mini TreesBurcu AvsarIts the more the merrier when it comes to Christmas trees in a farmhousebut they dont all have to be big. This fireplace scene is the perfect example of just how much oimpact a mini tree can have. RELATED: Bring Big Cheer to Small Spaces with These Mini Christmas Tree IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Bring Out the BaublesDavid Tsay for Country LivingThe lowest effort decorating is often the most effective. In this holiday-ready entry, an oval tray piled up with Shiny Brite ornaments sets a festive, welcoming mood. RELATED: Give Your Entry A Seasonal Refresh with These Stylish Ideas18Bring Out the AntiquesDavid Tsay for Country LivingThis holiday scene proves that vintage decor works in any season. Atop the dresser, a collection of antique art and signage still feels seasonally appropriate next to vintage deer figurines. Below, evergreen garland gets the nostalgic touch thanks to vintage ornaments and small pennant flags. The hutch itself is filled with festive red and white textiles to add another layer of old-fashioned style. RELATED: These Vintage Christmas Decorations Will *Never* Go Out of StyleAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Go All in on Winter WhitesVictoria PearsonIf red and green are not in your palette, stick to seasonally appropriate winter whites. In this cozy cabin bedroom, bright whites feel welcoming and cozy, not stark, when paired with rustic wood finishes. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 30+ White Bedroom Ideas for a Totally Serene Sleeping Space20Swap Out Your Shower CurtainBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew Gleason for Country LivingSmall touches can have the biggest impact. In this adorable Tennessee cottage, a red-and-white ticking striped shower curtain adds Christmas cheer to the green-and-white bathroom. TOUR THIS HOUSEAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Good news for fans of design star Galey Alix! While her HGTV show Home in a Heartbeat is not returning, shes not going anywhere. Along with the occasional appearance on other HGTV shows, like last summers 100 Day Hotel Challenge, and new projects on her social media, where fans first fell in love with her surprise home transformations, now shes helping you refresh your home on a budget. And shes starting with whats underfoot.In November, she launched her Galey Alix x Livabliss rug collection, available at Wayfair, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, and Bed Bath & Beyond. And in many way, she tells, Country Living, its an extension of what she did on her show and has been doing on social media for years. Theres something for everyones style.Galey Alix x Livabliss Myrtle Avenue Area Rug, 8'10" x 12'2"Now 43% Off$705 $402 at Wayfair If youve followed Galey for a while or watched her show, you know the process: She finds a deserving individual or family, someone who could really use a boost. Then she meets with them in their home to understand what they needand then she takes over: Still today, even with my celebrity clients, I dont go over any decisions with the client. I dont show you color palettes. We dont even necessarily talk about what rooms Im going to do. You just tell me your budget and that you trust me, and then you give me your credit card and you move out for a weekend, and I come in, and then I surprise you.So, shes gotten really good at understanding different peoples styles and, as she puts it, how to make something them more than maybe they even realize its them. Though she might not have the same style or design taste as the person whose home shes making over, she learned how to change her design style based on the client but still create something that she likes and can be proud of. As she was designing the rug collection, she applied that same mindset to every design and pattern. Some are modern, some are transitional, some are traditional, some are bold, some are demure. Some have a lot of colors. Some have very neutral tones. I just wanted to have things that would make sense for anybodythat everybody would think is pretty, even if its not your style, she says. She was thinking about your budget.Kristina EvansAnother aspect about Galey to understand: When she chooses someone to surprise, she never charges them for her services. She was working full time at a Wall Street firm and did not need the income when she started her home makeover side gig. Her reward has always been when the recipient, who might be a little down or maybe went through something difficult recently, gets to come home after her visit and find that their home feels like a warm hug. I wanted to make really big rugs that immediately refresh a space but not make them unaffordable.For the rug collection, she realized she could not be there to design every persons home, but she still wanted to help people transform their spaces with a quality piece without spending a lot of money.The problem, I realized, is that it is so hard to make your home beautiful without spending a lot of money. It is so expensive with inflation and the way the economy has gone kind of since the pandemic, when we had that huge surge of demand, materials, cost of goods, and then inflation on top of it, everything just went up. I wanted to be able to make really big rugs that can immediately refresh a space, but not make them unaffordable and unattainable, she says.Galey Alix x Livabliss RugsMyrtle Avenue V Rug, 7'10" x 10'2"Now 51% Off$455 $222 at WayfairMaria Elena III Rug, 7'10" x 10'2"Now 53% Off$585 $274 at WayfairFetscher V Rug, 7'10" x 10'2"Now 49% Off$585 $298 at WayfairDesign TipWant to make one change to refresh a room? Galey Alix says look to the big three: If you think about it from a designers perspective, theres three things that are going to take up the most space in any room. Its the wall color. Its the flooring. And then the third biggest thing that can change an entire room is the rug, because it takes up the most space. Other than the walls and the floor, the rug is the next biggest point of color or texture or quality. So if you put in a nice rug into a room, it immediately can elevate the whole room. For her, that meant finding a way to make 9'x12' rugs that look and feel like they cost $2,000 to $3,000, but are actually well below $1,000 and even under $500. That goal is what led her to a partnership with Livabliss. Because the brand owns its factories instead of outsourcing manufacturing, she says, she could make the same quality of rug at a much lower price point.The rugs are really amazing quality. I have them in my home.The beauty of my background in Wall Street and economics is that Im able to understand the natural flow of the manufacturing profit, where costs are going, the cost of goods, minimum order quantities, all of these things, so I could figure out who is the best place to go to get the best quality at the lowest price, she says.The rugs are really amazing quality. I have them in my home. With my design eye, looking at this rug, walking on it, feeling it, I would absolutely believe you if you told me it cost $2,500. But it cost $450. Galey AlixShe imbued her patterns with her everyday inspirations.Ever wonder what it means when an interior designer or decorator creates their own textile line? We asked.Galey explains that it was a process of finding individual things that she comes across every day for inspiration and then figuring out how to work aspects of those things into rug patterns. The beauty of working with Livabliss is that I have an amazing team there, and theyve got decades of experience working and creating rugs, she says, and they would take her ideas and implement them. The way that Ive come up with patterns is I might have an old vintage T shirt that has this design on it, and then I say, okay, I want to replicate this, but I want to make the edges more swirly. I want to create more gaps between the circles, and then I want to do a border with something really faded in the middle, and then we just kind of play with it, she says.It was a combination of me either drawing by hand a pattern on a piece of paper and then taking a photo of it and emailing it to them, or us sitting on Zoom and me saying, like, hey, you see the stonework behind me in my kitchen? I want to replicate that muddled feel, but I want to do it with white washing over the colorway so that it looks more vintage-y.Nate Bednarz She made rugs for livingdogs and all.Galey is a dog lover. Her late dog Charlye, a 13-year-old boxer, is the actual love of my life, she says. Now she has Patch, whos two years old, and a new puppy, Bair, both boxers, so designing rugs that fit in with people and their pets was a big priority. I know what its like to be constantly cleaning up accidents, and then all of a sudden you spend money on a rug, and then they ruin a corner of it. Theres only so many times you can turn that rug around. Galey Alix x Livabliss Luciana III Hand Tufted Rug, 5' x 7'6Now 49% Off$375 $193 at WayfairSo for me, it was really important that I do all low pile [with the exception of the patterns in the Architect line, which are a combination of high and low pile]. Its easier to clean because the thinner the pile, the less it can soak up any sort of discoloration from the stains.Another pet peeve she designed for? She hates when rugs show traffic patterns because you feel like you constantly need to vacuum it. So the majority of my rugs, I made them with this muddled, vintage/antique look across them that makes them look worn all over. Because of that worn look, you cant tell if its brand-new or 30 years old. In other words, in 10 years, that rug is still going to look good because the whole thing, even the new parts look worn. Its almost like a whitewash jeanyou cant tell if theyre brand-new or if theyve been washed 30 times. Whats next?Many more product launches are ahead for Galey, she says, including wallpaper, pillows and decorative objects, furniture, hardwired lighting, and flooring. Stay tuned! More Decor Collections from HGTV Stars Terri RobertsonTerri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques.

The first time Alyson Morgan set foot in rural southwestern Wisconsin, the rolling hills and deep valleys were buried under a mantle of snow dotted with red barns that stuck out like Christmas berries on the horizon. Alyson and her husband, AJ, were visiting friends at their farm and had stepped out for an evening walk. We were watching the Amish doing their chores on another snowy ridge, and the moon was just coming up, she says. It was just so peaceful, and I was really drawn to this place.Having grown up more than 2,000 miles away in San Franciscos Bay Area, Alyson hardly pictured herself making a home in this part of the country called the Driftless Area, so named for its sculpted topography. But after that initial visit, Alyson felt the same pull that AJ had to this region in the state where he grew up. Twelve years later, the couple, their childrenMagnolia and Griffintwo dogs, one cat, and a coop full of chickens are celebrating their second Christmas in the farmhouse they designed with local builder Adrian Ugo. Adam AlbrightAJ and Alyson Morgan with children Magnolia and GriffinPlanting roots here has deepened the familys connection to the locations seasonal shifts and informs their homesteading rituals, which Alyson documents at @alysonsimplygrows and in her debut book, Our Kindred Home. Inspired by the landscape and their gardens, nature plays into the familys traditions of cooking and crafting, even during the winter, when the growing season is all but dormant. I love the idea of the season going inwardthings start to get colder here, and the nights are darker. Youre brought back to what is meaningful to you, says Alyson.In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Alyson can be found potting paperwhites to gift to teachers and gathering fresh swags of evergreens to bring the scents of the season indoors. Magnolia and Griffin also take a hands-on approach, crafting ornaments and helping make pine spritz cookies, which theyll wrap up for friends and neighbors. While Wisconsin winters can be longand quite different from her California upbringingAlyson marvels at magical Midwestern moments like hearing the clip-clop of horse hooves and wagon wheels on the road by her house or waking up to a window of white. I still get giddy about the snow, she says. Below, see all the ways Alyson and her family created a true homestead holiday.Tour More Cozy Country Homes at Christmas:Fresh-Cut GreeneryAdam AlbrightIn the living room, a cast-iron fixture generates enough heat to warm the entire house during the winter. Its firebox features bricks salvaged from Milwaukees Third Ward, an homage to the city where AJ and Alyson previously lived. Evergreen garland with strings of vintage bells and block-print stockings lend a seasonal touch. RELATED: 50+ Christmas Mantel Ideas Full Of Holiday CharmAncestors AlcoveAdam AlbrightThe Morgans prioritized sustainably sourced materials, such as wide-plank oak floors milled locally by an Amish-owned company. The entrys switchback stairs frame an ancestors alcove, where the couple displays family photos and mementos.Meet the cat!Gifted to Magnolia and Griffin last Christmas by a neighbor on a nearby farm, Clover loves to curl up and nap in baskets around the house.Natural PaletteAdam AlbrightThe whole-house palettekitchen includedtakes its color cues from a stone that Magnolia found along the lakeshore when the family was on vacation in Door County. Creamy white walls and earth-toned cabinetry pair well with the islands warm walnut base and the ceilings reclaimed wood beams. The white enameled range and ceramic pendant lights keep the look seamless, while brass hardware complements Alysons growing collection of copper cookware. Adam AlbrightInspired by an English scullery, the pantrys built-in cabinetry resembles a hutch and provides ample room for both serveware and Alysons dried herbs. During the holidays, she packages tea blends and mulling spices in Mason jars with handwritten notes and recipes attached.Crafting Quarters Adam AlbrightIn the evening, the family gathers for dinner by candlelight, butthanks to kids supplies stored in its drawersthe dining rooms antique library table also serves up a handy spot for daytime DIYing. (To give the table a little more height, AJ and Alyson cleverly put it on casters.) Topped with wicker lampshades, the rooms iron chandelier ties into the black Thonet side chairs. I have an obsession with old chairs, says Alyson. Lighter TonesAdam AlbrightCreamy light-reflecting tile lines the back of the bathrooms arched nook. The soaking tub sits beneath windows that align with a direct view of the moon when its full. Heirloom FurnitureAdam AlbrightIn the primary bedroom, a modern take on the classic poster bed cuts a striking silhouette in the primary bedroom. I wanted a piece I could pass down, says Alyson. The hand-turned design was also chosen for its ebony finish. I lean into florals and lighter tones, so I wanted to mix in darker, more masculine furniture, she says. A cluster of brass bells tied with scarlet ribbon adds a subtle ring to the holiday. RELATED: Cozy Farmhouse Bedroom IdeasFarm FriendsAdam AlbrightIn Magnolias bedroom, felted farm animal ornaments adorn a pint-size alpine tree, and a paper chain made of wallpaper hangs above. The gray spindle bed, positioned near the window where Magnolia likes to watch the sun rise, was a gift from Alysons mother years ago. Magnolia is our early bird; shes up before all of us, knitting or reading, says Alyson. This is her little sanctuary.MudroomAdam AlbrightWisconsin weather means a hardworking mudroom is a must, so the couple designed the rooms built-ins with an L-shaped walnut bench for a handy spot to slip boots on and off. Once the snow fun is had, the family assembles on the back porch for apple cider, hot bowls of soup, and AJs reading of The Hobbit.Get the Look:Bedroom Tree: Balsam HillRELATED: Stylish Mudroom Ideas to Help Keep You OrganizedPorch TreeAdam AlbrightOne of the familys holiday traditions includes walking the land of their friends choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm, Snowy Ridge Tree Farm, with mugs of hot chocolate. Later, Magnolia and Griffin help trim its branches with handmade citrus ornaments, collected pine cones, wooden spindles, and metal snowflake and star ornaments.Meet the dog!Poppy the cockapoo is very obedient, unless shes eating scraps we bring out to the chickens, says Alyson.Enjoy More Holiday House Tours!

When it comes to decorating your homes exterior for the holidays, theres a lot of fanfare around the wreaths, garlands, and lights, but those porch plantersthe same ones that happily housed geraniums in the summer and mums in the falltend to go overlooked this time of year. They dont have to! Despite the colder temps, there are plenty of ways to twirl up an empty container or window box for the holiday season, from tree-shaped rosemary shrubs to boxwood orbs to lush and loose arrangements of items foraged from your surroundings. You dont even have to do any planting, necessarily. From freshly clipped tree branches and faux greenery to clusters of pinecones, you can embrace a mix of materials and textures to create an impactful and aesthetically pleasing display befitting any cottage, farmhouse, or cabin. How to Arrange Outdoor Christmas Planters Generally speaking, the classic thriller, filler, spiller rule is a good frame of reference to create any container. Start with your thriller, which is your focal plant or element (it could be a mini Christmas tree, for example). Next, layer in your filler, which is a material to round out your container. Finally, your spiller is any material that drapes or trails dramatically over the edges of the pot, such as large boughs of fir or trailing ivy. Below are 23 beautiful planters to give you inspiration. How to Care for Outdoor Christmas PlantersAs the season progresses, you can remove the more Christmas-y parts of your display, such as ribbons or ornaments, and your planter will look appropriate all winter long. Just snip out any pieces of greenery that begin to turn brown. If inserting real evergreen stems into soil in warmer climates, water the planter regularly. This will help the cuttings stay supple. In colder climates, dont worry about it: Most mixed-evergreen containers will last for months, especially if theyre not in direct sunlight.Find more inspiring seasonal dcor, flower arrangements, and holiday content:1Greenery-Filled Crock PlanterAdam Albright, styling by Kelly Ryan KegansCollect extra branches of greenery and put them upright in a stoneware crock for an easy outdoor planter. Adjust the height as desired by the length of your branches. You can even add a little water to the crock to help prolong the greenerys freshness.RELATED: 50+ DIY Christmas Wreaths to Give Your Guests the Prettiest Welcome2Woven Basket Christmas Tree PlanterDylan ChandlerIts no secret that were big proponents of a porch tree. Whether you deck it out or leave it untrimmed, a woven basket makes for the perfect skirt.RELATED: Tour the Inside of This 1830s Log Cabin That Perfects the Old-Fashioned Christmas Look.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Natural Topiary Christmas PlanterYuliia Blazhuk//Getty ImagesDried flowers, live vines, and evergreen garland twined around a conical topiary make a lovely display.RELATED: What Its Like to Own a Christmas Tree Farm4Pine Branches in a Stoneware JugNat Rea, styling by Matthew GleasonFor a twist on a traditional planter, place freshly clipped branches in a narrow-mouthed vessel, like a woven demijohn or stoneware jug.RELATED: Tour This Rhode Island Saltbox All Decked Out for Christmas with Fresh GreeneryAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Vintage Bucket PlantersNordeck Photography INC.Every farmhouse has at least one or two galvanized or enamel buckets around. So, put them to good use come Christmas as planters for small evergreen shrubs. Leave the trees bare or decorate with pine cones and even lights for extra glow. RELATED: 14 Types of Christmas Trees You Should Know About6Antique Wheelbarrow PlanterPhotography Sussie Bell, Styling Selina LakeWhether you fill it with soil and plantings or simply add a medley of containers, an old wheelbarrow is a great way to lend classically country charm to seasonal blooms.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Galvanized Tub PlanterPhotography Sussie Bell, Styling Selina LakeDainty hellebores and paperwhites look quite pretty when paired with worn and weathered metal containers. (Champagne buckets could work too.)8Greenery-Filled Urn PlantersRikki SnyderThe most instant-gratification way to flank a front door: Tuck fresh sprigs or big branches of greenery in large planters, such as these stone urns. The branches may not last into February, but they will at least sit pretty for your holiday party.RELATED: Tour Inside This Postcard-Perfect Farmhouse in the CatskillsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Red Wagon Tree DisplayBrian WoodcockRemember how we said we love a good porch tree? Here, a smaller four-footerdecked only with a scarfsits atop a red wagon filled with presents. RELATED: Tour Inside This Charming Tennessee Cabin That is Rustic Revelry at its Finest10Wooden Crate PlanterCountry Living / Sussie BellWhether used indoors or out, a wooden crate is a useful vessel for an arrangement of amaryllis and freshly clipped greenery.RELATED: How to Care for an Amaryllis PlantAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Antique Watering Can PlanterPhotography Sussie Bell, Styling Selina LakeDress up a rusty old watering can with an assortment of seasonal clippings.12Potted Boxwood PlanterKaryn MilletYou can never go wrong with simple boxwoods, real or faux. For extra embellishment during the holiday season, tuck in a few bows.RELATED: Top 5 Christmas Decorating Trends for 2024, According to Designers. Yes, Bows are Still Very Much a Thing.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Wreaths Around Dog StatuesBecky Luigart-StaynerAs an alternative to a traditional planter, consider placing wreaths around statues that flank the front door. Here, dog statues look extra festive at a Mississippi hunting lodge designed by Richard Keith Langham.14Potted Trio PlantersDavid MeridithRound out your standard wreath-garland combo with a mini sled and assortment of potted plants and trees.RELATED: Tour the Inside of This Utah Home All Decked Out for the HolidaysAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Woven Basket Bevydmf87//Getty ImagesMatching wicker baskets hep unify this handsome wintry display of live trees and berried stems and grasses.16Boxwood and Birch Window BoxTammi Mild//Getty ImagesA combination of boxwood clippings and upright river birch branches make this a handsome window box arrangement. A light peppering of berries and a pretty poinsettia-themed bow add the finishing touches.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Lush and Lively Planterspeterspiro//Getty ImagesFilled with various types of greens and a collection of faux fruit and green stems, these eye-catching planters prove that more is more when it comes to holiday decor.RELATED: Learn All About Tudor-Style Houses18Country-Style Window BoxTammi Mild//Getty ImagesThis pretty window box is overflowing with greens, red twig dogwood sticks, and rattan balls. A plaid bow ups the country charm.RELATED: 20 DIY Window Boxes to Step Up Your Outdoor DcorAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Flocked Branches PlanterLaurie Rubin//Getty ImagesEnjoy a white Christmas, regardless of geography. Here, white pine is dressed up with flocking powder to simulate a snow-dusted arrangement. Branches of berries add some color and contrast. RELATED: A Step-by-Step Guide to Christmas Tree Flocking20Gold and Gilt PlanterSkyF//Getty ImagesA tall planter with simple lines is accented with gold ornaments and a gold star. Curly willow and berried branches add height and drama. Arricca Elin SanSoneContributing WriterArricca Elin SanSone is a freelance writer, editor, and digital content developer. She specializes in lifestyle and interior design content with a focus on gardening. Arricca earned dual bachelors degrees summa cum laude in English and classics from Hiram College, as well as an MBA cum laude from Georgia Southern University. Before writing full-time, Arricca studied in Rome, traveled in Europe, and taught school in Asia. With over a decade of experience, Arricca has pitched, researched, and crafted fresh story ideas and content to appeal to national audiences. She has written thousands of articles for print and digital publications such as Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, House Beautiful, and more. Shes passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.Janece MazeJanece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When shes not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.

Applying millwork to walls is a sure-fire way to wake up a sleepy room. Just like the exterior architecture of a house visually expresses a homes style, amped-up walls of interior spaces also add character cues. Beyond sheet rock thats painted or wallpapered, decorative paneling in the form of beadboard and wainscoting adds texture and brings another dimension to rooms. But while beadboard and wainscoting both refer to decorative wall treatments, the terms are often confused and they do not mean the same thing. Here, well dive into beadboard and wainscoting definitions alongside examples of ways to use them to express your style.Jump to:Find Even More Ideas For Decorating With Wood:Whats the Difference Between Beadboard and Wainscoting?Its easy to confuse beadboard and wainscoting because they are often misused interchangeably, but they are not synonymous terms. Beadboard refers a specific type of wall cladding that is made of narrow planks usually placed vertically on the wall. Wainscoting is a broader term that describes any type of molding (beadboard, board-and-batten, and V-groove are among some of the common types) that covers a portion of a wall. In other words, beadboard is the material that can be used as wainscoting.What is Beadboard? Beadboard refers to thin, narrow strips of wood (or a material that mimics the look of wood such as medium-density fiberboard, PVC, or vinyl) with a rounded bead edge that runs the length of the grooves between each strip. Historically, beadboard dates back to the Victorian era. It was made inexpensively from wood scraps and was used to insulate and protect walls in high-traffic areas. Today, beadboard paneling, commonly available in 4- by 8-foot sheets with planks measuring 2 1/2 inches wide, is used as a decorative element, applied to walls to add charm, texture, and architectural interest. From historic homes to new houses, beadboard spans myriad styles ranging from coastal capes, cottages, and bungalows to cabins and farmhouses. Nick JohnsonWhat is Wainscoting?Wainscoting describes decorative wood molding that covers a portion of a wall that is typically painted or stained. The height of wainscoting can vary, but it usually follows a one-third ratio in height, leaving the remaining wall available to paint or wallpaper. Historically, wainscoting was functional: It helped to insulate rooms and protected walls from damage. For example, a chair rail is the molding cap at the top of the wainscot positioned at the height of the back of a chair (about the bottom third of a wall) to protect the walls from bumps. Often, the wall that is exposed above the wainscoting is painted or wallpapered.RELATED: 35+ Wainscoting Ideas to Add Character to Every Room in Your HomeThree Types of WainscotingFrom cozy charm to relaxed formality, these three forms of wainscoting help set the stage of a room. Raised Panel. This traditional style of wainscoting, which first became popular in 17th-century England, features panels set flush against surrounding trim with raised beveled edges around each panel, almost mimicking a repeating picture-frame effect on the wall. The style can veer more formal and polished, paired with stately antiques in dressed-up dining rooms of Colonial and Victorian homes, or it can project a relaxed formality, mixed with warm woods and rustic furniture in the well-trodden entryway of a country house. Stacy Zarin Goldberg Beadboard. Used as wainscoting, beadboard brings instant nostalgia to a room without overtaking it. The narrow vertical boards can add height, for example, by running the wainscot up two-thirds of a wall. Beadboard wainscoting is a go-to solution for adding interest in the smallest of places such as a mudroom or a secondary bathroom.Brie Williams Flat Panel. This streamlined style of wainscoting is the opposite of the raised panel there are no beveled edges and the panels are recessed in symmetrical sizes along a portion of a wall. The style is casual yet organized and commonly seen in Craftsman-style bungalows. Alec HemerRELATED: Tambour Paneling Is the Latest Must-Have Home Feature and a Favorite of HGTV StarsHow to Use Beadboard in a BathroomGo all-in on beadboard in small spaces like a bathroom to cover the ceiling and the walls to create a cozy jewel box effect. Or, use it strategically, on the wall behind the sink, so the beadboard acts as a backsplash. In small or large doses, beadboard is a cost-effective way to inject farmhouse personality into a practical space.Dane Tashima, styling by Raina KattelsonRELATED: 80+ Bathroom Decorating Ideas to Add Some Soul to Your BathroomHow to Use Beadboard on a CeilingFrom the east coast down to the deep south, porches featuring beadboard-clad ceilings are as common as the slam of a screen door on a summer day. Often, the ceilings are painted in a contrasting hue (like sky blue, also commonly referred to as haint blue) or finished in a glossy sheen to distinguish it from the rest of the porchs exterior. Soft woods, such as cedar, work best areas that are exposed to the elements. Inside, beadboard ceilings were common in the bedrooms, baths, and kitchens of 19th- and early 20th-century farmhouses, and the look continues to be popular today.Annie Schlechter RELATED: 20 Wood Ceiling Ideas to Bring Your Room Country CharmHow to Use Beadboard in the MudroomHigh-traffic areas need sturdy walls to withstand the scuffs and bumps of daily life, which is why beadboard is a common material for mudrooms in old and new homes. Pair it with shelves, peg rails, or hooks to put the wall to work.Annie SchlechterRELATED: 35 Ideas for a More Stylish and Functional Mudroom, According to Designers Kelly Ryan KegansKelly Ryan Kegans is a Minneapolis-based writer, editor, and photo stylist with more than 25 years of experience producing home design content for brands including Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, and HGTV Magazine. Her own home is populated with more books than shelves, a few too many scrubbed pine tables, and moody photos of gray day landscapes, which are her happy place.

As the holidays near, its not only time to start planning out a delectable feast starring your favorite turkey or ham, but its also time to think through how to thoughtfully welcome guests into your home. If you have family or friends coming to stay this season, heres your excuse to spruce up your extra bedroom for their stay. To help inspire you, weve rounded up our best guest bedroom ideas.Whether you have a small space or a large one and are on a limited budget or a sizable one, these pictures are sure to give you lots of bedroom decor ideas. After selecting just the right guest bed frame and mattress, you can start brainstorming your wall design and even how to create an office setup that can be used when guests arent staying with you. The good news is that even a simple addition of cheery bedding or a fresh coat of paint goes a long way to freshen up a guest rooms look and make it feel welcoming and relaxed for whoever stays in it. Below youll also find small space decorating ideas, including how to best tuck guests away into cozy sleeping quarters or a converted attic. By the time you finish with your guest room, you might be choosing the guest bed over your own!For even more bedroom decorating ideas:1Add in Subtle Festive FlairAdam AlbrightBring extra cheer to your holiday guests with a touch of seasonal decor in their bedroom. Here, a cluster of brass bells tied with a scarlet ribbon adds a subtle ring to the holiday hanging on a classic poster bed. You might also add a fresh greenery wreath or a small tree to the space.Get the Look: Poster Bed:Colestin Bed by Rejuvenation2Pile on the BlanketsRikki SnyderWinter nights can get chilly, and theres nothing worse than not having enough covers to keep you warm at night. Throw an extra throw blanket loosely on your guest bed and place another on a chair or other surface for guests to make sure they stay warm and cozy in your guest room overnight. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Set Out a Bedside LampJean Allsopp, styling by Heather BullardIf you dont sleep in a room yourself, it's easy to focus on making it look pretty, but dont forget the practical elements youd want in a room to sleep overnight. Case in point: A bedside lamp is essential (because who wants to get up from bed to turn off a light switch after reading in bed?). The blue-ish gray paint on the walls in this room has a calming effect as well, and the metallic wreath with a red ribbon adds a festive accent.RELATED: Tour More of this Tennessee Home All Decked Out for Christmas4Go Matchy-MatchyBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonIf youre trying to fit as many guests as you can for the holidays, which is the case at Country Living Editor-in-Chief Rachel Barretts Mississippi farmhouse, give your twin beds a pulled-together feel with matching bedding. Change up the boudoir pillows on each bed for a personalized touch.Get the Look:Gingham Pillows: Gingham Petite Pillow by Heather Taylor HomeFloral Pillows: Bloomsbury Boudoir Pillow by Biscuit HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Use Pops of GreenBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonNo matter the season, we love seeing all the pops of greena totally on-trend huein this calm and collected guest room, but its especially festive around the holidays. Fun patterns and a mix of textures play nicely with the more traditional bed frame and art work.Get the Look: Velvet Pillow: Fringed Signature Velvet Pillow in Sage by Ballard DesignsSkirted Nightstand Fabric: Filigree Flower in Gilt by Soane BritainRELATED: 50 Rooms and Decorating Ideas That Prove Green Is the Prettiest Color6Drench Your Room in WhiteMarta Xochilt PerezIf your guest room is small or has a low ceiling, go for white! Drenching the walls, ceiling, and floors in the single light color provides a cohesive visual background and allows for more colorful decor and layers that bring the space together without overpowering. RELATED: The Best White Paint Colors For Every Room in the House Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Go Wild with WallpaperHelen Norman, styling by Matthew GleasonThis guest bedrooms botanical wallpaper fits right into the cottages mountain setting. Homeowner Amy Whyte layered in patterned linens in a burnt-orange-and-denim color palette to give the space that perfectly put together feel.Get the Look:Wallpaper: Wychwood by Andrew Martin8Layer on Colorful QuiltsDavid TsayIn a calm and quiet guest room, layer on colorful pieced quilts in a similar colorway to add a farmhouse feel. This is also a great way to create a cohesive palette in a room with multiple beds.RELATED: Farmhouse Decorating Ideas for Every Room in Your HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Add a Guest-Friendly Luggage RackMax Kim-BeeTheres nothing worse than walking into a guest room and having no place for your things! Provide a functional (and stylish!) luggage rack, like these folding camp stools, to help guests keep their weekend clutter under control. Get the Look:For similar, Luggage Racks: Solid Wood Luggage Rack from Amazon RELATED: Tour More of One of the Prettiest Country Farmhouses Weve Ever Seen10Pretty It Up with PaintAdam Albright, styling by Matthew GleasonWant to take plain-Jane bunk beds to the next level? Take a page out of this Missouri summer cabins playbook and paint them a fun shade! Here, a moody blue-gray sets a slightly nautical tone.Get the Look:Bunk Bed Paint Color: Submarine Gray by BehrFloor Paint Color: Cypress Vine by BehrAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Choose Statement BeddingBrie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversIn this cozy, creamy West Virginia bedroom, statement bedding steals the show. Mix and match patternsstaying within a similar color rangefor the ultimate designed-but-not-designed look.RELATED: Tour More of This Tiny West Virginia Cottage That Brims with Big Personality12Lean Into Architectural QuirksAlyssa LeeIf your guest room doesnt have a conventional layout, lean into the unusual space! Here, a tucked-in cubby becomes the perfect guest perch thanks to scalloped wood trim and cozy bedding. Dont forget to bring in a small bedside table or stool.RELATED: Youll Want To Cozy Up In These Rustic BedroomsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Upcycle a TrunkJenna LeBlancIn this nicely neutral guest room, an antique trunk topped with a pharmacy-style reading lamp acts as a bedside table for both beds. Rely on fun vintage items such as this to bring an added layer of personality to your space. 14Go Pretty & PrimitiveBuff StricklandTexas designer Claire Zinnecker masterfully balances pretty and primitive throughout her circa-1898 Texas farmhouse. In the guest room, we love the way the rustic walls look with the feminine bedding. Plus, the antique double wedding ring quilt was sewn by her grandmother!RELATED: Tour More of Claires Charming Farmhouse That She Bought for $15,000 on Facebook MarketplaceYou Wont Believe the Before!Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Add a Loveseat David TsayWhether for mans best friend or just another sitting option, adding a small couch or loveseat to a guest bedroom will make for a homey touch.RELATED: Tour More of This Tiny Restored Farmhouse That is Packed with Pattern and Patina16Embrace Summer Tones Alec HemerConsider this guest bedroom a lesson in breezy decor. A bamboo headboard and antique quilt are complemented by turquoise furniture and cabbageware plates artfully hung on the wall.Get the Look:Cabbageware Plates: Cabbage Dinner Plates by Bordallo PinheroRELATED: See More of This Breezy, Dreamy Beach House That Used to Be a Rundown ShackAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Bring in a BenchKim CornelisonNeed to maximize storage or sitting space in a small bedroom? Add a bench at the end of the bed! Rustic wood ones are the perfect complement to wrought iron beds. RELATED: These Are The Top 100 Paint Colors of All-Time18Roll in a Clothing RackDavid TsayFor a room without a closet (or closets that are already full!), bring in a freestanding clothing rack to provide your guests a convenient place to hang their clothes.Get the Look:Bed: Dorley Farmhouse Bed from Home Depot Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Add All-American AccentsChristopher Dibble, styled by Liz StrongIn a tiny coastal Washington home, a patriotic theme rings through this guest bedroom, from the flags on the wall to the various red-and-blue patterns below.RELATED: Tour More of This Tiny Puget Sound Home That Was Made for Lazy Summers20Choose a Dresser Over a Side TableBrian Woodcock, styling by Alison AllsoppUsing a dresser as a side table offers visitors more storage and space for their belongings. Installing a wall-mounted sconce, as opposed to using a table lamp, also frees up space on top for books and catchall trays.RELATED: See How Tennessee Couple Transformed a Rickety Hayloft Into This Airy Modern HomeAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!Madoline Markham KoonceAssistant Managing EditorMadoline Markham Koonce is the assistant managing editor at Country Living and VERANDA, where she covers home dcor, shopping, travel, news, and culture. She began her career at Southern Living and previously worked in community journalismincluding serving as the editor of three community magazines she helped launch. She has an undergraduate degree in history from Rhodes College (and loves to tap her love of history in her writing) as well as a masters degree in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri. When shes not on deadline, you can find her baking or lost in a good book.

