Happily Better After: Episode 2

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Who doesn't love a Cinderella story? The ash smeared scullery maid is turned into a princess in bippity boppity boo! The journey of our ramshackled treasures isn't instantaneous beautification and we are not fairy godmothers, but the similarities can be drawn. ;)

Last month we showed you pictures of our furniture before they received makeovers and then their yummy after shots! This month, we have another Happily Better After picture book to open up for you...

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

If transformation and tackling a good ol' fashion DIY inspires you, check out our chalk-based Country Chic Paint. We love everything about it! Or if you live here in Minnesota, think about signing up for one of our upcoming painting classes on January 21st and February 7th--register online or call the shop for more information!

Hope to see you there! 

How to Decorate Farmhouse style (Pt. 2): "Fixer Upper" Inspired

Last week we posted Part 1 and got good responses! So we're back this week to talk farmhouse style, again! We are nabbing our favorite decorating tips and tricks from HGTV Fixer Upper on how you can incorporate that oh-so-coveted farmhouse look in your home! 

Free Standing Furniture in the Kitchen

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A hutch, repurposed book shelf or buffet can be the perfect piece to display your cookbooks and dishes in a kitchen corner. Remember not to clutter up your space too much, but give it room to breath! 

Trough planter boxes

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So versatile and cute. We have these hydrangea fall and pumpkin troughs at the store now for $69!

Cowhide 

Who doesn't love a cozy cowhide throw rug or chair? Another alternative is faux hide. This accent chair is $189 at the store. 

Wood You like a Sign?

Dress up and personalize your bedrooms and living areas with a saying, verse or word that is meaningful to you. 

I Deerly Want to be Yours!

Alright, enough with the bad puns. ;) But our deer heads mounts are just too cute to go unnoticed!

Textured Reclaimed Wood Wall

If you really want to get serious, a textured wood wall can add just the right amount of pop! that you're looking for. We are kind of crushing on this kitchen from the Decoist. 

Where are you in your decorating journey? Are you just getting started? Is your home cozily complete? Comment below or tag us on Instagram or Facebook. We'd love to hear from you! 

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

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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

Readying Your Front Porch for Fall for Under $20

Your front porch is the welcoming space to your home. It sets the stage, inviting guests to enter. But we don't think about it that often, at least, I don't. I tend to think about the rest of the house: the gardens, the interior and neglect that very important slab of concrete. 

I actually enjoy decorating on a budget. Before starting my projects, I predetermine how much I want to spend (which, of course, the answer is $0) and realistically how much I probably will spend. Then I set a goal and try to stick to that as I shop for the best bargains.

The following are some money-saving tips on how to prep your home exterior for the busy fall season! 

Clean - $0

I know, I know...this should be a no-brainer, but never underestimate the power of a little elbow grease! Take 15 minutes to wash your glass windows and sweep. Use a scrub brush and warm vinegar water to wash your porch siding and get rid of the old spiderwebs and bug spittle. 

Paint your Front Door - $3.48

Paint is always the cheapest decorating option that has the biggest impact. My front door was a scuffed, brownish-red color that made me feel bored when I looked at it. I decided to take an hour and paint it. 

If you are only planning on painting one door you don't need to buy a whole quart of paint which usually ranges from $17-20. Instead, buy an 8oz sample pot of Behr Premium Plus from Home Depot for $3.48. It's an interior/exterior paint and has a paint/primer in one (pictured above). 

I chose the color "Opal Silk" and had it mixed in the sample pot. It's a bluish-green color so I wasn't certain it was going to look good with my green siding, but I wanted to do something bright and cheerful so I decided to wing it and hope for the best. 

When painting your front door use a small sponge roller and tray, it conserves the paint and makes it spread evenly. If your door has panels you'll have to use a bristle brush on those areas and around the handles.

I slapped two coats on the door, stood back and was really please with how welcoming and unique the blue looked. 

                                   Before                                                                            After

Use what you have - $0

Dig around in the garage and storage areas of your home and look for: flower pots, tin wash tubs, metal watering cans, planter boxes, burlap bags, and baskets. Use these as containers to display bushels of apples, gourds, pumpkins, dried twigs or planted flowers.


Bring out the unexpected - $0

Going along with the use-what-you-have moto, bring the unexpected to your front porch. I found this antique chair and copper lantern in my garage and put them both outside. Try to think outside the box with this one. Chalkboards and antique windows are also a great way to communicate a festive fall message to all of your guests. 

Door Decor - $5

I had this wood letter (from Michaels $4) laying in my craft bin for two years and decided to finally use it. I decided to turn it into a door hanger. I bought a package to jute for $1 at Dollar Tree and I wrapped...and wrapped...and wrapped...(much like an embalmer dressing a mummy). 

Every once and a while I'd hot glue the back to keep the jute from sliding off to one side. I started by wrapping it vertically and once I covered as much surface area as possible, then, tied it off and wrapped it horizontally. 

The whole process took about 30 minutes. 

To finish it off, glue a ribbon on the front and staple a strip of burlap on the back to hang it. Easy peasy! 

What to acquire - $12-$20

What would autumn be without mums and pumpkins?! 

I bought three plants for under $12 at Walmart. 

Many local orchards and farms host harvest festivals in late September-October and you can go and cut pumpkins yourself! This is such a fun activity--especially if you have young children. Farmers markets also carry a variety of pumpkins, gourds and squash at a far price. Remember to buy odd numbers! 

Fall Decor at Ramshackled Treasures

If you don't want to think about making your own decor--no sweat! Ramshackled Treasures has burlap & denim pumpkins for sale, burlap bunting and more fall decor on it's way! 

Under $20 front porch reveal! 

What do you think? Do you have any outdoor fall decorating tips? Share your success below! We love to swap ideas!