Keeping Room Refresh

The keeping room got a refresh that included hanging curtains on our large windows. We've lived with undressed windows for quite sometime and although I loved that look I thought it was time to try some curtains in this space.

I just loved the look of the Heirloom Curtains that I got for the shop and just kept picturing what they might look like on these windows. Finally I just decided to see, so using some tape I hung them from the trim above the windows. They looked as good as I had imagined! Then I knew I wanted to officially make the change and add them to the windows.

I didn't really want to mount any permanent hardware to the window frame and I had actually liked the draping they had while hung temporarily with the tape, so I thought I would hang them with some ring clips to get that look even though they do have a rod pocket. Now, what to hang the rings from? I thought of using a small nail for each ring, but that would still be making holes in the window facing. I kept thinking of command hooks because I usually use them to hang Christmas decorations. When I looked for them at the store I found some very small clear ones. They showed to be used to hang strings of Christmas lights and I thought the curtain ring would fit in them just perfectly and I was right! I was able to hang the curtains with ring clips from the command strips to get the primitive look I was going for.

The mantel got a new look after putting away the patriotic decor that I have had up this summer. I added some of my favorite antique finds, the ovoid crock, the man and woman silhouettes, the leather books, and pewter tankard. To complete the mantel I also added the Reproduction candle holder and the courting candle holder from the shop.

I flanked the fireplace with an old crock, filled with a few sticks of firewood, on one side and a little cricket stool and a milking stool holding a basket on the other. An antique copper water vessel sits in the center on the brick hearth.

I moved the two recliners to sit angled in front of the window and used my old blue barrel as a makeshift side table between them. It was the perfect spot for a stack of wooden bowls.

I moved my little table, that I found at a yard sale many years ago, to the center of the room for a colonial look. Even though it is really a dishcloth, the blue check fabric square adds the perfect touch of color under my favorite brown ware pitcher.

I pulled one of my black Windsor chairs up to the corner of the rug and caddy corner from the table. Behind the chair you can see that I brought in the antique cupboard that has been on the wall around the corner. I think it ended up looking great beside the fireplace. It was the perfect fit and added a touch of rustic, primitive, charm. It also made the perfect spot for some of my taller pieces, a large crock and demi johns. 

A few changes were made to the hutch. I removed my George Washington portrait, replacing it with a sampler. I also added another sampler on a lower shelf. The two plank bottom chairs found their way back to each side of the hutch.

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I brought in another old cupboard to place on this wall under this shelf, instead of the table that I've had here. I removed the pewter from the shelves and arranged several of my favorite pieces that I've gathered over the years. On the bottom shelf I have a little antique sampler and a crock jar. On the top shelf I have a stack of brown books, vintage candle holder, an ink bottle and mortar and pestle.The top of the cabinet seemed like a great spot for some more of my brown ware.

Well, I am loving the new look! I'm not sure for how long, but for now I'm loving it! LoL I hope you all do as well. Thank you so much for stopping by the farmhouses

Tammie xoxo