Our Shelby Living Feature!

 This cover was an awesome surprise! We enjoyed chatting with the folks over at Shelby Living this Fall about our never ending projects. 😂🏡  Lots of fun historic articles and features in this issue, too! Local friends be sure to pick up a copy!

I'll share some magazine photos here because there were more included in the print version. You can read the online article here!

Baker Makes it Big!.. (And Stock Tank Pool Info)

You may see a familiar face at your local Tractor Supply this season!

We were contacted by the marketing team at Tractor Supply last year about featuring Baker man in their summer campaign. The ads are out and our local store really rolled out the red carpet for him. He just ate it up.. he thought he was on a movie poster! Hahaha!

{Scroll to the bottom of this post for stock tank pool information and tips!}

🚜☀️💦

Hey! I KNOW HIM!

That grin! He's so proud!

Two thumbs up if you think you're famous now!
{We told him not to let it go to his head. Celebrities still get time-outs, too.}

We’ve comfortably fit five adults plus our toddler in the pool at once!

💦  POOL INFO  💦

I've had so many questions about the logistics of our stock tank pool. My sweet friend Patsy {@blessedmommatobabygirls on IG} was super helpful in getting us up and running. We would love to pay it forward and share what we've learned, as well! -THIS article was also a helpful resource!-  For those of you concerned with the longevity of this product, they had their stock tank for fourteen years before installing their in-ground pool. (Which they also DIY-ed... amaze balls!) And it’s still in perfect condition! They’re planning on converting theirs into a hot tub soon.

We’ve never had the desire to have a pool BUT the heat in the south is no joke and we spend so much time working outside in the sun. A few summers ago we were on the verge of throwing ourselves into the lake after a long yard work session. The next thing I knew Brett was pulling up the driveway with a “pool” on the back of his trailer! We purchased our 8 ft stock tank on clearance at our local Tractor Supply. Most feed & supply stores carry them and you can even order them on Amazon. We installed a filter -linked below- and maintain it just like any standard above ground pool. (We drain and store it in our barn in the winter, although we’ve left it outside the last two seasons and it’s done just fine.) You can purchase an Intex round pool cover but size up! The 8 ft pool cover does NOT fit an 8 ft stock tank. 

Brett made our fittings using plumbing supplies because some of the pieces looked pretty flimsy and he wasn't happy with everything included in the kit. However, the pump itself has operated perfectly over the last few seasons! It takes the "A" filters for standard above ground pools. We also use pool and spa shock and a chlorine floater. (You don't ever want to drop chlorine blocks directly in the metal tank because it will corrode the metal and create rust spots. :) And no - it doesn't get hot! It's a pretty inexpensive pool option and incredibly easy to maintain. Perfect for us! (We spent about $200 on our tank and $60 on our supplies. The tanks are typically priced higher than our clearance price! $350+) The 8 ft tank is about two feet deep. 

Our filter.. This is NOT an affiliate link! :)

Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump for Above Ground Pools, 1000 GPH Pump Flow Rate, 110-120V with GFCI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QIYL7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_atx4yb19Q5TDE

A close-up look at our filter installation..

Happy Swimming!

-Lauren

Nursery Makeover

We knew we wanted to create a fun new room for Baker when we moved and I immediately started brainstorming design ideas that could transition with him as he grows, but also stay true to the farmhouse style of our home. I wanted the bones to be timeless. A space that maybe even by the time he's old enough to move out (cue the waterworks!!!) we could use as an office or something for ourselves. Kid's rooms and play rooms are SO fun! I feel like I can push my own boundaries a little and step outside my comfort zone. I could dream up spaces for children all day long! (Anyone remember Trading Spaces - Kids Edition?!)

So, he's been in his new room for several months, but it took quite a while to find the perfect finishing touches. For me interior design is all about the details and I'll probably tweak this room over and over and over just like I do the rest of our house. We partnered with the adorable East Plum shop who provided some of the cutest accessories. You absolutely have to check them out! If I had to describe the look of the new nursery I would call it industrial farmhouse chic with a touch of vintage school house flair. Is that a thing? Bahaha! Well, I say it is. So, it is.

Do you guys remember looking through the second level before photos? No? Well, here you go. HOLY GREEN CARPET FOR DAYS. Not to mention, this small bedroom had THREE doors and a window crammed in there. Hello, claustrophobia. 

Holy Green Carpet!!!

To break down the major changes, we removed one door completely and added a sliding barn door to the existing closet. We also added tongue and groove to the walls and created a fun chalk board on the inside of the bedroom door. It really transformed the ugly hollow core door (yuck) and saved us some money because I was about to toss it in the trash and purchase a new one!

