Last night I was going through more old magazines
{it feels like a task that will never end ~ do they reproduce at night or what??} and I hit a pile from 2003 -2005.  It was interesting how many of the rooms were WHITE & SHABBY, even more interesting to realize how long that trend has hung on.  After about 1o magazines I thought that I’d never land on an image that I could post then I turned the page and did a little gasp at this photograph. 

{Country Home Magazine, July/Aug 2005, Photography by Maura McEvoy}

Here’s what I love about it… vintage rattan that has contemporary rustic feeling, antique shutters and accessories… and of course the mannequin heads which seem to be a requisite for authentic vintage style.  Here are a few sources for recreating this look in your own home…

Mountain Majesty Vintage Painting from Wolf House on ETSY

Blue Glass Vintage Ribbed Pitcher from Sage Olive on ETSY

Antique Mannequin Heads from Marge Crunkleton
Do these freak anyone else out??  What about the baby doll heads that you can find in every antique mall in the country??  It’s very odd to me ~ I don’t why.  But then I love big Longhorn and Elk mounts in a living room which most people find a bit crazy so I guess that’s what makes each of our spaces unique, finding and living with the things we love. 

Vintage Clover Cut-Out Shutters from Plum Tree Antiques
These babies are SOLD, but they were too perfect not to share!!  Check out the rest of this site for regular updates of new antique inventory in stock.

Split Reed Art Deco Chair from Objects in the Loft
What a great chair ~ it looks so modern and clean, but it’s actually from the 1930’s.  They have a great selection of vintage rattan that you’ll LOVE.

Savanna Tuscany Fabric from Full Swing Textiles

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The idea of being a real life COWGIRL holds a tremendous amount of romance and intrigue.  For me it does, anyway… the idea of a hard day’s work out under a big blue sky, followed by an evening under the stars being serenaded by a rugged cowboy…  Now I know damn well that isn’t how it really works, but it’s definitely that notion that lures folks from every sort of life to want a little Western vibe in their homes.

Bedroom & Bath Magazine, Summer 2002

This vintage cowgirl room happens to be one of my favorites… more so because I actually slept in this room one night of my life.  It’s a long story of how that happened but imagine my surprise when a few years later I opened a magazine and saw that very same room where I had slept.  So I saved the pic & pulled it out today for a little INSPIRATION & sources for you to re-create this look and your own Vintage Cowgirl Bedroom…

Good Fortune Horseshoe Hooked Rug from Horse and Hound Gallery

 
Newfield Bed from Charles P. Rogers Direct

Double D Ranchwear Bedding from Frontier Outfitters

Star Curtain Rod

Antique Craftsman Table from Whitetrash Upcycle Recycle

 
Vintage Boots from The Lucky Star Gallery

I always say that I’m “all hat & no cow”… just a city girl livin’ a small town life who happens to appreciate the crazy hard work it takes to be a real life COWGIRL.  I’m not sure that my citified bones could what those women do day in and day out.  Either way, I sure love dressing and decorating the part, always paying homage to the girls who are really doing the nitty gritty day to day cowgirl stuff ~ hats off to you.

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Do you remember in the 80’s when “Country Style” included black and white cow print everywhere??  Holstein printed kitchen towels, plates & a rug were all it took to give you a “country edge” in the kitchen??  It’s the ill remembrance of said black & white print that still gives the word “country” a bad taste on some people’s palates. 

The truth is that “Country” is now hotter than ever ~ whether you’re taking a weekend trip to getaway, or following the trend of many other thirty~somethings to buy a little land in the country, move to a small town, and find a slower pace to life {our family fits solidly into that trend}.  “Country” is not only a lifestyle trend, it’s a decorating style that is now seen with everything from industrial lighting to rustic settings to urban hideaways.

{Image via Apartment Therapy via Cottage Living}

Do you consider your home “Country” but are afraid to use that word??  I LOVE the image above, such a clean looking space ~ a little bit country but with a modern vibe.  If/when we move to the apartment above the store I would LOVE to do shelves & baskets in the kitchen.  One because it’s an easy & inexpensive way to update a kitchen, but also because I love the idea of showing off my white dishes that have been hiding in our cabinets for years.  Here are a few more ways to achieve this look in your own “Country” kitchen…

Cow Canvas Hanging available from Rusty Star Jewelry
We also have these in stock at the Cactus Creek Store and they are really nice looking, especially for the price!!!

Vintage Ironstone from All Things White on ETSY
Ironstone is a great collectible if you like to go out treasure hunting.  OR, if you are trying to find just a couple of pieces to complete a set, you can always try ETSY or other online sources.  I’ve always just bought white dishes whenever I find them at discount stores or in a sale bin, it makes it much less painful when they break {which tends to happen with three boys in the house}, and I never have to worry about matching dishes. 

 
Ruby Red Glass Bin Pull from Van Dyke’s Restorers
A great way to update any kitchen or bathroom… a few new pulls on the drawers and cabinets can transform a place quickly and without spending a lot of money.

 
Quilt Lined Baskets ~ DIY from Country Living
I’ve never thought about making my own lined baskets from scraps of fabric… GREAT idea!!

