Our Farmhouse Journey: From Six Acres of Dirt to a Cozy Country Home (Plus My Favorite Affordable Farmhouse Finds)
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HELLO, SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE
Farmhouse designs always make me feel comfortable, cozy and peaceful. There’s something about clean lines and minimal touches that grounds me. I’m not naturally “flarry,” but this journey has stretched me in all the best ways—especially when it comes to decorating.
Our story began five years ago when my husband came home with a big idea: sell our house and buy land. It didn’t take me long to get on board, but the idea of uprooting everything wasn’t easy. Little did I know, it would be the start of the most meaningful chapter of our lives.
Finding a Rental + Starting Fresh
The housing market was booming, and our home sold quicker—and for more—than we expected. The search for a rental home wasn’t simple with four of us plus my parents, but eventually we found a two-story home that worked for the year we were there.
It wasn’t our forever home, but it served its purpose.
Discovering Our Six Acres
After many weekends of driving back roads and browsing listings, we finally found the perfect piece of land—six acres surrounded by endless farmland. Peaceful. Quiet. Exactly what we dreamed of!
The idea of clearing land, securing contractors, and starting the building process overwhelmed me, but my husband thrives in projects like this. He mapped it all out and got to work.
The Shop/Apartment Plan
To save financially during the build, we decided to construct a shop/apartment first. My parents would live in the apartment, and my husband and I would live in the 700 sq ft shop. It was small, but it would get us on the property while working toward our dream home.
During framing, life surprised us with a blessing—our foster daughter (now our daughter) so we added a small extra bedroom just for her, and though simple, it was filled with everything she needed.
Living Small + Living Simple
A year later, we moved into the shop. Going from 1900 sqft sq ft to 800 sq ft was a challenge—but also freeing.
We simplified, decluttered, and made space for only what mattered. Surprisingly, the concrete floors were one of my favorite parts.
After living shop-life for about a year and a half, the housing market collapsed—and suddenly, building our dream home became possible again. It wasn’t always easy living in tight quarters but worth the savings and memories.
Building Onto the Shop
We decided to expand instead of starting over, adding 2,300 sq ft onto the existing structure. It meant another year of construction, dust, plastic coverings, and rearranged furniture—but it was worth it.
And when construction ended—it was finally my turn to decorate.
My Favorite Affordable Farmhouse Finds
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These items were added slowly as our budget allowed, and each one helped transform our house into the cozy farmhouse feel I wanted.
1. Cozy Area Rugs
I love hardwood floors, but rugs add warmth and texture. I bought one at a time to stay on budget and chose styles that matched the natural, cozy farmhouse feel. These rugs have held up amazingly well.
Product Description:
Soft, durable, and easy to clean, this rug adds instant warmth to any farmhouse space. Perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, or hallways. A budget-friendly staple for cozy home design.
2. Blackout Curtains
Our white trim is gorgeous, but these blackout curtains made our rooms feel complete. They block out the bright exterior lights and help us sleep better. They’re thick, soft, and look far more expensive than they are.
Product Description:
Heavy, high-quality blackout curtains that provide privacy and comfort. Available in multiple farmhouse-friendly colors and perfect for bedrooms or living areas. Adds warmth without sacrificing simplicity.
3. Battery-Operated Wall Lights
One of my favorite touches—these sconces changed our hallway completely. I placed them above framed family photos, and the remote control makes them super easy to use.
Product Description:
Modern farmhouse wall sconces powered by long-lasting batteries. No hardwiring required. Comes with a remote and multiple light settings—ideal for hallways, art walls, or cozy reading corners.
4. Long Hallway Runners
These runners softened our long hallways and stay perfectly in place thanks to the non-slip backing.
Product Description:
A beautiful, durable runner that adds warmth and texture to farmhouse hallways. Non-slip grippers keep it from sliding—perfect for busy households with kids or pets.
Home, Sweet Farmhouse
We still have a garage to finish and some trim work to go, but this is home. Peaceful, grounded, and full of meaning. Living in the country has given us simplicity, gratitude, and the coziest farmhouse we could’ve imagined.
Happy Designing,
Julie Todd