Nothing says home for the holidays like curling up next to a roaring fire and turning on your favorite Christmas movie, a mug of hot chocolate in hand. The twinkling lights of your Christmas tree might be where your eyes wander first, but dont forget about the mantel! No matter how detailed your living room decorations may get during the holidays, its easy to overlook this spot once its festooned with Santa-ready stockings. But youll be surprised at how quickly you can twirl up your mantel with some garland and a few well-placed pieces of decor. Were not saying you have to go all-out with a Christmas extravaganza (though we certainly have ideas if you want to decorate every nook and crannylooking at you, porch, front door, kitchen, and staircase!). Small, natural decorations go a long way in spreading holiday cheer. So, regardless of howand how muchyou want add festive flair to your mantel, weve got ideas for you! To make it even better, a majority of these ideas include subtle DIY touches, meaning you can achieve your dream aesthetic without breaking the bank. Ready To Dive Into Decorating? Check Out Some Of Our Other Favorite Christmas Decorating Ideas...1Go for GinghamDavid TsayWhile the holiday season might conjure up images of plaids and tartans, gingham shouldn't be overlooked. In design maven Heather Taylor's California cabin, gingham sofas stay year-round, while perfectly mismatched gingham stockings go up for Christmas. RELATED: Heather's Cozy Cabin is All We Want for Christmas2Channel Coastal CharmErin Little, styling by Matthew GleasonIf your house is more seaside than countryside, you can lean into coastal accents like photographer Tiffany Mizzell did in her Maine home. Charmingly weathered buoys and carved sea captains pair perfectly with fresh garland. RELATED: This Festive House is the Epitome of a Coastal ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Make Mini Music TreesIf youre gearing up to host your annual caroling party, or just love the music of the holiday season, pay homage to the theme with sheet music trees! This easy-to-craft DIY makes the perfect addition to any mantel. RELATED: Heres How to Make Fringed Sheet Music Trees4Trot Out the TrophiesDylan ChandlerIf youre looking to add some vintage flair to your mantel, try trophies! They twirl up easily when filled with sprigs of greenery and shine with perfect patina next to a happily lit Christmas tree. Holiday cards displayed in vintage flower frogs and stockings made of old French grain sacks add more vintage charm.RELATED: These Are The 100+ Best Places To Shop for Antiques Online, According To Our EditorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Go for Oversized GarlandDylan ChandlerNeed to make a statement over your fireplace, but dont have a mantel? Try hanging oversized garland, strung along the top and down the sides, to pack on the holiday charm. RELATED: Our Favorite Rustic Living Room Ideas That Are Classic, Cozy, and Modern6Live by CandlelightDavid A. LandIn this coastal living room cozied up for Christmas, glass hurricane candle holders and jars flank the brick chimneyand dont detract from the lush garland, fisherman knit stockings, or life ring wreath.RELATED: See More of This Cozy Coastal Christmas FarmhouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Craft a Card DisplayMarta Xochilt Perez, styling by Matthew GleasonTake a page out of the Turner familys holiday playbook and keep notes from loved ones proudly on display. Here, collected Christmas cards tuck right behind shaggy garland for a personalized seasonal display. RELATED: See How The Turner Family Makes Merry In The Mitten State8Stick to Classic Christmas ColorsNat Rea, styling by Matthew GleasonRed and green are staples of the Christmas color palette for good reason. In this Rhode Island home, Mom and daughter get red knit stockings while Dad and sons go for green. RELATED: See More of This Cozy Rhode Island SaltboxAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Start With Shimmering Candle HoldersBecky StaynerAdd a little sparkle to the mantel with these easy-to-create candle sticks. To make, all you need to do is hot-glue a variety of small ornaments to thrifted candle stick bases. 10Embrace Vintage ElementsLiz Marie BlogVintage can go a long way when it comes to decorating. Bottlebrush trees, postcards, and plenty of greenery make its mark on this Christmas mantel designed by Liz Marie Galvan.Get the tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.RELATED: See Inside Liz Marie's Stunning White FarmhouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Craft Shiny Brite TreesBecky StaynerMake one or make tenit doesnt matter. Youll display these festive sparkling beauties on the mantel year after year. To make: Cover Styrofoam cones (we used 12- and 15-inch cones) with ornaments, attaching them with hot-glue. Start with larger ornaments at the bottom, transitioning to smaller ones as you work your way up. Fill in any gaps with mini ornament balls. If desired, wrap the finished trees with vintage tinsel and beaded garland.RELATED: Up For More Crafts? Check Out These Kid-Friendly Christmas Craft Ideas!12Hang Handmade StockingsBrian WoodcockSerial renovator Holly Williams makes her familys stockings from vintage feed sacks and adds personalization with yarn, which conjures the same handcrafted spirit as her pioneer-built cabin.RELATED: See More of Hollys Charming Tennessee Cabin Is the Epitome of Rustic Christmas DecorAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Turn Blankets Into StockingsAnnie SchlechterMulti-hyphenate creative Nora Murphy used a series of old blankets, which had seen better days, to make these adorable fringed tartan stockings for her homes holiday mantel. Now they hang beautifully next to a lush garland of mixed greens. RELATED: Tour More of Noras Connecticut Home That Is 'Mad for Plaid' at Christmastime14Let There Be LightDylan Chandler, styling by Matthew GleasonIn need of a quick mantel refresh for the holidays or just looking to keep your decor simple this year? Take a note from this holiday scene and opt for glowing battery-operated candles, stacks of red books, and fresh greenery to make your mantel feel merry. RELATED: Tour More of This1830s Log Cabin That Hosts an Idyllic Old-Fashioned ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Give Feed Sack Stockings a TryDavid TsayOld feed sacks, which you can find at your local antiques store or flea market, can easily be upcycled and transformed into cute stockings! In this western Michigan farmhouse, the repurposed stockings were paired with lush garland accented with cheery Shiny Brite ornaments and wintry paint-by-number paintings. RELATED: See More of This Festive Farmhouse Packed with Cute Christmas Decorating Ideas16Fill It With FirDavid LandThis Wisconsin cabins stone fireplace gets a classically cozy touch thanks to simple fir garland and campy red lanterns.RELATED: See More of This Cabin Nestled in the Woods That Delivers the Ultimate Cozy ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Style Up a Starry NightBurcu AvsarA wreath in the shape of a star, cheery presents, and stockings made of old feed sacks create the perfect farmhouse Christmas scene for this festive mantel.RELATED: Love The Small Tree? Here Are Our Best Mini Christmas Tree Ideas18Keep It Simple and SweetAnnie SchlechterYou dont have to go over the top with your holiday decor! In this farmhouse living room, an unadorned arrangement of greenery and antique stockings adorn the mantel, making for a cheery display. RELATED: Our Favorite Farmhouse Decorating Ideas To Help You Create Your Dream Country HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Accent With AmericanaDavid TsayA massive stone fireplace in this campy lake house gets some country charm from a wooden folk art American flag, vintage red camp lanterns, a lush garland, and some festive stockings.RELATED: Tour More of This California Lake Home Is the Ultimate Christmas Getaway20Hang a Rustic StarBuff StricklandThe Junk Gypsies transformed this vintage flea market star into the perfect holiday mantel piece and then styled it alongside fresh greenery (accented with cactus leaves) and gold star garland in their Texas Inn.RELATED: This Texas Inn Is the Only Place You Should Spend ChristmasCharlyne MattoxFood and Crafts DirectorCharlyne Mattox is Food and Crafts Director for Country Living.Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Joanna Gaines has a new class on MasterClass on Designing a Home That Tells Your Story, and I got a sneak preview of it before it went live on Nov. 26just in time for MasterClass Black Friday and holiday sales. Heres what you should know about it.MasterClass Designing a Home That Tells Your StoryNow 50% Off$120 $60 at MasterClassFirst, a little of my own context for watching the class: While I spend a lot of time writing about beautiful interiors for Country Living, I am not an interior designer, so I often feel unsure about decisions I make to decorate my own home. What size should a rug be for this room? How should I arrange this shelf? What color should I choose?Often for dcor guidance, I start with images of living rooms, bedrooms, dining spaces, and more I find online. But in this MasterClass, Gaines, founder of Magnolia, gave me confidence to start a different place in my design decisions: with my own story. Related StoryYour home isnt just where you live. Its a reflection of who you are and your story, Gaines says at the opening of the class. And thats her framework for the rest of what she shares over the next hour and 25 minutes (which goes by real fast!), as she gets more into the nuts and bolts of renovating and design decisions.Id forgotten that Gaines herself isnt formally trained in design either, but as we all know, she certainly knows how to do it well. In the class she walks you step by step through her design process and how to apply it to your own home. Its equal parts visual feast of images of her own projects that make you think, Yes, I want a room that looks like that! and practical instruction with tips (including budgetary ones!) to help you achieve your version of just the right room. In fact, after each section of the class, Gaines gives you bulleted home work points after to help you take your coaching home with you.One of the key ways Gaines makes design feel more doable is how she encourages you to develop a vision for a room that first starts with its functionality for your family (amen to that!)a point she emphasizes with stories of spaces in her own and how they practically work for their family of seven (and in the end, it looks real pretty too)and then how she encourages you to return to your design vision time and time again as you select each element of a room.As I watched the class, I was not only taking notes for this review but also thinking through my own living room, jotting down the words that best encapsulated my vision for it and thinking about ways those words can help guide me to find the right lamps, art, and other pieces I have gotten stuck picking out for most of this year. Maybe I could frame some of my classical music-loving husbands vinyl album covers? I thought as she talked us through finding objects to display that mean something to youaccents that are the soul to the room.Even though a lot of the class is centered on inspiring you to do your own dcor work, I appreciate that I also got a good dose of good ole before and after stories. Throughout its length, Gaines describes how her design process played out for several projects of different styles, including her own home and how it has evolved in its dcor over the years. In a way, these stories are all what we already know and love of Gaines and her style and her process, but this time they come with a framework that especially encourages you to try it for yourselfwith a Joanna Gaines level of confidence that you are the best designer for the space you spend time in and that, in the end, it should look like no one elses room but your own. To fully embrace all of those ideas and many more, I definitely recommend you watch the MasterClass for yourself. Annual memberships start at $120, but sign up now to take advantage of their Black Friday discounts of up to 50% off.Related StoriesMadoline Markham KoonceAssistant Managing EditorMadoline Markham Koonce is the assistant managing editor at Country Living and VERANDA, where she covers home dcor, shopping, travel, news, and culture. She began her career at Southern Living and previously worked in community journalismincluding serving as the editor of three community magazines she helped launch. She has an undergraduate degree in history from Rhodes College (and loves to tap her love of history in her writing) as well as a masters degree in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri. When shes not on deadline, you can find her baking or lost in a good book.

When it comes to Christmas, we tend to shy away from trends around here at Country Living, and most designers agree. We dont believe inor celebratetrends, says designers Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke of Madcap Cottage. Jason notes, Its all about being timeless and looking to the past to reinterpret the present and future.With that in mind, we still believe that your home and its decor is an ever-evolving expression of who you are and what you value. And, theres simply no better, or more joyful, season to flex that expression than Christmas.So whether youre pining for nostalgia, looking for a fresh take on a tree topper, or just looking for affirmation that its not crazy to put a Christmas tree in your kitchen(!), youve come to the right place. With the help of our favorite designers and style experts, weve identified five of the biggest country-friendly Christmas decor trends this year that you can easily incorporate into your own holiday decor. Remember, more really is merrier.These Holiday Decorating Ideas Never Go Out of Style:1. Ribbons and Bows GaloreRachel Whiting, Styling by Marie NicholsNothing is more quintessentially Christmas than ribbon, but thanks to fresh interpretations bows are feeling decidedly now as evidenced by these pretty and playful powerhouses finding their way into our tabletop decor, Christmas card designs and back into our hair.It is absolutely The Year of the Bow, according to textile designer Heather Taylor of Heather Taylor Home. People have really embraced the sweetness and femininity of the trend.The beauty of the bow is the range of scaleyou can go oversize and use a large bow as a tree topper or in place of a wreath, or you can go with take a more diminutive approach and add smaller-scale bows to literally anythingcandlesticks, gooseneck sconces, stems of a champagne coupes, the stem of a rosemary topiary (you get the picture). Bows work especially well on trees as a soft foil to more classic round Christmas balls.David TsayIn lieu of ornaments, the Heather Taylor decked out the tree in her California cabin with simple gingham ribbon bows for a homespun feeling.For a fresher, more modern look, try playing with proportions by making smaller loops and letting your tails extend a few inches longer. Also, save the satin for your Christmas presents and instead try a velvet ribbon with frayed edges.RELATED: The Best Christmas Tree Ribbon Decorating Ideas For the Prettiest Tree Ever2. Non-Traditional Color PalettesKaitlin Green, Design by Emily HendersonEvery designer we spoke to offered a different take on a holiday color palette, but according to designer Emily Henderson the most important rule is that there are no rules. Use whatever colors make you the happiest, she encourages. This year I really leaned into blues and maroons in addition to green and a little red.I love the cozy nostalgia of red and green, says Heather, but were always playing with a mix of color to make the holidays feel fresh. This year Im obsessed with combining burgundy and pink.The good news for red and green traditionalist is that simply adding an unexpected pattern can also breathe new life into your existing Christmas decor. We are mad for traditional red-and-green hues but with an unexpected floral-patterned twist, said Jason. Our classic Cottage Grove fabric pattern, for example, captures a timeless floral in a rich geranium red hue paired with cool green shades that plays beautifully at Christmas. 3. Homespun Paper AccentsCourtesy of Audrey GelmanAs beautiful as gilded garland and glitzy baubles can be, theres nothing quite like a home thats decked out with happily humble, handcrafted holiday decor. And this year, the homespun holiday muse of choice is paper. Whether its a mantel draped in paper chain garlands, windows peppered with hand-snipped snowflakes, or Christmas crackers atop your holiday place settings, the simplicity and warmth of these handmade trimmings cant be beat.Becky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonA blue-and-green paper chain garland adorns s a whimsical Christmas tree in Landon McAfees Tennessee home.Theres something very British about paper chains, says Audrey Gelman, founder of The Six Bells. Paper chains became popular in England during the Victorian era, when they were made from scraps of items such as newspapers and songbooks. These days, leftover craft paper or wallpaper scraps are a nice way to repurpose what you already have. I also like that theyre inexpensive and a fun art project with kids, says Audrey. So, if you too dream of a Little Women Christmas, grab a pair of good scissors, turn on Hallmark Channel and make some handcrafted memories. RELATED: Charming Christmas Decorations to Transform Your Home Into a Winter Wonderland4. A Nod to NostalgiaDylan ChandlerThe desire to have a merry meander down memory lane is strong during the holidays, and so is the pull to personalize your Christmas decor with meaningful family heirlooms and vintage items. Besides, nothing store-bought can ever rival the hand-me-down charm of beloved vintage collectibles. We love using our grandmothers plates upon the Christmas dinner table, says John. Few holiday rituals are as steeped in tradition as hanging ornaments on the family Christmas tree. I like to think of a Christmas tree as a scrapbook and each year we choose a few new ornaments that describe that year, Emily says. Christine Carney, Director of Design for Blackberry Farm Design, thought of another fun way to nestle in nostalgia when she created a tree at High Hampton, a mountain resort in Cashiers, North Carolina, that she filled with small framed photos of previous guests, family, and friends of the property. Some of the people on the tree have been returning guests for many years, and it is so special to include them in our holiday decorations, she says. So save those homemade ornaments and kitschy keepsakes and dont let anyone tell you that theres not room for just-one-more vintage shiny bright.RELATED: Heres How Much Your Favorite Vintage Christmas Decorations Are Worth Today5. Trees are Branching OutGordon BeallGone are the days of the singular, focal-point tree in the house. This year, every room in the house is calling for its own touch of tannenbaum. Audrey says a little mini tree in their upstairs bath is a must, while Heather makes sure the dining room gets holiday cheer. Last year I decorated it [small tree] with homemade pine cone and [dried] orange slice garlands. The result was very cozy and personal, she says.Christmas trees in kids rooms have been growing in popularity for years, but why should the little ones have all the fun. We adore a Christmas tree in our bedroom, says Jason. Why not? Its like falling asleep in a fairyland. Pure magic.Country Living Senior Homes & Style Editor, Anna Logan also shares that kitchen Christmas trees will be everywhere this year. Kitchens are becoming more and more personal, and I see that continuing with holiday decor, she says. As primary trees have moved towards feeling like a perfectly imperfect mishmash of traditional ornaments and homemade touches, these smaller Christmas trees offer the perfect opportunity to unify your display around a theme. RELATED: The Best Small Christmas Tree Ideas With Big Holiday SpiritMore Holiday Decorating Ideas:Maribeth B JonesDesign DirectorMaribeth B Jones is the Design Director of Country Living where she creates seasonal content full of warmth and playfulness. When shes not wrangling chickens for a cover shoot you can find her collecting vintage oil portraits or flipping pancakes in her sunny, yellow kitchen with her two chatty daughters.

Jump to:Youre ready to haul out the vintage star topper, the handmade ornaments, and the twinkle lights. But, wait! Before you bring your live Christmas tree indoors, should you wash it? A viral trend says you absolutely need to wash your tree so that you dont bring any bugs indoors. But does washing your Christmas tree really accomplish anything? Its true that you may have some hitchhikers on your live tree. After all, its a living plant that was growing in the forest or on the Christmas tree farm until recently. But chances are, whatever is hiding in the branches isnt a big deal. The insects that live on Christmas trees are not serious pests that are dangerous to your home or people and pets, says Eric Benson, PhD, professor emeritus and extension entomologist at Clemson University. Its not like youre bringing in bed bugs or pests that cause structural damage to your home on a Christmas tree.Plus, while you may not love the idea of anything riding indoors, these pests are not going to start reproducing indoorsand theyre not going to last long because its too hot and theres no food! The sorts of things that might be on your tree tend to be soft and squishy, like aphids, so they desiccate quickly, says Faith Oi, PhD, entomologist and extension professor at the University of Florida. Anecdotally, theyll probably just dry up within a day or two and die.Related StoriesIf youre still freaked out, read on to learn if you should wash your tree before you bring it indoors:Tetra Images//Getty ImagesWhat Kinds of Bugs Are On Christmas Trees?Depending on where you live, several different types of pests may be found on Christmas trees, according to Benson and Oi: Aphids- Cinara aphids are large, reaching up to -inch. Theyre black or brownish and pear-shaped with long legs, so they get mistaken for ticks. Praying mantis- You may see root beer-like foam on branches, which is an egg case. Stinkbugs- Theyre flat and prehistoric-looking and accidentally hitchhike indoors. Adelgids- These tiny insects feed on tree parts and secrete a white, wooly substance that looks like tree flocking. Spiders- You may see a tiny ball about 3/8 to -inch in diameter, which is an egg case that may hatch baby spiders Spotted lanternfly- You may find this invasive pest's brown egg masses, which resemble mud smears, on the trunk or branches. These may hatch in a few weeks (Read more about spotted lanternflies here)Blake Kent / Design Pics//Getty Images Should You Wash Your Christmas Tree?Despite the fact that some (or none!) of these bugs might be on your tree, washing your tree is probably, well, overkill. Both of our experts say while its probably not harmful if you want to spray it off, its also probably not necessary. In our heated homes and without food, many of these insects are going to die quickly, and you can simply vacuum them up, says Oi. Plus, egg cases of insects, such as spotted lanternfly, are sticky and wont come off without some manual scraping. Finally, for those of us who live in cold climates, the idea of hosing off a Christmas tree isnt practical. Related StoriesWhat to Do Instead of Washing Your TreeIf youre determined not to bring in any bugs (and good luck with that, since its a natural product!), there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of uninvited guests, say Benson and Oi: Have the tree shaken at the tree farm or lot. This will dislodge most of these bugs. Use a leaf blower. This also helps remove some hitchhikers. Inspect your tree, including the trunk, branches and needles. If you see anything that resembles a frothy substance (praying mantis eggs), cut the twig and place it outdoors in a sheltered area so that these beneficials may hatch outdoors in the spring. Look for spotted lanternfly egg cases. If you see brown smears that resemble mud, scrape them off and discard them in a plastic bag because this destructive and invasive species is spreading rapidly. Vacuum up any critters you see. Use a shop vacuum to suck up spiders and aphids (dont squish them; they can stain fabrics). Never use pesticides. These bugs are going to die soon, so its not worth exposing your family and pets to these chemicals.Morgan Campbell//Getty ImagesArricca Elin SanSoneContributing WriterArricca Elin SanSone is a freelance writer, editor, and digital content developer. She specializes in lifestyle and interior design content with a focus on gardening. Arricca earned dual bachelors degrees summa cum laude in English and classics from Hiram College, as well as an MBA cum laude from Georgia Southern University. Before writing full-time, Arricca studied in Rome, traveled in Europe, and taught school in Asia. With over a decade of experience, Arricca has pitched, researched, and crafted fresh story ideas and content to appeal to national audiences. She has written thousands of articles for print and digital publications such as Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, House Beautiful, and more. Shes passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

The job of stringing lights on your tree is no joke, and unless you have a team of elves to help you out, youre likely all on your own to figure out an easy way to put lights on a Christmas tree. But even though this tedious task can be a headache, oh, the rewards! That glow of a real Christmas tree (or an artificial Christmas tree!) can downright take your breath away!Chances are youve been hanging lights on your tree the way your parents did. But, believe it or not, there are a few different ways to light a Christmas tree. Online and off, questions abound: Do you hang Christmas tree lights horizontally or vertically? Do you go top-to-bottom, or bottom-to-top? Do you put lights on a Christmas tree before anything else? (For the record, we say definitely yes to this!)Before you start doubting (or changing) your stringing technique, we have some good news: There really is no right or wrong way to light your tree. If your method of outfitting your tree suits you, stick with ityou have no reason to change! But if youre new to decorating or dreading the seems-so-hard task, and wonder, What is the easiest way to put lights on a Christmas tree? we have the answers for you. Below, our tips on several great ways to hang Christmas lights on your tree. Jump to:Becky Luigart-StaynerTip: In general, plan for about 100 Christmas lights per foot; a 6-foot tree would get 600 lights.Start With the Perfect Tree:How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights Horizontally Nico De Pasquale Photography//Getty ImagesHanging Christmas lights horizontally is the most widely used technique when it comes to decorating the tree. Its pretty self-explanatory, but if this is your first time hanging lights, youll want to follow these directions:First, plug in each set of lights to make sure all the bulbs are working. (This will save you a lot of stress later.)Starting at the top or bottom of your tree (depending solely on preferencesee below), wrap the lights over and under the branches of the tree, moving around the tree and slowly either up or down.Mix things up by placing some lights deeper into the tree than others, and by alternating the patterns so that it looks more organic. Get creative with it, and have fun!Tip: When you have to connect plugs, hide the eyesore by fastening the area to a branch with floral wire.How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights VerticallyThe vertical approach to hanging Christmas tree lights is a trend that started circulating a few years ago and Country Livings Managing Editor Amy Mitchell says switching to this technique has been life-changing! It is so much easier and more manageable, says Amy. No more carrying that bundle of lights while moving the ladder around and around the tree. Bonus: It's a whole lot easier to take them down once the holiday's over! Try this for outdoor Christmas light displays too. Heres how to hang: Plug in each strand of lights to make sure all the bulbs are in working order.Start with the plugless end of your lights at the top or bottom of the tree and let the lights lay vertically like a seam.Each time you reach the top or bottom, turn the lights back the other way until you have a sideways S pattern around the whole tree. For best results, Amy recommends hanging the lights in a back and forth S-like pattern, rather than a straight U, to prevent stripes.Tip: Try to avoid any obvious pattern or spiral; you want the lights to look natural. RELATED: The Enduring Love Story Behind the 2024 Rockefeller Christmas Tree How to Hang Christmas Lights Top to Bottom Catherine McQueen//Getty Images I string my lights from top to bottom because your plug is at the end of the strand and closer to the bottom of the tree and outlet, says The Home Depots Director of Trend and Design Sarah Fishburne, making a solid case for this method. Plus, she says, if you run out of lights, its easier to spread them out this wayand its easier to add more lights to the bottom versus the top of the tree. Heres how to do: Plug in the lights to make sure all the bulbs are working. Starting at the top of the tree, intertwine the lights on top of and under branches.Work your way down and around the tree, hanging lights in the back as well.When you reach the bottom, hide any extra lights behind the tree.If you want to add more lights, simply do another pass, starting again at the top and working your way down.Tip: Make sure you wrap the lights loosely on each branch for the best overall affect.How to Hang Christmas Lights Bottom to Topmartinedoucet//Getty ImagesThe Home DepotChristmas lights bottom to top because she can plug the lights in first. It makes it easier to see what the lit tree will look like as Im stringing the lights, she says. End up with extra lights at the top? Just wind them back down the tree for extra glow. And if you run out of light, simply start a new string and run an extension cord down the back of the tree. Heres how to do it: Plug in the lights to make sure all the bulbs are working. Starting at the bottom, zig zag Christmas tree lights through the tree in quadrants, section by section, versus around the tree.Place some lights deeper into the branches and place some closer to the front to create depth.Hide the lights connectors by pushing them deep into the tree branches near the trunk.Once you reach the top, you can either tuck the extra lights into the back of the tree or wind the extras back down the tree.Tip: Hang shiny ornaments towards the middle of your tree to reflect the light for more depth.Our Favorite Christmas LightsHoliday String Lights, 25 CountNow 20% Off$69 $55 at schoolhouse.comTwinkly Strings App-Controlled LED String LightsNow 41% Off$200 $117 at AmazonSYLVANIA Mini Christmas Lights, ClearNow 11% Off$18 $16 at AmazonColorful Christmas LightsNow 20% Off$18 $14 at AmazonJoiedomi 7-Strand Old-Fashioned Bubble String LightsNow 46% Off$28 $15 at Amazon24 Reviews Cherry Light Strings$69 at Balsam HillNow for the Decorating! Here Are Our Favorite Ideas to Get You Started:Alison AllsoppAlison Allsopp is the Style and Market Editor at Country Living.

