To create a proper French, English, or European Farmhouse feeling, one must let go of the American obsession with perfection and embrace imperfection. The French and their British counterparts are not typically interested in ‘bigger, better, faster,’ which is evident in their surroundings. Homes are old and LIVED in. I call the style ‘Old World’, and it can be enjoyed in various ways, from an east coast colonial to an attic apartment in the city’s heart.
A home designed with this Old World mindset will hold worn surfaces, well-read books, and tattered furniture that appears to have been enjoyed for generations. Its kitchen will smell of herbs and the next savory meal. Its bedrooms are adorned with textiles that have been handed down from generation to generation. This home is lived in, art is cultured there, food is created there, and a mystery should unfold in every room. Family is celebrated in this space with heirlooms displayed for enjoyment and big harvest tables or cozy breakfast nooks where meals are celebrated multiple times a day.
We stateside Francophiles and Anglophiles CAN recreate this look, but it will not happen in the aisles of Homegoods. It will happen when we “trouvé“… our style will be gathered, treasured, and perfectly… imperfect. These posts will reflect how my own Old World style has evolved over the years and how I am creating this signature look here at our home; ”Sur le Rocher‘ Rocher’ here in Door County.
Writer's block. I've got it. Right here. Right now. Starting at this screen wondering what to say. Do I confess how keeping up with social media is literally impossible? I mean, I can answer a few comments and direct messages here and there, but I could spend all day...
Bon Vendredi to you! That's fancy for "Happy Friday." Remember the Fancy Nancy children's books series? I always thought it was adorable how she would speak French and then say, "That's fancy for..." Let me tell you; sometimes French doesn't feel that fancy. I'm...
As part of our Old World Design Society studies, we are taking a basic look at the principles of interior design and how to use them in our homes every day. A basic understanding of these principles can help the design enthusiast hone in on giving her home a "designer...
Girlfriend! Another week to go, and then it's my FAVORITE Holiday of the year... or maybe it's Easter... but then, I really do love Christmas... AH! I can't decide. The Holidays give this Farmgirl a chance to indulge her Parisienne. Pretty dishes, pretty dresses,...
I’ve been sitting here for a week now, trying to decide what to write. How does one even begin to put into words the joy of returning to something that you thought was lost to you forever? I’ve typed and deleted about a hundred sentences in the last half an hour… I...
I've been pretty committed to my kitchen lately. There's a lot of work to do there and even more if I'm really in the zone. I've got my new freeze dryer and I'm pretty GIDDY about it. Talk about freshening things up??!! It's added a whole new element to my home dairy...
Where there is a will, there is a way. Adapt and overcome. Don't take no for an answer. A quick cozy photo I grabbed early this morning. Dirty floors and all, friends. Though I fear I exhaust the people around me, these are the mantras that drive me each day. I don't...
Spring is in the air. Sort of. By that, I mean there is a fresh blanket of snow here in Door County, but I've got my snapdragon seeds started (my signature Potomac Appleblossoms), and it's supposed to be 45 degrees here today so bring on the MUD! I swear, I'm...
What’s a girl to do? She finds a dream-of-a-sink in the woods; a sink that would have cost $1200 at a big city salvage store but the drain is a cruddy mess and proper plumbing seemed rather impossible, cue the need for PVC. However, nothing kills an Old World look...