Innholdsfortegnelse for Upgrade Your Farmhouse 2024 i American Farmhouse Style

WITH THE NEW YEAR COMES FRESH OPPORTUNITIES, not only for us to examine our lives, but also to examine the spaces in which we live in a new light. Renovation can be a scary word—as with nearly any renovation project, it is almost guaranteed that your regular pattern of life will be overturned for (hopefully) a little while in the hopes of greater improvement in functionality as well as appearance. In some cases, this can truly be a life altering commitment. However, in the end, we determine it was worth it. Whether you are planning your next great DIY project or seeking inspiration while working with a professional designer to craft the home of your dreams, this issue has a little bit of something for everyone. If you’re still on…

• BUDGET YOUR TIME. When considering the cost of a DIY renovation, budget in your time as much as your money. When we renovated our kitchen, the single task of repainting our cabinets instead of replacing them took 250 man hours. To put that into perspective, it would have been three weeks if we’d both worked on it full time. But we both worked other full-time jobs, so it was more like three months. • WORK AS A TEAM. In our family, I have the design mind, and my husband has the engineering mind (literally—he’s an engineer). He lets me make the design decisions, and I in turn follow his directions when it comes to the actual construction. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and let the person with the expertise…

WHETHER YOU’RE REMODELING OR DOING A NEW BUILD, the mudroom or entryway is the gateway into your newly designed home. It will be the first experience many people have of your home, and your family’s way to shuck off the mess of the outside before entering. It’s a very practical space that is driven by a specific purpose. FUNCTION If your entryway is combined with the mudroom (or even laundry room), then the space needs to serve more than one function. Be clear on exactly what you need to do in this space before you start designing. The architecture and design—from the flooring and wall options to the furniture and storage—will need to be very specific with your desired function in mind to keep the space from feeling cluttered and…

1. MAKE A FOCAL POINT. “Make sure there is a focal point to your room,” Holly says. “It’s usually either the fireplace or the TV. Pick one and make the other secondary.” This will help you conceptualize where to place your furniture. 2. THINK BIG. “Start with the biggest piece and fill in the smaller pieces once you know you have the biggest piece in the right place,” Holly says. Although small furniture and décor can sometimes be the most fun to display, you should nail down where the larger and more important items belong first. 3. CONSIDER PRACTICALITY. When arranging seating, it’s important to not only consider how it will look, but also how you’ll use it. “Make sure everyone has a place to sit where someone would actually…

DROP-IN. This type of sink literally “drops in” to the lower kitchen cabinets. “Drop-in sinks tend to be the best choice for DIYers,” says Chris DeVillers, chief sinkologist at Sinkology. “The sinks can often fit right into the existing hole in a countertop, making it a very easy process.” Remember, “The most important thing to keep in mind with sink installations is that the style of sink you choose needs to fit your kitchen design.” UNDERMOUNT. As the name suggests, this type of sink installs from the bottom of the cabinet. “Undermount sinks are edgeless, so this mounting style offers a high-end, seamless look with easier cleaning and more space on your countertops,” Chris says. Sinkology offers both drop-in and undermount sinks, as well as Dual-Flex Rim sinks. “They’re designed…

HOW TO CHOOSE IT When it comes to kitchen and dining serveware, you want something that will last through years of use, and still be beautiful. Polder’s, for example, handcrafts cutting boards, wooden spoons and other wares from local fallen trees near the company’s farm in Virginia. “You won’t find any computer-operated machinery in our shop, but rather a row of fine Swiss-made utensils and piles of little, irregular squares of worn-out sandpaper,” Loran says. When purchasing serveware you want to display, check for a lifetime warranty to make sure you’re getting the most durable pieces and the best bang for your buck. HOW TO DISPLAY IT There are many ways to display serveware in your dining room. Hang a few open shelves for bowls and plates, or display a…

IN THIS BEAUTIFUL 5,500-SQUARE-FOOT HOME LOCATED IN A QUIET EQUESTRIAN NEIGHBORHOOD IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, blogger Karen Snyder of Sanctuary Home Decor and her husband have transformed their 1960s ranch-style house into a sophisticated yet cozy farmhouse cottage. With a background in real estate, event design and photography, Karen started her blog and Instagram account three years ago as an experiment. “I wanted to try something new,” she says. “I wanted to find something I loved spending time doing.” Home décor and design seemed like the perfect transition given her combined interests, and she named her blog Sanctuary Home Decor after her belief that home should look and feel like a sanctuary. “What really inspires me is creating spaces that bring a sense of peace and joy to whoever is…

