Rustic Lifestyle

When I was a kid, my baby brother received a birthday card with a button pin inside of it that was a little larger than a generous man’s fist. It read: It’s My Birthday, and I Can Do Whatever I Want! He wore it all day, and all day we honored it. He got to choose dinner. He got to choose the cake and ice cream. He got to choose the television show we’d watch and the game that we’d play. He didn’t get to make any serious decisions of course—nobody was plunking the family budget down in front of a 7 year old—but we let him take charge of every minor, fun decision we possibly could. My Mom saved the button. When the next birthday rolled around, the honored boy or girl got to wear the button. It didn’t matter if it was one of the parents or one of us three kids. We passed the b ...

  Rustic wall art is an important part of home decor and goes a long way to making your home feel more complete. A bare wall is boring and uninteresting but if you add a bit of art to the mix, you’ll very quickly see how much character it adds by itself. As with most other things related to decor though, the items you use greatly depend on the overall theme of your house. For example, if you added modern art or other forms of contemporary decor to a country themed house, it would look extremely out of place. A rustic, almost old look, is more appropriate in such cases, which is exactly where this article comes in. Today, we’ll take a look at a few of the best ways to snazz up your house with some rustic wall art that you can put up in absolutely no time! Signage: Some writing on t ...

  You close your eyes and picture it: your dream front porch. Every last detail is planned out perfectly in your head, but you have no idea where to start. A great front porch needs to serve several purposes: it has to feel hospitable and inviting, look beautiful and - above all else - it needs to be a place you'd like to spend time. But creating the perfect front porch doesn't have to be a headache. In fact, it can be downright fun! Whether you're completely renovating your porch or just want to spruce things up, we've got you covered. 1. Create a fun, warm color scheme Odds are that if you've stumbled upon this article, you've already got this bit covered. But in case you're a DIY-newbie, the first step is to conceptualize the color scheme you want for your perfect porch. Browse the ...

  One man's trash is another man's treasure. Which is probably why upcycling continues to be popular among homeowners. But what exactly is upcycling? According to The Huffington Post, upcycling is the art of making treasure out of trash. It is a stylish, practical, and beneficial way to reduce waste and create a one-of-a-kind piece for your home. There are many upcycling ideas online but since we're quite partial to chairs, particularly rocking chairs, we will show you how to paint a rocking chair (using different types of paint) and transform it into something unique and delightful. How to Paint a Rocking Chair with Spray Paint Compared to regular paint, spray paint dries quickly and doesn't leave any telltale brushstroke marks. It's perfect for well-made furniture with great lines t ...

  There's nothing quite like a rocking chair. Whether for contemplating life on the porch after dinner, reading a book next to a window on a rainy afternoon, or rocking a baby or small child to sleep, nothing can match the soothing and calming effect of a rocking chair. Add in some rocking chair cushions and not only does it elevate the comfort of the chair, but the look as well. While there are no single rocking chair cushions that are right for everyone, there are those that will be right for you. Depending on what you want from a cushion - from the perfect fit for your body right down to the perfect fit for that rustic corner in the cabin - there are several factors you'll want to ponder. At the top of the list are these simple considerations: Do they comfortably fit the ...

  If home is where the heart is, then the patio is the smile that brings people in. Patios come in all different shapes and sizes, but their function is the same - a cozy outdoor space to be enjoyed by many people. Can you remember the last time you saw your neighbors spending time on the patio? What about you? When was the last time you made it out onto the porch, or back onto the deck? A patio that isn't used frequently is not living up to its potential. You could be a few easy ideas away from cultivating a great patio space that can be enjoyed by you, your family, and even your neighbors. Who isn't looking to make new friends? A tight-knit community is an aspect that is missing from most neighborhoods of today. And a beautiful patio space is a way to invite people to get to know yo ...

  Have you ever spent the weekend in a cozy cabin in the woods or mountains? Maybe you have an annual beach vacation where you stay in a cottage on the shore. It's easy to see what we love about hiking through the woods or feeling the sand between our toes, but there's something special about the end of the day too. When you come back indoors and sip hot cocoa by the fireplace, there's a kind of magic to the cozy cottage that we miss when we come back to our real lives. Wouldn't it be great if you could capture a little bit of that magic, and create cozy cottage home decor at home? Well, with these 7 simple design ideas, now you can! Read on to turn your home into your very own vacation destination! 1. Pick a Theme Close your eyes and picture your dream vacation. When you think the w ...

    Wicker remains one of the most popular types of outdoor furniture for the patio. Consisting of semi-thick fibrous material that's interwoven together, it's a highly durable yet incredibly lightweight solution. Cultures throughout the world have used wicker to create furniture for centuries, and even today it remains a popular choice among homeowners. But there are both pros and cons associated with wicker furniture that you need to be aware of, especially if you intend to use outdoors.   What is Wicker?   It's a common assumption that wicker is a special type of plant or fabric, but this isn't the case. Wicker is actually a method of weaving fibers together to create furniture. The actual material used in wicker furniture may consist of cane stalk, rattan, or variou ...

  If you’re like me, you prefer to support your friends and neighbors with the dollars that you spend. The American economy has had it pretty rough lately, and I know I don’t like the idea of supporting jobs overseas, especially when I have some choices. Fortunately, when it comes to my beloved rocking chairs, there are some great American manufacturers to choose from. I wouldn’t have it any other way since rocking chairs are such a big part of Americana. They’re our history and our tradition. Here are five of the most popular brands, along with the most popular chairs that the brands produce. You’ll find a good selection of styles, manufacturing materials, and prices here. 1. Dixie Seating Company Rockers The Dixie Seating Company is based out of Statesville, NC. They’re ...

It happens to many people, all across America, every day. After years of living in a large home, after the children are grown and gone, the house starts to get to be more trouble than we can handle. Suddenly, that large yard that was a joy to maintain is looking overgrown, and it’s chock full of dandelions and clover to boot. Aches and pains in the joints make stairs difficult to climb. Poorer eyesight makes it difficult to see the dust gathering in the corners. You think you get it clean, and you’re doing your best, but sometimes, it’s just too much. All that space just isn’t necessary anymore. Then you realize the truth. It’s time to get a smaller place. Now a lot of folks are resistant to change, and who can blame them? Houses aren’t just places where you eat and sleep. The ...