Decorology

Category: country decor

  • Farmhouse inspiration: A charming upstate farm retreat

    Farmhouse inspiration: A charming upstate farm retreat

    Farmhouse Inspiration

    It’s a dream of all (admit it, all) NYC dwellers to have a country retreat. Kathryn Windley was no exception to the rule. She was tired of her grueling hours as an art director for a Manhattan ad agencies, and was recently divorced. She added a new twist to the New Yorker turned farmer by actually marrying the realtor who found her the property a few years later on the 20-acre grounds!

    This living room is kept bright and cheery by the white upholstery and brightly striped rug.

    In NYC, unless you pay for a separate studio, on never has space in their apartment for a studio.
    One day I hope to have the space to paint and draw again.

     

     

    The barn is actually a garage they designed to look like a barn.

    I adore this kitchen, and Kathryn claims the farmhouse sink is what sold her on the property.  The runner was a once a damaged full-sized carpet she had cut and bound to fit the kitchen.

    What do you think?

    Read the full story and see more at Country Living

  • Country interiors that are clean and fresh, not cluttered and frilly!

    Country interiors that are clean and fresh, not cluttered and frilly!

    I was born and raised on a large farm in an old colonial farmhouse.  I will always love old wide plank floors, exposed wood beams, and wavy windows. That being said, I have never been a fan of “country” decorating.  Ruffled valances, roosters, chintz and faux chipping paint make me cringe.  Country can be fresh and clean and beautiful – see below…

    Farmhouse Hall by South West Interior Designers & Decorators Sims Hilditch

    Gotta have your florals or toile? Then keep the drapery, linens and upholstery tailored and crisp.

    Farmhouse Bedroom by South West Interior Designers & Decorators Sims Hilditch

    Keep your light upholstery for a room like the bedroom – any room close to the house entrances is more subject to the dirt brought in from gardening and livestock.

    Farmhouse Bathroom by Chicago Architects & Building Designers Northworks Architects and Planners

    I would also save white cabinetry for a bathroom – the kitchen of a farmhouse gets far too much traffic!

    I would never have the heart to touch these floors or beams, so keeping the linens and walls white keeps the space fresh.

    via Country Living

    While I LOVE white cabinetry, it’s very tough to keep clean in a farmhouse.  Between farm dogs and dusty boots, go with a cream or off-white if you can’t do dark cabinetry.

    via Country Living

    Ranchers with low ceilings need all the light they can get.  A white ceiling, a mirrored wall, and glass doors make the most of the light.

    via Country Living

    Farmhouse Bedroom by Millbrook Architects & Building Designers Crisp Architects

    LOVE this too.  You don’t need ruffled valances to decorate this space.  The treetops are more than enough.

  • Uplifting and functional rooms

    Uplifting and functional rooms

    This home office is soooo pretty.  I love the muted colors, and the soft pink in the rug, yellow in the curtains, and green accents makes such a happy trio.

    Very bright colors are kept to a minimum in this rooms, which keep the rest of the colors from being too busy, but still cheerful.

    Another great mix of muted colors.

    The 4 images below are all from the same multi-functioning living room, that also serves as a foyer and home office.

    Effective layering makes this space look more expensive than it was.

    Wood in honey colors keep the space casual, and the art adds a whimsical touch.

    LOVE that little console!

    Everything has a pretty place to be stowed in the office nook, and an organized space is a happy space!  To read more and see all the pics from this room, click here.

    via BHG

  • Table inspiration and eye candy

    Table inspiration and eye candy

    Pretty uses for one of the most versatile pieces of furniture.

    The most apparent use – for dining…highlighted here by a conversation-starting chandelier and a salon style wall.

    If you’re like me, you can never choose just one book to read. A table gives you the space to spread out.

    My office desk is more like a table, because the surface space is so vital to my productivity.

    1. House of Fifty 2. Traditional Home 3. & 4. Ryland Peters & Small

  • A charming upstate farm retreat

    A charming upstate farm retreat

    It’s a dream of all (admit it, all) NYC dwellers to have a country retreat. Kathryn Windley was no exception to the rule. She was tired of her grueling hours as an art director for a Manhattan ad agencies, and was recently divorced. She added a new twist to the New Yorker turned farmer by actually marrying the realtor who found her the property a few years later on the 20-acre grounds!

    This living room is kept bright and cheery by the white upholstery and brightly striped rug.

    In NYC, unless you pay for a separate studio, on never has space in their apartment for a studio.
    One day I hope to have the space to paint and draw again.

    The barn is actually a garage they designed to look like a barn.

    I adore this kitchen, and Kathryn claims the farmhouse sink is what sold her on the property.  The runner was a once a damaged full-sized carpet she had cut and bound to fit the kitchen.

    What do you think?

    Read the full story and see more at Country Living

  • A Vermont home – full of nature and autumn inspiration

    A Vermont home – full of nature and autumn inspiration

    This home is featured in the most recent issue of Country Living – and I really like it.  It’s country but not too sweet, and nature-inspired, but does it in a unique way.  See below-

    What initially attracted me to this story was the homeowner – Laura Zindel’s amazing earthy ceramics. Perfect for Halloween! You can purchase and/or read more about her ceramics on her site.

    Laura and her husband commissioned Amish craftsmen to make all the furniture in their dining room

    The home has a an interesting history. The original owner supposedly turned down many potential buyers.  He kept meticulous records of the home, and wanted the new owners to respect it’s history.  One such example is the wallpaper in the master bedroom, which was installed by the original owner’s (an elderly man) mother.  Laura livened up the wallpaper with sunny curtains from Anthropologie.

    via Country Living

  • Still a favorite – lovely white interiors

    Still a favorite – lovely white interiors

    white interiors – I still love them, I think I always will. What’s unique about these is they aren’t cool like most white interiors, but still warm and cozy. Mostly because warm accents are brought in by wood trim and accents.

    Enjoy!
    LOVE all the texture on the bed – that’s how to make monochrome work






    If that desk were a little bigger this office would be perfect for me!

    via Country Living

  • 2 very different, but beautiful houses. Which do you prefer?

    2 very different, but beautiful houses. Which do you prefer?

    Incase you haven’t noticed, I’ve been loving Country Living Mag. lately. Don’t be fooled, it’s not all chintzy florals and rooster collections, they have a great grasp on what it means as a lifestyle. It can be modern, retro, or casual, and it’s not your grandma’s “country.” Anyway, in their Feb. issues they featured two houses, both very different, and both worth sharing.

    House 1 – simple with a Scandinavian design smarts



    I like the home office/sewing room in the photo above.

    Home 2 showcases great antique finds – some splurges, some bargains.


    Don’t worry, the zebra skin is faux.


    So, which home is more you!?

    images via Country Living Feb. 2010