See Modern Makeover Page 44 OFFICE Table: CB2. (510) 399-2206 or cb2.com. Chairs: Pottery Barn. (888) 779-5176 or potterybarn.com. Light fixture: Wayfair. (844) 232-9535 or wayfair.com. Vase: HomeSense. (855) 660-4663 or homesense.ca. PRIMARY BEDROOM Bedside tables: Mercana. (800) 461-1666 or mercana.com. Bedside lamps and bench: HomeSense. (855) 660-4663 or homesense.ca. Hanging light fixture: Arteriors. (424) 249-6855. LIVING ROOM Light fixtures above shelves: Generation Lighting. (877) 762-2323 or visualcomfort.com. Couches: EQ3. Visit eq3.com. Coffee table: Sundays. (800) 786-0625 or sundays-company.com. Brown chairs: Mercana. (800) 461-1666 or mercana.com. DINING ROOM Chairs: Nuevo Living. (416) 781-6362 or nuevoliving.com. Light fixture: Hudson Valley Lighting Group. Visit hvlgroup.com. Table: Moe’s Home Collection. (800) 967-9942 or moeshomecollection.com. KITCHEN Chairs: Rove Concepts. (800) 705-6217 or roveconcepts.com. Light fixture above island: Hudson Valley Lighting Group. Visit hvlgroup.com. Runner…

• CLEAR PURPOSE. Make sure you have clear delineations between each purpose in the single space. Put the sink, washer and dryer together, while the mudroom storage should be in its own separate area. • COHESIVE STYLE. Especially if this space also acts as your entryway, make sure your farmhouse style is cohesive with the rest of your home. This will keep the area from feeling like a blank space when guests first step inside. • KEEP CLUTTER OUT. This multipurpose room is primarily functional, so it’s easy for clutter and messes to stack up. Keep a clearly designated area for each item that should go here, and if it shouldn’t go in this room, don’t let it stay here. • STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE. As with any high-use room, storage…

CONSIDER YOUR SPACE. “You have to take into consideration what you already have in the room where you want to use the painted piece,” Susan says. For starters, look at the colors you’ve already used, and make sure your choice will work within the palette. Black Dog Salvage offers both subtle and bold hues, which is specifically designed to mix colors so you can get the perfect shade you’re looking for. CONSIDER YOUR FURNITURE. Also look at the size and purpose of the furniture you want to paint. Is it a coffee table, or a dining table? “If it’s an accent piece and small, you may want to go brighter or richer, so it stands out,” Susan says. “If it’s a large piece, it is usually wise to keep it a…

• GO FOR QUALITY. Appliances are an investment, and you want pieces that stand the test of time. Elmira Stove Works appliances deliver many years of delicious meals. “A Heritage range can weigh up to 500 pounds,” Tony says. “They’re not only sturdy; they’re also built around reliable premium components.” While doing your research, look out for reviews from trusted sources such as Consumer Reports for the reliability of the model you’re considering. • TRY A VINTAGE LOOK. There are many options for appliance finishes, so choose a look that enhances your kitchen design rather than taking away from it. “Incompatible appliances can detract from the design,” Tony says. “Vintage-inspired appliances can add a magical splash to a farmhouse kitchen.” For a vintage or classic farmhouse look, Elmira Stove Works…

YOU PROBABLY SPEND MORE TIME IN YOUR BEDROOM THAN YOU THINK—after all, about a third of your life is spent sleeping. Your bedroom should be a safe space to relax and wind down after a long day, and then refreshing to wake up to in the morning. So, how do you go about creating a relaxing farmhouse bedroom from the ground up? Think rustic simplicity and comfort. ARCHITECTURE What does farmhouse architecture look like in the bedroom? First, build in lots of windows into your design. Wood elements are also a quintessential aspect of farmhouse style. That might mean wood flooring and shiplap or another type of paneling on the walls. Exposed ceiling beams often look great in the bedroom, too, especially if the room has a slanted or A-line ceiling…

