Farmhouse Living & Monthly Favorites: Curated Home Decor Finds, Inspiring Reads, and Entertainment Picks

Welcome to our monthly roundup of delightful discoveries! Here, you’ll find a curated list of good things to do, buy, read, watch, and more, all designed to enhance your everyday living and inspire your home.

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The past month has been a whirlwind of activity, yet incredibly fulfilling, as we continue to settle into our beautiful farmhouse. It still feels surreal to wake up each morning in a place we’ve poured so much love and effort into. Every corner tells a story, reflecting the countless hours of hard work and the generous help of friends and family. This hands-on journey truly makes our new home feel that much sweeter, embodying the spirit of #diylife.

Our focus has been on refining the details that transform a house into a home. This includes installing new light fixtures that illuminate our spaces with warmth, meticulously placing the final door trims for a polished look, and setting up shelves to bring order and functionality to every room. Of course, the ongoing process of unpacking boxes and deciding where everything belongs (or doesn’t!) has been a major task.

Moving into the farmhouse presented a unique opportunity for a significant decluttering effort. We had purged quite a bit when our belongings went into storage while we searched for the perfect property. However, without knowing the layout or style of our future home, I held onto many items, knowing I’d have to make final decisions once we were settled. The local thrift stores have certainly benefited from our latest purge!

Our previous home boasted ample wall space, including a generous mantel flanked by bookshelves, which encouraged a collection of charming wall and shelf decor. In contrast, the farmhouse, while spacious, has a different architectural character with less available wall surface. This meant letting go of many beloved decorative pieces that simply wouldn’t fit here. It’s all part of the process of embracing a new chapter and discovering the unique aesthetic of this beautiful home.

Today’s “Good Things List” offers a peek into some of the rooms as they evolve, showcasing our progress and sharing some truly fantastic finds. Among these discoveries is a long-awaited solution for affordable custom picture mats – a game-changer for anyone who loves thrifted frames!

Farmhouse Living & Home Updates

Settling Into The Farmhouse: Dining Room & Living Room

One of the most satisfying recent updates has been hanging the curtains in the dining room. The journey to find the perfect rods and curtain panels was a story in itself, filled with careful selection and coordination. Now that they’re finally in place, I’m absolutely loving the cohesive look created by the elegant black curtain rod paired with our existing black chandelier. It adds a touch of classic sophistication against the shiplap walls, tying the room’s aesthetic together beautifully and enhancing its cozy, inviting atmosphere.

The curtains for the living room presented a slight challenge; they turned out a little longer than intended. I confess, I overlooked accounting for the drop created by the curtain clips during my measurements – a classic DIY oversight! While I still need to shorten them, I was eager to share a photo here. Many readers had expressed concern that adding curtains might obstruct the stunning views from these windows. As you can see in the image above, we meticulously hung the rod “high & wide.” This strategic placement not only frames the beautiful window trim but also ensures that our cherished view remains unobstructed, maximizing natural light and the connection to the outdoors.

Beyond aesthetics, these curtains serve a practical purpose. They provide essential privacy from the road at night and help us “close off” the dark, reflective expanses that windows can become after sundown, making the living space feel more secure and intimate. The neutral ivory tone maintains the cottage aesthetic, ensuring they blend seamlessly with the room’s calm and inviting ambiance.

Coffee Bar Transformation

Finally, the black and cream ticking fabric arrived, allowing me to sew and install the charming curtain for under the coffee bar sink. This simple addition has made a significant difference, truly helping to bring this entire area together with a classic farmhouse touch. The ticking stripe adds visual interest and a soft texture, perfectly complementing the space.

I temporarily placed a vintage mirror above the sink to visualize its impact, and I’m thrilled with the result. It adds a touch of rustic elegance and will soon be permanently hung behind the faucet. Looking ahead, there are a few more steps to complete this beloved coffee bar. We plan to add a couple of shelves above the mirror, connecting the two upper cabinets for additional storage and display space. To finish the look, crown molding will be installed along the tops of the cabinets, providing a refined, built-in appearance. Oh, and yes – I still need to order the glass panels for the cabinet doors! (Could you even tell there wasn’t any glass in them yet?)