Red Floral Rug
Anchor your space with a big rug.  The right choice can bring a whole space together, define your style, and give you something soft to step on.

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I found this picture on the Country Living website the other night and I’ve had it on my computer for three days.  For three mornings I have woken and wondered what it would be like to wake up in a CHOCOLATE BEDROOM.  With all that wondering I figured I might as well put it up for all to see…

Have you ever painted a room chocolate brown??  Do you think it would feel dingy after a few weeks??  Should there be a CRYSTAL chandelier abve the bed, or an ANTLER chandelier, or maybe something ENTIRELY DIFFERENT??

Just a few of the questions rolling through my head when I’m avoiding real life questions like, “what the hell am I going to make for dinner??”

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I’ve had the picture of this bedroom for YEARS, it’s been in several magazines and a book or two, also.  Today I ran across it again and decided to see if I could find a few goodies that you could use to make this look your own… happy shopping/dreaming!!

{Image from Country Living, May 2004, Photo by Unknown}

Twig Canopy Bed from Cottage Home
I could hardly believe it when I found the exact bed from the photo!!  And it’s available in lots of colors ~ like maybe BLACKBERRY or ARMY GREEN??

Adrianna Bedding from Ralph Lauren Home
Doesn’t get any cozier than a night under Ralph Lauren bedding.  A good investment if you’re able to go for it!!

Shutter Phone Table from Target

Yep, only $135 from Target.  That way you can spring for the RL Bedding.

 
Multi Taper Candelabra from At West End
Every home needs this in at least one place ~ it’s big & dramatic & just a little bit rustico.

Foxglove & Fern Botanical Print from Studio Botanika
Frame a couple of these in simple frames to pull it all together…

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Rustic * Western * Vintage Merchandise LINKS

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I found this image in a stack of magazine tear outs that I have from the early 90’s.  Further proof that Rustic * Western home decor sustains the test of time.  This is a look you can have in your foyer as well… here are a few sources to get you started.

The Native American prints are reproductions from Charles Bird King (1785-1862).  You can buy prints, and have them framed to suit your decor, right HERE.

Chinese Water Bucket from Olde Good Things. The uses for these water buckets is endless… I love the orange color of these!!

Horn Leg Sofa Table
~ the quintessential entry hall table for the Western home. 

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Our culture has found itself in a unique situation where our history and our future are colliding, and the trends and styles that are emerging are a juxtaposition of earthy, industrial, used, worn, and shiny new.

With our society’s trend of turning abandoned urban buildings into residential lofts and commercial properties, the lines between urban and vintage are blurring, stirring, and being re-produced in a style that has been described as Urban Country. It’s the idea of original brick and stone walls, industrial venting systems, and rustic leather sofas. The lifestyle is all about visiting Saturday morning markets for local farmer’s veggies, but spending the night in the city enjoying hip bands, art and fine dining.

Urban Country is a little bit cowboy {cause that’s an intrinsic part of American History}, a little bit industrial {cause that’s how we got to where we are}, and very in tune with nature {cause that’s the only way we will get to wherever we are headed}.

Our family is enjoying the concept of a Urban Country lifestyle with our plans to transform a 1910 building into not only the location for the Cactus Creek Store, but for the apartment above the store to be a home for our family.  We may live in a town of 1600 people, but we are still in the heart of downtown and we enjoy the amenities of being across the street from a hardware store, cafe and our very own recycling center.  There is a farmer’s market down the street during the summer, and artists in the house every 2nd Saturday, but we can be at the farm and fishing in less than 15 minutes.

{Images via Apartment Therapy}

It was the images of the loft {ABOVE} that got me thinking about these trends and how they have been slowly unfolding in magazines and on blogs everywhere.  What are ten things that define this Urban Country style?? 

{Available from Barn Light Electric Company}

{Available from Brumbaughs}

{Available from Serv ce Station}

{Available from Design Within Reach}

READ THE REST after the break below…

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“INSPIRED BY NATIVE AMERICAN DESIGN, THE CIRCULAR SPACE FEATURES A CENTRAL DOUBLE FIREPLACE”
{Veranda, Oct 2009, Photography by Chris Little}

flipping through a Veranda today and came across this CIRCULAR STONE FIREPLACE. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before… just stunning.

Hope y’all are having a good Saturday!!  It’s another beautiful day here in Weston MO at the Cactus Creek STORE… later taters, fancy

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TEN Rustic * Western * Vintage Bathrooms you’ll LOVE…

There are 10 Bathrooms but they are not in any particular order…   I love one for my half bath, one for my own bath, and another for the boy’s bathroom…. 

Amuse me, will you, which one is your favorite??

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{Country Living Magazine, Oct 2008, Photographer Don Freeman}

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There’s much more… Click BELOW to read on…

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Raise your hand if you’re ready for spring… Oh my, isn’t it time??   Here in Weston MO the sun was shining all weekend, I took the entire Cactus Creek Store apart and put it back together, vacuumed, cleaned and yes, we are ready for spring. 

This BRIGHT WHITE Lodge Living Room {below} felt light like Spring and therefore PERFECT for some Monday morning INSPIRATION…

GET THE LOOK…

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