Don’t you just love the farmhouse style with its white kitchens and shiplap walls? It seems like everywhere you look; farmhouse design is at the forefront.
If you are like me, you love the IDEA of farmhouse design, (the cozy feeling of a simpler place and time that leads you to reminisce about your childhood) but then you realize that your home just does not fit the farmhouse profile? What now? Where do you find inspiration when “farmhouse” is the only thing you see?
From your house that’s where! Think of how you want to feel in your home and not just what you want to see. Of course, you want to feel safe, secure, cozy, but what about inspired, happy or loved? My best advice for looking for a style is to feel good when you walk in, and to have the few things you really, really want.
First, what colors make you feel all this? For some people it is black and white. No literally! White walls with black accents. I love this combo, maybe in an office or a bathroom or that white kitchen with black hardware.
I even love the black walls with white trim. The contrast is so pleasing to the eyes.
What if your favorite color is orange! What works well with orange?…hmm…navy blue works well if you like a coastal theme.
Or hot pink for a girly glam motif.
It’s a location/destination thing that moves me and calms my soul.
Water. Water has always inspired me (I was born under the sign of Aquarius…go figure). Anything nautical, coastal or lake inspired makes my heart just sing! I love navy and turquoise with all kinds of accents from orange, red or even lime green!
Are you inspired by a certain setting or type of location? What if the mountains are more your thing? Do you love the lodge-inspired décor? On the other hand, maybe a Tuscan theme. Does rich browns, purples, rusts and greens make your pulse race?
Maybe you are not inspired by a place per say, but by a color alone. When that happens, it is just easier to use neutral colors on the walls and accent to your heart’s desire with the treasured color. Spread that stuff EVERYWHERE!!!
Whatever makes you fall in love with your home is your perfect design
A few years ago, Hubby and I were blessed to buy a very nice home in Florida only 3 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. It is a 2,100 square foot ranch style with ceramic tile floors and cement block walls. This type of construction is common in Florida due to the massive termite population that lives here. It was built in the 1990’s and is in dire need of updating. Unless of course you happen to love pink…toilets, sinks, bathtubs, wallpaper, walls.
So little by little, things are getting de-pinked (or un-pinked?) and coming into the twenty first century. And with my love of all things water, this should be a breeze right?! In typical Florida fashion, the outside is stucco, all the walls are textured and there is no crown moldings trim around any of the windows. The kitchen has a funky overhead light fixture that looks like the creators of Star Trek designed it! So, little by little our house, lovingly referred to as “Twin Palms,” is getting her face lifted.
In my next few blogs, I will show you our guest bathroom update. I wanted to start out small with this house, or so I thought so. Anyways, it turned out good and we learned lots along the way. Until we meet up next time, have an AMAZING day!!!
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— Danielle
