The City Farmhouse Pop-up Fair is almost here and we can't wait to introduce y'all to our friend Cari Cucksey, host of HGTV's Cash and Cari! When it comes to repurposing this chick has a knack for reinventing, so we caught up with her to help y'all get to know her a little better before the weekend...

1. How would you describe your personal design aesthetic?

Very eclectic but tasteful (of course). I love a variety of periods -- my own home is a mix from the 1700s all the way to the 1950s! Obviously it doesn’t look like some crazy flea market but it’s all about melding together color and texture.

2. Where does your love of antiques & vintage stem from?

Well, I grew up in a 1908 Sears Roebuck and was surrounded by both sides of the family. My mother was a teacher and had a huge love for antiques, so when she was off in the summers she’d drag me around to go shopping with her, always wanting to teach me everything she knew about antiques. On the other side of the family was my grandfather -- the first American picker (way before Mike and Frank!). He taught me all about repurposing… after going through The Great Depression, he had so much gratitude and was just astonished at what people were willing to throw away. He would go shopping every day alongside the road and pick up what other people considered trash, then turn those items into things that were useful and beautiful. He really instilled in me a love for repurposing.

3. How do you know when you've found the perfect piece to refurbish?

I guess it’s just a gut feeling… sometimes I find pieces and I have no idea what I’m going to do with them. It’s all about your gut in this business though, and taking a chance and being willing to put in the sweat and equity to make something come to life!

4. What's the coolest piece you've reinvented?

It’s so hard to pick just one since I’ve repurposed so many fun things out there… I guess my favorite project though was for our wedding. We created 20 vintage vignettes and one of them was a cast iron tub that I cut the front off of and turned into a little vintage couch!

5. If you could only choose three tools to use for the rest of your life, what would they be?

A paint brush, my staple gun and mascara -- definitely can’t live without that one!

6. What's your favorite part about what you do?

I absolutely love the fact that I’m able to inspire people across the globe. Cash and Cari on HGTV airs in 40 countries and it’s so neat to me that so many different people are looking at objects in a different light. We’re bringing back the stories of these pieces and their owners -- if we don’t keep telling that history and educating people about what those items were and can be recreated into, they’ll get lost.

Catch Cari at the demonstration tent this weekend where she'll be teaching fair-goers the art of repurposing with Matthew Mead and Wagner spray tools! For more on Cari and show details, go here.

Aaaaaand, he's back! One of our favorite celebrity stylists is returning to the October 2015 City Farmhouse Pop-up Fair, and this time -- he's bring his secret weapon. We caught up with Matthew so y'all could get a peek into his creative genius and what to expect from him at next week's show!

1. How did you earn the nickname the "Lifestyle Guru?"
I've been doing this for like 20 years now, and I think it's the fact that I have so many different ideas -- I can dream up just about anything.

2. You've been a guest at the CFH pop-up fair twice now -- what are you most looking forward to about the October 2015 show?
I love to see all the great vintage items the dealers have with them, plus I've made lots of great friends at the show over the past couple of years. The vendors are all so talented and stylish, and they ALWAYS bring something new and unexpected to the table. So much inspiration.

3. Will you be looking for any pieces in particular at the Fair this year?
Well, I'm coming with a paint sprayer from Wagner so I'm looking for thing I can upcycle. Things like furniture and small pieces that are stylish but that I can also personalize with my own color palette.

4. What three tips would you give people who want to get into upcycling, but don't know where to start?
Upcycling can start at home, so look around your own house and find things that you already have that can be made better with a coat of paint. Also, don't be afraid to experiment with color -- think about the colors you like to wear or the paint on your walls. They're great for furniture too! Finally, consider the fact that upcycling isn't just limited to indoors... it's perfect for pieces outside too, like a park bench or patio table. You can even paint a doormat, a rug, or a lamp base. It's totally unlimited what you can do!


5. What can fair-goers expect to learn from you at the show demonstrations?
I want to get everyone really excited about being creative and the discovery of this incredible tool that can help them with such a variety of things that will just make their lives more beautiful.

6. Why do you prefer Wagner tools over others?
This one is special, no only because it is studio sized but because it also sits on a countertop and is very transformational. Plus, it doesn't leave any brush marks allowing it to turn something from really blah to beautiful in just minutes.

7. What do you like about City Farmhouse style?
I think it's just so engaging -- it's a real lifestyle that has that casual, comfortable, put-your-feet-up look but is super stylish at the same time.

Learn more about Matthew Mead and the demonstrations he'll be doing at the pop-up fair here.

Top Left Photo: This Old House Magazine, Interior Design: Lizzie McGraw - Tumbleweed and Dandelion; Top Right Photo & Interior Design: Becky Cunningham - Buckets of Burlap; Bottom Left Photo: Alyssa Rosenheck Photography, Interior Design: Kim Leggett - City Farmhouse; Bottom Right Photo: Shelter and Roost, Interior Design: Kim Leggett - City Farmhouse

CASTING CALL! Do any of these photos remind you of your own farmhouse style or something similar - or maybe your farmhouse style is even better!  If so, we need to talk.City Farmhouse is looking for a few more spaces to photograph and feature in our new book, City Farmhouse Style.