Jordan GeibelCountry Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?At Country Living, we have long had a soft spot for small spaces of all sorts. Whether it's a grain silo guesthouse, a tiny converted NYC tugboat, or an adorably outfitted chicken coop, we love any space that manages to maximize its charm per square foot. (For the record, we were championing the cottagecore aesthetic far before it took over TikTok.) We've even embraced dollhouse makeovers a time or two, but the latest dollhouse transformation out of Houston, Texas, by shop owner and textile designer Courtney Barton, may just be the greatest dollhouse project of all timeespecially if you have a soft spot for color, pattern, weathered antiques, and whimsical details. Wynn MyersCourtney Barton, dollhouse designer extraordinaireThe tiny housenicknamed Tiny Tassel Castleis so richly layered and life-like that we're still doing double takes and studying every detail. The antique-style cooker! The tiny Delft tiles! The collection of hanging baskets! The project, which is part of a fundraiser for Family Houston, was "truly a labor of love," says Courtney, one of eight designers/creatives tapped to turn bare-bones plywood shells into mini showhouses that will later be sold at auction. (More on that below.)Sarah Lawrence PhotographyBut seriously: Wait until you see inside Despite the structure's diminutive scale, it was an overwhelming undertaking for the shop owner and mother of two boys. "I've never done anything like this," says Courtney, who says she wasn't especially into dollhouses growing up. "When the structure got dropped off, I did an ugly cry on what I had gotten myself into," says Courtney, who was intimidated by both the amount of rooms (12!) and the two-month timeline that overlapped with the popular Round Top Antiques Show. (Courtney owns a retail shop in Round Top in addition to her store in Houston.) After taking a breath and rolling up her sleeves, she rose to the occasion by trusting her well-honed eye for "elevated whimsy," obsessing over scale (see: adding ball feet when dressers needed just a smidge more height), and enlisting the help of businesses and creatives around the globe, including Andrew Martin, designer Beata Heuman, artist by Rebecca Rebouch, and ceramist Pearce Williams. She also reached out to Coley Home to help tackle the upholstery. "I couldn't believe they said yes!," says Courtney. "And I love that it's a young female-owned company." Jordan GeibelThe game room features a custom painting by New Orleans artist Rebecca Rebouch She also admits that she got really, really into it. "As a shop owner, my whole gig is rooted in the thrill of the huntfinding unique objects made by artisansand this house features items from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Germany, France, Mexico.... I found myself deep into the world of dollhouse objects." Case in point: The rolling library ladder came from a man in Canada. The bathroom lighting is by an artisan in the United Kingdom who specializes in tiny swan chandeliers. (Talk about finding your niche.) The burlwood grand piano was sourced closer to homeit was a lucky find from a local estate sale.Jordan GeibelThe bathroom with its swan chandelier and small-scale soaking tubJordan GeibelThe stately library includes a rolling ladder and assorted stacks of booksJordan GeibelThe burlwood grand piano came from a local estate saleJordan GeibelBut of course theres a bottle brush Christmas treeSome items are sentimental. For example, the bamboo bedthe first item Courtney purchased for the houseis an ode to the first item she carried in her retail store. (It pairs well with a scaled-down version of this whimsical wallcovering.) Other decorative details required roll-up-the-sleeves resourcefulness. When tiny baskets didn't feel quite old enough, they were stained with coffee to look more weathered and antique. Jordan GeibelThe bamboo bed paired with whimsical "Prospect Park" wallcoveringJordan GeibelAnother angle of the layered bedroom because why notWhen asked to name her favorite of the 12 rooms, Courtney says it's always changing. "We asked ourselves this question on a weekly basis in the office." She does admit that the basket-filled garden room ranks high on the list. "Yellow is one of my favorite colors, and I've wanted to use that Antoinette Poisson wallpaper forever." The ballet room is a close second. "We had a mirror custom fit for a wall, installed a ballet bar, and trimmed the room in velvet. It all feels so sweet."Jordan GeibelThe garden room, complete with a checkered floor and skirted sinkJordan GeibelThe ballet room is outfitted with a mini wooden barre, velvet trimmed window treatments, and a gramophoneThe biggest challenge, says Courtney, was perfecting the tiny trim work. "In the garden room alone, there's over 17 hours' worth of trim!" she says. "We had a mini table saw the size of an index card that we used to miter everything. Eventually, I wound up finding a pair of scissors called miter shearsthat's proven to be our dream tool."Jordan GeibelA pint-size blue stove pairs well with terracotta tile floors and copper cookwareJordan GeibelCafe curtains, hen-on-nest dishware, an apron sink... Does it get more country?Jordan GeibelWere not sure what we love more: The turkey on a pewter platter or the stately grandfather clockThe house, alongside seven other miniature marvels, will be auctioned off at La Petite Maison Gala on December 4th. (Bidding starts at $2,500, and you can stake your claim remotely.) You can go read more about the other designers here, but we'll still be obsessing over every delightful detail of Courtney's construction, including the pan on the kitchen island with chopped mushrooms and onions, the teensy touch of mud on the garden room wellies, the hand-beaded kitchen chairs, the game room wallcovering featuring a motif of tiny card suites (clubs, aces, hearts...). It's clear no detail was overlooked. Well, except one. "There are no toilets," says Courtney. "They're just ugly." Jordan GeibelLook closely: The game room wallcovering features tiny black spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds Related Stories Rachel BarrettRachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.

Landon McAfee never takes a holiday from treasure hunting. The Tennessee native has interrupted countless vacations with trips to the post office after finding prized 4-H memorabilia, made pit stops for enamelware at antiques stores on the way to weddings, and even left in the middle of a Fathers Day lunch to nab a free church pew minutes after it was posted on Facebook Marketplace. (My parents understood, and I was back by dessert, he notes.) Ive been antiquing since I was six years old, explains the interior design consultant and creative. It all started when someone gifted me a thermos. After that, any time I was out and about, I was on the lookout. They were something affordable I could collect, and now I have 38 of them!Ian PalmerAn array of 4-H memorabilia, including a few pieces homeowner Landon McAfee earned back in his high school days, surrounds a childs armoire Landon scored for $10.All things camp come naturally to Landon. In addition to his outdoorsy 4-H undertakings, he and his Boston terrier beagle, Benjamin, lived in an Airstream for years until there was simply no room left in his parents closets for his stash of plaid thermoses, picnic baskets, flashlights, fishing gear, pennants, linens, and metal coolers. That led to the purchase of his most expensive antique to datea 1940s-era, two-bedroom, one-bath, 800-square-foot cottage on four acres in Stantonville, Tennessee (population 337). After nabbing it, he spent the next 15 months on a top-to-bottom renovation with the help of his father and brother. Stantonville isnt exactly bustlingtheres a single stoplightbut who needs a mall when you have antiques stores and a surprisingly active Facebook Marketplace community? Besides, when you grow up in a small town, extracurriculars are slim, meaning you pour your heart into your home. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at home, says Landon. My mother homeschooled us, and she took pride in her home. It wasnt unordinary for her to wake up one morning ready to wallpaper or paint a room. I now spend a lot of time in my own home and take the same pride in my space. It provides me comfort, shelter, and a creative outlet. I feel inspired when at home, and that is something that brings a lot of peace to my life.Tour More Homes All Decked Out for the Holidays:Piled-On PlaidsBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonIn the living room, an assortment of plaid motifs (on the roll-arm chair, sofa pillows, and wool throw) plays well with the hunt scene toile lampshade and understated seagrass rug. An unadorned white pine tree in an antique crock and a blue-and-green paper chain garlandintersecting at the schoolhouse-style light fixturebring holiday whimsy to the cozy and collected space. I went to our local print shop, and they cut the pieces for me, says Landon. Instead of reading, I spent a few nights putting [the chain] together. I think the whole thing cost $5!Meet the DogLandon adopted Benjamin, a Boston terrier beagle, while a freshman in college. Hes a homebody just like his dad, says Landon. Get the Look:Rug: Safevieh Souheir seagrass rug from Bed Bath & BeyondWall Paint Color: School House White by Farrow & Ball RELATED: More Merry Ways to Decorate Your Living Room for ChristmasHappy HuesBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonLandon gravitates toward the colors found on vintage camp gear, which is what inspired the ruddy red he used to paint the dining nooks floors. (The creamy hue is the same one used on the wallsSchool House White By Farrow & Ball.) Faded green checked draperiesmade from Pottery Barn tablecloths!are complemented by lush cedar-and-pine garland. A pretty, old pine table (also from Facebook Marketplace) makes good use of the space and echoes the warmth of the folding camp chairs doing double-duty as wall decor. A sole red transferware plate hints at Landons dishware obsession.Get the Look: Red Floor Paint Color:Schoolhouse by HGTV by Sherwin-WilliamsRELATED: Brilliant Painted Floors Ideas Thatll Add Instant CharmCampy Christmas TreeBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonThe red-and-white painted floor makes for a particularly merry and bright spot for the 7-foot white pine tree, which Landon trimmed with paper chain garland, camp-inspired mini thermos ornaments, and strings of colorful vintage lights. The lights up the camp vibe, he advises. When it comes to the presentation of presents, Landon is all business. I take it way more seriously than I should. Im sourcing paper year-round because sometimes the best stuff can be found in July, he says. I have two rules for wrapping presents: Wrapping paper should be colorful, and every present must be finished with a bow. RELATED: 40+ Festive Christmas Tree Ideas for Your Country Farmhouse Collected CanteenBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonAfter removing the doors from the original kitchen cabinets, Landon filled the shelves with a small sampling of his servingware. I have 35 place settings of Blue Willow alone, he says. Also in rotation: green-striped campware, blue-striped English pottery, enamelware, splatterware, and other everyday dishes. Its a problem, he says. There are dishes all over the house, hiding under furniture. Copper pots remain at the ready above the stove, along with more dishes, mugs, and a colorful painting. Bedecked with a bow, a camp lantern hangs out on an old Hitchcock chair.Get the Look:Cabinet & Trim Paint Color: Techno Gray by HGTV Sherwin-Williams RELATED: Dreamy Open Shelving Ideas for Your KitchenRec CenterBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonLandon spied the old desk that sits in his office at a nearby antiques store. I had to take the legs off so I could get it in my car, he says. Now, its paired with a vintage post office chair he tracked down in Mississippi and an old cooler filled with rolls of wrapping paper. For a sporting spirit, the walls are spruced up with croquet mallets, an old pennant, antique antlers (I got them from a guy in a sketchy parking lot for $15, says Landon), and a college fraternity photo in a simple Adirondack frame. The color-blocked chaira bargain he picked up at an estate sale in Linden, Tennesseeis one of Landons most prized possessions. It sits in his office surrounded by a stack of galvanized metal coolers, thermoses, and a quartet of dart boards. Ive never played darts, but Im always searching for ones that have fun colors, he says. Arts & CraftsBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonBy the time Landon arrived on the scene, the homes hallway was the only space that had walls in good enough shape to leave them unrepaired and unpainted. He doubled down on the rusticity by hanging a few fishing rods and vintage camping stools. To continue the period charm, he replaced the bathrooms 1980s-era hollow door with a vintage pine piece he found on Facebook Marketplace.The storied pew that caused Landon to skip a Fathers Day lunch now occupies a space of honor in the hallway, along with a medley of items hes collected on road trips, inherited from his grandparents, and received from friends. When it comes to art, I try not to limit myself [to traditional framed pieces]. If it can be hung on the wall, Ill hang it on the wall, he says. Ive become friends with an 88-year-old woman who used to own the local frame shop. She lets me romp through her stash of old prints, and then she frames them for me.Woodsy SurroundingsBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonIan PalmerBecause the bathrooms original cast-iron tub and sink were so heavy, the floors had to be torn out and reinforced to carry the extra weight. Landon shored up the base and installed a fun black-and-white tile. He further freshened up the space with a leafy green wallpaper and a sprig of white pine plucked from the Christmas tree. He found the petite stool at an antique market. Get the Look:Wallpaper: Valley Oak Stripe by Nathan Turner via Wall ShoppeRELATED: Inspiring Ways to Use Wallpaper in Your BathroomSleepaway StaplesBecky Luigart-StaynerThe bedrooms antique maple spool bed was a Facebook Marketplace freebie. I saw it posted online, and I messaged the guy immediately. It turned out he was actually giving it away, says Landon. I stopped what I was doing and went straight there! Vintage art, a chippy side table, and a lamp made from stacked Shaker boxes add nostalgic patina. The new braided rug feels like its been underfoot forever.Get the Look:Braided Rug: Oval Braided Wool Rug from L.L. BeanRELATED: These Rustic Bedroom Ideas Will Inspire You to Design the Most Relaxing Retreat Grand InspirationBecky Luigart-StaynerAfter visiting Mackinac Island and seeing the haint blue ceiling on the Grand Hotels large porch, Landon was inspired to duplicate it in his own home. Although he had originally planned to make the porch a potting station, it became a cozy seating area after his grandmother passed away, and he inherited her floral sofa. (Every other member of my family wanted to throw it away, he says.) The colors perfectly complement the paper-chain garland hung with care around the windows. An old trunk is now a coffee table where Landon stores an array of vintage horticulture and landscape design books. His grandmothers picnic basketstwo of 10 around the houseare now a side table, and a vintage geese painting and rusty vintage tray usher in more color. Get the Look: Ceiling Paint Color: Light Blue by Farrow & Ball Floor Paint Color: Hanging Vine by ValsparRELATED: Add Character to Every Room in Your Home with These Wainscoting IdeasGorgeous GreensBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonLandons green thumb inspired the color choice for his 1940s cottages front door and window trim. Come Christmas, he doubles down on green with a massive wreath, garland around the entry, and greenery swags on the windowsillsall a mix of Leyland cypress and white pine.Get the Look: Door and Trim Paint Color:Bunker Hill Green by Benjamin MooreRELATED: 40+ DIY Christmas Front Door Decorations for Ultimate Christmas Curb AppealFind More Ideas To Decorate Your Home For Christmas:

Overwhelmed. That was the word that came to mind the very first time David Bowen laid eyes on his familys vacation-home-to-be in central Georgia. He and his wife, Melissa, had been on the hunt for a rural property where they could gather with friends, family, and one very lucky grandchild to enjoy a slice of the simple life. I grew up hunting, fishing, and hiking on my familys farm, and Melissa and I wanted a place where we could pass those loves on to new generations, says David. They bought some land about two hours away from their hometown of Suwanee, Georgia, and were delighted when, a few years later, the house next door went up for sale. Surprisingly, I had never seen it, and there wasnt a lot of information about the property online, so I did my fair share of snooping on Google Earth before driving over, David says. When he finally arrived, he discovered a scenic long driveway, rolling fields, bosky tracts, a picture-perfect lake, andcue the screeching sounda 1980s-era rancher with a low-slung roof and so much red brick. It could not have been more at odds with its picturesque and pastoral surroundings. Knowing that the setting called for a classic Southern farmhouse, David called in for reinforcements, including Perry, Georgia-based designer James Farmer. This was a renovation that was going to take vision and a lot of work. I asked him to come down, and I laid it all outI told him, Were going to turn this thing into an old, Low Country-inspired house, and were going to do it right with a big front porch, dormer windows, a metal roof, white siding, wood floors, blue ceilingsall of it, says David. And to his credit, James said, I see where youre going with this, and I think its going to be fantastic. The goal was to create a traditional farmhouse and hunting lodgenot some stuffy antebellum mansion.With a plan in place, they took on their respective roles on the project. David concentrated on construction I know just enough about architecture to be dangerous, he saysand James took on the challenges that come with Reagan-era interior design choices (carpet in the bathrooms, a bad-linoleum galley kitchen), making way for layers of old-fashioned charm. The goal was to create a traditional farmhouse and hunting lodgenot some old, stuffy antebellum mansion, says James. Helen Norman, Floral Design by James FarmerDesigner James Farmer decked the front door out for fall with a garland using magnolia branches and other trimmings found on the property.Fortunately, James was delighted to find original heart-pine floors beneath the shag carpet and linoleum floors. He then chose paint-grade lumber to create classic Southern millwork like beadboard and shiplap throughout the house. The woodwork instantly gave it a cozier and older feel, he says. As did wallpaper, which played a large part in the overall transformation. One of James first selections was a classic toile (Royal Oak by Lewis and Wood), which he paired with painted shiplap wainscoting in the homes entry. The papers putty hue also inspired the homes overall color palette. I love what I call the un-colors, says James. Theyre not green, theyre not gray, theyre not browntheyre these hues that are beautiful because theyre a little ambiguous. Helen NormanWhen it came to furnishings, the Bowens were keen to create spaces that felt collected. Trouble was, they didnt actually have enough family heirlooms to spare for their weekend getaway. Thats where Jamess enthusiasm for antiques came in handy, with the designer layering in items like oil paintings, demijohns, and French baskets, not to mention a few of his personal possessions, including a heavy as lead console table in the living room and a family bench that David says is still on loan from the designer. And while James is passionate about patina, he is also a champion of what he calls tomorrows antiques, referring to artfully made modern- day items modeled after pieces with provenance. One example: The primitive-looking sideboard in the entry, which James says takes after an old Southern hunt board.In the end, it only took about two years of work to make the house feel a full century olderand the process was significantly less daunting than David had anticipated. Normally, remodeling is not fun. This was fun, he says. Thats the good thing about working with James. He trusted me, and I trusted him, and we got that classic Southern farmhouse we wanted all along.Keep reading below to see more of the beautiful results.Tour More Beautifully Restored Farmhouses:A Kitchen for CongregatingHelen Norman, styling by Natalie WaradyPreviously a dark galley layout with laminate cabinetry, the now open and airy kitchen was conceived with relaxation in mind. After fighting Atlanta traffic, you want a place you can put the groceries down and take a breath, says James. While he chose Carrara marble for the island, good ol Georgia heart-pine countertops line the perimeter. Melissas uncle built the cabinets (Noahs Custom Cabinets; 770-945-9824). Brass lighting adds warmth.Get the Look: Paint Color: Linen White by Benjamin MooreIsland Light Fixture: Sloane by Circa LightingRELATED: 60+ More Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas To Give Your Kitchen Charming, Timeless StyleA Relaxed Dining RoomHelen Norman, Floral Design by James FarmerA mix of black Windsor chairs and upholstered French side chairs provides a more relaxed look around English oak dining table. The open dining room is flanked by equally cozy seating areas at each end, one for TV watching, the other for conversation.Tawny Hues and Textures Helen Norman, styling by Natalie WaradyThe home, utilized for both guys hunting weekends and girls getaways, is rich with tailored neutrals. Throughout the living room, James embraced a beige grasscloth above shiplap wainscoting and rusty brown windowpane plaid fabric on the chairs and pillows. Its the perfect color of terrible tobacco, he says. Get the Look: Wallpaper:Ramie Bay by ThibautRELATED: 30+ Cozy Living Rooms Full of Decorating Ideas to Make You to Snuggle Up ForeverLayers of TextureHelen Norman, styling by Natalie Warady In the primary bedroom, another grasscloth wallcovering complements assorted checked fabrics atop the ebony black four-poster bed. Curtains of a more feminine tan and white toile fabric adds pattern and softness, while the painted V-groove wood ceiling adds age and warmth. Wallpaper: Windward Sisal in Beige by ThibautRELATED: More Wood Ceiling Ideas to Bring Your Room Country CharmCozy Guest RoomsHelen Norman, styling by Natalie WaradyA netural grasscloth wallcovering, taupe checked curtains, and pretty patterned pillows add color to the guest room. Above the woven rush headboard, a collection of baskets and farm landscape paintings combine for an unexpected gallery wall. Get the Look: Wallpaper:Costa Stripe in Gray by ThibautRELATED: 30+ Guest Bedroom Ideas to Create a Cozy and Welcoming SpaceDouble the Porch SpaceHelen NormanWhen a house has views on all sides, one porch simply wont do. Equipped with a long dining table and lots of sit-a-spell seating, the large porch along the backside of the house beckons long and lingering family gatherings.Seasonal TouchesHelen Norman, Floral Design by James FarmerCome fall, seasonal arrangements (featuring peachy Campanella and Free Spirit roses) offer an autumnal-hued alternative to mums. My mom called a peachy- apricot color Carl, like the mans name, instead of coral, says James. So Carl is my favorite fall color. Cozy layered blankets welcome those who wander up from the boathouse.RELATED: The Best Fall Porch Decor Ideas to Celebrate AutumnComplementary Outbuildings Helen Norman, styling by Natalie WaradyHelen NormanTour More Dreamy Homes:

A comfy, cozy bedroom never goes out of style. Perhaps its because of furnishings like plush, upholstered headboards, vintage rugs, layered bed linens, and piles of pillows. Or it could be the inviting homey factorwell-worn wood floors, flowing floral draperies, collected quilts just a tad bit tattered, or wallpaper in a timeless pattern. As youll see in these beautiful bedroom photos, cozy can look a lot of different ways but always with a unique threadall of these comfy bedroom ideas are full of heart-warming authenticity and loads of country charm. For example, cozy, rustic bedrooms featuring wood walls or rich paint colors offer a cocoon-like feel (like a warm hug from Grandma!). For a lighter, bright and airy mood, warm white paint colors make for a clean, yet cozy palette, where iconic country patternsgingham, checks, and plaidscan really make a style statement. Whether its a primary bedroom, guest room, kids room, sleeping nook, or bunk area, theres no better place than the bedroom to bring on your cozy! Browse these photos for simple cozy bedroom ideas that truly give you the warm and fuzzies. Here are more bedroom ideas for the most comfortable sleeping space ever:1Embrace Old-Fashioned StyleAlpha SmootIn an upstairs bedroom of this Connecticut farmhouse, throw-back richness and pattern are on full displayfrom the toile wallcovering and stately antique oil portrait to the comfy bed piled high with pillows. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Browse our top bedroom design ideas.2Skirt the BedRead McKendreeThis bedroom in quintessential New Englandvery cozy and nostalgic, says designer Katie Rosenfeld. A custom bedskirt with eyelash fringe contributes to the overall charming pattern play and hides luggage and other stowaway items. Adding to the coastal ambiance are buttery yellows that feel as warm as the summer sun, including a checkered blanket and painted bedside chest.RELATED: These Are the Coziest Flannel Sheets EverAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Create a Cocoon-Like RetreatJean AllsoppTo achieve the cocoon-like look and feeling in this primary bedroom, designer Ashley Gilbreath incorporated a variety of comfy fabric textures, an upholstered bed, and a dark wooden bureau. One long lumbar pillow in a pretty pattern stretches the width of the bed.TOUR THIS CABIN4Hang Pretty WallpaperWallpaper is a personality-forward way to make a space feel its coziest. For busier prints, opt for simple bedding, like the plain white matelass coverlet shown here, then add a quilt in a similar colorway as the wallpaper as a topper.RELATED: The Top 10 Best Removable Wallpapers, Tested by Our EditorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Go With GinghamNick JohnsonGingham draperies, dark painted beadboard walls, and a bedside rooster (it was uncovered in a closet during the renovation!) bring loads of country charm to this cozy guest room. A pair of mid-century metal twin beds (one not shown) accommodates visitors. Get the Look: Wall Paint Color:Smokestack Gray by Benjamin MooreTOUR THIS HOUSE6Add Modern TouchesZIO AND SONSThis Hudson, New York, log cabin bedroom redefines traditional rustic and cozy with a clean sensibility. The curved lines of the iron bed and the circa-1940s gold mirror lend a decidedly modern touch. In contrast, the walls of the bed nook are covered in a wallpaper that mimics the look of aged Venetian plaster while the rough-hewn wood beams add authentic patina. TOUR THIS CABINAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Create a Pet-Friendly SpaceHelen NormanAt Country Living, we whole-heartedly believe in dogs on furniture for maximum cuddling at all times! Here, Sheepadoodle Stewie makes himself right at home on a striped duvet that homeowner Amy Whyte was drawn to for its masculine vibe. It balances the femininity of the floral curtains and ties the whole room together, she says. Cocoa and brick walls provide a rich backdrop for the primitive farm bench and early 1900s armoire with its original blue paint, both purchased from local shops. TOUR THIS COTTAGE8Tuck In Extra StorageLucy CallThis train berthlike built-in bed nook (with sliding doors for privacy!) offers even more than a cozy, quiet spot to rest. Below, wide drawers offer the perfect amount of storage for weekend guests, eliminating the need for a free-standing chest. RELATED: More Barn Door Design Ideas to Add Charm to Your HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Pile on PillowsRoger DaviesThis bedroom is a lesson in softness, from the slipcovered bed to the cushy window seat. Pillows in different shapes, sizes (we particularly love that long bolster), and prints bring subtle color and pattern to the creamy, neutral room.Get the Look:Wall Paint Color: Simply White by Benjamin MooreTOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 40+ White Bedrooms for a Totally Serene Sleeping Space10Pick the Classic Blue and White Color ComboBrie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversBlue and white is the unofficial color combo of country decorating. Ive always loved blue and white because the combination reminds me of the sky and big beautiful clouds, and the ocean, creeks, and streams, says homeowner Bambi Costanzo. A consistent color scheme used throughout the house, the pairing is layered in the primary bedroom through a series of pretty linens on the pencil-post bed she found online for just $75.Get the Look: Wall and Ceiling Paint Color:Delicate White by GliddenTOUR THIS COTTAGEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Put Up a PelmetBrie Williams, styling by Matthew GleasonIn this cabin bedroom, a pelmet crowns the king-size tulip bed that was custom-made from Tiger Eye maple. Similar in style to a canopy, a pelmet is a slightly simpler application, but both bring statement-making softness to primary, guest, and kids bedrooms.TOUR THIS CABIN12Go For Camp VibesHelen Norman, styling by Matthew GleasonThe classic Pendleton blanket color scheme inspired the sleeping loft in this backyard party barn. Mixed with plaid accessories, the iconic green, red, yellow, and navy stripes look right at home in the wood-wrapped space.TOUR THIS PARTY BARNAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Define the Room With a RugAlpha SmootIn a narrow space around the corner from the primary bedroom, homeowners Justin Reis and Mark Schwindenhammer tucked in a pair of twin beds (found on Craigslist!) to accommodate more overnight guests. To define the makeshift bunk area, a colorful vintage rug runs the length of the beds. RELATED: 20 Bedroom Rug Ideas to Create a Cozy Space14Layer Patttern on PatternMax Kim-BeeThe low pitch of this attic bedroom instantly makes the room feel cozy. Layers of homey patternlarge-scale floral wallpaper, beautifully bright quilts, floral bedding, plaid chair upholsteryadd to the rooms charming aesthetic. Yellow painted shelves tuck in to store books.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Hang Pretty DraperiesLisa FloodFloral draperies pull in all the colors featured in this log cabin bedroom, from the green velvet chair and pleated lampshades to the layered bed linens and wool blanket bed topper. The bedside table belonged to homeowner Lisa Floyds grandmother, who used it as her telephone desk.Get the Look:Drapery Fabric: Jaipur by Antoinette PoissonBed Linens: by Les IndiennesTOUR THIS CABIN16Paint Walls and Ceilings a Dark ColorIn this spacious guest room, a new coat of dark gray paint on the walls and ceiling lends sophistication and allows the crisp, white bedding to really pop. Floors painted a light gray keep the room bright. A starburst chandelier, extra-wide nightstand, and glass table lamp add a modern edge to the space. Get the Look:Ceiling and Wall Paint Color: Downpipe by Farrow & BallFloor Paint Color: Pavilion Gray by Farrow & BallTOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Use Trunks for StorageDylan Chandler, styling by Matthew GleasonBecause cozy cabins and farmhouses are often storage-challenged, pick pieces that do double duty. Here, a sturdy painted wood trunk provides a spot to sit and slip on boots while blankets and keepsakes are stowed inside.TOUR THIS CABIN18Create a Nap NookAlyssa LeeFor the ultimate cozy hideaway, theres nothing better than a nap nook. Escape to this cute cranny with your favorite book (or your favorite blanket will do just fine, too!). We are simply obsessed with the scalloped trim on this built-in cabin nook! TOUR THIS CABINRELATED: These cozy reading nooks are perfect for whiling away the afternoon.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Design a Room to Grow IntoJulie SoeferA collection of colorful quilts inspired the bedroom for Lea Ann Walkers granddaughters. Simple iron beds, solid bedding, and a graphic rug suit any age, making the space just right for the girls to grow into.RELATED: Stylish Kids Room Ideas That Even Grownups Will Love20Add Furry AccessoriesStacy Zarin GoldbergSoft, tactile materials, like the fuzzy, faux-fur blanket and shaggy rug, bring a luxurious coziness to this rustic log cabin bedroom. A nod to its woody location, knotty wood walls offer up natural warmth.RELATED: Knotty Pine Walls Are Back! Heres Everything You Need to Know.Amy MitchellManaging EditorAmy Mitchell is the managing editor for VERANDA and Country Living, where she writes articles on a variety of topicsdecorating and design, gardens, and holidays. Amys experience in the shelter magazine category spans more than 20 years, as shes previously held positions at Coastal Living and Cottage Living. Her personal pursuits include cooking, gardening, and hunting her favorite tag sale spots for the next piece of Pyrex for her prized collection.

