This week, we’re welcoming back Jay Osborne from FreeFarmhouse.com to share even more of his wealth of knowledge about historic architecture! One episode could not contain the old house love, and I hope you’ll enjoy this convo part two as much as I did.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How a “modern farmhouse” can simultaneously fail to be either modern OR a proper farmhouse

What traditional architecture can teach us about a slower pace of life

Why designing small spaces makes every design decision work overtime

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/24.

I am honored to introduce our first guest to the podcast! Please join me in welcoming Jay Osborne -- an artist who designs buildings and a fellow old house lover -- to the show. Jay is the creator of Free Farmhouse, free architectural plans and open-source CAD files to help modern people build new homes like they used to do way back when.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Jay’s career in California and world travels (plus an abandoned old house in Virginia) inspired his design

Why Brandon and I POURED over the incredible plans he sent me

What makes an American farmhouse so unbelievably special

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/23.

We’ve been working on our turn-of-the-century farmhouse for the better part of 4 years and done all the work ourselves. Even when we were both working outside the house 9-to-5, we were still doing demo and renovation projects at night and on weekends. Neither of us had ever done something on this scale before! But we got it done. Here’s how!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How we invented 30 Minutes of House for days when we just couldn’t

Why long and specific lists shouldn’t intimidate you

Why planning day and execution day are never on the SAME day

And so much more!

For more info and show notes, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/22.

I have this compulsion to share what I learn almost as soon as I learn it. Which leaves a lot of people with the impression that I can do everything! Alas, I cannot. But I have one very important ability: I am willing to try new things. It’s a painful, tricky, and ultimately very rewarding process! And I hope to encourage and inspire you to take up a new hobby, too.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why I rarely begin with a “beginner” project

How I break down a new hobby into component parts (to make it actually do-able!)

The truth about what happens when you research TOO much

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/21.

There is an art to setting a beautiful table. And while you may own gorgeous dishes, you also may feel nervous about “breaking them out,” even for a holiday meal! Not my family. We find a way to make an occasion out of every day, and I’m here to help you build a glittering and fabulous table out of the things you love most. Just in time for the holidays!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What kinds of antique dishes are available (and where to go to complete your beloved set!)

How to arrange a table featuring your favorite pieces

Why “I felt like it” is all the reason you need to set a to-die-for table!

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/20.

How old is that dresser? Or that old chair? Or that to-die-for-table? Well, with a bit of research and a lot of experience, you can know for sure! Some antiques are a dime a dozen, while others are nearly impossible to find. I’ll help you sort out the valuables from the chaff so you can find the perfect additions to your home!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why dating your favorite pieces might be harder than you’d hoped (but finding the style might be easier!)

How to sort the originals from the revivals from the dreaded reproductions

Why that heart-stopping chair you just found may not be as vintage (or as rare) as it felt when you found it

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/19 to learn more.

I have spoken many times about the relationship I have with my house. My house talks to me, and I listen. If you have ever felt like your house “preferred” the chair to be here or there, or if your house “wanted” the walls to be blue, you know exactly what I’m talking about! But if your house hasn’t expressed an opinion, I’m here to help you tune into the vibes your house is sending you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the history of the house and architecture influence my research

What happens when a historical house meets modern needs, like electricity and indoor plumbing

Why there’s no replacement for your gut instinct

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/18 to learn more.

There’s nothing quite like a pantry full of bright and colorful foods in glistening glass jars to make an old-fashioned heart swoon! I fell in love with canning in 2020 for very personal reasons, but the habit has stuck because it’s such a valuable life skill. Never preserved food before? Then this episode is for you!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

A quick run-down of all the kinds of food preservation that you can do, from dehydration to canning

Why food security is so much more than just prepping for the end of times

How I got started canning in the dead of winter, and you can too!

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/17 to learn more.

Attention: this episode is not for the faint of heart! If you aren’t into spooky specters, ghost sightings, or spirited old homes, go ahead and hit skip. ‘Cause it’s Halloween and it’s about to get creepy up in here!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The often sad (but true!) history of my house across the last 30 owners

Why I’m so confident that this house has a spirit (and that I’m in direct communication with it)

The pearly specters and poltergeist-like occurrences that have happened around our old home

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/16 to learn more.

How do you make a space both beautiful and practical? There are plenty of efficient spaces that are, ahem, ugly. And I shall not be living in such a space. And yet, my highly aesthetic, veeeery pretty, dramatic, and Densely Packed Fancy house is also jam packed with efficiencies and practicalities.

So, how do you make a room wonderful and workable? That’s what I’ll share with you today!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to find your style aesthetic using the Favorite Things Challenge

Why you should solve functional problems around your house with simple fixes first (before dropping tons of money on “solutions!”)

When to upgrade the aesthetics without having to sacrifice the functionality

And so much more!

For more, go to FarmhouseVernacular.com/15 to learn more.