Practical & Stylish Finds for Your Home

Affordable Custom Picture Mats: A DIY Game Changer

I cannot overstate how incredibly excited I am to have stumbled upon this solution! For years, I’ve adored finding unique, vintage frames at thrift stores, but often passed them by due to the prohibitive cost of custom framing. Our first experience with professional framing after buying our initial home was a harsh lesson. Brian received a complimentary print from the Portland Art Museum, and I found a beautiful, antique frame for just $10 at a thrift store. To save money, he took it to a DIY frame shop. Even doing much of the work ourselves, that “free” print in a cheap frame ended up costing us around $80 to frame! The frustration of seeing a great find become expensive was a deterrent for future projects.

However, inspiration struck when our daughter discovered a captivating pen-and-ink print of Timberline Lodge (pictured above) while helping us clear out her grandmother’s house. She was determined to reframe and properly mat it, as it was currently squeezed into an oval mat that regrettably obscured much of the intricate drawing. Knowing the high costs, she began saving money, having seen online that custom framing at places like Michaels often starts at $80. Her initial online calculation suggested that custom matting for the fairly large print, along with a suitable black frame, could easily cost $120.

Determined to find a more budget-friendly approach, I did some research. I learned that Hobby Lobby offers custom mat cutting services for a much more reasonable $12-20+, depending on the size. This crucial piece of information sparked an idea: if we could find a ready-made frame that was slightly larger than the artwork, we could then have a custom mat cut to fit both the art and the frame. This strategy promised significant savings.

We timed our visit to Hobby Lobby during one of their “frames half off” sales. We scored a perfect black frame for just $22. Then, armed with both the frame and the print, we headed to the framing department. The expert there cut a precise custom mat for only $20. Total cost for a beautifully matted and framed piece? A mere $42! Comparing this to the estimated $120 for full custom framing, the savings were substantial and incredibly satisfying. Our daughter then proudly assembled it herself at home using archival tape, ensuring its longevity. This discovery has truly empowered us to pursue more thrifting and DIY framing projects without breaking the bank!

Charming Retro Kitchen Wall Clock

Upon moving in, one immediate need we identified was a kitchen clock. Both Brian and I share a deep affection for old-fashioned, classic-style clocks, particularly those with a charming 1950s-era face that evokes a sense of nostalgia and timeless design. I initially found a beautiful option from Target online and promptly ordered it. However, when it arrived, it was absolutely enormous – so large, in fact, that its frame touched both the ceiling and the door trim in our intended spot! This was a clear reminder that, despite the excitement of online shopping, neglecting to double-check measurements can lead to humorous (and return-worthy) mishaps.

With a measuring tape firmly in hand this time, I resumed my search and discovered the perfect clock, which now hangs proudly above our kitchen doorway, as you can see in the photo. We all absolutely adore how classically it complements the 100+ year-old beadboard walls, adding a touch of vintage character that feels perfectly at home in our farmhouse kitchen. While the clock is made of plastic, its appearance when hung is remarkably convincing, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. Given its modest price point of around $14, its quality and aesthetic appeal are truly impressive. Just the other day, Brian walked through the kitchen and, without prompting, remarked, “That’s such a great clock.” It’s these small, affordable details that make a house feel truly special.

You can find this charming 50’s Vintage Design Round Wall Clock here.

Luxurious Soft Wool Rug for Cozy Comfort

When we first moved into the farmhouse, we were experiencing unseasonably late frosts, with morning temperatures often dipping into the high 20s and low 30s (Fahrenheit). I quickly realized a significant oversight: we hadn’t added a heat vent to our walk-in closet. Those chilly mornings, stepping onto a cold floor in the closet, were a stark reminder of the omission! It immediately became clear that a warm, soft rug was not just a luxury, but a necessity for comfort in that space. I embarked on a mission to find the perfect wool rug, known for its natural warmth and plush feel. I am absolutely delighted with the Safavieh Natura Collection Handmade Premium Wool Area Rug that I ultimately selected.