The coolest thing about this project is that every single piece of custom wood detail in this room came off of our property and was custom built by Brett. The barn door, the closet shelves and bookshelves, the window and door trim, the herringbone deer head mount. Everything! Details like that are super special to me when it comes to design in our home. I want things to have a purpose and a story and I love that I can tell you where it all came from and how we worked as a team to make it all come together!

So, check it out.. We love it. Baker loves it. Or at least he naps well in here which is the real toddler test & seal of approval, amiright! I'll leave a source list at the bottom of the post if you have any questions about materials and things found around the room and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Take a peek at Baker's little hideaway!..

Link for this deer mount at the bottom of the post!

*Update*

Baker recently got a new "big boy" bed and he absolutely loves it! It was a $40 find from our last trip to the Nashville Flea Market! I won a Pottery Barn gift card on an Instagram giveaway and used it to purchase a few shams. The rest isa mix of old & new and high & low end pieces. Much like the rest of our home. :) Baker man calls it his "clubhouse" and his joy makes me a very happy mama!

Nursery Source List:

Wall paint - Woodlawn Bedroom White by Valspar in flat finish
Crib paint - Gray Silt by Valspar
Galvanized pipe and hardware (used on the bookshelf, tent & curtain rod) - Lowes and Home Depot
Drop cloths (tent and curtain) - Harbor Freight $7
Wooden feathers and "Let's Be Adventurers" wooden art - East Plum
Mini stool, twine and craft paper - Hobby Lobby
"Happy Place" pillow and striped blanket - Seibels Cottage (local)
Shag rug, numbered crate and large grey basket - HomeGoods
Galvanized buckets, buffalo check luggage boxes and lantern - Target
"B" marquee nightlight - Monograms Plus
"I'll Eat You Up" Wooden Art - Scrappy Madison
"Where The Wild Things Are" painted canvas - custom painted by personal friend, Sarah Quinney
Small grain stripe storage bins (closet) - Bed Bath & Beyond
Copper light fixture - Cabela's
Wooden growth chart - local artist (Similar ones found on Etsy!)
Antique Fan - Oak Mountain Emporium (local)
8 Point Buck Deer Head Bust Wall Hanging (I spray painted it!)

9 x 12 All Purpose Canvas Cotton Drop Cloth (Similar to what I used)

Sliding Barn Door Hardware

-Lauren

Spare Bedroom Makeover

Remember this room? This is bedroom number two. It could be another master suite with its large closet and en suite bath. It sits at the very front of the house and gets the most beautiful natural light through its four windows! There's also an additional fireplace that's been covered. We've chosen not to start any major demo on the walls or bathroom yet, so it remains behind the sheet rock for now. 

Spare Bedroom Before 

A few weeks ago I decided to go antiquing on a whim. A favorite past time of mine. :) I came across the most beautiful vintage iron bed for only fifty bucks! Score! It was exactly what I had in mind for this room, but I'd never been able to find one at the right price. I guess it was my lucky day!

When we first moved into the farmhouse we had Baker's nursery temporarily set up in this room. And by "temporarily set up" I mean he had a crib and changing table surrounded by piles of boxes and other random things. And we nailed up some cheap black-out curtains from Walmart over the windows. Yes - nailed. It wasn't pretty. But, we transformed one of the upstairs bedrooms into a really cool nursery and once we moved Baker in I was able to slowly clear out the room and get a clean-slate vision for the space. 

We wanted to make the room feel both comfortable and inviting for our guests by incorporating soft, casual textures and authentic farmhouse style. We were able to complete the room on a tight budget, as well, by recycling pieces we already owned and scouting out the local trade pages. I found a beautiful antique armoire for only $85 and the bed linens were purchased from Ikea and Target. We also made our own curtain rods and hardware and used drop cloths as curtains. All very accessible and affordable if you're feeling inspired! 

Want to come visit? Come check in at The Inn at Stillwater Farm :)

The iron bed was missing a pole right in the middle of the headboard. I used a garland from Hobby Lobby ($7) and a wreath from the Dollar Spot at Target ($3) to make this little guy to take up the space.

The bench against the wall was actually from the old barn on the back of the property! No idea how old it is, but it's definitely "vintage" :) We made the curtain rods by using 10 ft. poplar closet poles ($16) and wooden finials ($2) from Lowes. The curtains are made from 4 ft X 12 ft drop clothes from a local hardware store. They were only $7.99! I just cut them to length and folded the top over to create the ruffle. No sew!

A beautiful aerial photograph of the farm and a very special sketch of the farmhouse. 

Our friends might recognize this old door. We used it as a headboard in our last home. It looks completely different styled in this room!

A closer shot of the drop cloth curtains and some vintage goodies..

Antique paddle boards from the fire station Brett works at! They sort of move around the house, but they've settled in this new room for now.

Of course Daddy's little shadow wanted to help!

Hope you enjoyed the tour. We're really looking forward to Spring weather and friendly visits!

-Lauren