By Jenny Barnett

Welcome, friend—Jenny here.

If you’ve found your way to this little corner of the internet, chances are you’ve got a wild heart and a deep love for the kind of life that isn’t rushed, plastic-wrapped, or digitally filtered. You’re my kind of people.

Welcome to Old West Topos, where we’re building a life that’s wild and rooted: bold in spirit, grounded in tradition, and deeply connected to the things that matter most.

This isn’t just a blog or a brand. It’s a way of living. A return to something older, slower, and more meaningful. I started Old West Topos because I wanted to create a space for people like us, people who love the feeling of dirt under their nails, the smell of beeswax in a sunlit kitchen, and the look of honest, handcrafted beauty in our homes.

Here’s what living wild and rooted means to me and why I believe it might just change your life.

Rugged Living

To me, rugged living isn’t about being tough just for the sake of it. It’s about being resilient. It’s learning how to mend what’s broken, grow what you eat, and build something with your own two hands—even if it’s not perfect. It’s the pride of fixing a fence by yourself or stacking firewood in the fall and knowing you’re providing for your family in a way that feels real.

Whether you’ve got a hundred acres to work with or a balcony garden to tend, rugged living is a mindset. It’s choosing simplicity over convenience and grit over gloss.

Handcrafted Decor

I’ll be honest—I’ve got a soft spot for things that are made the old way. There’s just something about hammered metal, hand-stitched leather, or sun-dried clay that makes my heart sing. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence. Real things made by real people.

One of my favorite sources for this kind of craftsmanship is Old West Iron. They make hand-forged iron hardware—stuff that feels like it belongs in an old ranch house or a Spanish mission. Their pieces add soul to any space, and every time I swing open my pantry door with one of their ring pulls, I smile.

Natural Wellness

Living close to the land also means listening to your body and giving it what it truly needs. I’m not a doctor, but I do believe in herbal teas for colds, lavender salves for burns, and good, hard sleep after a long day in the garden. Natural wellness, for me, is about trusting the rhythms of the earth and leaning into time-tested remedies passed down through generations.

It’s choosing whole foods, making tinctures in mason jars, and finding peace in the simple act of drinking a cup of nettle tea with your boots still muddy from morning chores.

Old-World Inspiration

There’s something about old-world design that just feels right. The arch of a stone doorway, the curve of a wrought iron handle, the smell of beeswax polish on a wooden bench. I draw inspiration from places and cultures that built things to last—from western homesteads to Mediterranean kitchens.

In a world obsessed with the next new thing, I think there’s something radical about holding on to what’s timeless.

This Is the Modern Frontier

This life isn’t about recreating the past—it’s about reclaiming the parts of it that still serve us. It’s about slowing down, working hard, and making beauty a priority—not the kind you buy in a box, but the kind you grow, build, harvest, and pass down.

So whether you’re here for DIY decor ideas, homestead know-how, natural wellness tips, or just a little inspiration to live closer to the land—I’m glad you’re here. This is a journey, and we’re walking it together.

Welcome to the Modern Frontier.

Let’s live wild. Let’s stay rooted.

—Jenny