FARM CHIC WEDDING

Last weekend I went to my best friends wedding in Kentuky. It was so beautiful, unique and romantic. The couple, Drew and Kelly, are both artists and Kelly is also an interior designer. With all that talent, along with the help of two crafty families, they dove in head first with DIY projects to make this wedding original and personal. The ceremony was held outside a huge red barn with corn fields and llamas in the background. The couple was married under the umbrella of a big tree. They hung a chandelier from a branch to create a backdrop and the seats curved in a semi-circle facing the trunk. The grooms men wore bow ties and suspenders and the bridesmaids picked their own dresses in different shade of nude. The bride wore a beautiful fitted gown with customized touches like a handmade sash and cap sleeves. The reception was inside the barn, under twinkling lights and vintage chandeliers. The groom painted an American Gothic inspired portrait and asked their guests to sign the matte board. Instead of place cards at the door, they filled a farm cart with mini canvases and easels with handwritten name tags; on each table there were painting supplies for us to play with. They danced to a sweet and slow live version of "Home" by Edward Sharp and The Magnetic Zeros. The whole night was magical and I'm so impressed with all the handmade details that contributed to look and feel of the event. 

Kelly and Drew let me contribute to the look of the wedding as well. I made the garland you see below out of fabric scraps, lace and white Christmas lights. I also got to make all the flower arrangements, bouquets and boutonnieres. Kelly wanted the flowers to be soft and natural, like something you'd pick from a garden. I had so much fun chipping in and I can't wait to see the professional pictures! 

URBAN HERBS

Last weekend I finished up a little home project inspired by a photo I found on Pinterest via a post from Apartment Therapy. I have a coffee table on my patio that has seen better days; the wood slat top is rotting but the metal base is in great condition. The image inspired me to transform my table into an rustic herb garden. For my pallet garden to fit on the table I had to cut down one end, this gave me an extra board that I used to create a small drink ledge so the planter would also function as a side table. 

Below is a real simple step-by-step to help you create your own "urban garden" with a pallet. Pallets are really easy to find; ask your local hardware store or grocery store if you can take some or keep an eye out for them by commercial dumpsters (no shame in dumpster diving people). The lumber is great for small crafty projects because in most cases it's already distressed and the components are small enough for most people to manage. 

When you get ahold of a pallet make sure you remove any splinters and loose nails and sand down the edges. I wrapped the back and exposed sides of the planter with weed barrier fabric and then stapled it in place starting from the middle and working my way out. When you are trying to figure out where to place your fabulous new garden, make sure you consider drainage. My existing table was a great option because the top was loosely slated wood and would allow for rain water drain out, in my inspiration photo on Pinterest they rested their planted against the wall. When your planter is sealed tight fill it with potting soil plant your desired herbs or flowers. It took me close to 2 bags of soil to fill the pallet and I based the amount of herbs I planted on the distance required by each plant. When the pallet was full and planted I hosed it off and added my final board that would make up my drink ledge!

 Here are a few other creative uses for recycled pallets...

pinterest via Amber Mccardle

pinterest via Elena Frances Nava

by Katrin Arens

pallet chair by Studiomama via Color By Numbers