VISION After years of use, it was falling apart and completely unsalvageable—as a dresser. “I remember staring at it and loving the arch and other pieces throughout, thinking, ‘Gosh, I wish we could cut this thing up and save some of these pieces, maybe even use them for something else,’” she says. “Then a lightbulb went off, and I asked my husband Mario if he would be able to cut the top so I could use it above the wooden windows.” REPURPOSE The two got to work, cutting up the old dresser and taking pieces to add to their home décor. In addition to placing the wooden arch in the living room, Valerie also included a few other pieces as wall art in the kitchen to add further charm and…

• KEY TO CUSTOM. One of the benefits of rebuilding a home is that you often have a lot of familiarity with the property, and you also know your favorite aspects of life there, having experienced them in the previous house. “We incorporate the best parts of the prior experience and combine them with decisions tailored for your life,” Paul says. • DREAMWORK TEAMWORK. It’s important to have the right team around you for a rebuild, because rebuilds can be more complicated than a straightforward, new build. The priority is to expand on what previously existed. Experienced architects, builders, and designers can help you navigate the process. • GOOD BONES. The beauty of older homes is that they carry a lot of history. The right team of experts can help…

Vintage suitcases play an important part in Karen’s décor. “It’s kind of a theme throughout the house,” she says. Whether part of a vignette or used as a table, Karen’s suitcases are versatile. “I love them because they can add height, open and fill with things and are just very functional for decorating,” she says. In addition to their variety of uses, their colors and textures add warmth and interest, as well as vintage charm. “I’ve always loved looking at the inside of these suitcases—they have a story because they’ve traveled places,” she says. In finding her vintage treasures, Karen has found great success in thrift shops and small antiques stores, though she doesn’t recommend high-end boutiques. “I love shops that have collections from different vendors because I always find…

• START WITH SOMETHING YOU LOVE. “It can be a color, an old piece of furniture, artwork, anything,” says Kristin. “Start with something you love and build off of it.” If you cannot find an inspiring piece, she recommends hiring an artisan to bring your vision to life. • FINISHES ARE KEY. Kristin suggests picking finishes that will age well over time. “Things like unlacquered brass, honed marble and rustic wood will all give your home a worn-in, old world feel,” she says. • FOCUS ON LIGHTING. “Stay away from making recessed lighting the only thing illuminating your home,” says Kristin. “Try to pick fixtures that are a bit more classic or vintage! Create layers of light.” This will give your home a finished look and will also look and…

After settling on a satisfying fusion of paint, molding, wallpaper, paneling and artwork for your walls, one pesky detail remains: the ceiling. Though that “fifth wall” may seem daunting, these considerations can help you sort through your design choices: 1. Choosing the same color for your crown molding as your walls while keeping the ceiling white (or a shade or two lighter than the walls) adds height, space and airiness to the room. For smaller spaces, painting all five surfaces with one color can also give a false sense of extra square footage. 2. A wallpapered ceiling can be timeless or chic, but avoid dense patterns that could induce claustrophobia. A textured neutral still pops but doesn’t compete or weigh down the room. 3. To bounce light around the room,…

• WHITE. This is the most traditional color for farmhouses. Historically, white wash or lime paint helped insulate the wood from mildew and weathering. This is a classic option that can look vintage or modern, depending on the elements you add with it. For a vintage look, add shutters and window boxes. For a modern look, use black frames around the windows. • BLACK OR NAVY BLUE. An all-black home has a very dramatic look, particularly with monochromatic trim. Because dark homes tend to retain heat, they can work in well-shaded areas or cooler climates. For a farm cottage look with a darker shade like this, make sure the trim and other accents are white. • RED. If you live in a barn home, red is a bold option that…

THE TASK OF DESIGNING A LIVING ROOM OFTEN COMES WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE. Finding a balance between choices that aid in functionality, elevate your aesthetic and last for years can be tricky. But don’t worry—it’s entirely possible. FLOORS Hardwood floors create a classic, beautiful base for all your design elements. To help delineate your living space from other areas in an open floor plan farmhouse, use a large area rug to set under the seating area and coffee table. LIGHTING Choosing your main light feature(s) is a chance to have a little fun. Use recessed lighting to provide ambient light, then choose a feature light with more personality. A wood pendant light adds rustic charm, while a floor or table lamp can provide additional light and give your…

