Innholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2025 i American Farmhouse Style

DON’T YOU JUST LOVE SPRING? A time for renewal and fresh starts, daffodils and tulips, spring cleaning and for many, updates to their homes. Whether you live in an older country house that needs a bit of love or a new build in the suburbs where you want to bring in farmhouse charm, we’ve got you covered in this issue! From A to Z, we’ll walk you through the key elements that make up farmhouse style and creative ways to implement them room by room. From flooring to lighting and everything in between, we hope this in-depth look helps you refine your own style. We’re also peeking at the “behind the scenes” aspect of Project House Austin: the framing, plumbing, electrical and brick work are being completed at a steady…

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, making pot holders 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 most popular…

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? WATER PROOF 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…

• KEY TO CUSTOM. One of the benefits of rebuilding a home is that you are familiar 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 you recreate the look of…

When you’ve finished decorating your house, what do you do? You either redecorate the spaces you’ve already completed or find a new home to tackle. This is what Instagrammer Loren Carr of Blue Barn and Cottage has done on several occasions. Her current home in upstate South Carolina was vacant when she found it, with dark, outdated interiors. Since then, she’s turned it into a farm cottage haven full of personal touches and DIY projects. RENOVATION BASICS The home is 1,650 square feet, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms—just the right size for Loren and her daughter. But the house needed both structural and stylistic updating before they even moved in. “We rented back our old house for a month while we did the initial renovations, like the floors, rewiring…

• SHUTTER STYLE. Originally, shutters secured residences and were the first “storm windows” that protected homes against bad weather. Now, they’re an enduring farmhouse legacy. You can use shutters both inside and outside. A familybased company called Shuttercraft offers both options. “Shutters enhance historic homes and modernize rooms,” says Colleen Murdoch, owner. “In addition, shutters add enormous curb appeal and value to your home.” If you’re restoring a historic home, Shuttercraft can create custom shutters that match the old ones that are falling apart. Fun fact: Shuttercraft has made shutters for thousands of homes, a few universities, movie and television projects, Broadway shows and even the White House in Washington, D.C. • COLUMN CORE. Originally, farmhouses didn’t have the porches we now associate with them. During the pioneering period, farmers…

An impactful way to update your interiors is with flooring. For farmhouse style, there’s nothing so classic as the look of wood flooring. But even within that look, there are plenty of options that will give your farmhouse the same country feel. NATURAL HARDWOOD For some, nothing but natural hardwood will do. This is often the most expensive option, but it’s also the most authentic and long-lasting. You can refinish your solid hardwood floors over and over. Avoid natural hardwood in rooms with a lot of moisture, such as the bathroom. Instead, you can achieve the same rustic feel with tile, or even brick. ENGINEERED HARDWOOD Engineered hardwood is one of the most popular wood floor options, with the same look as solid wood floors. It’s easy to install and…

Alexander James Shop Thoughtfully curated architectural products delivered directly to your door. A bespoke source for anyone wanting to beautify their space with hard-surface floors and wallcoverings. Visit alexanderjames.shop. Cotton & Crete Founded by the mother-daughter team of Sharon Canale and Gabriella Meshon, this bustling company specializes in mixing old with the new to help their customers create unique rooms with a hint of the past and the promise of the future. Visit cottonandcrete.com. MRCOOL® “Comfort made simple” is the company’s motto and they live up to it with innovative, reliable and efficient heating and cooling options for any space. MRCOOL® DIY® ductless mini-splits are the only true DIY HVAC on the market. Visit mrcool.com. Willow Bath and Vanity Providing products that blend style, design and safety for your bathroom,…

• Opt for Pink Flowers. Corey chose pink florals to help tie all her pops of pink together in her tablescape. For a similar look, choose an Easter flower arrangement with pink tulips, flowering branches like cherry blossoms or pink hyacinth. There are even some new varieties of daffodils that come in blush hues. • Choose Subtle Pink Shades. Not all your pink hues need to be brilliantly Barbie pink. Instead, pick items like Corey’s woven rattan place mats in a lighter wood tone that lean pink, or select items like her light wood candlestick holders made from distressed wood in a faded salmon shade. Bringing together all these subtle tones will create an impactful, layered effect, the collected look Corey prefers. • Look for Patterns. Corey likes to weave together…

The task of designing a living room often comes with asignificant 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 design…

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 to be…

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 unwind 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 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 profile.…

• 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, as well as more upscale than composite or…

Farmhouses as we know them today tell the story of America. The concept originated in Germany and Scandinavia as a means to house farmhands, and as the frontier moved west in the United States, farmhouses popped up across the nation to shelter entire families. As these pioneers settled and worked the land, farmhouses became family homes and places of rest, shelter and connection after long days. Now, farmhouses capture our longing for a sweet and simple life predicated on the same principles: family and a connection to nature. By building farmhouse details right into your home, you’ll create your own country-chic sanctuary. WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE? Architecture focuses on structural and decorative design choices at the blueprint level. These are the elements encoded into the DNA of a home, such as windows,…