From home-cooked holiday meals shared with family to caroling door-to-door, there are a lot of reasons to love Christmas in the country. (And, did we mention all the cute small towns that are decorated for the holidays that we can't wait to visit?!) Our favorite, though, might just be decorating a fresh-cut fir with all our farmhouse trimmings. Whether the tree is festooned with freshly foraged goods or your best vintage ornaments, bringing a bit of that classic country charm to your tree is easier than you think, especially when you're up for a little Christmas crafting. But, have no fear: If you aren't feeling crafty there are some simple swaps you can make to play up the rustic feel. (We won't lie, we're obsessed with this woven tree collar we've been seeing everywhere!) Below, we've gathered up some of our favorite ways to add rustic charm to your Christmas tree. Ready To Decorate For Christmas? Start Here With Our Best Christmas Decorating Guides:1Add Playful Paper GarlandsBecky Luigart-StaynerNothing says homespun holiday like a simple paper chain garland. Here, homeowner Landon McAfee played up his preppy blue-and-green Christmas palette with a classic paper chain.RELATED: See More Behind The Scenes of Our New Holiday Issue (Including How We Landed On This Tree For The Cover!)2Just Add BellsAdam AlbrightA long-standing farmhouse staple, bells add timeless cheer to even the most simple of Christmas trees, such as the one seen here on Alyson and AJ Morgans Wisconsin porch. RELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday DecorationsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Hang a Simple Popcorn Garland David A. LandIt doesnt get any more classic than DIY popcorn garland. Add some oversized bulbs, pop the tree into a makeshift wooden crate stand, and voil, a country Christmas tree at its finest. You can top with a punched tin tree topper for extra farmhouse flair!RELATED: Try One of Our Hall-of-Fame Christmas Garland Ideas 4Add Copper AccentsNat Rea; Styling by Matthew GleasonA mix of handmade and hand-me-down baubles festoon this Rhode Island tree, which is topped by a DIY star made from copper craft piping and ringed with DIY copper chain garland. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Go for Collected OrnamentsDylan ChandlerWant to make your Christmas tree feel like its been years in the making? Try adding in a variety of ornaments! Just be sure to keep a clear color palette in mind (like a thread of red) so it still feels cohesive. RELATED: 25 Easy Crochet Christmas Ornaments That'll Cozy up Your Tree 6Gussy up Galvanized Tin OrnamentsDylan ChandlerPainted pine cones and dried orange slices pair perfectly with the rustic charm of galvanized tin bells and stars on this Missouri cabin porch tree. The overall look is cheerfully chippy, and will weather the elements an outdoor Christmas tree may face. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Repurpose Cutter QuiltsBecky Luigart-StaynerSometimes you want a tree that is pet and allergen friendly. Thats okay! If you have a stack of cutter or damaged quilts lying around that need a second life, try this clever DIY that will turn one into a country Christmas tree.To make: Cut a 1/2-inch-thick piece of foam core to the desired triangle size. Wrap your quilt tightly around the foam core and secure in place with straight pins (no cutting needed!). Set on a picnic basket tree trunk. RELATED: 93 DIY Christmas Decorations to Transform Your Home Into a Winter Wonderland8Embrace a Barely There TreeDavid MeredithThe skinnier branches of an alpine can be just as pretty as a full-blown fraser fir, and dont feel overwhelming in cozy corners. Add woodland creature and felt mushroom ornaments to bring the outdoors in like this crafty Utah family did in their farmhouse living room. RELATED: This Utah Family Home Has a Hands-On Approach to the HolidaysAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Opt for Candied OrnamentsGordon BeallCandy ornaments are a sweet (literally!) style for a kitchen countertop Christmas tree, and so easy to make. Pair with cranberry garland for an allover edible-inspired design.RELATED: Your Family Will Treasure These DIY Ornaments For Years to Come10Layer on the LightsRobert RadiferaTheres something to be said for a Christmas tree where a tiny white glow seems to emit from every branch. Its especially comforting to spot in the living room corner when you sneak downstairs to catch a peek of Santa.RELATED: Heres How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights Like a ProAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11DIY a Painted Tree StandBrian WoodcockFor extra country flair, we suggest you ditch the tree skirt and use a galvanized tub instead! You can even paint it with red stripes to resemble a grain sack. 12Opt for a Rattan Topper and Citrus GarlandRikki SnyderThis timeless farmhouse-style tree incorporates classic touches like red balls and plaid accents, as well as rustic natural elements like a dried citrus garland and a stunning rattan star topper. RELATED: See More of This Postcard-Perfect Farmhouse in the Catskills That Is All Decked Out for ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Illuminate With CandlesBrian WoodcockThis tree features details that harken back to earlier times, like a gingerbread star garland, electric clip-on candles (a nod to the early way trees were illuminated), and a straw star on top. A quilted tree skirt rounds out the homespun vibe.RELATED: This Is the Only Gingerbread Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need14Pair Classic Ornaments with Paper EphemeraDylan ChandlerThis 200-year-old farmhouses Christmas decor includes a tree decorated with festive balls and paper ephemeralike sentimental numbersfound at flea markets and antique shops. A galvanized bucket as the tree stand finishes the rustic farmhouse look.RELATED: 100+ Best Places To Shop For Antique and Vintage Items Online, According to Our EditorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Use Vintage VesselsBrian WoodcockA vintage candy tin provides a perfectly sweet base for this flocked tree. Ribbon-candy ornaments tie the sweets motif together.RELATED: Heres How To Flock Your Christmas Tree, According to Experts 16Go All in on Natural TouchesVirginia MacdonaldHandmade ornaments are always more rustic than store-boughtand a lot more visually interesting too. In this classic stone farmhouse, simple citrus garlands hung with nylon string add an air of understated elegance. RELATED: See More of This Cozy Farmhouse That Has Something Called a Snug Room and Now We Want One Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Style up a Stoneware Crock Brian WoodcockAny entryway table would look lovely with this tree placed atop it. Here, a mini balsam fir is decorated with a simple plaid bow, a cranberry bead garland, and clip-on candlesticksall sitting in a stoneware crock.RELATED: The Best Small Christmas Trees With Big Holiday Spirit18Craft a Pennant Flag GarlandDavid Tsay, styling by Sunday HendricksonThe year-round use of red in this California cabins living room takes inspiration from the words of Charles Dickens: I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. The large Christmas tree is peppered with felt pennants from National Parks and roadside attractions.RELATED: Tour More of This California Lake Home That Is the Ultimate Christmas GetawayAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19DIY a Galvanized Funnel TreeBrian WoodcockNow this is a rustic tree! Stack vintage galvanized funnels in graduated sizes, then place the makeshift tree on a counter or open shelf in your home. Small wood beads, strung on baker's twine, make for a fitting trimming. RELATED: The 40+ Best Alternative Christmas Trees to Decorate Any Space in Your Home20Gussy up with GingerbreadAnnie Schlechter, styling by Matthew GleasonIn this Connecticut farmhouse dining room, a spindly Fraser fir features equally fragrant citrus and gingerbread ornaments alongside an old wooden wheelbarrow wielding plaid-wrapped packages.RELATED: Tour More of This Connecticut Home That Is Mad for Plaid at ChristmastimeAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

While we all love a big, beautifully decorated Christmas tree where all can gather round, sometimes limited space simply doesnt allow it. It also takes a lot of time and energy to set up and decorate a large tree. The solution: a small or mini Christmas tree that can be set on a table or easily tucked into a small space. Mini trees are also great options for those secondary Christmas trees you may want to have throughout the housein a bedroom, in a smaller sitting room, on a dining room table, or, our new favorite holiday trend, even in the kitchen. One of the best things about small trees, besides their petite size, is that with less area to cover you can more easily go all-in with a specific theme or color palette. You can also look beyond the traditional pine or fir tree and opt for a nostalgic feather tree, a colored tree, or a retro tinsel tree. If youre feeling creative and crafty, there are also so many fun ways to repurpose your favorite vintage treasures into alternative Christmas trees (the tart tins tree below is a personal favorite!). And, given their easy-to-work-with size, mini trees make for fun kid-friendly DIY projects. Regardless of the style youre going for, youll find lots of inspiration and ideas in our roundup below of charming small Christmas trees. Get even more fun and festive ideas for holiday decorating: 1Candy-Cane Colored TreeCedric AngelesGo light and bright with a white feather tree housed in a white bucket. Add bits of color with strips of red ribbon tied in simple knots and small pinecones hung with bakers twine. RELATED: 30+ Easy Pine Cone Crafts to Spruce up Your Home This Holiday Season2Rustic Garland Embellished TreeDanielle DalySkip individual ornaments and instead drape an airier tree with a variety of garlands, such as dried citrus slices, white felted or wooden beads, and red berries shown on this small rustic tree. Finish with a star tree topper. RELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday DecorationsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Pastel White TreeBrian WoodcockFor a scene that is more snowy winter wonderland than classic red-and-green Christmas, go for a faux white tree. Decorate with a variety of pastel pink and blue and glittery white and silver ornaments and beaded garlands. An ice skate themed ornament as the tree topper keeps on the snowy theme. Cover a round hat box with Tiffany blue-colored paper as a pretty base. 4Shiny Brite Tabletop TreesBecky Luigart-StaynerAdd colorful sparkle to a mantel, buffet, or dining table with a mini tree made of vintage glass ornaments. To make: Cover Styrofoam cones (we used 12- and 15-inch cones) with ornaments, attaching with hot-glue. Start with larger ornaments at the bottom, transitioning to smaller ones as you work your way up. Fill in any gaps with mini ornament balls, and top with another larger ornament. If desired, wrap the finished tree with vintage tinsel and beaded garland.RELATED: Heres How Much Your Favorite Vintage Christmas Decorations Are Worth TodayAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Festive Farmhouse TreeBurcu AvsarIf you have a large hearth, make a small tree part of your fireplace decorations. Here, a small live evergreen tree sits in a seasonally appropriate Holly soda crate (any wood crate or box will work). In keeping with the homes farmhouse Christmas theme, play horse ornaments mingle with red glass balls and twinkly lights. RELATED: 40+ Rustic Christmas Tree Ideas for Your Country Farmhouse6Bingo Card ForestBecky Luigart-StaynerYou will proudly display these cute and colorful mini trees made of vintage bingo game cards year after year. Place them on the mantel or intersperse them in your holiday table centerpiece. To make: Cut three to five half-tree-shaped pieces from matching bingo cards (with one edge flat and the other jagged). Hot-glue the flat edges to a 3/8-inch dowel, fanning them out to create a 3D tree shape. Finish with a bingo tile topper using hot-glue. Place dowels in tall wooden spools for easy display.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Old-Fashioned Country Christmas TreeBrian WoodcockThis mini balsam fir embraces traditional elements like a plaid bow, cranberry bead garland, and tartan ornaments, plus homey accents like clip-on faux candles. An antique stoneware crock serves as a country-style tree stand. 8Playful Wood Pallet Christmas TreeDavid HillegasPaint a green tree shape on a shipping crate (you can find em for cheap on eBay or at the craft store), and string up some pom-poms in varying colors and sizes to embellish the slats. Top with a gold pom-pom to mimic a star. Try propping up the tree on your front porch for a festive welcome. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Town Scene CenterpieceDavid TsayThis Christmas centerpiece features a mix of old and new decorations (including highly collectible Putz houses) surrounded by greenery, twinkle lights (try a garland pre-strung with lights), and bottle-brush trees of varying sizes.RELATED: 100+ Best Places to Shop for Antiques and Vintage Online10Mason Jar Christmas TreeBurcu AvsarWe love this idea for a mantel, or even open shelves in the kitchen. Fill half a dozen canning jars with ornaments, tinsel, greenery, and other Christmas accessories. Stack the jars in a pyramid, then wrap it with a shiny garland and top with a star. RELATED: 50+ Christmas Mason Jar Crafts That Are Easy, Pretty, and FunAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Rustic, Organic Christmas TreeBrian WoodcockA sparse alpine balsam fir channels a less-is-more mentality, while an antique copper pot anchors the display with metallic heft. Bird and pine cone ornaments and a dried orange garland hit an organic note.RELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday Decorations12Candy-Themed Christmas TreeBrian WoodcockA flocked spruce and ribbon-candy ornaments hit a nostalgic note for this small Christmas tree. The happy-hued handmade button garland and vintage candy-tin base add simple homespun charm.RELATED: Heres How to Flock a Christmas Tree, for Anyone Dreaming of a White ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Terra-Cotta TannenbaumBecky Luigart-StaynerStacked in descending size and wrapped with a red and green garland (like this pretty felt holly garland), weathered terra-cotta flowerpots make for a pretty garden-themed decoration on a porch or in a potting shed.RELATED: The Best Christmas Porch Decorations to Welcome Your Holiday Guests14Twine-Wrapped Christmas TreesKim CornelisonDecorate open shelves or an island in the kitchen with a grouping of mini red-and-white trees. To make: Wrap Styrofoam cones with classic red and white baker's twine. Hot-glue a star cookie cutter to the top for a finishing touch.TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Flower Frog Christmas TreesBrian WoodcockFor a dash of holiday horticulture, stack these floral fixer-uppers. Hang mini ball ornaments and accent with sprigs of greenery.16German Feather Christmas TreeDavid A. LandSmall vintage glass ornaments are right at home on this antique German feather tree. Strands of tinsel finish the old-fashioned look.TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Tomato Cage Christmas TreeBrian WoodcockWe love this clever tree idea for a gardener! Head to your local garden center to pick up a tomato cage. Turning it upside down, tuck the top of cage into a galvanized bucket or other container, and secure the bottom (now the new top) with floral wire or a strong twist tie. Outfit your tree with shiny ornaments, add greenery for a lush base, and top with a colorful bow.18Candy Cane Christmas Trees BRIAN WOODCOCKTuck these sweet trees made of peppermint candies on a shelf or by your gingerbread house or Christmas village. To make: Bake three candy cane sticks on a parchment paperlined baking sheet at 225F until just pliable, 3 to 6 minutes. Starting from bottom, quickly wrap candy around a cone-shaped Styrofoam form, trimming as needed and repeating until covered. Hot-glue red hots to starlight mints; attach to trees. To make a star-shaped mint topper, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Grease parchment and insides of star-shaped cookie cutters. Set cutters on baking sheet; fill with a single layer of mints in bottom, breaking to fill any gaps. Bake at 350F just until melted, 5 to 6 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes; remove cutters. Hot-glue star to top of tree.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Tart Tins Christmas TreeBrian WoodcockRound up a collection of vintage tart pans, ranging from 2 to 12 inches, and stack from largest to smallest. Top with a vintage star-shaped baking mold and display on a snow-filled tray. 20Camp-Style Christmas TreeDavid Tsay, styling by Sunday HendricksonNestled in a crusty vintage minnow bucket, with felt pennants and arrows tucked in reinforces a camp-style vibe. (Archery, anyone?) TOUR THIS HOUSEAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that means one of our favorite traditions of the year: decorating the Christmas tree. Whether youre a traditionalist who treasures dragging out the boxes of old family ornaments each and every year or someone who thinks every Christmas is the opportunity for a new theme, one thing is a constant: ribbon is the perfect way to complete your look. Those holiday gifts aren't finished until they've been embellished with ribbons and bows, so why should your tree be any different?There are so many beautiful ways to use ribbon on your Christmas treefrom simple ribbon ties to cascading garlands to statement tree toppers (and, yes, bows!). While some ideas may take a little more time than others, theyre all easy to create once you have the basics down. Here are our best tips and ideas to get you started: What Kind of Ribbon To Use To Decorate a Christmas Tree: With so many ribbons out there to choose from, it helps to first decide what style and material of ribbon you want to use. If you love the the look and feel of a classic Christmas, steer towards tartan plaid ribbon. If your style leans more rustic, jute or burlap ribbon is a good choice for you. For the glitz-and-glam holiday lovers, a ribbon with metallic hints or made of shiny satin is best. Youll also want to grab your sharpest ribbon-cutting scissors and Christmas light clips to keep things in place while you play around with the look.How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon:1. A Ribbon GarlandStart at the top of your tree and secure the ribbon end to the top of a branch with a clip. Carefully wind your way around the tree, going over and under branches as you come down. If you run out of ribbon as you go, clip the end somewhere in the back of the tree and repeat the same process with your new strand. You can also use wire-edged ribbon for a more structured look.2. Vertical Ribbon StrandsBegin by cutting six to eight pieces of ribbon that are each approximately a foot longer than the height of your tree. (You can cut more strips if you want a fuller ribbon look.) Secure one end of each ribbon to the top of the tree with a clip. (We recommend getting a large tree topper to hide all the clips!) Let each strand cascade down the tree, tucking it back where you would like to create a fold.3. A Ribbon Bow Tree TopperThe mechanics of a tying ribbon tree topper are similar to tying a regular bow. We recommend using a wire-edged ribbon for this so that your bow keeps its shape all season long. First, cut a strip of ribbon long enough to leave you with no shorter than 6 in. tails. You can then tie it to the top of the tree in a simple two-loop bow or create multiple loops for a show-stopping look. Get more ideas and inspiration for decorating your home for holidays:

When we dream of the perfect farmhouse kitchen, it most often has ample space for creating meals and sharing memories with a whole gaggle of friends and family. In reality, the kitchens of the quaint cottages and farmhouses we more typically call home are much shorter on square footage, though certainly not on soul. But a small kitchen can still be the heart of the home! And if youre looking for design ideas to outfit a tiny cook space, youve come to the right place. There are many designer-approved tips and tricks for making a small kitchen feel larger. Tried-and-true options include selecting a warm white paint palette, incorporating light-reflecting tile, and going with a galley-style kitchen layout. That said, more unexpected and DIY choices, such as peg rails and skirted sinks, also have their place. Backsplashes can also have a big impact, and you shouldnt overlook the possibility of relocating the pantry to another (nearby!) room. Finally, when all else fails, know that a bit of open shelving will go a long way. No matter your small-space dilemma, our guide to the best simple and stylish small kitchen design ideas is sure to help you make the most of every last inch of your treasured cook space. For more ways to refresh your kitchen check out these charming kitchen design ideas:1Opt for a Galley Layout Matt AlbianiOriginally named for the tight cooking quarters aboard a ship, a galley kitchen is most commonly characterized as a long, narrow space with two parallel walls. All appliances and cabinetry are aligned along the two walls, thus making the most of a small footprint. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOME 2Try a Long, Skinny Island Buff StricklandIn a narrow kitchen, prep space has to be very strategic. Instead of forgoing an island entirely, try a long, narrow piece of furniture that runs parallel to your sink and appliance wall. What youll lack in width you'll more than make up for in length. RELATED: Our Favorite Kitchen Island Ideas for Kitchens Large and Small Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Use Light-Reflecting TileReade McKendreeThe ceilings in this cozy green kitchen top out at just six feet, so homeowner Stefanie Watts of Watts Design House used light-reflecting tile as a counter-to-ceiling backsplash to brighten the small space. RELATED: 25 Great Green Kitchen Cabinet Ideas4Match Your Upper Cabinets to the WallsDavid HillegasTo give air to this itty-bitty kitchen, designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas painted the lower cabinets a happy blue hue but matched the upper glass-fronted cabinets to the walls.TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOMERELATED: These Are the Best Farmhouse Decor Finds on AmazonAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5When In Doubt, Go With White Laurey W. GlennThis much-beloved neutral brightens and expands any space it graces, but its especially hardworking in a small kitchen. RELATED: 60 Beautiful White Kitchen Ideas for a Room Youll Love Forever6Opt for Open Shelving Helen NormanClosed-off cabinetry can make a small kitchen feel, well, closed in. If you opt for open shelving up top, youll air out the space and have the opportunity to showcase your favorite dishes and kitchen collectibles. Its a win-win! TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOME RELATED: 20+ Dreamy Open Shelving Ideas for Your KitchenAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Give Every Nook and Cranny a FunctionDANE TASHIMAAnything can be a shelf if you want it to be! In this Marthas Vineyard beach cottage kitchen, any place with a flat surfaceincluding above and around the windowsis used for storage. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOME 8Put in a Pass-ThroughDustin HalleckA pass-through window can help an itty-bitty cooking space from feeling cramped and closed-off while youre in it. Added bonus: it allows guests to join you on the other side of the bar without getting in your way while you move about the kitchen. RELATED: 45+ Charming Breakfast Nook Ideas For a Stylish Start to Every DayAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Stick to a Single PaletteChase DanielFor this 1900s farmhouse galley kitchen, the homeowner went with a timeless cornflower blue paint color for the ceiling and trim, while a green reproduction wallpaper covers the walls. An antique mint-colored enamel gas range continues the color story, and lends a cohesion to the space that makes it feel larger. Get the Look:Trim Paint Color: Jamestown Blue by Benjamin MooreTOUR THIS ENTIRE HOMERELATED: More Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen With Wallpaper10Just Skirt ItMax Kim-BeeA small kitchen also means small cabinetry. Minimize the need for door swing spaceand give yourself more flexibility in storageby covering the space below your counters with fabric instead. The space you save may also give you enough room to slide in a small island, like here. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOME Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Put Up a Pot RackDustin HalleckThe space above your range doesnt have to go unused! A pretty brass pot rack is a lovely place to hang your most-used (or most-beautiful) pots and pans.RELATED: 16 Utterly Genius Kitchen Storage Solutions12Think Vertically Douglas FriedmanWhen every inch counts, wall space is just as valuable as counter space. Here, designer Ken Fulk wrapped the kitchen in above-the-door height open shelving and added wall-mounted storage for knives and copper cookware to keep essentials simultaneously out-of-the-way and close at hand. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOME Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Embrace the BraceDavid A. LandUse the exposed wall braces of a cozy cabin as an intuitive guide to where to insert shelving. That way, youll create more storage without interfering with the natural lines of the structure. RELATED: The Best Blue-Gray Paint Colors 14Dine DeuxDavid TsayA petite bistro-style table is the perfect place for a solo breakfast or a cozy dinner for two in a small kitchen.Get the Look: Bistro Table: Rae pedestal table by Pottery BarnTOUR THIS ENTIRE HOME Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Size Your Pendant Lights Right Buff StricklandIn lieu of a singular chandelier, a trio of smaller pendant lights featuring cloth-covered cords and Sheffield milk glass shades light this small Texas kitchen without becoming an overpowering focal point. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOMERELATED: Farmhouse Kitchen Lighting Ideas to Brighten Your Cook Space 16Put the Pantry to Work Gridley + Graves PhotographersIn a small kitchen, certain appliances such as air fryers, instant pots, and microwaves can take up valuable counter space. If possible, relocate these items to the pantry.RELATED: These Pantry Organization Ideas Will Keep Yours in Ship ShapeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Hide Your HoodMike D'AvelloWrapping your stove hood in the same surface that covers your walls will help keep your kitchen from feeling visually cluttered. RELATED: Knotty Pine Walls Are Back, Baby! 18Size Your Appliances AccordinglyDavid TsayIn this 98-square-foot galley kitchen, the petite 20-inch electric range maximizes cabinet space. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOMERELATED: The Best Yellow Paint Colors to Brighten Up Any Room Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Dine at a Drop-Leaf Roger DaviesIf your small kitchen is also an eat-in kitchen, consider a drop-leaf table for your dining surface. The furniture piece can be folded down and set to the side when not in use, giving you more room to move about when cooking. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOMERELATED: Everything to Know About Painting Furniture 20Put Your Island On WheelsDavid TsayIn this easy-going white kitchen, a narrow rolling island serves as a portable food prep space, which can be wheeled in and out as needed. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOMESarah ZlotnickSarah Zlotnick is the Lifestyle Director at Country Living, where she covers a little bit of everythingsmall towns, life in the country, and, her favorite, antiques. A research buff at heart, she loves a deep dive into the history of vintage finds and uncovering the reasons behind old-as-time traditions.

Spanning Victorians to Edwardians, designer Anthony DArgenzio has made a career of restoring neglected old-world gems, either peeling back layers to reveal the original structure or adding back character thats been stripped away. But when he and his wife, Hillary, began looking for their own countryside getaway during the pandemic, they met an unlikely matcha dark and dated 1970s log cabin in Upstate New York. This era and aesthetic is not my go-to, Anthony says. But we just fell in love with the openness of the house and were drawn to all the wood and texture. Gathering inspiration from various rural countrysides such as Upstate New York, the U.K., and Southern France, their dream was to carve out a lighter, airier living space for hosting visitors and hanging out with their daughter, Havana. Each region has different qualities in how they use materials suited to their environments, says Anthony.ZIO AND SONSHomeowners Anthony and Hillary DArgenzio with their daughter, HavanaThe couple spent months romancing some of the cabins more rugged features: widening windows to let in more light, whitewashing the heavy log walls with a half-water, half-paint (All White by Farrow & Ball) formula, and adding texture with a mixture of matte and shiny tile, reclaimed marble, and timeworn antiques. I love a mix and match of elements and wanted to add a little bit of soul that you cant get when everything is all new, says Anthony. Their work wrapped up in November 2021, just in time to light the first fire and welcome family for Thanksgiving. This cabin has surpassed our expectations of being cozy and comfortable, Anthony says. Its our rustic Upstate fantasy.See Inside More Cozy Cabins:Charred Wood Style ZIO AND SONSZIO AND SONSThe cabins warm welcome begins with a 4-foot-wide hickory Dutch door. We went bigger with the door because we wanted it to feel heavy and like a statement piece, says Anthony. The dark-stained exterior gives the cabin the look of shou sugi ban (a Japanese charred wood technique) and punctuates the door and cedar-trimmed windows. We tested more than 10 different blacks, and this was our favorite because it didnt have a shine to it, says Anthony. We wanted it to look contemporary, but didnt want it to feel too trendy.Get the Look:Exterior Paint: Black Arborcoat, Semi Solid Finish by Benjamin MooreStreamlined FurnishingsZIO AND SONSIn what had been the cabins heavy trophy room, the couple created a light-filled family room by adding small windows. A round iron chandelier accents the rooms vaulted and beamed ceiling. The comfy sectional, paired with a handmade oak stump side table and wood-and-iron coffee table, makes this a favorite spot to curl up and read or watch TV.Get the Look:Round Iron Chandelier: Kendra by MitziSectional Sofa: Relaxed Saguaro Sectional by AnthropologieDetails with CharacterZIO AND SONSAmong the cabins charming quirks are the floorboards, which vary in width from 6 to 12 inches. For a lighter Scandinavian feel, Anthony sanded away their original sealant, then used a water-based clear-coat finish. Here, straight-back hickory chairs surround a Shaker-style table in the dining area. RELATED: 85+ Best Dining Room Ideas to Make Your Entertaining Space More Inviting Cozy SurroundingsZIO AND SONSIn the early evenings, the cast-iron stove sends out a glow from its slate and fieldstone perch. I liked the idea of a cream colored stove that gives the space a lighter, brighter country look, says Anthony. A pair of modern striped cushion wingback chairs adds a playful twist on tradition. Anthony began collecting stoneware crocks years ago; many were made in the Hudson Valley area.Get the Look: Chairs: Rodger Accent Chair from Layla GrayceCast-Iron Stove: For similar, Country Living Freestanding Electric Fireplace by Hearth BrandsRELATED: The Best Cabin Decorating Ideas Thatll Turn Your Home Into a Cozy, Collected EscapeAged SurfacesZIO AND SONS In the powder room, Anthony gave a nondescript space some character by adding a ledge that bumps out from the wall and accenting it with zellige tile. Here, the couple sanded the cabins logs and left them natural to contrast with the tile. A chippy cabinet protected by a clear-coat sealant was transformed into a vanity topped with a simple porcelain sink. Unlacquered taps and brass pulls give the small room some sparkle. Get the Look:Wall Tile: Weathered White Octagon and Sea Salt Bouchon zellige tile by Zio & Sons x Cl TileTone-on-Tone Texture ZIO AND SONSZIO AND SONSBlush tile of Anthonys own design adds a dusting of light color in the kitchen, where exposed piping and rustic antiques bring primitive country elements together. Who would ever think pink tile in a log cabin? But its a subtle pink and it added that little bit of color in a wood space, Anthony says. Wide one-inch grout lines connect the thin brick floor tiles, a design idea Anthony derived from a cottage mudroom he saw in the United Kingdom countryside. Topped with reclaimed marble, a drawer-filled, circa-1910 printers table serves as a storage-friendly island. We wanted it to feel like something you would see in a candy shop or European caf, says Anthony. On the right, the bottom half of an old hutch finishes out the kitchen cabinetry on one side of the stove. The cupboard stores larger pots and pans and serving dishes. Half of the kitchen has new custom millwork, but I wanted to work in antiques and add a little bit of soul, he says.Get the Look:Vent Surround Tiles: Moroccan Vintage Rose and Sea Salt Bouchon zellige tile by Zio and Sons x Cl TileFloor Tiles:Foundry Flats brick in Sand Cast by Cl TileCurved LinesZIO AND SONSThe curves of the iron bed, vintage frame above, and the gold 1840s mirror (a find from one of Anthonys favorite Hudson, New York, shops, Red Chair on Warren) contrast with the bedrooms angled ceiling and rough-hewn wood beams. To add depth and warmth, Anthony covered the walls of the bed nook with wallpaper that resembles the look of aged Venetian plaster.Get the Look: Wallpaper:Artisan Plaster by Zio and Sons for A-Street PrintsShimmering Modern Accents ZIO AND SONSZIO AND SONSSet against marble trim and matte marbleized terra-cotta floors, the zellige tile adds shimmer to the primary bath. Bronze accents on the bridge faucets, lighting, and mirrors contrast with the lighter colors, while the tub filler adds instant age to the modern freestanding tub. An antique French light fixture floats above the tub.Tour More Cozy Cabins:

