Many of us aspire to the simpler, less cluttered life that farmhouse decor suggests.  But reality beckons and busy family life demands that we haul out the phone calendars to save our sanity.  Here are some ways to marry planner technology with farmhouse style. (iPhone meets paper!!)

Our subway-tiled kitchen niche with metal chair, weathered wood, and plank shelving for computer is all that’s needed to keep my family on track.

                                                          Photo via tipjunkie

When you’re out and about (dentist’s office, school event), note dates and times in your phone calendar. When you get home, add immediate events to your family calendar and stow related paperwork. Here, warm woods, matte black, crockery and fruit say “farm”.

(And you can store your oranges from that hook and eat them when you need a snack).

 Photo via hobby lobby

The rustic bench signals that this is a drop zone, and the wire baskets and hooks (longtime farmhouse materials) accommodate keys, mail, or any other items heading in or out of the house. Baskets and textiles warm up the white shiplap. It never hurts when your handwriting is this cute, either! I would be writing everything if I wrote that cute!

 Photo via Little Yellow Wheelbarrow

Even a small space can make a big impact: weathered wood, tin, and burlap sack fabric are farmhouse casual.

Photo via Pottery Barn

Galvanized tin is the quintessential farmhouse material, but it proves its versatility here. Store. Write. Pin. Organize your life. (This area could look so messy, but because it’s all corralled with a system, it looks organized and functional!)

Have you used a family command center? How has it worked for you?

Need some fresh ideas for organization with style?  Let’s talk!