Lighting is essential to any home, and farmhouse lighting will add country pizzazz to your style. Here’s a guide to what you need. CHANDELIERS This will be your statement piece, and you can use it in almost any room. While a chandelier hangs down to act as functional light, it also draws the eye upward, especially in larger spaces such as your dining room, or any room with higher ceilings. PENDANT LIGHTS These are like chandeliers in that they hang down from the ceiling. But whereas chandeliers have multiple bulbs, pendant lights usually have just one. They work well individually or in a group of odd numbers. For example, three pendant lights above the kitchen island or one above the sink area. FLUSH MOUNTS These are lights affixed “flush” to…

• SIZE. Many traditional area rugs come in standard sizes, but vinyl offers more flexibility. “We are seeing a growing number of customers who prefer a custom or one-piece L-shape mat to cover their kitchen floor around the island,” Kim says. • CLEANING. Does the room have high traffic or low traffic? If it’s a formal sitting room or another area with fewer visitors, a braided rug might be a good option. But for high-traffic areas that need frequent cleaning, waterproof vinyl mats are the ticket. They’re simple to wipe clean with a wet cloth or a broom. Each V-MAT is also waterproof and stain resistant. • ALLERGIES. If you have anyone in your household with pet or dust allergies, carpet or large braided area rugs might increase allergy discomfort.…

CALI CASUAL, FARMHOUSE MODERN, Page 58 For more on Ashley, visit thirteenoak.com. Backsplash: Bedrosians. Visit bedrosians.com. Hardware: Baldwin Hardware. Visit baldwinhardware.com. Lighting: Shades of Light. Visit shadesoflight.com. Open shelves: Rejuvenation. (888) 401-1900 or rejuvenation.com. Plumbing: Brizo. Visit brizo.com. Range: Ilve. Visit ilveusa.com. FIXER UPPER FARMHOUSE, Page 62 For more on Loren, visit Instagram.com/bluebarnandcottage. Den rug: Boutique Rugs. (855) 585-4040 or boutiquerugs.com. Kitchen countertops: Laminate 180FX Calacatta marble with OGEE edge from Formica. (800) 367-6422 or formica.com. Kitchen hood: DIY project. Kitchen wallpaper: Farrow and Ball. (888) 511-1121 or farrow-ball.com. Paint: kitchen door: Whipped Mint by Behr. (800) 854-0133 or behr.com; front door: Dix Blue by Farrow and Ball. (888) 511-1121 or farrow-ball.com. Primary-bedroom floral comforter; kitchen pendant lights: Pottery Barn. (888) 779-5176 or potterybarn.com. Primary-bedroom frame: Bombay Company. Visit bombaycompany.us.…

From powder rooms to entryways, how we choose to adorn our walls greatly impacts the look and feel of each room in our homes. While paint is the typical wall treatment of choice, wallpaper is another way to inject color, texture and patterns into any space. Bringing together thoughtful design and quality production, Far Studio and Chasing Paper collaborated to create a collection filled with rich and luxe textures and colors. Brittany Hakimfar, Founder and Lead Designer at Far Studio, and Elizabeth Rees, Founder at Chasing Paper, offer their insights into the selection process of wallpaper, and how to maximize its use in your home. AFS: How can you use wallpaper to its best effect in home design? Brittany Hakimfar: Wallpaper really adds the next layer to design. For instance, it can take…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Clear acrylic stamp block (the grid lines make it easy to see where you are placing the stamp design). I ordered a set of six in varying sizes for future stamp projects. • Stamp set (clear, silicone stamp card with multiple designs within your theme). You may only use one design, but it’s nice having options for future projects…and you save money! • Stamp ink pad (permanent waterproof in choice of color) • Cloth napkins (I chose natural cotton linen dinner napkins) WHAT YOU’LL DO: 1. Wash and dry the cloth napkins (iron afterward if they are wrinkled). 2. Choose a stamp and carefully peel the stamp from the sheet. 3. Place the stamp on an acrylic stamping block. 4. After deciding the placement for your stamp pattern, press the…

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 bit…

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, remember to consider not only the room’s importance in farmhouse style but also ways 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…

• WORK OF ART. Decorative Ceiling Tiles, which Milan founded with his wife, Damaris, offers not only decorative tiles in a range of finishes and styles, but also beams. The tiles and beams epitomize farmhouse style and turn ceilings into works of art. “Best of all, most of them can go over your existing ceiling,” Milan says. • OPTION OPTIMUM. When it comes to picking the best treatment for your ceiling, Milan says to choose “based on the décor of the rest of the room, your individual taste and the height of the ceiling. Lighter colors make the room feel airier, and open. Darker colors create warmer looks and match darker stained furniture.” • FARMHOUSE FEEL. The treatments at Decorative Ceiling Tiles are perfect for giving homes a vintage farmhouse…

ENTRYWAY This room has a lot of function, but you also don’t spend too much concentrated time here. Focus on one or two flushmount lights that sufficiently illuminate the space. You should only have to turn on one light switch to light up this room. KITCHEN The kitchen is one of your main workspaces, so it needs a lot of light. Include plenty of overhead and recessed lighting, then add a pendant over the sink area and layer in pendants or a chandelier over the island. You can also add lighting underneath overhead cabinets for more light directly on the countertop work areas. LIVING ROOM Many people err on the side of too little light in the living room. Remember that you want to be able to play board games,…