You dont have to live in the country to create the farmhouse kitchen of your dreams! As it turns out, the popular mainstream lookthanks largely to the likes of farmhouse style guru Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame and the explosion of modern farmhouse styleworks wherever you live. In fact, most tried-and-true, simple farmhouse kitchen ideas start with the charming characteristics of farmhouse style you already know and love. To bring nostalgic, been-around-forever comfort to the heart of your home, look to rustic farmhouse kitchen ideas like apron-front sinks, passed-down collected treasures, country color palettes (from neutral to bold), and of course, your family gathered around the kitchen island. Modern farmhouse kitchen ideas include vintage-inspired appliances, cool kitchen lighting, and well-worn wood accents (we are eternally obsessed with a vent hood wrapped in reclaimed wood!).Because the kitchen can be expensive to renovate, weve gathered farmhouse kitchen ideas on a budget, too. For example, swap upper cabinetry for casual, serve yourself open shelving. This trick saves money and is one of our favorite small farmhouse kitchen ideas, as upper cabinets can make a space feel closed in. Whatever your budget or space, were serving up all the best farmhouse country kitchen ideas and inspiration right here!Here are more genius ideas for creating your dream kitchen: 1Bring the Outside In Erin LittleWith a view like that, frame it up like artwork. Case in point: this airy barn kitchen by designer Christina Salway. She chose to leave this trio of large windows bare to celebrate the landscape beyond. Natural wood details on the cabinet fronts, statement-making ceiling beams, and raw wood window trim pair with calming creamy white walls for a quiet, rustic design.Get the Look:: Wall, Ceiling, and Cabinetry Paint ColorAll White by Farrow & Ball2Go Bold With a Tile BacksplashHelen NormanAlthough this bold galley kitchen is a departure from typical country farmhouse style, we just cant get enough of its authentic, pieced-together vibe. A statement-making tile backsplash offers a graphic backdrop to the handsome forest green range, deep blue workbench-turned-cabinetry, and copper vent hood. A vintage runner perfectly pulls together all the rooms elements.Get the Look: Backsplash Tile:Nostalgia by Lauren LiessGreen Range: Hallman Gas RangeRELATED: Tour More of This Virginia Mountain Cottage That Is Straight Out of a StorybookAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Fit In a Farmhouse TableNick JohnsonWhile not an antique, the new farmhouse table feels that way after designer Erica Harrison of Detroit-based design firm Hudson and Sterling had it sanded. The walnut bentwood chairs bring a European bistro look. Above, a midcentury Murano glass chandelier adds character without competing with the rooms light and bright palette. New Moroccan floor tile has an aged finish that brings in soft color and pattern, laying the groundwork for this kitchens entire design.Get the Look:Wall Paint Color: Mountain Peak White by Benjamin MooreCabinetry Paint Color: Olympic Mountains by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Tour This Renovated 100-Year-Old Farmhouse That Oozes Vintage Charm4Show Off Your CollectionsRikki SnyderPull out your prized collections, and put them on full display! Novelist Jean Hanff Korelitzs circa-1890s home came with most of the built-ins, including the kitchens tall cupboard that holds her extensive ironstone collection. Pink lustreware is stored in old cubbies stacked above the salvaged sink.Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color:Palm by Farrow & BallRELATED: Learn More About Collecting White IronstoneAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Pick a Sunny ShadeChaunte VaughnJust because your pantry is a workhorse part of your kitchen doesnt mean it cant also be pretty! This sunny space, designed by Meta Coleman, relies on stylish storage solutions like baskets and glass jars to keep everything in order and in style. RELATED: These Are the Chicest Yellow Paint Colors We Promise Youll Love6Add Industrial FlairSara Ligorria-TrampLean into the modern farmhouse feel with industrial details like seating. In this barn home kitchen, a mix of collected drafting stools serves as gather-round seating at the marble-topped antique island. RELATED: These Modern Farmhouse Decorating Ideas Work for Every Room in the HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Skirt Your CabinetsMax Kim-BeeFor a farmhouse-meets-cottage look, forgo cabinets doors and opt for skirted fabric instead. The burlap used here in Fifi ONeills Florida home brings a farmhouse feel, while using a floral or other pattern would bring a more feminine, cottage look. RELATED: Tour More of This Charmingand Tiny!Florida Cottage 8Install Open ShelvingHelen NormanWith three levels of open shelving, photographer Helen Norman achieved a beautifully layered look that is ideal for her ever-growing ceramics collection. To be sure you have enough room for items on your countertop (think coffee maker, cutting boards, etc.) as well as things on your shelves (think pitchers and platters), measure your tallest pieces, add an inch or two, and space out shelves accordingly before installing. RELATED: Heres The Secret to Perfectly Styled Open Shelving Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Stick to Shaker StyleALI HARPERNothing is more classic than Shaker-style cabinet fronts. In this coastal Alabama farmhouse, creamy white cabinetry with simple Shaker-style fronts adds classic charm to the serene cook space. RELATED: Tour More of This Alabama Home That Beckons You to Slow Down and Savor Every Minute10Add Interest With BeadboardAlpha SmootThis Connecticut farmhouse pantry, located just off the side of the kitchen, utilizes open, grab-and-go shelves for maximum storage. The silent star, though, is the beadboard paneling lining the backs that brings built-in country charm.Get the Look:For similar, Beadboard Paneling: True Bead Wainscot Paneling from Home DepotAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Contrast the Wood TonesBrie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversWhile the phrase cabin kitchen may evoke images of dark woods and ruddy hues, architect Ken Pursley wanted this North Carolina home to feel light and airy but still reflect the simple mountain aesthetic. Rough oak floors stained in a warm finish set a welcoming cabin tone, while a pine ceiling sourced from a nearby forest adds understated texture. Durable yet modern concrete countertops, a pair of oversize lanterns, and industrial-style drafting stools round out the ultimate rustic-meets-refined space.Get the Look: Wall Paint Color:Ashwood by Benjamin Moore12Get Creative With RepurposingBrie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversTo break up her small kitchens white cabinetry, homeowner Bambi Costanzo repurposed an old wood dry sink she found on Facebook Marketplace by taking it apart and installing the pieces under the window as a makeshift built-in. It was almost too perfect for the space, she says. Her dishware storage doubles as display courtesy of more DIY ingenuity. For the countertop rack, Bambi sanded down a wooden box and added dowel rods for plate separators. Striped skirted fabric hides the dishwasher.Get the Look: Farmhouse Sink:Whitehaus Fireclay SinkRELATED: See The Rest of Bambis Personality-Filled CottageAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Skirt the SinkDavid TsayTextile designer Heather Taylor complemented the yellow tones of the wood cabinets with sunflower-hued window treatments and a skirt beneath the 30-inch fireclay farmhouse sink. While small in stature, the cabin kitchen is chock-full of charm courtesy of high-impact updates, including an aged brass faucet, a vintage-style scalloped pendant light (adorable!), and petite flush-mount ceiling lights.Get the Look:Window Treatments: Heather Taylor Home for EverhemSee More of This Cozy, Charming California Cottage14Build a Bigger IslandAnnie SchlechterFamily and friends love to gather around this walnut-topped island thanks to its room-for-a-crowd size and quirky handmade counter stools. The natural stone wall is complemented by the moody Belgian bluestone backsplash behind the range and the rooms various woodsreclaimed barn boards on the ceiling, vintage French white oak on the floor, and band-sawn knotty white oak on the flush-inset cabinets. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Wrap a Vent Hood in Reclaimed WoodBrian WoodcockA unique salvaged wood hood, custom-built by the owner of this Mississippi farmhouse, and a vintage Turkish runner add warmth to the mostly white kitchen. We love the addition of a landscape painting floating above the range as an unexpected and budget-friendly alternative to a tile accent.RELATED: Tour More of This Mississippi Farmhouse That Adds Tons of Soul to A New Build16Checker the BacksplashErin LittleFor a statement-making backsplash, interior designer Christina Salway arranged two shades of green tiles in a checkerboard pattern. Warm wood tones, the natural jute rug, and a display of round baskets balance the greens and keep it rustic and cozy.Get the Look: Back Wall Cabinetry Color:Inchyra Blue by Farrow & BallTrim and Range Cabinetry Color: Vert De Terre by Farrow & BallSink Skirt Fabric: Trouville by Rogers and GoffigonAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Make Room for an Eat-In MomentTo make space for a small antique pedestal table and a scalloped banquette (smartly upholstered in performance fabric to hold up to spills), homeowner (and Country Living Design Director!) Maribeth Jones removed a bank of built-in cabinetry that wasnt worth saving. This set-up makes for the sweetest spot for breakfast, snacks, and activities for her growing girls.Get the Look: Banquette:Regina Banquette by One Kings LaneLighting: Vendome Sconce by Visual ComfortRELATED: You Wont Want to Miss A Single Detail of This Charming and Cheery British-Inspired Kitchen Reno18Use a Pine Table as an IslandRead McKendreeIn this time capsule of a cottage on Cape Cod, homeowner Stephenie Watts packed tons of charm into every square inch. In place of a built-in island, a pine farm table brings rustic texture, while unlacquered brass bistro-style shelving and a pull-down faucet add aged shine. The cabinets got a new coat of mossy green paint; the walls are lined in a pretty, light-reflecting tile.Get the Look: for similar, Cabinetry Paint Color:Down to Earth by BehrRELATED: Heres Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Painting Kitchen CabinetsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Add Patina With Vintage LightingDAVID TSAY, styling by Becki GriffinIn this all-white kitchen, light gray concrete countertops, reclaimed beams and shelves, and ceramic tile laid in a graphic pattern add visual interest. But the real show-stopper is the pair of green antique French lanterns (from Sourced by Janet Wiebe) that lend a gorgeous pop of color and a perfect touch of patina.Get the Look: Wall Paint Color:Decorators White by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Take A Look Inside The Rest of This Dreamy Texas Farmhouse20Store Pots OverheadGridley + Graves PhotographersWhen storage is limited, look up! The iron pot rack here displays a collection of copper cookware. Rounding out the farmhouse vibe: a large coffee tin thats now a trash receptacle; a white subway tile backsplash; and an old butcher block on the work space side.Get the Look: Half-Wall Paint Color:Midsummer Night by Benjamin MooreRELATED: These Colors Go Perfectly With GrayAmy MitchellManaging EditorAmy Mitchell is the managing editor for VERANDA and Country Living, where she writes articles on a variety of topicsdecorating and design, gardens, and holidays. Amys experience in the shelter magazine category spans more than 20 years, as shes previously held positions at Coastal Living and Cottage Living. Her personal pursuits include cooking, gardening, and hunting her favorite tag sale spots for the next piece of Pyrex for her prized collection.Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

If youre like us, then you have a soft spot for entertaining. Maybe its just during the holiday season or youre a part of a dedicated dinner party group, but throwing a get-together is your speciality. So why not set up a beautifully decorated bar area to ensure your house is always ready to entertain? Below, weve gathered up some of our favorite home bar decorating ideas. Whether its inside or out, there are tons of ways to set up a stylish bar that fits your style. Looking for something a bit more rustic? We have tips on how to get the reclaimed wood bar of your dreams! In the mood for something more traditional? Check out our easy DIY ways of jazzing up your built-ins. If youre looking to take on a bigger project, our closet (yes, closet!) makeover idea will have you ready to turn your least favorite spot into something you love. Regardless of budget or skill level, there are home bar ideas for you here thatll have you kicking backcocktail in handin no-time.Looking To Up Your Drinks Game? Check Out All Our Favorite Beverage Ideas and Recipes Below! 1Go Wild for WallpaperHelen NormanYou already know the power wallpaper can have in small spaces (think laundry or powder rooms), but what about in your bar? In this mountain cottage, a green forested wallpaper and a painted built-in cabinet are the perfect foils for the nearby white living room. Get the Look:Wallpaper: Forest by Cole & SonCabinet Paint Color: Bancha by Farrow & BallTOUR THIS HOUSE2Try Glass ShelvingALI HARPERTo show off the homeowners collection of colorful glassware and let a little more light into this river cottages wood-paneled pass-through bar, designer Jensen Killen opted for a simple glass shelf mounted halfway up the windows. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Use A Vintage HutchHector M. Sanchez, styling by Anna LoganOr, any tall antique piece! This antique English dresser doubles as a combination china hutch-slash-bar in a Mississippi kitchen. Piled up with pheasant plates and a silver tray-turned-bar, this serving station makes entertaining easy as bourbon pecan pie. Get the LookWall Paint Color: Dutch Tile Blue by Sherwin-WilliamsTOUR THIS HOUSE4Style Up Your ShedDean HearneIn a pinch, any surface can work as a bar. In this stylish backyard shed, stockpiles of split wood feel right at home next to a small collection of liquor bottles primed for on-the-go cocktail making. RELATED: Heres Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Building Your Own Shed Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Jazz Up Your Built-In BarDavid A. LandIf your home bar needs a designers touch, add furniture-style details that bring loads of character, such as the X-brace glass cabinets fronts and bun footings Ed James, owner of Four Board Woodworks, added to the cypress bar cabinet in his familys lake house.TOUR THIS HOUSE 6Try a Pass-Through BarAlec HemerPass-through bars are perfect for those who love to entertain. The natural flow between spaces means that hosts can prep and party at the same time. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Use Open ShelvingDavid A. LandIf a grand built-in bar doesnt fit your small house floor plan, no worries! In this cozy Maine cottage, homeowners John Wentworth and Jamie Gluck opted for simple bracketed shelves to house their antique glassware. Below, a vintage drop-leaf table plays host to their collection of bottles. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These Open Shelving Ideas Will Have You Ready to Tear Off All Your Cabinet Fronts8Opt for Butcher BlockDavid TsayCant decide on the perfect material to top your bar counters? Try butcher block! These beautiful wood pieces are often less expensive and more manageable than you think.TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Heres Everything You Need to Know About Butcher Block Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Add a Statement Mini FridgeNat ReaIf your built-in wet bar is in need of a little pizazz, try a colorful, vintage-inspired mini fridge, such as the one seen in this Rhode Island farmhouse. TOUR THIS HOUSE10Mix Drinking and Gamesmike gartenNo, we dont mean drinking games! We mean board games. We love the playful feel these collected games bring to the bar, which was crafted from an old post office sorting bay.RELATED: These Are The Most Crowd-Pleasing Board Games For All AgesAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Repurpose an Old CrateDavid A. LandTruly, it can be that simple! This humble home bar was crafted from an antique crate and placed on top of a chrome table base. With a little DIY ingenuity, you can get the same look. Just search for table bases online. RELATED: These Are The 100 Best Places to Buy Antiques Online, According to Our Editors12Go All-In On WhiteDavid HillegasWhile a home bar might conjure up images of dark, wood-paneled spaces, they can also be light and bright! In this South Carolina cottage, designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas chose a cozy-yet-creamy white and finished the palette with subtle blue details to make this quiet bar feel show-stopping. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These Are The Best Warm White Paint Colors For Every Part Of Your HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Turn It Into a Coffee BarAdam Albright, styling by Kelly Ryan KegansHosting company for a long weekend? Try a classic coffee bar! In this Wisconsin summer cabin, homeowner Sarah Anderson swapped cocktails for easy-to-grab coffee cups, plus tempting blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls on a cake stand, for the ultimate guest-friendly set up. Get the Look:Wallpaper: "Raphael" in Black/Dark Green by SandbergTOUR THIS HOUSE14Stagger Your ShelvingPaul CostelloIf you have tall ceilings and need to stretch your design plan upwards, try this trick from Ronnie Dunns Tennessee barn home and stagger your open shelves to create even more visual dynamism. It also helps if your shelves are filled with a perfectly curated collection of bottles. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Stick to a Basic Bar CartGood Housekeeping/Mike GartenWhen in doubt, a bar cart makes for a crowd-pleasing, fool-proof drinks station. All you need to add for a little personality is some antique glassware, a fun cocktail to share with your guests, and fresh flowers. RELATED: These Are The Best Outdoor Bar Carts You Can Buy Right Now16Keep It SimpleGridley and GravesThe classic bar doesnt require muchall you really need is something to drink and something to drink from. This rustic lake cabin provides just that, all nestled on a simple tray and tucked into the corner of the living room. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These All-Time Favorite Lake House Decorating Ideas Will Give Your Getaway The Perfect Laid-Back Look Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Repurpose a ClosetPhoto: Stacy Zarin Goldberg; Design: Zo FeldmanDont know what to do with that weird closet in your house that just isn't deep enough? Take this idea from designer Zo Feldman and transform it into an easy-to-hide bar! RELATED: Learn How to Organize Any Closet With These Expert Tips 18Take The Bar OutsideDebbie HarpeOnce the weather cools down, its time to bring your friends and family together for a cozy outdoor gathering. At this harvest party, hosted by lifestyle expert Debbie Harpe, a serve-yourself bar makes the perfect end note for her long table. RELATED: See More of Debbies Harvest Party (And All Her Good Ideas & Recipes) Here Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Style Up Stainless SteelBrian WoodcockA more modern, hardworking choice for a bar, stainless steel cabinetry (topped with a cement slab) adds a cool and sophisticated edge to this Alabama farmhouse designed by Paige Thornton. TOUR THIS HOUSE 20Grace Your Bar With GarlandRikki SnyderIf youre planning on hosting a grand holiday soire, don't forget to decorate the bar! In this cozy New York farmhouse, shaggy evergreen boughs and an orange garland strung with plaid ribbon add a festive touch to the buffet-turned-bar. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday DecorationsAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Its a proven (ok, maybe not *proven*) fact that cool, crisp fall evenings are best when enjoying a smores in front of a warm fire. But, you dont have to wait until your next camping trip to enjoy the experience. Make every night a campfire night with a backyard fire pit. Whether you want to test the waters and go the simplest route with a moveable fire pit placed on an existing patio (you can even go with a smokeless option like a Solo Stove), or are ready to lay a flagstone patio and build a permanent stacked stone fire pit, youll find inspiration for all in our list below. As youre planning your backyard fire pit, take into consideration both the size of your available area and how big of a group you want to accommodate. Are you aiming for a rustic bonfire look and feel or a more modern and refined limestone design? Will this be a DIY fire pit project or do you plan to hire a hardscape expert? Lastly, do you love the smell of a wood fire or do you prefer the ease of gas? Your answers to all of these questions will help you decide on what material, shape, size, and even placement is best for your fire pit. Below, youll find stylish fire pit examples full of ideas to get you started.Get Even More Easy Ideas to Upgrade Your Backyard:1Lay Pea GravelDANE TASHIMAAt one end of their newly renovated barn, homeowners Petra and Andrej Ivanov created a patio area out of pea gravel to house their casual fire pit seating area that includes a cast-iron bowl fire pit and folding sling chairs. Were out here as many evenings as the weather allows, says Andrej.TOUR THE BARN HOMERELATED: The Best Outdoor Fire Pits to Make Your Backyard Extra Cozy2Carve Out a Camp SiteAdam Albright, styling by Matthew GleasonFor the Barnes family, no evening is complete with smores and banjo music around their campfire-style fire pit. To make, they dug into the hill to make a large level gravel area using stacked landscaping tinders to create the retaining wall. Inside, tree stumps serve as side tables or extra seats around the rustic stacked stone fire ring.TOUR THE HOMEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Build a Bonfire PitBrian WoodcockIf you have large gatherings, make the fire pit large enough to accommodate everyone. Here, at their Tennessee farm, the homeowners stacked variously sized and shaped fieldstones to create the large bonfire pit. Straw bales topped with blankets provide casual bench seating.TOUR THE CABINRELATED: 10 Easy S'mores Dessert Ideas to Wow the Fam4Square It OffJames MerrellAt designer Thom Filicias lake house, a squared off gravel area provides the setting for a large stacked stone fire pit. Each punchy red Adirondack chair is paired with a tree trunk side table and cozy blankets are always on hand. RELATED: Get Thoms 10 Essential Rules for Decorating a Lake HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Frame It With ArchitectureMarta Xochilt PerezPositioned in front a large window, a flagstone patio with grass joints makes the perfect spot for the Murphy familys fire pit. Flanking rows of evergreen plantings help frame the area.Get the Look:Fire Pit: Ohio Flame Patriot Fire Pit from AmazonTOUR THE HOMERELATED: 20 Cabincore Essentials You Can Find at Walmart6Go RusticMarta Xochilt PerezIt feels like a family camping trip at this fire pit area behind the Marshes Wisconsin lake cabin. The fire pit is encircled with a collection of varying-size boulders. Dont forget the smores bar! RELATED: The Best-Ever S'mores, 3 WaysAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Combine Types of StonesRoger DaviesAt a North Carolina mountain retreat, architects Pursley Dixon built a fire pit of local fieldstone atop a base of organically shaped slabs of flagstone. RELATED: 35+ Fall Cocktails for The Best Season of the Year8Think Outside the CircleMELLON STUDIOWho says your fire pit area has to be round? On the sandstone patio outside the primary bedroom of this home designed by Brooke Wagner, two pairs of cushioned armchairs flank a rectangular light-colored stone fire pit for an outdoor living room feel. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Situate It In the GardenDavid A. LandGive your backyard garden a center gathering spot with a pea gravel patio. For a casual farmhouse feel, place a galvanized fire ring in the middle and gather metal vintage lawn chairs for cheery, colorful seating.TOUR THE HOUSERELATED: 11 Things Beginners Should Know Before Starting a Vegetable Garden 10Top It With FlagstoneBrian WoodcockGive your fire pit a wide flat top to use as landing spot for drinks and snacks by topping rough stacked stones with a ring of flat flagstone. Get the Look:Fire Pit: Stone Burning Fire Pit from WayfairAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Add Mood-Setting LightingBecky Lugart-StaynerKeep the party going long into the evening by illuminating your fire pit area with string lights. To do, place 8' to 10' foot tall 2x4 style posts at each corner, install large screw hooks in each, then run the string light strands post to post securing with large screw hooks. (Be sure to use an all-weather outdoor extension cord.) RELATED: The 9 Best Outdoor String Lights for a Guaranteed Patio Glow Up12Focus on the ViewMike GartenIf youre lucky enough to have a home with a stellar view, go with a U-shaped arrangement of chairs around the fire pit. For a more rustic always been there fire pit, build the base by permanently laying a circle of fieldstones, then place a metal fire bowl in the middle. Keep a supply of wool blankets on hand for chilly nights.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Make It Trough StyleErin KunkelAt her familys ranch, Five Marys Ranch, Mary Heffernen and her husband Brian repurposed an old steel water trough into a gas fire pit. Placed in front of the outdoor kitchen and surrounded by benches, its the perfect place to end the evening taking in the Montana night sky. 14Place It WatersidePar BengtssonCan you think of anything more dreamy than sitting by the fire listening to the gentle sounds of waves? By building a stone patio and stacked stone fire pit close to your shoreline, youll be able to enjoy the lake even during the cooler months. TOUR THE HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Greet Guests With a BonfireJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonTheres rarely a weekend evening at Doug and Noras OLeary's Wisconsin cabin that doesn't involve a fire in the front firepit. A lot of times, when people are driving up for the weekend, well have the bonfire going outside already, says Doug. A mix of dark green Adirondack chairs and folding canvas camp stoolsplus plenty of plaid blanketsensures theres a comfy seat for all. Get the Look: Firepit:For similar, Sunnydaze Forest Wilderness Fire Pit Ring from AmazonAdirondack Chairs:The Country Living Cottage Adirondack Chair by PolywoodTOUR THE CABIN16Go Texas BigDavid TsayWhen your house can sleep up to 27, you need a fire pit large enough to accommodate a crowd. For the Robertson family, this large rustic stone fire pit fits the bill. Once the sun goes down and its dark, thats where you will find people 80 percent of the time, says Courtney Robertson. Wood Adirondack chairs are the perfect perches to assemble event-themed smores. Weve done fishing nights with roasting sticks that look like poles, and at Easter we use Peeps instead of marshmallows.TOUR THE FARMHOUSERELATED: The 20 Best Womens Cowboy Boots to Giddy Up and Go InJennifer KopfJennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.

Country LivingCountry Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?Layering fabrics is a perennial favorite recommendation among interior design experts, and there's a brand new material emerging on the scene: suede. The high-quality leather is made from the underside of the animaland don't worry, there are plenty of faux alternatives to choose from as well. Suede home decor products are currently trending, offering yet another texture to play with in practically any room.Of course, suede has its roots in the fashion industry, and it's typically used for accessories like footwear, outerwear, and accessories such as gloves and handbags. Cowboy boots and other Western wear, Kate Middleton's go-to English country apparel, our favorite Birkenstock dupes, and even Ree Drummond's new blazer from Walmart all feature the popular fabric. Breaking into the interior design world, we're seeing everything from throw pillows to poufs to magazine holders with made with authentic or faux suede. Below, 15 suede home decor products we've already added to our carts. For even more cozy home decor inspo, check out the best farmhouse kitchen ideas to make your space inviting and timeless.1Terry Town Rustic Ranch Throw w/Bonded Beige Mink$29 at AmazonLuxurious suede on one side with a cozy microfiber on the other, this rustic blanket was made for your Yellowstone marathons. 2Curated Collectives Woven Leather and Wood Tray Now 17% Off$20 at AmazonNot ready to dive first into the world of suede? Then opt for this low-key tray that features two suede handles. It's the perfect touch of suede that'll be on-trend now but not out-of-date in a few months. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3XIGEXIGE Ivory Shagreen Box $69 at AmazonYou can never have too much storage, especially when it looks this chic. Use these stackable boxes as a hiding spot for remotes, a jewelry tray, or just a cool shelf decoration. 4Royal Designs, Inc. Sophia Collection Lampshade $49 at AmazonThis suede lampshade comes in six different color options, but this beige one looks like it would 100% be in Rip Wheeler's bedroom, right? Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5WV Large Serving Tray$37 at AmazonIf rustic suede isn't your style, have no fear! The versatile fabric looks just as good in a more chic aesthetic, like with this gold-handled tray. 6Isaac Jacobs White Leather with Gold Metal Picture Frame$25 at AmazonA suede picture frame is the perfect way to incorporate this new home trend in a budget-friendly way that'll still look classic for years to come. This one comes in multiple color options and in either gold or silver accents. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Madison Park Boone Cozy Comforter SetNow is the ideal time to swap out for cozier bedding, and what could be more fitting for the winter months than luxurious suede? 8SBL SOUTH BEACH LEATHER Genuine Leather Pillow Cover$52 at AmazonCredit: AmazonA lower-cost lumbar pillow cover, this one is made from 100% genuine leather. There are several types of leather covers, and three suede colors (Suede, Suede Camel, and Suede Black). Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Ultimate Sack Bean Bag Floor Pillow$140 at AmazonCredit: AmazonThis oversized floor pillow is about to become everyone's preferred resting spot. It comes in suede or fur, but it's also machine-washable and available in several colors.10Pottery Barn Suede Basketweave Pouf$349 at Pottery BarnCredit: Pottery BarnThe patchwork pattern takes the spotlight for this 100% suede leather pouf. Place it near a fireplace for the coziest spot in your living room. And for even more coordination, Pottery Barn also has suede basketweave pillow covers.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Quince Solid Suede Pillow CoverNow 50% Off$60 at quince.comCredit: QuinceQuince has become our go-to for scoring high-quality items at significantly lower prices, and of course, they have their own 100% suede leather pillow cover. At $60, it's about half the price of comparable products from other brands, and it's available for purchase in a set of two. Just keep in mind that the pillow insert is sold separately.12Crate & Barrel Dalton Brown Suede and Metal Dome Table Lamp by Jake Arnold$269 at Crate & BarrelCredit: Crate & BarrelIn collaboration with designer Jake Arnold, Crate & Barrel offers an unexpected suede home decor item in the form of this lamp. The stem is wrapped in brown suede, providing a new texture for your bedside or accent table.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13CB2 Gathered Suede Lumbar Pillow Cover 48''x12''$107 at CB2Credit: CB2Now, this lumbar pillow is texture on texture. Designed to accent your bedding, the pillow's front side is 100% suede leather cut into panels that create the appearance of vertical stripes. 14West Elm Leather Firewood Carrier$169 at West ElmCredit: West ElmThis is form meets function at its finest. The leather firewood carrier is made from a smooth leather, and it's available in two colors: brown or black suede.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15vctops Boho Basket Weave Pattern Decorative Throw Pillow$17 at AmazonCredit: AmazonFor a more budget-friendly alternative, consider this faux suede pillow cover with a basketweave pattern. There are two sizes (12" x 20" or 18" x 18") and 21 colors to choose from. 16Anthropologie Bowen Leather Bench$1,089 at AnthropologieCredit: AnthropologieThis leather upholstered bench can go in your entryway to greet you and your guests, or it can even serve as a spot to display your favorite coffee table books in the living room. When it's made to order, select one of the nubuck leather options for a suede-like look.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Threshold Oversized Colorblock Pieced Suede Lumbar Throw Pillow Black/Neutral$25 at TargetCredit: TargetWhile most suede decor items are brown or black, Target's brand Threshold offers a fresh take with this colorblock throw pillow. You can snag it in three color combos: black and neutral, orange and neutral, or gold and neutral.18CB2 Terre Brown Suede Sphere Throw Pillow 12"$100 at CB2Credit: CB2These spherical pillows are a fun addition to your space, and we're partial to the brown suede option. Plus, you can mix it up by purchasing one or more of the velvet styles.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19CB2 Kerro Light Brown Woven Suede Throw Pillow Cover 18''$107 at CB2Credit: CB2The diagonal lines on this throw pillow are similar to a chevron pattern. The suede decor item is made in black or light brown, and because it's made from natural hide, the color may vary slightly. 20Pottery Barn Suede Magazine Holder$149 at Pottery BarnCredit: Pottery BarnEven your magazines can have a supple suede spot to hang out on! Try bringing it into your home office or near your couch, so you can easily reach for a magazine whenever you need some inspiration.Blake BakkilaFreelance WriterBlake Bakkila has been writing about everything from pop culture to lifestyle products for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com, WhattoExpect.com, Health.com, and in the print and digital versions of Real Simple and People.

