Happily Better After: Episode 1

Once upon a time there was a table. She had once been lovingly made by the village carpenter, but over the span of her life she had become marred with watermarks and scratches. Little children had etched messages in her oak top and thus, she was no longer beautiful. The family who owned her decided to sell her for a song to a traveling tinker. The tinker saw that underneath her many scars, a beautiful table still remained. He got to work, sanding and cleaning, staining and sealing. Until the table was a beautiful once again.

The story is made up, but it illustrates the journey that our pieces at Ramshackled Treasures travel before they make their way into new and loving homes. In commemoration of this fact, every month we will showcase some of our "Before and After" makeovers on the blog. You will be stunned at how we (metaphorically speaking) turn frogs into handsome princes...

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And as the stories go, they lived happily better after.

Whitewashing with Country Chic Paint

Have you ever wondered how to get that whitewashed look like you see in old houses and barns? Whitewashing is so easy and just involves thinning your paint with water. Ask anyone at our shop and we will tell you that Country Chic paint is our very favorite for whitewashing and just regular painting.

Why?

"First of all, Country Chic Paint is eco-friendly and pretty much odorless! This is a huge plus when you consider your health, your family and the environment. Secondly, the paint is super easy to use - there is little to no prep work and it dries really quickly! Thirdly, we love how easy it is to create a distressed look without using sanding tools…all you need is a wet cloth!" ~Country Chic

Country Chic paint comes in many appealing colors to accent the furniture in your home. We sell these colors in sample, pint and quart sizes at Ramshackled Treasures. 

A few colors recommended for whitewashing are...

Simplicity

Vanilla Frosting

Elegance 

If you plan to whitewash a piece of furniture make sure that it is either:

-Sanded so the wood is free of old varnish

-It is a raw/virgin wood

-Old dry wood with little varnish remaining

*This old antique cabinet we did didn't need to be sanded because it was very old and dry and it soaked up the whitewash like a sponge! 

Watch this 3 minute video from Country Chic to learn how to whitewash your furniture and crafts.

Fresh Ideas on Blending Styles

Let's face it sometimes we get stuck. When we approach decorating, we think we have to choose one style and stick to it like a religion. One way to stimulate creativity is is explore multiple styles. 

Forget the matchy-matchy look of the 1990's-- where every room in a house was decorated with rose florals and the same brass fixtures. Decorating is about expression--an expression of you through the medium of your home and mixing vintage, modern and traditional styles in your home can actually make it look more fashionable, unique and beautiful...but this is often easier said than done. One of the best ways to learn how to blend styles is by examining how designers and fellow bloggers pulled it off.

Today, we are going to examine 5 different blended styles and simply discuss what we notice. :-). 

Vintage County

Anderson&Grant

Vintage country is probably the simplest to achieve when you are blending styles as much of its evolution happens organically. The rustic and the rusty blend well for obvious reasons.

Anderson&Grant

Eclectically Vintage

Ehomee

We may have noticed different things about these pictures, but to us, they all seem to stem from the same vein of well made antiques, classic neutrals and the reuse of farm implements as decor. All of it is strongly rooted in American tradition. 

French Country Modern

Bring on the glam! French Country Modern really embraces the girly love for all things *bling* while still loving the rustic and chippy.

French Country Cottage

roomideas.com

The fun thing about Modern French Country is it can be a bit sassy--notice the modern choice of fabric upholstery on this timeless french country chair and the modern art. It doesn't always have to be antique landscapes or romantic-style paintings. 

French Country Industrial

Burrs & Berries

While we're on the topic of French Country, let's bring in the industrial elements. For those who may not be familiar with the term: the Industrial style consists of raw industrial products such as pallet wood, barn lamps or old factory doors remade into home furniture, decor and architectural elements. 

Indulgy

Luchome

French Bohemian

While this style appeals to a niche audience, it has beautiful qualities that can be appreciated by many. Generally embraced by artist, home decorators and eccentrics French Bohemian is as chaotic and colorful as it is wild and whimsical.  

Shia 

The Plumed Nest

The Plumed Nest

Mid Century Modern 

MCM (sometimes called Organic Modern) favors neutral wall colors, 1950's 1960's furniture (often upholster with modern fabrics) and varied accents colors. It readily embraces simplicity, open spaces and and real wood furniture.

Although different, there are three similarities between these three examples: white walls, tribal patterns and lots of greenery.

Source: Brit + Co

Source: House of Hipsters

Blending styles, when done thoughtfully, is one of the most interesting ways to decorate. But moreover, it should be an expression of your personality--not someone else! Don't let trends influence what makes you feel at peace and rest in your home.

What is your style? What have you noticed about blending styles or these photos that we didn't? 

How to Decorate your Home Farmhouse Style (Pt. 1): "Fixer Upper" Inspired

Source

If you're as addicted to HGTV as much as we are, you’re probably familiar with the show “Fixer Upper.” And, if you love design as much as we do, you probably watch the show to get ideas and inspiration for your own little-slice-of-heaven. 

As part of a 2 part series we are going to hash through what makes farmhouse style...well, farmhouse! The good, the battered, and the rusty that makes this trend so warm and beautiful. 

Furniture 

A mix of wood and painted furniture is readily seen in farmhouse decorating. You'll want to mostly stick to earthy tones: blacks, whites, creams, browns and grays. (Sorry hot pink, you're out!) 

If you're a DIYer, we recommend painting your furniture with Country Chic paint. We love it because it has great coverage and distresses well. We sell County Chic paint, wax, brushes and more at our store!

Everything pictured here is available at our shop, Ramshackled Treasures, in Zimmerman MN!

Reclaimed barn, pallet or up-cycled wood 

Believe it or not, nail holes, scratches and the natural distressing of time have become an art fixtures! Try to find woods with character such as barn or pallet wood, they will add texture to your home. 

In this picture, the barn wood headboard and LOVE sign create a rustic texture in the bedroom. Headboards are custom made-to-order at our store! LOVE signs available for $69.

Stoneware Crocks 

Ok people, these are very country/farmhouse! Stoneware crocks are a little tricky to find, so check estate sales or antique shops, you may have to hunt to find just what you're looking for, but when you finally get to displaying these gems in your kitchen it will make the extra effort with it!

Blue Mason Jars

So classic and versatile. These can be used for storing dry foods, floral arrangements, making sun tea and more!  

Farmhouse Fabrics

Ticking Stripe

Grain Sack

Burlap

Burlap is very "in" and you can get really creative with it. These pillows pictured are available along with matching table runners at our shop!

Faux mantle

We are crushing on this cute decorating trend. If JoAnna Gaines didn't start it, she certainly added fuel to the fire. If your home doesn't have a real fireplace, you can add a focal point to the room by creating a standing or hanging mantle. When finished, display candles, pretty birch logs or mirrors in your mantle. (Hmm, I'm sensing a DIY project coming up!)

Containers

Egg baskets and crates, milk crates are used a lot in "Fixer Upper" to display vintage odds and ends and floral arrangements.  I put vintage baseballs in one of my wire milk crates!

More "Fixer Upper" Farmhouse decorating tips to come! Tell us about your decorating style and any specific pieces you are hunting for. 

Call for "special requests" or come by Ramshackled Treasures to shop our huge selection of one of a kind furniture and decor all on sale!

Ramshackled Treasures


12686 Fremont Ave, Zimmerman, MN 55398

(763) 856-8700