WHETHER YOU’RE STARTING FROM SCRATCH OR FINDING WAYS TO GIVE YOUR CURRENT SPACE A MUCH-NEEDED FACE-LIFT, selecting the right materials and finishes is essential to create the right look and feel for your farmhouse kitchen. After all, the kitchen is the center of the home. COUNTERTOPS One of the most important surfaces in your kitchen is the countertop. Each option comes with its own pros and cons. The key is to decide what material will best meet your and your family’s needs. Quartz is classic and low maintenance—however, be mindful that it’s not heat resistant, so pot holders are necessary. Butcher block is a great way to get a rustic vibe, and a cost-effective option to DIY. On the other hand, it requires maintenance with regular waxing. Granite is the…

FAMILY GATHERINGS CENTERED AROUND FARM-FRESH FOOD ARE A MAINSTAY OF THE FARMHOUSE LIFESTYLE. It makes sense, then, for the dining room to be a focal point. This space gets a lot of use, so when designing, make sure to remember not only the room’s importance in farmhouse style but also to combine aesthetics and practicality. ARCHITECTURE Often, the dining room is a simple box with windows. But that doesn’t mean you can’t show off farmhouse architecture here. Add exposed ceiling beams to draw the eye upward and add rustic charm. You can work these elements into the actual architecture of a new build, or add them to an existing room as decorative details. On the walls, consider wall paneling, such as board-and-batten wainscoting. Not only does this pair well with the…

OFTENTIMES, THE BATHROOM IS ONE OF THE FIRST ROOMS IN A HOUSE in need of a makeover. Not only does it get a lot of use, but trendy design features also soon fall out of fashion, and plumbing nightmares can create the need for an earlier-than-expected refresh. So, what are some ways you can design a farmhouse bathroom built to last? WATERPROOF First, pick materials that can handle water. A wood countertop is rustic, but think about how many times you inadvertently splash water outside the sink. Instead, choose the kind of countertop you might want in your kitchen, such as quartz or a natural stone. Keep in mind how steamy showers will affect any wall paneling or wallpaper you choose. Sealing these materials with extra protection (or choosing materials…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Ready-mix, all-purpose joint compound (amount will vary based on the size of your wall; Valerie used 4.5 gallons) • 6” joint knife • Tarp and painter’s tape • Rubber gloves • Ladder (if you need it) WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Prep your work area by taping down a tarp to prevent any unwanted spills. 2. Starting with a small sample area, apply joint compound to the wall with a joint knife. To avoid big clumps, use a little bit of compound at a time. Remember that it sets fairly quickly. 3. To get the signature schmear look, apply it in a haphazard way so it’s not too uniform. Skip some areas and add more in others. You can also remove some with the joint knife if…

• A SCREENED PORCH WITH FIREPLACE. Screened porches with heat sources allow for enjoying all the seasons no matter the weather. “Creating a year-round porch was important,” Paul says. “It allows life to be lived to the fullest no matter the weather.” • A PATIO WITH PENNSYLVANIA BLUE STONE. When it comes to selecting your outdoor materials, get creative! Blue stone is functional yet stylish. The patio is ideally situated for views of the river. “In every area, the architectural design intentionally maximizes the water,” Paul says. • A STAINED CEDAR PERGOLA. Natural wood finishes can be great outdoor choices. The pergola offers shade while the natural wood finish (versus a painted finish) enhances the coastal design and is more durable than paint, and more upscale than composite or plastic…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Hardcover book of your choice • Paper cutter or scissors • Foam paintbrush • Multi-surface adhesive, such as Mod Podge • Ruler • Decorative paper of your choice (scrapbooking cardstock, butcher paper, wrapping paper, etc.) WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Measure the front and back covers of the book, minus the spine. (That will get its own covering). Add 1" to each side (except the side facing the spine). 2. Cut the paper for the front and back covers. 3. Use a foam paintbrush to cover the front cover with a multi-surface adhesive; then set the decorative paper in place. Smooth out any air bubbles with a ruler or other flat edge. Repeat for the back cover. 4. At this point, there should be a 1" extension on three sides…

• FUNCTION AND MOOD. First think about what you need the lighting to do in your space and how you want it to feel throughout the day. “Select fixtures that illuminate your space to fit both its use and the mood you want to convey,” says Kristin. • SIZE IT UP. It’s very important to select the right size light fixture for the space you are working in. Too big can overwhelm, while too small can feel flimsy and not offer enough light. “An easy tip is to add up the room’s width and length,” Kristin says. “For example, if your bedroom is 16’x12’, then an ideal size for your light will be 28” wide (16 + 12=28).” • DIFFERENT IS GOOD. Changing up the look in each space isn’t…