Its the most magical time of year! Autumns crisp air, falling leaves, and colorful landscapes are a prelude to the holiday season. Its also a great time to relax outside without worrying about getting sunburned or overheated. The cool breeze and gentle warmth of the sun work in sync to make lounging outdoors a welcomed respite. If youre stumped and looking for a creative way to carve out an inviting space in your yard for gathering with friends and family or even solo, consider adding a beautiful pergola to your space. A pergola is a structure that provides shade from the suns harsh rays and, if enclosed, can keep you dry during periods of heavy rain showers too. Weve pulled together dozens of beautiful pergola ideas to give your outdoor space a refreshed look. Even the National Association of Landscape Professionals says that pergolas are a top outdoor living space trend for 2024. We know it's challenging to create a multifunctional space that can keep you both cool and warmespecially if your yard lacks shade trees to block the suns blazing heatbut thats exactly a pergolas primary purpose. Pergolas come in various designs and sizes that make them an attractive choice for any home stylefrom modern farmhouses to cozy bungalows to charming cottages. While many pergolas are easy to construct with simple kits if you want to go the DIY route, don't worry if youre hesitant to tackle a pergola project alone. Take some time to research local contractors who can build a gorgeous pergola for your home. Before you begin, be sure to find out whether or not youll need a permit for your project, and consider hiring a professional for more complex builds. Now get started building the garden retreat of your dreams without stylish pergola ideas!Get more ideas to easily upgrade your outdoor spaces: 1Create an Outdoor RoomMax Kim-BeeConsider adding a pergola to an empty courtyard or garden space, like at this California home. The tall wood pergola and inviting seating enhance this area with a wood-burning brick oven and cooking station with stone counters. The finished project is an outdoor room perfect for hosting company or savoring a book alone on a lazy fall afternoon. RELATED: Make Your Porch or Patio the Dreamiest Space Ever2Place a Pergola Over the PatioGaryAlvis//Getty ImagesMake an exposed patio more user-friendly with a pergola. Not only does this simple wood pergola provide shade, but it also creates an inviting patio space that rivals any sitting roomespecially when outfitted with pretty flowers and comfy furniture. For a more enclosed feeling, consider also adding a short wall.RELATED: The Best Outdoor Furniture at Walmart to Revamp Your PatioAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Take Walkways to New HeightsCEZARY ZAREBSKI PHOTOGRPAHY//Getty ImagesIf you have a plain path in your garden, consider elevating it into a dreamy walkway with a pergola. Then, take your shade to the next level by planting a beautiful and colorful climbing vine.RELATED: 18 Stone Walkways That Will Beautify Your Yard4Add Shade to Sunny Side PorchesEric PiaseckiPergola-covered patios (cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice are attached to the side of the home) provide the best of both worlds with a cozy area that gets just enough sunlight and just enough coverage. Here, at a home designed by the architects at Historical Concepts and interior designer Barbara Westbrook, the pergola-covered patio provides both a potting station and an alfresco dining spot. The elegant architecture helps the area seems like a genuine room.RELATED: A Designers Guide to Prepping Your PatioAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Get Crafty with Natural MaterialsDavid A. LandRather than standard wood boards, repurpose natural elements to create a rustic, organic pergola. Interior designer Hadley Wiggins and husband Daniele Marin sit at a cozy outdoor dining table nestled under a whimsical pergola made from sprawling tree branches and vines. A pea gravel patio helps define the outdoor space.TOUR THE HOUSE6Upgrade with Paper LanternsJohner Images//Getty ImagesWhen in doubt, add weatherproof outdoor paper lanterns to any pergola for an instant upgrade that transforms it into an inviting and festive space! RELATED: The Best Outdoor String Lights for a Guaranteed Patio Glow Up Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Create a Backyard Havenalabn//Getty ImagesThe addition of a fire pit nearby or under a pergola will add warmth to cool evenings and it's a wonderful space to pull up a chair around the fire for conversation with friends and a glass of wine.RELATED: 16 Best Outdoor Fire Pits to Make Your Backyard Extra Cozy8Elevate Entryways with a PergolaMint Images//Getty ImagesTake the road less traveled and add a pergola to an entry in need of some shade. Make it even more stunning with the addition of beautiful planters filled with greenery as well as furniture accents like wicker chairs. RELATED: 37 Creative Entryway Ideas for the Warmest Welcome Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Liven Up a Fireside NookVictoria Pearson//Getty ImagesIf youre one of the lucky people with an outdoor fireplace, adding comfortable seating and a complementary pergola to the area will make a cozier lounging areaall day and night! RELATED: 22 DIY Outdoor Fireplace Ideas for a Cozy Backyard 10Add Whimsical Charm with a SwingFOTOGRAFIA INC.//Getty ImagesIf youre a big kid at heart and want an excuse to put a swing in your yard, get a pergola swing! You can get a custom unit built by a local contractor or DIY swing kits are available online.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Jazz Up Multipurpose Garden AreasDavid Tsay, styling by Page MullinsWhen California homeowner Jen Curtis isnt hosting dinner parties out in her dreamy cottage garden, the pergola-shaded, 10-foot-long farm table (painted with outdoor paint for durability) becomes additional gardening work space.TOUR THE HOMERELATED: How to Plant a Fall Garden12Showcase Flowering Vinesalla_iatsun//Getty ImagesBlooming wisteria adds an air of country charm to a pergola towering over a rustic dining area. Adding pretty flowering vines to outdoor settings will elevate the look of your spaces. RELATED: 30 Best Flowering Vines to Add Vertical Color to Your Yard and GardenAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Create an Alfresco Dining SpaceNenov//Getty ImagesMaybe you want to have lunch under the midday sun? A pergola is just the answer! Consider adding an intimate outdoor dining set from Country Living's Polywood collection to a space under a pergola to enjoy a delicious meal en plein air.RELATED: 8 Stylish Outdoor Wicker Furniture Piece14Put Something Pretty on the SideGetty ImagesDo you have a door on the side or rear of your home without overhead cover? Instead of an awning, you may want to add a wood pergola to get relief from the blazing sun or upgrade the look of a plain side entrance.RELATED: 28 Evergreen Shrubs to Plant for Year-Round BeautyAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Create a Gather Round SpotCourtesy of Little White House Blog/RemodelaholicBuild the ultimate fall and winter gathering space with a DIY pergola and fire pit setup. Created by Lauren Ashworth of Little White House Blog, and featured on Remodelaholic, this unique structure is the grown-up backyard of your dreams. It includes a fire pit, a movie screen, Adirondack chairs, six porch swings, a built-in bar, and a custom pergola. RELATED: The Best Outdoor Fire Pits to Make Your Backyard Extra Cozy16Cover with Evergreen ClimbersMANUELVELASCO//Getty ImagesFast-growing bougainvillea flowers crown the top of this elegant stone and wood pergola. The addition of hardy climbers and vines like winter-flowering camellia and winter jasmine adds vibrant color, stylish flair, and shade to pergolas all year long.RELATED: The 20 Best Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Your ClimateAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Add Contemporary Flair and Cozy SeatingLivvyLandAustin, Texas, blogger, Olivia of LivvyLand built a cedar plank and polygal pergola to complete a patio renovation. The finished project includes charming string lights, an outdoor wicker furniture set, natural botanical touches, and a jute rug. RELATED: The 10 Best Outdoor Rugs for Every Style and Budget 18Hang Colorful Seasonal PlantersZhanen Mo / EyeEm//Getty ImagesPlant ladies, this ones for you! Hanging colorful flower planters bring this otherwise plain pergola to life. Discover some of our favorite fall flowers and plants for a charming fall garden.RELATED: 20 of the Best Hanging Planters and AccessoriesAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Fuse a Pergola with a Trellis Finmiki Images//Getty ImagesThis option perfectly pairs a functional pergola with outdoor seating into a garden oasis with the addition of a trellis wall that's covered in lush greenery. Ready-to-assemble options are available at local garden centers or from online retailers such as Wayfair.RELATED: 33 Simple, Smart Garden Trellis Ideas for Vines20Hang Privacy CurtainsLove of Family and HomeCurtains add drama and privacy to this pergola-covered deck from Love of Family and Home that includes an outdoor living roomcomplete with a freestanding fireplace and dining area. The homeowner used sheets to fashion her curtains, but ready-made indoor-outdoor curtain panels will also work.RELATED: 12 Floating Deck Ideas to Complete Your BackyardJanece MazeJanece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When shes not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop. Sarah LyonContributing WriterSarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.

Im going to let you in on a little secret: Those of us behind the screen, the writers and editors of Country Living, are self-admitted hoarders. We love cool and unique stuff, much of which you read about here. Its a hazard of the job, but one many of us see as a perk. Each and every day (and, yes, a lot of nights, too), we immerse ourselves in this stuff, the things that make up a home and fill a life. Were looking over paint colors and fabrics and collected antiques, and somewhere along the way we might just pick up an extra discarded curio or two (or three...or four) that was destined to be decommissioned from our prop closet. Over the years, this love of stuff got a fancy new name and a new lens through which to view: Maximalism. Yes, maximalismthat no-holds-barred explosion of color, pattern, and, yes, stuff. Below, were walking you through the maximalist mindset and how to do it tastefully. Want to read more of our style explainers? Check out these design guides! Jump to:What Is Maximalism? Okay, lets back up. Its easy to equate maximalism with a love of stuff, but that doesnt tell the whole story. On its own, maximalist interior design principles embody the idea that leaning into the things you love is the straightest path to a house that feels like a home. Its not just about the stuff, but the stories that come along with them. More is more on what brings you joy, says Texas-based designer Katie Davis. Nathan SchroderMaximalist interiors are nothing new, either. Storied decorators of yore like Dorothy Draper and Mario Buatta built their businesses by embracing color and pattern in ways rarely seen before. Today, maximalism has gained popularity once again as a response to the mid-aughts obsession with minimalism and Marie Kondo-style tidiness. (Though, many of us admittedly misunderstood the lesson the much-maligned KonMari method was trying to teach us. It was never about getting rid of everything, but instead about finding peace in the things you already have and finding joy outside of rampant consumerism. I digress.) In practical terms, maximalism is all about embracing bold choices of color, pattern, and texture, and celebrating them for what they are: joyful, deeply personal expressions of style. What Are The Defining Principles of Maximalism? Maximalism is all about the mix-and-match mindset. Decorating with a maximalist point of view is a bit like cooking a really good meal. You need to taste as you go; there isnt one recipe that fits everyones personal palate. There are, however, six key components you should focus on when trying to decorate with a maximalist mindset. All of them are aimed at amping up a rooms visual texturethe real look and feel of a space. Bold Paint Colors Paint is maximalisms greatest tool. From color drenching a space in high-gloss paint to adding in fun folk art flourishes, paint can change the entire look and feel of a room with relative ease. While we all may have our favorite whites or grays, maximalism dares you to look beyond the typical paint colors and try something with personality. Using bold color in a country home is all about pulling from the surroundings and embracing saturated-but-muddy hues. Country decorators have long relied on paint to level-up even the most humble of farmhousesthink chippy painted furniture or painted floors in a classic checkered pattern. Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling by Kendra SurfaceCabinets painted with Benjamin Moores Enchanted Forest feel right at home next to soft brown gingham wallpaper in this classic farmhouse kitchen.Strong PatternsYou cant have a maximalist space without pattern, and proper pattern mixing is the key to maximalism done well. One way to pick patterns that foster a layered, livable home is by focusing on smaller scales, says Katie. Small ticking stripes, varying textures, tiny floralssome of these textiles might not even read as having a pattern until you get closer, she says. Some other go-to designer favorite patterns include gingham, animal prints, cabana stripes, tartans, and buffalo check. When using patterns in your home, dont underestimate the power of a purposeful clash. Pairing gingham with animal prints or animal prints with a floral is a great way to show you have your design bonafides. Cheery WallpaperWhether its a full mural wall or a pretty paper hung above wainscoting, wallpaper is the easiest entry point into maximalism. Smaller spaces such as powder rooms are the classic, safe choices for wallpaper, but maximalists rarely play it safe. Larger rooms with defined purposes, like the entry, library, or even the kitchen, are great places to play with the amount of pattern and color wallpaper brings. Just dont forget the contrast trim paint job! (And, nowadays, removable wallpaper means you can also take it down without damaging your walls if you dont end up loving the way it looks.)Max Kim-BeeIn this entry of what was once an old schoolhouse, designers John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage chose four different paint colors and a happily patterned wallpaper.Statement Furniture One bold piece of furniture is typical for a house, but in a maximalist home? Add multiple! A velvet sofa in an unexpected color pairs just as easily with a patterned upholstered reading chair as it does with one covered in quiet, nubby linen. Stick to the standard decorating guidelines of complementary colors and silhouettes when mixing more than one stand-out piece. Also err on the side of doing this in large rooms only, so you dont take up too much of the visual tableau. Ornate Accents and Crusty Antiques A little glam never hurt anybody, right? Mixing fanciful silhouettes, such as chandeliers dripping with crystals, and humble, scratched-up pieces is another way to fast-track a maximalist space that feels layered and totally lived-in. Remember, maximalism is all about telling a story, so dont stray from pairing pieces you arent sure go together. Crossing design eras is what gives a room intrigue! If youre unsure about mixing a few pieces, look to the rest of the room and see what other eras you have or havent included. Considering your color palette also comes in handy when deciding what to mixa common color thread helps make it all work.Robert Peterson Curated Collections Maximalists and country-style decorators both share one common viewpoint: collections are cool. Styled throughout a bookshelf or stuffed into a curio cabinet, these collected pieces help us tell the story of our home and of our interests, and they deserve to be celebrated. Were giving you permission to keep on collecting the ironstone, vintage lunchboxes, colored glassware, silver candlesticks... (all in the name of style, of course). Rikki SnyderA collection of silhouette portraits gathered over the years makes a stunning maximalist statement in this stairwell. How Do You Make Maximalism Look Cohesive And Not Cluttered? Start With A Strong PaletteAll this talk of color and pattern can throw even the most practiced designer for a loop. A clear palette is the only way to accomplish a well-put-together room. Start with one or two base colors and then build off complementary accents. An easy way to do this is to start with your hero textile or paint color. Pull out things that work well with it and go from there. Pick no more than five colors to work with.Make It LivableWell let you in on a secret: Magazines do a bit of a clean-up job before we photograph peoples houses. The clutter is tucked away, there are no dishes in the sink, and the pillows are always fluffed. In reality, thats not how these houses always look, so its important that the home youre creating works for you, and not for some higher standard you think might be attainable. Livable maximalism is about finding that nexus point between style and reality. If youve picked a palette that you can live with everyday, focus on teasing out the complementary colors through additional layers. Maximalism, for us, is about layers, but each layer doesnt have to be vying for attention, says Katie. This approach allows you to fill your home with patterns you love but arent going to grow tired of seeing every day. JACKIE GREANEY AND PAUL HAVELNautical collections add flair to this coastal living room.Know When To Edit and OrganizeThe power of maximalists (and what separates them from their cluttered friends) is their ability to edit. One quick way to edit around your house is by relying on the rule of three, something we use at the magazine all the time. The rule is pretty simple: Most objects look good in groups of three (or similar odd numbers such as five). If your collection is bigger than a group of three, try breaking it up into different locations. We know you wont always have the watchful eyes of magazine stylists to guide your decision-making, so its best to channel their other advice. Embrace the old adage of a place for everything and everything in its place to start, according to stylist Liz Strong. Dont underestimate the power of a tray to corral things, she advises. Maximalists should strive to be organized, as a go-to organizational system will keep things from growing out of hand. Examples of Maximalist Design A Collectors Colorful EntryDavid TsayA Chic Country KitchenBecky Luigart-StaynerA Cozy, Quaint Living RoomBrie Williams An Artful (And Art-Filled) HallwayAlpha SmootA Pattern-Forward BedroomAstrid Templier A Bold and Beautiful BathroomHelen NormanTour These Country Houses That Fully Embrace Maximalism:Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Nora and Doug OLeary admit they had ulterior motives when they bought their lakeside cabin in Cable, Wisconsin, seven years ago. They were fishing for a way to lure their three grown children to visit. For decades, the Twin Citiesbased couple and their kids Annie, Kat, and Bear vacationed a few times a year with extended family in the north woods of Wisconsin. I didnt think wed ever buy our own cabin, Nora says. But the couple soon realized it would be a way to keep the tradition going. When their real estate agent tipped them to a 1930s resort that was soon hitting the market, the couple headed up to Lake Owen that day. We walked down the hill to the cabin, and I was like, This is it! Nora says. They put in a bid that night.JOSH GRUBBSThe OLearys play bocce with daughter Kat and son Bear. (Dont let the smiles fool you. It gets competitive.)The 10.5-acres included more than 500 feet of lakeshore, a natural bog, and several smaller cabins and outbuildings. The main cottage had retained many of its nostalgic notes: low ceilings, pine walls, and quirky nooks and crannies. It was important, Nora says, to seamlessly weave those features into their cabins new chapter. The home had to live new and look old, says interior designer Lucy Penfield. After the renovation, it was time for recreation. The OLearys, after all, are no strangers to fun. Nora is president and CEO of toy company Manhattan Toy, and Doug has been known to establish playful cabin traditions, including bocce tournaments complete with team uniforms stored in a fish-cleaning-house-turned-locker-room. That unfussy approach is what draws in as many as 40 family members at a time. We wanted to maintain that humble fishing-camp vibe, which keeps us grounded to the history here, Nora says. Were lucky to be passing through and to care for and share this magical place. Keep reading to tour these beautiful rustic-meets-refined, old-meets-new family cabin: More Cozy Country Cabins to Explore:Nostalgic TouchesJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonBuilt in the 1930s, this property was once part of a Lake Owen resort known as Island View, which the OLearys were lucky enough to learn about the fishing camps history from its previous owners and a local antiques stores black-and-white photos of families sunbathing on the floating wooden raft and rowboats tied to a nearby dock. The resorts original dining hutch was moved here in the entry as a place to store keys, flashlights, and other sundries. Vintage Island View photos and vases picked up at the towns antique shops fill out the shelves. Built-in, wrap-around benches provide a place to drop bags or grab Scouts leash on the way out the door. The glass ceiling lights have iron strapping, which emulates hammered hardware common on cabin cabinetry from years gone by. RELATED: The Best Cabin Decorating Ideas Thatll Turn Your Home Into a Cozy, Collected EscapeKnotty Pine WallsJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonWhen I walk in here, it reminds me of the great lodges I visited as a kid, says Doug of the original pine walls that cast a golden glow. Low pine-paneled ceilings reinforce the cozy feel. So often when people redo cabins, they go right to a 9- or 10-foot ceiling, but we didnt want to do that, says architectural designer Sara Whicher. We tried to keep the intimacy. The living rooms original wood-burning fireplace, made of Wisconsin fieldstone, and the cozy leather sofa, layered with a vintage trading blanket, draw the family indoors after a day of hiking the Nordic ski trails.What Is It? What Is It Worth?Vintage SnowshoesDoug found these vintage snowshoes, handcrafted of wood and animal hide, from a Canadian dealer on eBay. Some intricately woven Native American examples are valued at more than $2,500 a set.Help-Yourself Open ShelvingJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonWhile Doug flips hotcakes on the range, a dozen more family members can weave in and out of the kitchen, helping themselves to dishes from the open cabinets. The idea was to avoid people asking where things are, Nora says. Its all right there. Beadboard cabinets, soapstone countertops, and handmade terra-cotta tiles set on the diagonal add to the vintage cottage vibe. The moody blue color of the cabinetry helps break up the natural wood throughout.Get the Look:Kitchen Cabinet Paint Color: Philipsburg Blue by Benjamin MooreRELATED: 30+ Beautiful Blue Kitchen Cabinet Ideas to Elevate Your HomeGather-Round SpacesJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonA pair of old logs from Island View resort frame the grain-sack-covered banquette where Nora and her sisters like to slide into to play dominoes or a game of hearts. (Board games are stashed underneath the seats.) A jagged-edge sign thats also original to the resort hangs above. Doug, who retired a year ago from marketing, hopes to use it to inspire a logo for the property. RELATED: 45+ Breakfast Nook Design Ideas for a Stylish Start to Every DayHappy Hour HideawaysJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonAs the official family bartender, Doug is known to concoct signature cocktails like Whiskey Cider, a fall favorite. The sunshine-yellow Smeg stays stocked with craft beers. You can come in from the boathouse, whiz through here, grab a beer, and head out to the bocce court on the other side of the house, says Sara of the pass-through dining space.Laid-Back SeatingJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa Evidon Conversations and snacks also flow from the bar area to the sitting room, where the sofa doubles as a guest bed. Spool chairs covered in tartan plaid and layers rugs pick up on the classic cabin look. New casement windows with pocket hinges swing into the room, a detail that picks up on the original architecture. This room had to live new and look old, says Lucy. and lets crisp breezes blow through.Quiet, Get-Away SpacesJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonAlthough the cabin went through a renovation, much of the original floorplan was preserved, including this area. Its now the game room and a quiet spot to pull out a laptop and work if necessary. Furnished simply with a game table and pull-up benches, the floor is layered with Navajo rugs. Wrap-around windows let the fall foliage colors seep inside. It was a strange little room that had no real purpose, so it became the quiet room and now its one of the familys favorites, says Lucy. Airy Sleeping QuartersAlyssa LeeWith all of the activity happening downstairs, quiet quarters for napping and sleeping were a must. (Between Nora and Dougs families, there are 10 nieces and nephews, plus other visiting relatives ranging in ages from 6 weeks to 81 years.) Part of the renovation meant carving out more sleeping space in the 10-by-7-foot attic, which Sara expanded by adding dormers to both sides of the house and tucking beds under the eaves. A fresh coat of white paint refreshed much of the space. When we first crawled up there, it was dark and dank and woody and icky, says Lucy. We needed to open it up and lighten it but also bring the spirit of the cabin vibe from downstairs. Get the Look: Wall Paint: Cloud White by Benjamin MooreAlyssa LeeAlyssa LeeThe team also tucked in cozy bed nooks throughout. In the guest room, branch cutouts (a nod to the birch trees that surround the cabin) frame one of the new built-in bunks. In another area, they added a scallop frame to the original v-groove paneling surrounding the new bunk. Underneath, drawers hold extra bedding. RELATED: 35+ Cozy Reading Nook Ideas for Whiling Away the AfternoonStunning Lake ViewsAlyssa LeeIn the upstairs hall bath thats built into the original window dormer, a small mirror is tucked inside the vintage medicine cabinet to maximize lake views. There are hooks everywhere, so there are plenty of places to hang your towel or bathing suit, says Sara.RELATED: 30+ Rustic Bathroom Ideas To Give Your Space Lots of Cozy CharacterHumble MaterialsJosh Grubbs, styling by Lisa EvidonAll of the homes exterior elements, such as the roofs green shingles and galvanized metal, look like what would have been used to originally build the 1930s cabin. Doug and Nora wanted it to look like everything came from Rondeaus, says Sara, referring to the local hardware store. We tried to replicate what was here before. When they built these cabins 85 years ago, they were practical and straight- forward. There was nothing fancy about them, says Nora. One thing that did change slightly was a new, wider back porch that provides more lounging options but maintains a low profile with the rest of the cabin.Tour More Cozy Cabins:

Stately, symmetrical, and just-a-touch serious, Georgian-style homes are known for giving a grand first impression. A hallmark of Americas Colonial era, these typically two-story homes proliferated along the East Coast during the 18th century, and remain one of Americas most common home styles even today thanks in large part to their airy rooms and resplendent grandeur.Keep reading to learn the defining characteristics of Georgian architecture, along with the history of the style. Jump to:More Historic Home Styles to Know:What are the distinct features of Georgian-style homes? Illustration by Melinda JosieThough named for the Georgian Era of English history, which lasted from 1714 to 1837 under the reign of the House of Hanover, the Georgian architectural style is largely inspired by the ideals of the Italian Renaissance. For many, the idea of Georgian-style architecture suggests formality, rigorous classicism and uncompromised symmetry, says Rafe Churchill, a principal at Connecticut-based architecture and interior design firm Hendricks Churchill. Common exterior characteristics in American Georgians include:Rectangular or square in shape, and typically at least two stories tallFlat-front facadeMulti-pane windows with double-hung sashesA paneled front doorA transom window above the front doorDecorative pilasters flanking both sides of the front doorA decorative pediment above the front doorDecorative molding or dentils along the roof cornice lineA central chimney or symmetrically paired chimneysThe interiors of Georgian homes Annie SchlechterThe crown molding in the dining room of this upstate New York farmhouse exudes Georgian elegance. The interior layout of a Georgian-style home is typically rooted in a grand central hall that connects two symmetrical side wings. In keeping with Greek and Romanesque proportions, ceilings are high and rooms have large footprints to allow for easy living, entertaining, and decorating. (Hence the enduring popularity of the styleit can easily adapt to different decorating trends!) Similar to the exterior, pediments occasionally sit atop interior doorways, and decorative millwork (dentil crown molding, wainscoting, etc.) can be found throughout. Interior design trends ranged widely during the Georgian Erathats what happens when a time period lasts over a century!and included everything from rigid and richly colored Baroque elements to the lighter pastels and natural motifs of the French Rococo movement. RELATED: This Georgian Farmhouse is the Perfect Mix of Vintage and ModernHow to decorate a Georgian home todayAnnie SchlechterShould you find yourself the lucky inhabitant of a historic Georgian homeor are just looking to emulate oneRafe recommends focusing on the interior millwork and ornamentation and sticking with more muted paint colors. A more subtle palette can still include shades of greens, blues and reds, but its the shadow lines of the millwork that should be prioritized, he explains. We would avoid looking past the architecture for a bold color choice. Renovations-wise, a kitchen update would be top priority for Rafe, as cooking spaces were smaller in historic homes. This is where things get tricky, though, he notes. We love an authentic kitchen, but property owners will be most focused on the kitchen, requesting new cabinetry, appliances and additional storage. To keep things modest, he suggests adding a walk-in pantry for food, platters, and small appliance storage, which would eliminate a need for walls of additional cabinetry.The history of Georgian architectureJeff Spicer//Getty ImagesThe trademark Georgian symmetry of Buckingham Palace is credited to architect John Nash.As is the case with Colonial architecture, Georgian technically refers to a time period, not an exact aesthetic. The Georgian Era ran from 1714 to 1837, and covered the reign of Hanoverian Kings George I, II, III, and IV, as well as William IV, who ascended the throne after his brother, George IV, passed away. (Youll recognize one of those Georges in particular from pop culture: George III is the king in both Hamilton and Bridgerton.) England was undergoing massive changes during this time. Populations were booming, the Industrial Revolution was beginning, and cities and towns were growing increasingly dense. The aesthetic ideals of the Italian Renaissance had finally made their way to the U.K. and the Age of Enlightenment was underway. As a result, more housing was needed, and the tastes of merchant and noble classes needing said housing were becoming more elegant, restrained and refined. NetflixWith its twin chimneys and decorative pilasters surrounding the front door, the wisteria-covered Bridgerton family residence is a charming example of Georgian architecture. This resulted in the Georgian-style terraced row houses that even today are something of an English signature, as well as the sprawling country mansions that serve as the backdrop for classic stories such as Pride & Prejudice and, yes, Bridgerton. (Fun fact: Buckingham Palace as its known today was expanded under King George III by architect John Nash, and is largely of Georgian style.) These changes inevitably made their way over to the British colonies, where populationsand subsequently cities, towns, and educational centerswere similarly booming. And unlike the opulent Baroque styles of the preceding era, Georgian architecture was exponentially easier to replicate with the building materials and pamphlets available stateside. What started as a style reserved for the upper class shifted toward an architecture for the middle class, says Rafe. The bones are still there, but the ornamentation was pared down and at times the function of the building became more apparent. As a result, Georgian architecture is still one of the most enduring styles of American building to this day. Whats the difference between Georgian and Colonial style homes? Alpha SmootSet on a pastoral property in Hampton, Connecticut, this Georgian Colonial glows in a custom shade of golden mustard. In North America, Georgian is a subset of the Colonial era, and subsequently a subset of Colonial architecture. That said, aesthetically speaking, a Georgian is more likely to break from the side-gabled roof of a traditional Colonial, and will more often have dormers on the roof. A Georgian is also more likely to have paired chimneys and a more embellished front door than a Colonial. Whats the difference between Georgian and Federal homes? Though the Founding Fathers might disagree, the differences between Georgian and Federal-style homes are arguably rather minimal. As the colonists shirked off British rule, they also sought to distance themselves aesthetically from the mother country, and Georgian architecture was adapted to create a new style suitable for the fledgling United States. Key differences include semi-circular fan lights above a Federals front door, pilasters and pediments extended out from the front facade to form a shallow portico, and, most notably, side wings and/or polygonal projections extending from the primary square or rectangular structure. Whats the difference between Georgian and Victorian style homes?Quite a bit! Where Georgians prioritize symmetry, classical proportions, and restrained adornment, Victorian-style homes are all about asymmetry and over-the-top gingerbread embellishment. Their interiors are often filled with a winding maze of surprise nooks and closed-off rooms, while Georgians are anchored in a center hall that intuitively transitions into side wings.Decorating Ideas for Georgian House Enthusiasts:Sarah ZlotnickSarah Zlotnick is the Lifestyle Director at Country Living, where she covers a little bit of everythingsmall towns, life in the country, and, her favorite, antiques. A research buff at heart, she loves a deep dive into the history of vintage finds and uncovering the reasons behind old-as-time traditions.Expert consulted:Rafe ChurchillAs an owner of and principal at Connecticut-based architecture and interior design firmHendricks Churchill, third-generation builder Rafe Churchill crafts traditional buildings inspired by the historic architecture of New England. He holds an undergraduate degree in architecture from Bennington College.