This rug offers an excellent balance of quality and value. It’s incredibly soft underfoot, thanks to its delightful bubble/loop texture, making bare feet happy even on the coldest mornings. To enhance its luxurious feel and prevent any slipping, I also purchased this natural rug pad to place underneath. The pad adds an extra layer of cushioning and securely keeps the rug in place, preventing any frustrating shifts.

Considering I only spend a few minutes changing in the closet each day, adding an entire heat vent system seemed excessive, despite my initial thoughts. This cozy wool rug, combined with the pad, provides all the warmth and comfort needed, making those chilly mornings significantly more bearable. It’s a simple, elegant solution that perfectly addresses a practical need without extensive renovation.

Perfect Vintage Style Aged Wire Coat Hooks

For years, I’ve been a firm believer in the simple, yet effective, screw-in wire coat hooks. They are effortlessly easy to install, remarkably sturdy, possess an appealing aesthetic, and, crucially, aren’t overly obtrusive like some of the bulkier hooks on the market. Their unassuming nature also means they aren’t tied to any particular “style,” making them incredibly versatile – equally at home in a sleek modern apartment as they are in a charming cottage setting.

I used to readily find these wire hooks at thrift stores specializing in building supplies. However, for the farmhouse, I faced a challenge. I initially resorted to purchasing new, shiny brass hooks and then meticulously painting them to achieve an aged brass look. While functional, they still didn’t quite capture the authentic, weathered aesthetic I envisioned. The finish just wasn’t “it.”

My persistent search led me to Etsy, where I discovered some aged wire hooks that immediately caught my eye. Despite being a bit pricier than the new, shiny brass ones I was accustomed to buying, their finish looked absolutely perfect in the online photos. I decided to take a chance, and I am so glad I did! They ARE perfect. I absolutely adore how wonderfully these simple hooks look on the salvaged board pictured above. This rustic board will soon find its place in our laundry/mud room, providing a stylish and practical spot for coats, bags, and hats.

The beauty of these hooks lies not just in their perfectly aged finish, but also in their smooth, snag-free design. Unlike some rougher vintage items, these hooks are completely smooth, ensuring no fabric will catch or pull. This thoughtful detail makes them worth every penny of the extra cost, blending authentic vintage appeal with modern functionality. They truly embody the ideal balance of form and function for a farmhouse aesthetic.

Discover these fantastic Vintage Style Aged Wire Coat Hooks on Etsy.

April Reads: A Month in Books

This past April offered a diverse selection of reads, spanning various genres from contemporary novels to historical fiction and insightful non-fiction. Here’s a quick look at what I delved into this month:

Prodigal Summer, Barbara Kingsolver. Having previously enjoyed Kingsolver’s memoir, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (which I absolutely loved!), I decided to try one of her acclaimed novels. This book was, for me, just okay. It weaves three distinct stories that eventually (somewhat) converge. The storylines were engaging enough to hold my attention, but the narrative felt heavily laden with an environmental agenda. At times, it felt less like a novel and more like a textbook. While I didn’t necessarily disagree with the ecological themes, the didactic tone sometimes overshadowed the fiction. It felt a bit unrealistic for characters to pontificate at such length in real-life conversations – or if they did, I doubt anyone would stick around to listen!

Kitchens of the Great Midwest, J. Ryan Stradal. This book was a complete surprise, not at all what I anticipated. I had imagined a collection of lighthearted stories about Midwestern kitchens through the ages. Instead, it’s a rather poignant narrative, ultimately hinting at hope as the central character achieves success against odds. Without giving too much away, as a mother, I struggled to fully grasp the main storyline’s premise; it was a difficult concept for me to accept.