Your space must BE ALREADY DECORATED IN FARMHOUSE STYLE, with the exception of expected styling, which we will do at no charge. If this describes your space as it relates to any of the spaces listed below, please email us at tenntracker@hotmail.com or call us at 615-268-0216.

There is NO CHARGE TO BE FEATURED. We want to showcase your talents and your home! ANYWHERE in the U.S. We already have some awesome spaces! We can't wait to see what you have done!

Category 1: Traditional Farmhouse

1. A traditional farmhouse in a rural setting that is decorated in farmhouse style.
2. A traditional farmhouse in a rural setting with beautiful flower, vegetable, or herb gardens.

Category 2: Small Spaces

1. A small space, cottage, town home, apartment, brownstone, etc. in, or near an urban city, that is decorated in modern farmhouse style.

Category 3: Working Studios 

1. A small studio - working studio, artist, recording artist, work space, fashion designer studio, etc. decorated in modern farmhouse style - in, or near, an urban city.

Category 4: Gardens 

1. Small container flower gardens, particularly patio & balcony gardens, or indoor window gardens in unique containers. In, or near, an urban city. 2. Small container vegetable or herb gardens on a patio, balcony, or indoor window gardens in unique containers. In, or near, an urban city.

All photos by Alyssa Rosenheck

One of the biggest challenges when designing a small space is combining comfort with style and making it all fit – especially when it comes to seating. Most of the really comfy sofas are oversized, or at the very least large. But when that won’t do, don't forget about the ever-popular, and often pretty, love seat - these days available in many comfortable styles.

Did you know that the first loveseat showed up in homes back in the 17th century - surprisingly for the comfort of a woman’s attire, rather than relaxing? Back in the day, this smaller impression of the sofa was invented so that women could sit while comfortably arranging the massive amount of hoops and fabric that made up their gowns.

While the loveseat has waned in popularity throughout passing trends, it's (thankfully) never completely gone out of style. Today, there's an even more demand for it as baby boomers are downsizing and young couples are buying smaller first homes or apartments. And, this furniture form really does blend beautifully with any decorating style, from farmhouse to fancy.

Recently, I chose to use an elegant period French loveseat in a farmhouse space tucked in the countryside of Tennessee (complete with a big white porch!).... and was so inspired, I had to share. I asked my friend Alyssa Rosenheck to run out and take photos -- doesn't she do a beautiful job?

Not only was this particular floor plan small, but there were also several features that posed problems.... such as doorways and window placements that limited how I could arrange the room for relaxing.

Though the main purpose of the loveseat in the room was to accommodate seating, one way I styled it allowed it to also serve as a divider between the combination kitchen and living room. In both vignettes you'll see below, the size was perfect for allowing plenty of walking room around the other furnishings--and by utilizing the fireplace as a focal point, I was able to create a cozy area that provided both style and functionality in a tiny 100-square-foot living room.

If you don't have the perseverance to uncover the perfect piece at antique stores near you, there are plenty of online resources these days that can help you capture our City Farmhouse style (though you know our pickers have the best eye!). A few of my favorites are here, here, here and here. Those are vintage - so if they're sold out by the time you read this, go to the One King's Lane site here.

I love old books... it feels appropriate to include vintage literature given this piece's history! 

A period French love seat works well when combining styles in a farmhouse setting.

How amazing are those 19th-century period banners? It's a cool story I'll tell you someday. They helped create a focal point with the mantel while creating the look.

Do you have a love seat in your home? If so, is it a style statement or functional for small space seating? 

Do you ever hit those valleys where you feel drained of genius (David calls that madness)? I think if you’re a creative person, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you experience it now and again.

Lately I’ve been counting my lucky stars for a couple spark plugs that are always at my fingertips--I’m talkin’ about Instagram and Pinterest.

So, I thought it might be inspirational for you if I shared a little love for a handful of Instagram accounts that kick my imagination right back into gear. The site is full of amazing feeds  - but here’s a look at what I get excited to double tap:

1. Elizabeth's Humble House [@elizabeths_humble_house]
This gal sees life in a unique way. Her photos are almost like studies.

2. Liperom [@liperom]
I love EVERYTHING about this feed. You will too! I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise by telling you all about it - but here's a sneak peek of what you'll find. 

3. Pencil and Paper Co. [@pencilandpaperco]
These guys are a local Nashville husband and wife design team. Super cool and colorful style that satisfies my alter farmhouse style!

4. Faded Charm  [@fadedcharmliving]
The ultimate in vintage farmhouse style! You wanna go here for inspiration overload. Follow as she constantly decorates and restyles her home.

And of course, we hope you’ll follow along with us on Instagram too! We're planting a lot of seeds for spring, summer, fall... and even next winter’s harvest. Lots to show and share with you--wouldn't want you to miss out: http://www.instagram.com/cityfarmhouse (@cityfarmhouse).

Happy pickin'! xx

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