If you love that homey, lived-in aesthetic—but choke on the prices for “distressed” knickknacks—I have good news. “Distressed” is my middle name. Y’all, it’s so easy to find DIY projects for a farmhouse décor that looks more authentic than store-bought. You’ll save money and have fun doing it. Try one of these and enjoy country living:
Chalk-Painted Glass
Y’all know I’ll use any excuse to play with chalk paint, and these projects look great every time. Next time you’re at the craft store, find some glass milk bottles or large mason jars. Extra points if you don’t go over a dollar! Then swing over to the paint aisle and get a small bottle of white chalk paint. Make sure the glass is clean, and cover it with two coats. Chalk paint will stick to anything, and looks even better when it’s worn down a bit. The key to a farmhouse décor is anything that looks vintage, so take some sandpaper and work at the edges until it looks like you overpaid for it at Anthropologie. Use it as a flower vase or for organizing toiletries in your bathroom.
Galvanized Metal Planter
If you’re not up for a trip to the flea market but there’s a Dollar Tree around the corner, look for any metal buckets or large containers. Even if they’re shiny, y’all can age them yourself with stuff you’ve already got in the house. Just mix a tablespoon of salt with three tablespoons each of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the solution to the metal and let it sit for a bit. Rub in with the salt until you get the effect you want. Throw in some artificial greenery if you want or use the container to store anything.
Rustic Rope Lamp
Y’all were wondering when I was going to whip out the glue gun, weren’t you? Heat it up to round out your farmhouse décor with a DIY project that incorporates two “musts” for any rustic interiors: rope and burlap. You can find a package of manila rope at a home improvement store, and you know you already have a mismatched lamp somewhere in the basement. Just wrap the base of the lamp with the rope, gluing as you go. You can cover any shade with folksy fabric if you have spray glue. Just make sure you have some cute trim in the ribbon drawer to finish it at the top and bottom. The best part is that the lamp will work even if you decide one day to switch to a coastal aesthetic, or even a pirate theme. To each his own. I’m here to inspire, not to judge.