When Texas couple Rachel and Harrison Wright were ready to revamp their kitchen in time for holiday entertaining, they knew exactly who to call. Enter designer Claire Zinnecker. Claires classic approach to timeless farmhouse style made for contemporary family living meant she was a no-brainer for Rachel and Harrison. (You might recognize Claires name from our April 2023 issue, where her $15,000 farmhouse graced the cover!) Here are 9 ways Claire added classic country charm to their previously-basic bungalow kitchen. Get More Ideas For Giving Your Kitchen a Holiday Refresh: Becky Luigart-Stayner1. Cheery Green CabinetryTo maximize space in Rachel and Harrisons 165-square-foot kitchen, Claire lined the room with Shaker-style fronted cabinetry, all painted a soft sage green. Along one wall, floor-to-ceiling built-ins not only house the hold-it-all pantry that was at the top of the homeowners wish list, but also the custom-paneled refrigerator and hidden appliance garage. Get the Look:Cabinetry Paint Color: Lichen by Farrow & BallIsland Paint Color: Stony Ground by Farrow & BallRELATED: These Are the Top 25 Best Green Paint Colors for Your Kitchen Cabinets, According to DesignersBecky Luigart-Stayner2. High-Contrast MarbleStriking three-centimeter-thick slabs of Calacatta Viola marble sit atop the lower cabinetry and the creamy white island. Unlike its subdued cousin Carrara, this spirited Calacatta marble is known for its bold purple veining. Along the perimeter countertops, the stone extends six inches up the walls to act as an eye-catching backsplash. RELATED: Our Hall-of-Fame Kitchen Island Ideas Will Have You Ready to Restyle YoursBecky Luigart-Stayner3. Collected Copper AccentsThe kitchens crowning moment comes with the scallop-edge vent hood that Rachel had custom made after seeing a similar antique version at auction. To continue the copper thread, Claire mounted a handy kitchen rail for Rachels copper cookware collection. The retro-inspired range and textured Zellige tile add classic cottage charm. Get the Look: Wreaths: Real Touch Norfolk Pine Wreath by AfloralRange Hood: Custom Scalloped Copper Range Hood by Range Hood Master Range: Nostalgie II Range by IlveTile: Off White Zellige Tile by Cemento CollectionKitchen Rail: Stella Kitchen Rail by Anthropologie4. Feminine Flared SconcesA trio of aged brass gooseneck sconces continues the scallop theme, adding a touch of softness to the hardworking kitchen.Get the Look: Scalloped Sconces: Heirloom Sconce by Hudson Valley Lighting GroupBecky Luigart-StaynerRELATED: Try These Kitchen Lighting Ideas to Stylishly Brighten Your Cook Space5. Hardworking Farmhouse SinkNo family kitchen is complete without a deep sink, a staple in farmhouses since the spread of indoor plumbing. Crafted from durable Fireclay, this fluted apron-front piece pairs beautifully with a classic aged brass bridge faucet.Get the Look: Fluted Farmhouse Sink: Mitzy Farmhouse Sink by Signature HardwareBrass Bridge Faucet: Aged Brass Ionian Tap by deVOLGet the Look of This Christmas KitchenAnthropologie Stella Kitchen Rail Bar$58 at AnthropologieCredit: Courtesy of RetailerLoloi x Rifle Paper Co. RunnerNow 63% Off$63 at WayfairCredit: Courtesy of RetailerTerra-Cotta Pot$9 at Ace HardwareCredit: Becky StaynerReindeer Candlestick Set$44 at brookeandlou.comCredit: Courtesy of RetailerDorchester Counter StoolNow 25% Off$171 at ballarddesigns.comCredit: Courtesy of RetailerChristmas Crackers$36 at merimeri.comCredit: Courtesy of Retailer6. Festive FlourishesCome December, the kitchen is dressed in holiday cheer thanks to shaggy pine garland and wispy wreaths. On the shelves, aged terra-cotta pots are tied up with cranberry red ribbon that complements the kitchen runner. They stay stocked with grab-and-go silverware for at-the-ready holiday entertaining.Get the Look: Grosgrain Cranberry Ribbon: Berwick Offray Grosgain Ribbon on AmazonTerra-Cotta Pot: Deroma Planter by Ace Hardware Becky Luigart-Stayner7. Classic Open ShelvingIn lieu of upper cabinets, Claire hung handsome solid white oak shelves, all 1.75-inches-thick, to give Rachel a place to show off favorite finds, such as her collection of handcrafted ceramic dishware and antique oil paintings. RELATED: These Dreamy Open Shelving Ideas Prove You Dont Actually Need Upper Cabinetry8. Easy-Access DrawersDitching traditional shelved lower cabinets in favor of easy-to-use drawers was a no-brainer upgrade for Rachel, who felt her existing cabinetry functioned like an abyss of casserole dishes. Drawers are just so much more practical than cabinets. No more getting on your knees to pull out dishes, says Claire. The unlacquered brass bin pulls and knobs will patina over time.Get the Look: Shaggy Greenery: Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland by AfloralKitchen Runner: Eve Crimson from Rifle Paper Co. x Loloi Rugs on WayfairDrawer Hardware: Massey Bin Pull and Massey Drawer Pull by RejuvenationBecky Luigart-Stayner9. Handmade Farm TableOn Christmas morning, Rachel and Harrison, with their son, Anders, settle into ladderback chairs around the pine dining table to enjoy their breakfast tradition: the celebratory opening of Christmas crackers, followed by fresh warm monkey bread. Rachel scored the table from a hobbyist woodworker on Facebook Marketplace.Get the Look: Tartan Blanket: Fraser Hunting Blanket by Tartan Blanket Co.Christmas Crackers: Mixed Fun Crackers by MeriMeriRELATED: Beautiful Breakfast Nook Design Ideas for a Stylish Start to Every DayTour More Idea-Filled Country Kitchens:Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Weve all dreamed of a sweeping wall of bookcases filled with literary classics and a rolling library ladder for reaching the top shelf, where your next perfect read is waiting. And while there are many ways to display your books and collections (like floating shelves, free-standing bookcases, or even as stacks on your coffee or bedside table), nothing comes close to the form-meets-function of well-appointed built-in bookshelves.So if youre a lover of books, a collector of trinkets, or have a more-is-more sensibility, youve come to the right place (there never seems to be enough space for those treasures that spark joy!). Traditionally built-in bookshelves have been confined to living rooms, family rooms, home offices, and studies, and, of course, libraries. But designers are getting more creative, with book nooks sneaking their way into unexpected and delightful places like dining rooms, at the end of hallways, and even bathrooms (you know you read in the bathtub!). So keep scrolling to see beautiful ideas for adding new a built-in bookcase to your home or upgrading the bookshelves you already have. That library ladder is calling. Here are even more design ideas for book lovers and trinket collectors alike:1Paint Your Woodwork a Pretty ColorStacy Zarin GoldbergIn this family room, designer Cameron Ruppert took a cozy stone space with wood beams and added style and function withwall-to-wall blue-painted bookcases with custom strawberry vine needlepoint panels. The space is outfitted with an antique trestle table and chairs that serves double-duty as a workspace or gathering spot for playing cards or board games.Get the Look:Bookcase Paint Color: Stone Blue by Farrow and BallRELATED: The Top 100 Paint Colors For Every Room in Your House2Work with Your ArchitectureMary Margaret SmithDesigner Mark D. Sikes dreamed up this happy little corner in a home in Birmingham. Working with the quirky slant of the roof, he embraced the shape of this room and added a happy assortment of books and trinkets. Spines arranged by color add to the happy spirit. RELATED: 70 Stylish Kids Room Ideas That Even Grownups Will LoveAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Think Beyond BooksAlpha SmootWhen temperatures drop in autumn, homeowner Justin Reis stacks firewood along the bottom of his living room built-ins, which are painted a deep navy that took three tries to get right. Get the Look:Wall and Bookcase Paint Color: Dark Navy by BehrRELATED: Tour More of This Connecticut Georgian Colonial That is an Old House Lovers Dream4Use Reclaimed WoodAnnie SchlechterReclaimed barn boards add cozy texture to the walls of this primary bedroom, which features built-in shelves and an antique Swedish desk topped with a collection of tramp art boxes.RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Buying and Using Reclaimed WoodAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Create a Multi-Use RoomMarta Xochilt PerezNo library? No problem. Inspired by Irish pubs they visited during their travels, Minnesota homeowners Jeff and Jill Murphy created what the family calls its Dibrary, a dining alcove lined with bookcases.Get the Look: Wall Paint Color:Deep Caviar by Benjamin MooreRELATED: See More of This Dream Cottage on Minnesotas Lake Pulaski6Create a Campy SpaceBrie WilliamsHomeowner Kelly Gray On Golden Pond as major style inspirations for her choices, such as this living rooms rattan chairs that have drink and magazine holders. The perfectly crammed built-in bookcases add to the campy spirit of the room. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Balance with a WindowBecky Luigart-StaynerHomeowner and Country Living Editor-in-Chief Rachel Barrett filled her original built-ins in the family room of this former hunting lodge with antique treasures. The symmetrical casing with the window on the right side of the room brings balance to the fireplace wall. Get the Look:Sofas: "Madeline" by Kathy Kuo HomeSconces: "Flea Market" lantern from Circa LightingVintage Books and Trophies: from Palladio Home & GardenRELATED: Tour more of this before and after former hunting lodge in Mississippi.8Keep It On ThemeMaura McEvoyHomeowner Carter Smith embraced the mystery of his coastal Maine cottage (and indulged his Scooby-Doo obsessed niece!) when he dreamed up a secret revolving-door bookcase that leads to a powder room. Keeping on theme, he filled the shelves with his collection of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries.RELATED: 26 Collectors Share Their Favorite Carefully Curated Finds From Books To Pie ServersAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Dont Overlook the KitchenAdam AlbrightThis inset, channel-back banquette off the kitchen created the perfect narrow space for a built-in shelving nook used for storing cookbooks and extra kitchen knick-knacks. Get the Look:Kitchen Wall Paint Color:Dark Night by Sherwin-WilliamsRELATED: Tour More of This Wisconsin Cabin That Feels Like Happy Hour10Try the Cocoon Effect Peter MurdockPainting your built-ins the same color as your walls and trim can make any room feel more modern and cozy. Bonus: The cocoon effect can really help your books and antiques sing. Here, a vibrant green paint color compliments the warm wood floors and antique desk. Get the Look:Room Paint Color:Arsenic by Farrow & BallRELATED: More green paint colors than will liven up your rooms.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Think Outside the BoxPaige RumoreIf were honest, one of lifes great joys is reading a book in the bath. Here, built-in bookshelves in a bold blueish-black hue keep books nearby for just the occasion. Tip: Drop-in, alcove, or undermount tubs like the one shown here are best suited for this look, as they provide a natural base for built-ins.RELATED: Dozens More Ideas to Help You Add Soul to Your Bathroom12Add a Library LadderAaron ColussiWhen the Wright family turned a welding factory into their family home, this library/music room was created to connect two larger sides. The dressed up the simple white built-in shelving with a brand-new rolling library ladder. The nestled-in piano dates back to 1914. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Go with Dark Paint for High ContrastRikki SnyderHomeowner Jeannette Fristoe takes a more is more approach to decorating. Here, dark black built-ins showcase a collection of creamy white books and patinaed silver under the careful watch of a flock of antique sheep. Get the Look:Bookcase Paint Color: Jet Black by Behr14Make it ModernJohn GruenIn this Massachusetts cabin, the homeowner set the scene with pickled knotty pine walls and simple bookcases. Filling the shelves with neutral books and objects helps the texture of the wood shine and the graphic tin B, part of an old gas station sign, pop.RELATED: Wood Walls Are Back! Heres Everything You Need to Know About Knotty Pine.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Use as a Bedside TableDavid A. LandSkip adding a nightstand to your bedroom and add a floor-to-ceiling bookcase or built-in bookshelf unit instead. Then tuck a comfy reading chair and side table in front to create a reading nook for when youre not quite ready for bedtime. RELATED: The Most Comfortable and Cozy Chairs for Reading16Add Game Room StorageBrie WilliamsBuilt-ins traditionally grace living rooms and libraries, but here they enhance a game room with much-need room for game storage. Additionally, the extra shelving makes room for more personal collections like the homeowners vintage National Geographic magazines, which provide a fun yellow punch.RELATED: See more vintage finds in this Georgia lake house.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Surround a WindowDavid A. LandA window can be a lovely anchor for a custom bookcase. The sunny view helps break up visual density and the space underneath the window can be turned into a upholstered window seat or small shelf depending on how deep the space.RELATED: 35+ Cozy Reading Nook Ideas for Whiling Away the Afternoon18Create a Bookshelf NookMarta Xochilt PerezInside this Minnesota lake cottage, a mantel shelf that spans the length of the wall creates clever storage against a wall of moss rock. Besides providing a perch for displaying art and decor, its also accented with a built-in bookcase nook that holds the homeowners large collection of vintage vinyl records and music equipment.Get the Look:Blanket: Wool Throw by Faribault MillRug: Braided Jute Hand Woven Rug by FHYGGERELATED: Tour More of this Dream Cottage on Minnesotas Lake Pulaski.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Tuck Them Into a CornerALI HARPERTucked in the corner of the family room, a built-in bookcasepainted the same color as the walls for a calming, cohesive feelholds the homeownerss collections of leather books, earthy pottery, and copper accents. An over-sized upholstered reading chair placed irreverently in front helps the space feel layered and inviting. RELATED: See More of This Dreamy Alabama River Cottage That Beckons You to Slow Down and Savor Every Minute.20Go Floor to CeilingALI HARPERIn this welcoming living room, the homeowners opted to skip lower cabinets and instead ran the built-in shelving from floor to ceiling allowing for even more space for books, artwork, and antiques. Get the Look:Wall, Millwork, and Ceiling Paint Color: Mouses Back by Farrow & BallRELATED: Tour More of This Charming Cottage That is Proof that the Best Things Come in Small Packages.Maribeth B JonesDesign DirectorMaribeth B Jones is the Design Director of Country Living where she creates seasonal content full of warmth and playfulness. When shes not wrangling chickens for a cover shoot you can find her collecting vintage oil portraits or flipping pancakes in her sunny, yellow kitchen with her two chatty daughters.

Vinyl siding has long been known for its durability and affordability. But, perhaps its major appeal is the vast assortment of colors available to suit just about any style of home. Whether you are outfitting new construction or looking to refresh your existing vinyl siding, making the right color choice can have a big impact on your homes curb appeal and future resale value. You can decide to play it safe with a warm calming neutral such as white, gray, or tan or make a statement with a bold and rich saturated hue like blue or red. Besides personal preference, experts recommend there are a few things you should consider when picking a siding color: your homes architectural style and both the climate and landscape of its location. If you live in an historical neighborhood or housing development, there may also be expectations so check to see which colors are appropriate or HOA-friendly as you dont want to clash with a neighbor. Here, we spotlight some popular vinyl siding colors, according to the experts, and guide you on how to choose the right color that will elevate your homes own style.How should a homes design features impact your color choice?Brian Shaunfield, Store Manager at Lowes says to first consider the architectural style of both your home and surrounding homes. Victorian homes for example may look great with more vibrant or complex color schemes while a Colonial often benefits from traditional, more understated colors. For cottage and farmhouse styles, Robert Glass, Exterior Paint Merchant at The Home Depot says to lean into nature-inspired hues or crisp whites with dark trim. Its important to also consider existing features such as roofing, trim, window panes, and front door style when considering an overall color scheme. Architectural details and ornate features can be enhanced with accenting colors, so choose wisely when planning the layout. And when in doubt, design pros suggest opting for a monochromatic scheme, so choosing colors from the same family but a few shades apart. After all, you want a color scheme where everything interacts harmoniously. Why are climate and landscaping important?blooming trees and flower beds that flank the home and can ultimately impact how a color looks.Which colors are currently trending?deep blues to earthy greens and warm grays just to name a few. Color trends can also vary depending on where you live. We see a lot of regionality with colors in vinyl siding, says Sydney Joublanc, Exterior Roofing Projects and Vinyl Siding merchant at The Home Depot. Similar to paint, whites are most popular across the board, however warmer neutrals and deeper colors are becoming increasingly popular. Why is Light Reflective Value (LRV) important?LRV measures how much a color reflects light, with values ranging from 0 to 100. Darker colors tend to have a lower value whereas lighter colors score higher on things like energy efficiency and color-fading. Lowes experts recommend checking customer reviews and product descriptions to learn more about how colors perform based on these factors.Can I paint my existing siding?Valspars Duramax or Season Flex, HGTV Weathershield by Sherwin-Williams, or Behrs Marquee. Older vinyl may expand or contract when the weather changes, so you want a formulation that works on this type of surface. Second, before you paint the siding should be cleaned and fully dried. A primer is not necessary unless the original color has faded to the extent that it has become pitted or porous. Experts also recommend you paint when the temperatures are moderate, so fall and spring are ideal. Robert says to avoid choosing anything darker than the original siding color unless otherwise recommended by the material or paint manufacturer. Ready to start shopping? Below, find 25 vinyl siding color ideas to help you pick the right one:

No matter the style of your home or your decorating preferences, a white kitchen always looks right. Whether you want a warm and rustic farmhouse kitchen, an airy and fresh cottage or coastal look, or a more modern cook space, the color white is the perfect choice. Small kitchens and galley kitchens especially benefit from white as a base because it helps open up the space and make it look and feel larger. We know that white isnt a one color fits all, though, so get started by choosing the right white paint color for your walls and cabinetry. A good general rule of thumb is that cooler whites will give your space a crisp, airy look, while warmer whites feel calm and cozy.A white kitchen also doesnt have to be all white. In fact, making a white kitchen distinctly yours is half the fun. For a cozy farmhouse kitchen, layer a white kitchen with warm woods (think butcher block countertops, a wood vent hood, or reclaimed ceiling beams) and character-filled vintage accessories. Pairing white with rich, moody hues such as blue, green, or black, and accenting it with warm and rich brass finishes delivers a modern look. Choosing surfaces like a classic subway tile backsplash or marble countertops make for an elegant white kitchen thats timeless and sophisticated. Here, weve rounded up 60 of our favorite white kitchens that will appeal to both minimalists and vintage enthusiasts alike. Youre sure to find a look youll love!For more ideas for your kitchen from islands to lighting, check out these stories:1Give it a Sense of Age with Stained WoodworkMarta Xochilt Perez, styling by Matthew GleasonTo help the newly expanded and renovated kitchen feel in keeping with the rest of her historic farmhouse, homeowner Stefanie Turner used warmly stained quartersawn oak for the window trim. She replicated the finish on the base of the large center island (the top is Cambria quartz).Get the Look:Wall Paint Color: White Flour by Sherwin-WilliamsCabinet Paint Color: Smokey Taupe by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Add Christmas Cheer to Your Kitchen With These Holiday Decorating Ideas2Channel Nostalgic StylePhotograph by Donna Griffith, Design by Karen BertelsenIf it was good enough for the ancient Egyptians and Romans, then we say it is good enough for us. A black-and-white checkerboard floor brings a nostalgic, yet modern feel to a farmhouse kitchen. Pair the floor with clean-lined cabinetry and silver-toned finished to keep the modern bistro vibe. RELATED: Get the Look With Paint! 25+ Brilliant Ideas for Painted FloorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Ground it With Natural WoodBrie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversHomeowner Bambi Costanzo broke up the white cabinetry in her tiny kitchen by repurposing an old wood dry sink she found on Facebook Marketplace. To create the sink cabinet she took the piece apart and then installed the pieces separately under the window. It was almost too perfect for the space, she says.Get the Look:Farmhouse Sink: Whitehaus Fireclay SinkBridge Faucet: For similar, Signature Hardware Delacour FaucetRELATED: Tour More of This Tiny Cottage in West Virginia That Brims With Big Personality4Layer Various Neutral HuesMax Kim-BeeIn her Florida cottage, author Fifi ONeill paired creamy white-painted walls with whitewashed plywood floors that are a bit darker in hue. Chippy finishes on the shelves and island add patina that keeps the space from feeling too new. Burlap cabinet skirts set off all the varying shades of white and add humble texture. RELATED: Tour More of Fifis Charming Coastal CottageAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Pair it With BlueRoger DaviesYou dont have to look any further than a plate rack full of transferware to know there isnt any more classic color pairing for a kitchen than blue and white. In this California home designed by Alexis Garrett, the pops of blue through the range, diamond ticking-patterned backsplash tile, and woven stools feel fresh, happy, and timeless.Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color: Simply White by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Tour More of This California Beach Cottage That is the Epitome of Country Charm6Use Unpainted Wood For Cabinetry FrontsErin LittleIn this airy kitchen housed in a converted barn, designer Christina Salway balanced clean and lofty white surroundings with warming touches of natural wood as drawer and cabinet fronts and as trim on the windows. A dark stained antique sideboard adds to the balance and makes a fun conversation piece. Get the Look: : Wall, Ceiling, and Cabinetry Paint ColorAll White by Farrow & BallAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Bring in a Touch of ShimmerRoger DaviesDont be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to lighting. This tiny 100-square-foot space gets a dose of glamour with a sparkly crystal chandelier. RELATED: 10 Must-Follow Rules For Making a Small Space Beautiful 8Try a Checkered FloorKirsten FrancisInspired by centuries-old European farmhouses, designer Stephanie Perez opted for 12- by 12-inch off-white Crema limestone tiles and green marble tiles in this classic farmhouse kitchen. While hers are madeof natural materials that will patina nicely over time, peel-and-stick tiles offer a similar look with a wallet-friendly price tag. You can also get the look by painting the floor.Get the Look: For similar,Floor Tiles: Sterling Classic White Stoneand Nexus Forest Marble self-adhesive tiles from Home DepotCabinetry Paint Color: Creamy by Sherwin-WilliamsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Layer with Woven MaterialsMarta Xochilt PerezNatural woven materials make a great way to add texture and warmth to a white kitchen. In this lake house, the owner topped the island with two overscale woven pendant lights and also brought in texture through counter stools with woven backs. RELATED: See more of this dreamy lake house on Minnesotas Lake Pulaski.10Use Vintage-Inspired HardwareDavid A. LandAdd dimension to white cabinetry with oil-rubbed bronze or iron hardware. For extra vintage-style charm, use exposed hinges on doors and bin pulls for drawers.Get the Look: Hinges:surface mount butterfly hinges from Van DykesBin Pulls:Clayborne by RejuvenationRELATED: Tour More of This 1940s Maine Cottage That is a Joyful Cannonball Dive into Memories of Summers PastAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Hang a Plate RackCarina OlanderWhat farmhouse kitchen is complete without a collection on display? Skip overhead cabinets in lieu of a plate rack that lets your favorite vintage china stand in as artwork. RELATED: The 100+ Best Places to Shop for Antiques and Vintage Online12Bring in Gray TonesLincoln BarbourIf you want the airiness of an white kitchen, but dont want it to feel too cold and crisp, choose an off-white for the walls and ceiling. Then, bring in soft gray tones through some cabinetry and trim, soapstone or concrete countertops, and even lighting, as shown here with the trio of nickel pendant lights in this modern Mississippi kitchen.Get the Look: Wall and Ceiling Paint Color:Fleur de Sel by Sherwin-WilliamsRELATED: See more of this rustic-meets-refined Mississippi retreat that proves rough-hewn doesnt have to mean roughing it.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Dont Forget the BasketsMax Kim-BeeFor a cheap and easy storage solution, nothing tops a basket! The woven texture is also a natural complement to white cabinets and butcher block countertops.14Bring in Touches of BlackZIO AND SONSBlack and white kitchens date back to the 1920s and the look remains timeless today. In this upstate New York kitchen, Anthony DArgenzio of Zio and Sons delivered the classic pairing in a modern application of mosaic Zellige (terra cotta) tiles from his collection with Cl. A black range, stove, and countertops help punctuate the palette.RELATED: 40 Pretty and Practical Kitchen Backsplash IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Use Wood for the BacksplashTria GiovanTo bring the cozy factor to a white kitchen, consider using reclaimed wood for a backsplash that extends to the ceiling, as in this tiny farmhouse kitchen. The aged wood brings loads of character and makes a nice backdrop for artwork and glassware. RELATED: 6 Best Places to Find or Buy Reclaimed Wood Near You16Add a Wow Factor with Light FixturesDAVID TSAY, styling by Becki GriffinThere is so much to love about this pretty farmhouse kitchen, but hands-down, the stars of the room are the patinaed green antique French lanterns. Down below, soft gray concrete countertops pair well with limed oak barstools upholstered in a blue-and-white striped indoor-outdoor fabric.Get the Look: Wall Paint Color:Decorator's White by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Take a look inside the rest of this dreamy Texas farmhouse. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Create a Coastal LookDavid A. LandIn order to add more soul throughout the largely blank kitchen of her familys lake house, designer Chenault James brought in a smattering of reclaimed touches. Her husband, Ed, owner of Four Board Woodworks, built all the kitchen cabinets out of weathered cypress. Diner-inspired barstools add retro charm to the light blue kitchen island topped with Vermont Danby honed marble countertops.Get the Look:Blue Cabinet Paint Color: Rhine River by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Take a tour of the rest of this pretty and family-friendly Michigan lake home. 18Line Walls & Ceilings with BeadboardJim WestphalenRather than flat drywall, designer Cathy Chapman prefers how white beadboard (on the ceiling) and shiplap (on the walls) offer ample farmhouse appeal. Reclaimed waxed hemlock floorboards lend the room a rich tone. A built-in hutch made of reclaimed pine floorboards holds dishes, a salvaged pine header crowns therange, and walnut countertops carry up the backsplash for a cohesive look.Get the Look: Wall Paint Color:White Heron by Benjamin MooreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Paint the FloorDavid Hillegas, styling by Heather Chadduck HillegasThe best way to express color and pattern in a kitchen is with a painted floor, says designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas. To get a look similar to her kitchen floor, here, try a floor stencil, then give it instant age by using a paint sander to remove some paint. Coat with polyurethane.Get the Look:Trim and Cabinetry Paint Color:Shaded White by Farrow & BallCeiling Paint Color:Swiss Coffee by Behr20Give it a Bistro LookAnnie SchlechterBlack cabinetry pairs with to-the-ceiling subway tile for a modern look inspired by French bistros. A marble-like quartz wrapped island and countertops, plus glass and brass bistro shelving complete the look. Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color: Tricorn Black by Sherwin-WilliamsCountertop:Ella by CambriaShelves:Freyja from WayfairJennifer KopfJennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.

Lets face itsometimes more really isnt more. Especially when it comes to houses. I mean, do you really need all that square footage to fill (and clean!)? Enter the tiny home. (Purists of the tiny house movement define a tiny house to be no larger than 600 square feet, but a more relaxed definition raises that number to around 1,200.) Whether youre looking to downsize your primary residence, build a vacation cottage or cabin, or add a backyard guest house that can even be used as a granny pod, a tiny home could be just the answer. Not only are tiny houses just so darn cute to look at, but along with the tiny home lifestyle comes a smaller price tag, a reduced environmental footprint, and a simplified way of living. And, as more architects and design firms embrace these smaller homes, the design options for modern, cottage, farmhouse, and cabin style tiny homes continue to grow. (You wont believe the amount of style you can fit in to less than 1,000 square feet!). Below, weve rounded up our favorite tiny and small (theyre practically tiny!) homes to give you lots of inspiration to get you dreaming of or actually planning your own tiny house to build or buy. Many of the featured houses even have plans available for purchase or are sold as ready-to-assemble kits. And, if you love the romance of a tiny home but arent ready to commit to permanently downsizing, youll even find several houses that are available as vacation rentals. So, go on, get started on that tiny home dream today!Get more tiny home decorating inspiration:1Clapboard CottageBecky Luigart-StaynerWith the help of his dad and brother, homeowner Landon McAfee spent 15 months renovating his 1940s-era, two-bedroom, one-bath,800-square-foot cottage in Tennessee. His green thumb inspired his happy color choice for the front door and window trim (Bunker Hill Green by Benjamin Moore). In front his four-season, ode-to-the-South garden included hydrangeas, azaleas, and abelia.RELATED: 16 of the Best Tiny Houses on Wayfair (Free Shipping Included)2Seaside HomesteadMaura McEvoyMaine homeowners Lili Liu and Blake Civiello turned a grouping of tiny 100-year-old clapboard structuresincluding a guest cottage, roadside shed, and fishing shackinto their unconventional home. The largest buildingthe cottagemeasures just 700 square feet and includes 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. Another small building that used to be the lobster pound now houses a summer kitchen.RELATED: The Best Exterior House Colors To Give Your Home Inviting Curb AppealAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Beach CottageMatt AlbianiNamed Sea Roost, this 1940s Montauk, New York beach cottage of Matt Albiani and Ron Brand is filled to the brim with vintage nautical finds from their shop Mate Gallery. Measuring in at just1,000 square feet, the shingled house is one of the last few original fisherman cottages in the towns Hither Hills area. Bonus: yes, its rentable! TAKE THE TOURRELATED: What, Exactly, is a Cape Cod-Style House?4Rustic CabinMaura McEvoyThis tiny, single-story Maine camp was built in 1950 and abandoned for years before the current homeowners brought it back to life. Inside, the homes 950 square feet got a cheery makeover by removing the drop ceilings and painting all the existing dark brown paneling a warm white. Not only did it brighten the space, but it also helps the tiny home feel much larger. TAKE THE TOURAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Boat HouseMatthew WilliamsWho says your tiny home has to be on land? When Lyndsay Caleo Karol, the creative director of The Brooklyn Home Company, and her father spotted a Lord Nelson tugboat while cruising across New Yorks Canandaigua Lake, she became smitten with the idea of having her own. Enter Lucy...her 49-foot floating home away from home. With white beadboard walls and ceilings and lots of blue and white textiles, it has all the charm of a country cottage.TAKE THE TOUR6Modern FarmhouseDavid TsayA top-to-bottom renovation turned this 1,000-square-foot circa-1870s farmhouse into the sunniest little house ever. A new galvanized metal roof gives the simple white structure a modern edge. Inside, white shiplap lines ever wall and restored wood floors add warmth to every room. But, the star is the canary yellow cabinetry in the 98-square-foot galley kitchen.TAKE THE TOURAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Converted SchoolhouseMax Kim-BeeDesigners John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage looked outside the home box for their upstate New York tiny home. In just 858 square feet, their happy converted 1840s schoolhouse features at least a dozen paint colors, just as many patterned fabrics and wallpapers, and ample antiques behind its No. 2 pencil-colored door.TAKE THE TOUR8Restored Folk VictorianChase DanielThe Duckworth family saved this tiny two-room Folk Victorian cottage from the wrecking ball and transformed it into the dreamiest little 635-square-foot tiny home ever. As if the petite front porch isnt inviting enough, the wallpaper-clad kitchen boasts a vintage mint-colored enamel range! TAKE THE TOURRELATED: 21 Cozy Cottage-Style Homes That Charm from All AnglesAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Converted BoathouseMatt AlbianiWhen building a house with a small footprint, you have some unique lot options, like this converted boathouse of designer Gary McBournie. To make the most of the 880 square feet, Gary used clever space-saving design ideas like wall sconces instead of lamps and a built-in banquette for seating.10Buccolic CottageErin KellyWhen renovating their tiny 700-square-foot 1920s cottage, architect Greg Dutton and his wife, interior designer Liz Dutton, kept the focus on retaining the homes original architecture (Shaker-front cabinetry, clapboard siding) while freshening up the palette and furnishings.TAKE THE TOURAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Saltbox FarmhouseBuff StricklandA large front porch tucked under the sloped standing-seam metal roof, adds extra living space to this 1,000 square-foot Texas farmhouse. Painting all the interior walls and ceilings a warm white keeps the whole house feeling airy.RELATED: Amazon Is Selling a Foldable Tiny Home That's the Definition of Cozy Living12Cozy Lake HouseMARTA XOCHILT PEREZ, styling by Jennifer DecleeneAbby and Joe Albers turned their 800-square-foot Michigan lake cottage into a this nostalgia-rich retreat filled with vintage collections. Inside, all white walls keep the small space feeling open and airy, while also serving as a clean backdrop for all of Abbys camp-style collections.TAKE THE TOURAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Rustic RetreatBrie WilliamsArchitect Bobby McAlpine designed this tiny rural retreat for country music superstar Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins. designed to be a seamless transition from the surrounding country to the interiors, the home incorporates natural materials and a warm, woodsy palette. Inside the open floor plan includes a tucked in bed nook and a small, but well-appointed kitchen. TAKE THE TOUR14Antiques-Filled BungalowBrie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversNestled in a valley surrounded by towering sycamore trees, Bambi and Frank Costanzos tiny (996 square feet!) 1920s bungalow stands tall thanks to its handsome dark exterior. The front porch originally extended all the way across the house, but Bambi co-opted one half to get extra room for a new library inside.TAKE THE TOUR Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Grain Silo Guest HouseWynn MyersAntiques dealer Amy Kleinwachter transformed a 14-foot-round grain silo into this quirky one-of-a-kind 1,000-square-foot guesthouse. Besides the silo itself, the home feature numerous other salvaged materials such as weathered beadboard, sheet metal, window frames, and even an old metal awning. TAKE THE TOUR16Open Air Living RoomKathleen PierattSo its admittedly a little unconventional, but this tiny home concept really makes the best of indoor/outdoor living. Built by Lockhart-based Reclaimed Space and affectionately dubbed Bee Camp, the butterfly structure forgoes walls and windows in favor of an open-to-the-elements approach. Under the metal roof structure is the open-air kitchen and living room (equipped with a big screen for movie nights!) and the vintage Airstream provides the sleeping quarters. A full bath sits in the middle.TAKE THE TOURAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Coastal CottageTroa GiovanSaltboxes and Cape Cod-style cottages have historically been small in size and offer lots of information on how to live big in a compact space. Seasoned with coastal character, this historic home of designer Jennifer Vaughn-Miller and her family packs ample seaside charm into its tiny 1,000-square-foot footprint. A highlight of the tiny home is the narrow 28-foot-wide hearth perfectly sized for the cozy living room. TAKE THE TOUR18A Jewel of a HomeMs. Gypsy SoulIn 2005, Jewel Pearson began downsizing, eventually transitioning into an apartment and, now, her beautiful tiny house with wood tones and touches of red. The 28-foot-long home has a garden path, porch, and fire pit for ample outdoor entertaining, too. View a video of the interior!BUY THE PLAN Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Dynamic DuoLiving Tiny with The BushesMarek and Ko are the adorable couple behind Living Tiny with the Bushes, their YouTube channel chronicling each others lives and the renovations of their equally adorable tiny house. Whether chatting about the pros and cons of tiny-house living or being featured on Good Morning America, Marek and Ko are a must follow for tiny-house enthusiasts.WATCH LIVING TINY WITH THE BUSHES20Greenhouse Meets Tree HouseChristina SalwayThis upstate New York picturesque perch, owned by Treehouse Masters Christina Salway, is constructed from roughly 75 salvaged windows.TAKE THE TOUR Jennifer KopfJennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.

