A Three-Year Farmhouse Search Concludes With a Dream Makeover From Carolyn and Billy

David and Ashley had stopped using the original entryway of the farmhouse. The staircase wasn’t up to code, so it felt like a danger zone for the couple’s toddler, Elliott. Billy and Carolyn always prioritize safety in their designs, so installing a new railing came first, followed by a fresh coat of paint, new treads on the stairs, beautiful paneling, and vintage lighting to harken back to the home’s century’s old roots.

Ashley couldn’t contain her love for the new bathroom, “I love everything, I love it all!” The family finally had a second floor bathroom, complete with a bath for Elliott, and a big beautiful glass shower. Plus, Carolyn ensured the vanity had loads of storage to meet the needs of the growing family.

Now that the second floor finally had a bathroom, Ashley and David could move the primary bedroom upstairs, and move Elliott into his own room. This allowed Carolyn to go for a sophisticated style, with a gorgeous paneled feature wall in bold blue, that plays off the hardwood floors beautifully.

Layers of texture were added on the bed and the floor to create warmth and dimension in the cozy primary bedroom.

Though the original farmhouse was built in the 1800s, it had seen several additions over the years, which left the layout feeling discombobulated. The kitchen had become a central room in the home, with multiple entry points eating up space, and causing traffic jams.

Right off the old kitchen was the only full bathroom in the home, and because the kitchen was already such a busy zone of the home, bath time with Elliott (and two dogs running around) had become a nightmare for the family. With the promise of a new, second floor full bathroom, David and Ashley were happy to sacrifice this room for the good of their kitchen renovation.

Carolyn and Billy reconfigured the space to shift and eliminate entry points, allowing for more, functional space and storage in the kitchen. They also eliminated the full main floor bathroom (the house already had a powder room), and instead gave the couple a pantry off the kitchen.

Like the feature wall in the entryway and primary bedroom, Carolyn introduced a timeless plaid backdrop for hanging copper pots. It’s a sweet throwback to the home’s heritage.

A big island in the center of the room grounds the kitchen, and provides a great surface for the family to work around. Ashley couldn’t believe there was space for an island in the kitchen, but thanks to Billy’s reconfiguration, it works!

The home’s original living room had exposed brick walls that had helped seal the deal when Ashley and David were considering buying it, but they’d never been able to style the space in a way that felt impactful.

Post-renovation, the family room feels like a beautiful extension of the kitchen, with warm tones, bright white bookshelves, and lots of hidden storage for Elliott’s toys. Now, the living room lives up to the beautiful exposed brick that sold the farmhouse!

Before the renovation, this room was awkwardly cut off from the home, but with an expanded entryway, completed trim, and loads of light, it feels like a cohesive part of the home. And the timing couldn’t have been better, with another baby on the way, Ashley and David finally had room for an extra seat at the table!