My Oxford Year, Julia Whelan. Julia Whelan is a personal favorite audiobook narrator, so when I discovered she had authored her own novel – and narrated it, of course – I immediately grabbed it on Audible. The plot follows a political adviser on the cusp of a major career breakthrough who takes a year off to pursue her dream of studying at Oxford. Naturally, she encounters people there who prompt her to re-evaluate her entire future. While some of the plot “twists” were quite predictable, it was an enjoyable and fun read overall, especially with her excellent narration.

Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, Sena Jeter Naslund. Full disclosure: I regrettably abandoned this book about a quarter of the way through. As a keen lover of historical novels, this was surprising even to me. Written in the first person, a style I’m not always fond of in historical fiction, the pacing felt incredibly slow. I found myself unable to connect with or care about the protagonist’s feelings and actions. I had read positive reviews, so perhaps it was just my personal state of mind at the time, but I simply couldn’t bring myself to continue.

Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth, Thaddeus J. Williams. This is an exceptionally good and incredibly important book! I hadn’t heard of it before, but discovered it through my Hoopla library app, and I’m so glad I did. Written from a Christian perspective, this book brilliantly illuminates the origins of our current “no-holds-barred” culture and offers insightful guidance on how to navigate it – essentially, by treating everyone as the image-bearers of God that they are. It was truly eye-opening to consider how quickly we’ve shifted from the “no-judgment-zone” ethos of the 1990s to the contemporary culture of “judge everyone for everything – and then ruin them.” The emphasis on mercy is profound, and I plan to re-read this book to reinforce its vital lessons (I also bought a copy for my daughter!).

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, Therese Ann Fowler. I have wanted to read this book for a long time, and it did not disappoint. Interestingly, it’s another historical novel told in the first person, yet I thoroughly enjoyed this one (proving you should always try books for yourself!). The compelling story of the Fitzgeralds, their dramatic thrust into the spotlight, and how F. Scott frequently drew from autobiographical elements in his own novels, makes for fascinating reading. Beyond their personal narrative, the broader context of their social circle and the literary scene of their time also proved captivating. Now, I’m eager to watch the movie adaptation that I heard was based on this very book.

Watching: Our Latest Entertainment Discoveries

This month, our screens have been filled with a mix of intriguing documentaries, lighthearted comedies, and thought-provoking dramas. Here’s what we’ve been watching and enjoying:

This is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist, Netflix. Our daughter discovered this captivating documentary, and we all watched it together. It recounts the truly incredible story of the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist, the largest unsolved art theft in history. We not only learned a great deal about the fascinating and intricate world of art but also gained insight into the unique museum where this audacious robbery took place. A must-watch for true crime and art history enthusiasts.

Thunder Force, Netflix. This is Melissa McCarthy’s latest comedy, rated PG-13, and it delivered exactly what we expected: plenty of laughs. It was a cute, feel-good movie with several laugh-out-loud moments, though fair warning, there were a couple of slightly squeamish scenes (like the questionable raw chicken consumption!). Overall, a fun and easy watch for a relaxed evening.

Concrete Cowboy, Netflix. This was a surprisingly interesting and moving film starring one of the talented young actors from Stranger Things alongside the ever-charismatic Idris Elba. The movie sheds light on a little-known subculture: the real-life urban cowboys of North Philadelphia, where stables and horses have existed for years. The story centers on a troubled teenager whose mother sends him, against his will, to spend the summer with his estranged father, one of these cowboys. It offers a unique and compelling backdrop for a coming-of-age narrative, exploring themes of identity, community, and redemption.

Spenser Confidential, Netflix. Brian picked this one, and it’s a classic example of a “misunderstood cop trying to right the wrongs of the world” action-comedy. Expect plenty of thrilling gunfights and exhilarating car chases, all wrapped up in a fun, entertaining package. Perfect for when you’re in the mood for some fast-paced action and a good laugh.

And that wraps up another exciting edition of the Good Things List!

If you’re curious to see more of the discoveries and inspirations I’m enjoying, you can explore all the previous Good Things Lists here. I’d absolutely love to hear your thoughts – whether you’ve tried any of these recommendations or have some fantastic finds of your own to share. Please leave a comment below with your insights and suggestions!

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