It seems today, more yards than ever are packed with glowing orange pumpkin string lights and eerie Halloween tableaus. But long before there were haunted house inflatables, 12-foot-tall skeletons, and giant spider webs, there were grinning paper pulp jack-o-lanterns and spooky black cat and witch die-cut cards, invitations, and party decorations. Since the late 1800s, Halloween has been a popular holiday for themed parties and festive decorations, and today, those vintage items remain popular among collectors, with some categories (swizzle sticks! black cat tambourines!) bringing higher values than ever at antiques shows, auctions, and through online sites like eBay and Etsy. Below are a few of our favorites to keep your eye out for...*Appraisal Values Updated October 2024 by Appraiser Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions. These values have been collected by averaging auction prices realized from different sources and may differ from prices on the same item offered for sale by a private dealer. An auction value is more or less based on rarity, condition and desirability (bidding activity) of a specific maker, form or pattern.For More Frightful Ways to Celebrate Halloween: Beistle Bow Tie Cat Die-CutCourtesy of OwnerMeasuring 36-by-24 inches, this striking bow tie-wearing cat is a circa-1945 embossed die-cut cardboard wall hanging made by the Pennsylvania-based Beistle Co. Halloween traces its origins to the Celtic or Druid people who thought this time of year marked the death of the old year and beginning of the new one, says appraiser Helaine Fendelman. Following WWI, American companies such as Beistle began creating products with images ranging from spooky ghosts to smiling jack-o-lanterns, witches, and cats for a public eager to decorate their homes for the Halloween holiday. Wall plaques such as these were popular from the 1930s through the 50s.What Its Worth:$50 Vintage GameCourtesy of OwnerAppraiser Bene Raia of Raia Auctioneers reports this treasure is a ca.-1950s Parker Brothers version of The Black Cat Fortune Telling Game. Its fitting that Salem, Massachusetts, the town known for witches and witchcraft, is home to the company that manufactured this game, says Bene. While Parker Brothers released their first edition of Black Cat in 1897, they didnt originate the 24-card game, and several other companies also produced their own versions. Take Note:Amazon.What Its Worth: for the 1950s Parker Brothers version (An original first edition of The Black Cat game from 1897 can sell for $200-$400 if complete!)$30 Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowKirchhof Tin NoisemakersBrian WoodcockGerman immigrant Charles Kirchhof founded his Newark, New Jersey-based Kirchhof Patent Co. in 1852, making and developing patents for, among other things, Christmas tree candleholders and various toys. He entered the Halloween market in 1928 with his trademarked tin ratchet. Other types of Kirchhof noisemakers followed, including (clockwise from top left) rattlers, whistles (or sliders), clickers, clangers, and tambourines (not pictured). Due to cost, the materials and styling changed over the years, but the original designs of smoking pumpkins, grinning cats, and dancing devils remained largely unaltered. In fact, in the 1950s, the company reissued many early designs as its Life of the Party collection. Kirchhof eventually went out of business in the 1960s.What Its Worth: for tamborines, specifically with black cats, devils, pumpkins, and witches $100 to $300 $20 to $375 for horns, kazoos, clickers, and clappers (Rarity and condition affect values; avoid rusted items or missing handles.)Special thanks to Mark Ledenbach, HalloweenCollector.com, forsharing his collection.Metal Chocolate MoldCourtesy of Chairish/Chairish.comThis bewitching find is a 1960 Vormen-fabriek Tilburg witches chocolate mold (the 60 stamped marking designates the year manufactured). Starting in 1926, the Holland-based company made chocolate molds depicting everything from barrels to figural pieces like Santa, bunnies, and even a 35mm camera, says appraiser Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions. The majority of vintage molds we see offered are singular and not these larger, four-part molds like [these]. Vormenfabriek Tilburg continues to make candy molds of all types, although they are now primarily of silicone and polycarbonate instead of cast aluminum and steel.What Its Worth:$50Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHoneycomb DecorationsBrian WoodcockBeistle was the most prolific in turning out paper decorations throughout the first half of the 1900s. Known for their iconic artistry and graphics used on die-cuts and invitations, the company also perfected and produced the very popular honeycomb paper table decorations. Some opened full-round like the corn shocks and cat. The Dancers, so called for their bouncy, accordion-like arms, legs, and torsos, were among the companys most popular decorations.What Its Worth: for mid-century scarecrows from under $20up to $350-$450 for rare pieces like an intact witch and cauldron and the 1930 accordion-like Devil DancerBridge Tally CardsCourtesy of OwnerThroughout the 1920s, the game of bridge grew in popularity and, in the 1930s, it became fashionable to provide decorative bridge tally (or scoring) cards to players for use at the tables during bridge parties. Several American companies such as Beistle, Dennison, Volland, and Whitney made these festive Art Deco die-cut cards. Its hard to determine their exact maker when the cards are unmarked as these are.What Its Worth:in general, but interest in these has escalated and collectors are paying as much as $60 for some$10 to 20 per card, RELATED: The 100+ Best Places to Shop for Antiques and Vintage OnlineAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below20th-Century Steiff Tomcatscourtesy of ownerWhile now known primarily for their teddy bears, the German-based Steiff toy company loved the tomcat and, starting shortly after their founding in 1880, consistently made the plush cats figure in a range of sizes from 8 to 22 centimeters, says appraiser Bene Raia of Raia Auctioneers. A Steiff black cat can be identified by its arched back, pink-stitched nose, whiskers, and bright green glass eyes. Earlier versions, like the one on the right, were made of velvet, while post-1904 cats such as the one on the left, are of mohair and boast fluffy tails. Bene adds that although Steiff plush toys were previously worth a lot of money, the current value is much less. Train Your Eye: Dont forget to check the ear! All Steiff toys had a trademark ear button. Without it, authenticity is hard to prove. What Its Worth: (the larger the size, the higher the value! And, the collecting interest is elevated around Halloween)up to $400 for the pairMid-Century Swizzle SticksBRIAN WOODCOCKNamed for the swizzlestick tree stems used to stir Swizzles, the 18th-century Caribbean rum drink, these festive sticks became popular in the U.S. thanks to 1930s tiki bars. By the 1950s, the imprinted molded plastic cocktail stirrers were standard souvenirs at restaurants. Today, there are collectors of both general swizzles and Halloween-themed specifics making them insanely popular.What Its Worth:$5 to $25 eachAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowHalloween Cookie CuttersBrian WoodcockStill in its original box, this collection of metal Trick or Treat Cooky Cutters was manufactured sometime in the 1940s or 50s, says appraiser Bene Raia of Raia Auctioneers. She adds that sets of themed cutters such as this were mass-produced throughout that time period, so because this box lacks any markings, its, unfortunately, difficult to trace it to a specific manufacturer. One fun thing to note is the boxs printed suggestion to use the cutters to cut cheese, cranberry jelly, and thin breads. Over the years, our entertaining styles have changed significantly, says Bene. While today these cutters are primarily associated with cookie shapes (the preferred spelling changed from cooky to cookie in the mid-1900s), throughout the early and mid-1900s we were instead cutting our small sandwiches and garnishes. The cutters were also used to cut art clay.What Its Worth: $5 to $35 with box (however, recently a complete like new set sold at auction for $87!)Beistle Co. Die-Cut Cat BandBrian WoodcockIn 1920, the Pennsylvania-based company, Beistle Co., introduced a hair-raising line of party goods that helped popularize Halloween decorating in America. This jazzy die-cut quartet strikes a chord with Halloween collectors! Featuring light embossinga sure sign of their agethese cool cats bring in a lot of scratch. Reproductions of the 1940s design, which the company continues to make today, can be identified by their double-side printing and a lack of embossing.What Its Worth: $50 eachAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below1930s-50s Pulp Jack-o-Lantern courtesy of ownerAppraiser Leila Dunbar shared with Antiques Roadshow Executive Producer Marsha Bemko that this is a 1930s-50s American-made pumpkin lantern. Beginning in the early 1800s, Germany exported great molded paper or papier--mch jack-o-lanterns to the U.S., says Leila. However, with the rise of the Third Reich in the 1930s, production slowed down and various U.S. companies started to fill the void with pulp lanternsof a material similar to egg cartonsthat featured a paper inner mask with eyes, nose, and mouth. As can be imagined, with a candle inside, many of the masks went up in flames, as this one likely did.Train Your Eye: Beware of reproductions! If a lantern doesnt have any wear, it was probably made recently.What Its Worth: up to $200 to $300 for lanterns with angry or impish expressions and the original paper insert to make features glow. (Keep your eye out for the Devil Jack-o-Lanternone with its original paper mask recently sold for over $1,000!)Beistle Co. Party Games & InvitationsBRIAN WOODCOCKWith questions including Will I soon be engaged? and Does my employer like me? early Beistle Co. games like the 1930s Mystery Answer Board Game were marketed to adults. Another 1930s favorite, the Flaming Fortune Game, which also served as a table centerpiece, is a fairly common find but remains very popular with collectors. A slightly later iteration (shown here) boasts 12 flaming fortunesearlier versions only included six. Because they were typically tossed after use, invitations are among the most rare (read: sought-after!) Beistle items.Train Your Eye: Beistle items are still being produced. Early pieces are marked: Copyright Marin Beistle, Henry Luhrs.What Its Worth: (for single unused pop-up invitation) $100 to $400 (for a complete game in original packaging)Jennifer KopfJennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.Marsha DixeyConsignment director at Heritage Auctions, Marsha Dixey has worked in the Americana historical and collectibles business as a dealer/collector since 1978. She is a widely acknowledged expert generalist, handling almost anything falling under the Americana umbrella. Her interest in American social history has made her an expert in womens suffrage items and African Americana. After dealing in a general line of antiques including furniture, glassware and decorative Americana, Dixey followed her interest in premium antique advertising for years and served two years on the board of directors for the Antiques Advertising Association of America. Prior to coming to work for Heritage, she worked with Tom Slater at Slaters Provenance Auctions in Indianapolis, Ind. Their success in auctioning Americana and sports collectibles became the foundation of Heritage Auctions historical department, which they started in 2005.Marsha has appeared on Texas Storage Wars and several radio broadcasts discussing collectibles, their pricing and popularity.

For old house lovers, its often the details others consider drawbacks that tug at the heartstrings the most. Such was the case with Justin Reis and Mark Schwindenhammer when their real estate agent took them to see a foreclosure in the rural town of Hampton, Connecticut. Faded and peeling frescoes from the 1940s covered the dining room walls. The Realtor said, Dont worry, you can patch these up and paint over them, Justin recalls. I was like, Are you insane? These, to me, are the most special part of the house. Justin and Mark also embraced the Georgian Colonials uneven floorboards and wavy windowpanes. Alpha SmootJustin Reis and Mark Schwindenhammer, who work as event designers, enjoy creating seasonal outdoor spreads at their pastoral property in Hampton, Connecticut. At the time, the two were just looking for a weekend retreat from New York City, but after decamping in the house for a few months in early 2020, they decided to make it their primary home, which is frequently used for entertaining. (Theyre both event designers, after all.) We equate country to great hospitality, says Justin. We love starting fires in our guests bedrooms before everyone turns in for the night or sending them home with armloads of flowers and fresh eggs. (Speaking of, wait until you see the chicken coop below.)Aside from the kitchen, which required a renovation to shore up its structural support, the couple focused on preserving the existing character, while layering in materials that speak to the surroundings. We tried our hardest to bring the outside in, to make the environment around us part of our experience, says Justin. They also researched the homes previous owners, many of whom were women, to stay true to its spirit. (One resident was Florence England Nosworthy, a fairly recognizable illustrator. Another was 1970s magazine editor Muriel Hall.) Theres this sort of divinely feminine energy that runs through the house, says Justin. Obviously its not the most natural thing for us, but in the end, theres something really special about not touching it all that much.Layers of Found TreasuresAlpha SmootAlpha SmootIts sort of a gentlemans navy, Justin says of the living rooms saturated wall color that took three tries to get right but is now the perfect backdrop for the large pull-down map scored from Putnam Antiques Marketplace. Original and antique windowpanes in the classic 12-over-12 double-hung style filter in falls dappled light and cast a glow on layers of found treasures. Weathered floorboards and hand-hewn exposed beams frame comfortable upholstered sofas and chairs, providing plentiful places to plop down at the end of the day.Lighting the first fire of the season is so magical, says Justin. Its the perfect sort of transitional moment to get cozy. The warming cabinet above the living rooms fireplace, which likely had a door at one time, offers a spot to tuck in collected items. Another autumn ritual: stacking firewood along the living room wall. The narrow shelves were built by a previous owner to accommodate her book collection. Get the Look:Wall Paint Color: Dark Navy by BehrRELATED: 100+ Best Places to Shop for Antiques and Vintage OnlineFrescoes on DisplayAlpha SmootIn the dining room, muted blue millwork complements the hand-painted frescoes that were signed by the artist in 1948. The paintings are thought to reflect some of the flowersirises and columbinethat grew in the garden at the time the artist rendered them. Get the Look:Millwork Paint Color: De Nimes by Farrow & BallOld Meets New MaterialsAlpha SmootAlpha SmootAlthough they werent looking to renovate, the kitchen floor was essentially floating over nothing, says Justin. The wood floorboards were also warped beyond repair. (Theyre now repurposed as shelves elsewhere.) To replace them, the couple selected rough-edged porcelain tiles in varying sizes and asked the contractor to lay them randomly throughout the kitchen and, later, the pantry. The depth of one of the two existing islands was extended to add more seating, then both were topped with new granite waterfall countertops in a textured leather finish. We love the idiosyncrasies that come through in older pieces, but we also love a touch of luxury, especially in incredible materials, Justin says. Surrounding the islands are built-in cabinets that house an oven and the refrigerator. In the breakfast nook, Webster, one of the couples two Italian greyhounds, is partial to a velvet settee that pairs with an industrial table on casters. The 289 Main pennant was made and gifted to the couple by a friend (in honor of their address and business name), RELATED: Best Kitchen Design Ideas for Every Style and BudgetPretty and Practical SpacesAlpha SmootAlpha SmootIn what had previously been the laundry room, Justin and Mark created a pantry, complete with ample beadboard-backed open shelving and herringbone wood countertops.The heap of wicker baskets, many scooped up for just a few dollars, is an ever-evolving display. We love them for their practical purposes (collecting eggs, cutting flowers, using them to hold bread or produce, etc.), but we especially love to find really impractical shapes, like a pitcher or a chicken, Justin says.Meet the Chicken!Elizabeth, a Buff Brahma, is one of the many chickens named after European female monarchs.Nooks with CharacterAlpha SmootAlpha SmootMark sanded and refinished the wide-plank floorboards upstairs, where a marble bust anchors one end of the hallway. The dark room that looks out to the hall is an anteroom in which theyve covered the walls with art and objects theyve collected. We wanted this to feel more like a cabinet of curiosities, Justin says. The framed butterflies are from Deyrolle in Paris and theres a vintage needlepoint of an Italian Greyhound. Of the gallery walls throughout, including the art in the hallway, Justin says, We are such collectors because we are drawn to so much. A gallery wall is such a great way to incorporate all the things we love. Feminine TouchesAlpha SmootAlpha SmootUpstairs, feminine touches are on display, including the toile wallcovering in the guest bedroom. It was the red toile wallpaper that officially led to the this is our house moment, says Justin. Ticking stripe bedding plays well with the preexisting pattern, and an antique oil portrait lends a nod to the homes many previous female inhabitants. Justin and Markon separate visits to an antiques shopboth spotted and fell in love with the chinoiserie-upholstered armchairs that now nestle next to the rooms fireplace.RELATED: Guest Bedroom Ideas to Create a Cozy and Welcoming SpaceBotanical FlairAlpha SmootNew botanical wallpaper pairs with olive green cabinets and millwork in the upstairs bathroom. The antique globe sconces are from 1stDibs.Get the Look:Cabinet Paint Color: Shady Lane by Benjamin MooreWallpaper: Herbarium by GucciTucked-In Beds Alpha SmootIn the long, narrow space around the corner from the primary bedroom, a pair of twin beds from Craigslist tucks in more overnight guests. Its rare that were here by ourselves, Mark says. We love to get our friends out of the city for the weekend.Cozy Sleeping QuartersAlpha SmootOne of the homes four wood-burning fireplaces is in the primary bedroom where Mark had the idea to float the platform bed in the center of the room. We wanted to lighten the room up a little, so the low bed in the middle of the room helps with that, Justin says. Its the best place to fall asleep in the winter looking up at those beams on the ceiling.Handmade GoodsAlpha SmootAlpha SmootSome of Justins pottery and Marks handmade cutting boards await being boxed in an upstairs room that the couple use as a shipping and receiving room for the goods they make and sell on the website 289 Main. The table is a vintage wallpaperers table. Francophile CoopAlpha SmootAlpha SmootAlpha SmootInspired by the garden follies of Frances Chteau de Groussay, Mark designed and built the propertys two chicken coops. At one end sits a fanciful tassel-trimmed tent pavilion, which can be closed off as the brooder house. Its home to a mixed-breed flock who lay eggs in a variety of colors ranging from dark olive to speckled brown to white.Mark takes a time-out with one of the chickens, Bumblefoot. She suffered a minor foot injury when she was young, says Justin of the Splash Maran. Mark spent a lot of time nursing her back to health, so shes extra-affectionate toward him. English-Inspired GardensAlpha SmootAlpha SmootThe pair transformed the propertys once-overgrown three acres into a dreamy English-inspired garden with two chicken coops that house their 30 chickens, a woodworking shop, a pottery studio, and a cutting garden of perennials, annuals like zinnia and cosmos, and hundreds of varieties of dahlias. Justin has even won several county fair ribbons for his dahlias. We are close to putting in 1,000 tubers, he says. Every year, we dig them up and divide and store them, so that is another annual seasonal ritual.Justin also uses the dahlia blooms, including the Peaches N Cream variety, in floral arrangements.RELATED: How to Care for Dahlias and Make a Statement in Your GardenSee More Cozy Country Homes:

Theres something so charming about rustic decor. This popular room style, with its friendly come on in! spirit, tends to make one feel right at home. To achieve that warm, relaxing feel in your sleeping spaces, weve rounded up our favorite rustic bedroom ideas with loads of country charm, understated elegance, and good ol grit, too.Unique rustic bedroom ideas show up all over the bedroom starting with the bones of a room. Character-rich wood shiplap or beadboard or paneled wainscoting brings an instant cozy, cabin-like feel. No wood paneling? There are plenty of cozy bedroom paint colors to create warmth. Lovingly scuffed wood floors are layered with perfectly imperfect vintage rugs. And dont forget to look up. Wood ceiling ideaswhether new or reclaimedmight just be the ultimate clutch move of all simple rustic bedroom ideas! Whats great about rustic decor is that you go all in or add just a few rustic, yet refined touches. Weathered wood furniture, antiques and vintage treasures, and collected quilts provide a sense of history, as well as smart rustic bedroom ideas on a budget. Modern rustic bedroom ideasclean-lined furniture, whimsical wallpaper, fresh white paint on the wallsfeel just as authentic and are a favorite of many farmhouse decor enthusiasts. Perhaps this anything-goes approach is why rustic decorating is trendingand here to stay for good.Here are more bedroom decorating ideas youll love:1Go For Wood, Wood, and More WoodChase DanielTo match the rustic charm of the original section of the house, this new bedroom addition was built with similar-looking pine floors and shiplap walls. Texas couple Melissa and Roy Duckworth, with their builder son Clay (Duckworth Custom Homes), left the walls raw and simply added an oil finish to the floors. We wanted to preserve that old patina, Clay says. Get the Look:Trim Paint Color: Lehigh Green by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Tour more of this Texas Hill Country bungalow that was destined for the wrecking ball.2Incorporate Timeless AntiquesRoger DaviesThis hand-painted French screen was unearthed at a local antiques store just as designer Alexis Garrett was putting the finishing touches on this bedroom. The piece acts as a headboard as well as a focal point in the small bedroom. A bobbin-style table holds bedside guest essentials.RELATED: See why bobbin decor is having a moment.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Cover the Walls in Reclaimed WoodAnnie SchlechterIn this primary bedroom, designer Amy Meier added instant age to the new construction by wrapping the room in vertically installed reclaimed barn boards. The woody walls also feature built-in bookshelves and a writing desk nook. 4Layer Lots of TextureThis primary bedroom boasts the ultimate rustic backdrop with its original stone walls and exposed ceiling beams. To soften the hard edges, the homeowner mixed in quilted bedding, a cashmere buffalo check blanket, and a sheepskin-style rug. A chippy bedside table and weathered iron bed frame add an extra dose of humbleness. RELATED: Charming Farmhouse Decor Items You Can Buy Now on AmazonAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Embrace Historic ColorTara DonneSometimes a rooms rustic charm is just waiting to be uncovered, like in this New Hampshire farmhouse bedroom. After removing dated wallpaper, the homeowners discovered a pretty green shade that they ultimately decided had to stay. Brown wood furniture and a vintage wool rug bring extra layers of rusticity to the guest room. RELATED: These 20+ green paint colors will liven up any room.6Pick Weathered Wood FurnitureDavid A. LandThis black spool bed could have gotten a fresh coat of paint to give it a new life, but with its perfectly imperfect weathered wood finish, its right at home in this 1800s farmhouse. Yarn-dyed striped bedding brings a tailored look to the the chippy bed frame. RELATED: Tour more of this restored 1800s farmhouse that proves some things just get better with age.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Choose Homespun BeddingSara Ligorria-TrampFor added rustic flair in this bunk room, patchwork quilts top the beds along with leather bolster pillows. The custom built-ins feature wood left unpainted, which keeps the room feeling lodge-like. The stained glass windows came from an antiques store that specializes in architectural salvage.Get the Look: Wall Paint Color:Lamp Black Milk Paint by General FinishesRELATED: Need to Sleep a Crowd? Try These Nostalgic Bunk Room Ideas8Open Up the CeilingDane Tashima, styling by Frances BaileyDuring the renovation of this 1730s home, the homeowners removed the existing 6'5" drop ceiling and took the space up to the rafters for a soaring 16' vaulted bedroom. Reclaimed wood for the ceiling, windowsill, and even the headboard brings rustic charm.RELATED: See more how a family turned this run-down property into a dream come true.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Whiten UpMarta Xochilt PerezSometimes the most rustic of spaces just needs a glow up to feel fresh again, like this lofted bunk room in a Michigan lake house. A coat of crisp white paint highlights the architectural details while hiding any imperfections in wood that has seen better days. Outfitted with a set of twin beds bookended with camp stools, this sleeping space is just right for indoor camp outs.RELATED: These are the best white paint colors for every room in your house.10Wrap the Room in Woodland WallpaperMax Kim-BeeWith its whimsical woodland wallpaper, this sleeping space evokes a forest-like feeling. A rustic wood-paneled bed frame and natural woven accents like the window shades and rug add even more rich texture.RELATED: The 10 top removable wallpapers, tested by our editorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Get Creative With StorageMarta Xochilt PerezIn this rustic Wisconsin cabin, the tiny wood-clad guest room was lacking essential clothing storage. Thanks to a slim corner shelf and a walk in the woods, a stick-turned-hanging-rod now provides a fitting place to hang shirts and jackets. Plaid curtains frame the windows and a colorful wool camp blanket dresses the bed.RELATED: Bring country charm to any room with a handsome wood ceiling.12Add Instant Age With Wood PanelingAnnie SchlechterFor a room that looks like its been around forever, add instant age and architectural interest with classic board-and-batten paneling. In this guest bedroom, designer Amy Meier intentionally left the knots in the wood untreated so they would show through the paint and reveal the natural timber beneath. The salvaged floor boards came from an old sewing factory.RELATED: See more of this new Michigan lake house that feels like it's been there for ages.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Store Books in Makeshift ShelvesHelen NormanIntroducing the worlds most charming homespun bookshelvesmade from vintage peach crates! If mimicking the same creative concept, make sure to secure the containers to the wall. Black bamboo chairs from the 1980s provide a perfect perch for catching up on reading by the fire.RELATED: See more of how this small-town 1800s farmhouse got restored.14Camp It UpBrian Woodcock, styling by Natalie WaradyWhen you cant camp under the stars, take it inside! Tucked under the eaves, a pair of camp cots outfitted with wool throws and plaid pillows makes for a comfy sleepover or napping spot. Exposed stone and wood walls maintain a rustic, outdoorsy feel. RELATED: Explore what happens when two brothers overhauled this fixer-upper for their families.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Keep Nostalgia AliveSean LitchfieldFrom the antique Earlys of Witney point blanket to the tramp art frame hanging over the bed, this boys bedroom feels like stepping back in time. Other nostalgic touches include pinned-up animal sketch prints and a pair of deer mounts. Reproduction Swiss Army blankets make cozy curtains thanks to simple clip-and-ring sets.RELATED: These cabin decorating ideas will turn your home into a cozy, collected escape. 16Hang Old SignageMax Kim-BeeBring loads of instant personality to a new bedroom with a cool old sign like this perfectly weathered railroad crossing example. The X-pattern on new barn doors mimics the vintage sign.RELATED: Add charm to your home with these barn door design ideas. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Bring Outside Elements InMax Kim-BeeClad in the same rusty red shingles as the homes exterior, this sleeping porch has become the most coveted space in this New York lake house. Whether for a quick night or an overnight stay, the porch (also dubbed the boathouse room) sleeps a crowd, with two additional beds in the loft area accessed with a library ladder. A pair of oars above the bed and a nautical light fixture are a nod to the lakeside setting. Get the Look:Wall Siding: Countrylane Red from James Hardie SidingRELATED: Follow these designer tips for decorating a lake house.18Choose Humble FabricsTara Donne, styled by Olga NaimanHumble fabrics like a grain sack pillow, old horse blankets draped over the end of the bed, and nubby linen Roman shades bring an understated sophistication to this farmhouse primary bedroom. A wood headboard, side table, and antique trunk create beautiful contrast.RELATED: Tour more of this centuries-old farmhouse.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Incorporate a Rustic-Meets-Refined HeadboardMax Kim-BeeFor the perfect rustic-meets-refined effect, incorporate a dramatic headboard as a focal point in your bedroom design. Here, the red oak boards brings the rustic while the sophisticated shape brings the refined. A mix of everyday materials (canvas drop cloths as curtains, grain sack and dishcloth pillows) makes up the bed linens. RELATED: Peek inside more of this rustic, reclaimed, and repurposed cabin in Tennessee.20Display a Trophy Mount Laurey W. GlennHorizontal paneling painted a rich creamy shade offers a warm background for a mounted deer head surrounded by framed wildlife art. Get the Look:Wall Paint Color: Cats Paw by Farrow and Ball RELATED: See how this family turned a crumbling smokehouse into their dream home.Amy MitchellManaging EditorAmy Mitchell is the managing editor for VERANDA and Country Living, where she writes articles on a variety of topicsdecorating and design, gardens, and holidays. Amys experience in the shelter magazine category spans more than 20 years, as shes previously held positions at Coastal Living and Cottage Living. Her personal pursuits include cooking, gardening, and hunting her favorite tag sale spots for the next piece of Pyrex for her prized collection.

Add just the right amount to spook to your space this season.