Makeover Takeover 2021: A Colonial Comeback
Country Living teamed up with North Carolina–based Victoria and Marcus Ford to update their 1970s Dutch Colonial–style home, one DIY-filled endeavor at a time. This first installment: the front exterior, entry, and dining room.
"This was our biggest impulse buy ever," says Victoria Ford (@prepfordwife) of the Cary, North Carolina, home that she and husband, Marcus (@marcsford), bought after a spur-of-the-moment search. “It was perfect for what we were looking for: more space, good bones, and—underneath terrible wallpaper—a charming house,” she says. The couple got started right away, aiming for an air of Colonial New England classicism and prep. “In a world where Marcus gets what he wants, we live in New England. But I cannot do the cold,” says Victoria. “So I’m more than happy to bring a little bit of New England here.” Read along to see a few of their turn-around tricks...
Front Exterior—Before
The first item on the Ford's to-do list was to liven up the exterior's facade. “I think as soon as we saw the house, we said, ‘if it is the first and last thing we do, we are painting that exterior,’” says Victoria. “The gray just felt off and the green didn’t quite create the contrast we were looking for.”
Curate a Crisp and Classic Exterior
To freshen up the exterior, while still giving a nod to the home's historic Colonial style, Victoria and Marcus chose a slightly off-white paint color rather than a bright white. For the accents, they stayed with the classic choice of green, but chose a darker version of the color to provide a stronger contrast. Continuing the classic detailing: a pair of colonial-style lanterns in a bronze finish, and black urns. “These make me think of my grandma—she was one of those women who lived in her yard and had these old cement urns,” says Victoria. New door entry hardware and a bumblebee knocker complete the upgrade.
Get the Look:
Siding Paint: “Alabaster” by Sherwin-Williams
Door and Shutter Paint: “Dard Hunter Green” by Sherwin-Williams
Lanterns: Kichler “Linford” from Lowe's
Black Urns: Allen + Roth planters from Lowe's
Entry—Before
“This was just not a happy room,” says Marcus of the previously beige and muddy brown entry. It also had a vinyl floor and a staircase that lacked presence.
Add Personality with Color and Pattern
Victoria calls their style “African Americana: a little Ralph Lauren mixed with a little ‘we’re off to camp in Maine,’ layered with art by African American artists and other items that reflect our own lived experiences and history.” In the now well-appointed entry, that aesthetic is rooted in a classic color palette reinforced via a handsome green door, a Turkish runner found on Facebook Marketplace, and a mood-lifting crisp green-and-white laurel patterned wallpaper that hits just the right note of formal and fun.
Get the Look:
Front Door Paint: "Dard Hunter Green" by Sherwin-Williams.
Entry Handset: “Fifth Avenue” in vintage brass by Grandeaur Hardware
Door Knocker: "Bumblebee" by Michael Healy Designs
Wallpaper: “Laurel” in green and white by Rifle Paper Co.
Trim Paint: “Pure White” by Sherwin-Williams
Sisal runner: from Sisal Rugs Direct
Light fixture: Allen + Roth “Yately” semi-flush-mount from Lowe's
Victoria’s kilim loafers: by Res Ipsa
Basket: “Beachcomber” by Pottery Barn
Step Up the Staircase
When it came to elevating the entry, top priority was replacing the too-skinny newel post and handrail with a beefier glossy black version. “This one is high impact from every angle,” says Marcus. They finished the look with a practical sisal stair runner that adds warmth. Sitting atop the 11-inch-deep cabinet, a decorative domino set gives a nod to Marcus’s grandfather, who was a champion domino player.
Victoria's middle-of-the-night, fingers-crossed adventure with a pry bar revealed—jackpot!—original hardwood floors under layers of vinyl and linoleum. Pros were called in to deal with potential asbestos, then the floors were refinished and stained to match the other hardwoods in the house.
Get the Look:
Oak newel posts, handrail, and balusters: by Stair Supplies
Handrail paint: “Tricorn Black” by Sherwin-Williams
Dominos set: “Royal” by Regina Andrew
Cabinet: “Hemnes” by Ikea, painted “Indigo Batik” by Sherwin-Williams
Porcelain Umbrella Holder: by Avala
Vintage nautical oil painting: Cabin Antiques, Raleigh, NC
Dining Room—Before
A beige color palette, dated wallpaper border, and lackluster trim combined for an uninspiring dining room. The Fords desired an inviting space that would feel just right for both the day-to-day and special occasions (plus serve as one stylish WFH setting).
Start with a Statement
Victoria and Marcus centered the dining room around the framed print of late African American artist Hughie Lee-Smith’s painting The Stranger. “I have loved this piece for forever and a day,” says Victoria, who found she could download it to print and frame with permission through the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
A simple Parsons dining table the couple found on Facebook Marketplace, surrounded by six caned-back dining chairs (also from Facebook Marketplace!) that Victoria upgraded with new paint and fabric (see more slide 10), provides a comfortable and inviting setting for both dining and working.
Get the Look:
Artwork: digital print of The Stranger by Hughie Lee-Smith, with permission from the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Artwork Frame: from Jerry's Artarama
Grasscloth Wallpaper: “Palette” in Moss by Rifle Paper Co.
Trim Paint: “Pure White” by Sherwin-Williams
Chair Cushion Fabric: “Simplicity Garden” by Sunbrella
Table Runner: in “Simplicity Garden” by Sunbrella fabric, similar from Haven & Harmony
Chandelier: “Katie” by Lauren Ralph Lauren from Lightology
Turkish Rug: “Evaleen” from Revival Rugs
Ginger Jars: by Lo Home by Lauren Haskell Designs
Sideboard: by Nadeau
Horse Table Lamps: “Dynasty” by Regina Andrew
Curtains: Sunbrella Linen French Pleat Drapes by Outdoor Drape in “Linen Natural” fabric by Sunbrella
Add More Millwork
“There’s something intentional about millwork that I love,” says Marcus. But the dining room’s existing thin chair rail with just bare walls below felt a little sad. He added dimension by creating a thick, simple framework of stock one-by-four boards. Thanks to a crisp coat of white, it now looks like expensive paneling. New three-inch crown molding completes the look.
A Sunbrella fabric–covered dog bed gets the approval of the Fords' Irish Wolfhound mix Remus.
Get the Look:
Dog Bed: “Russet Rover” pillow by The Houndry, made with “Simplicity Ash” and “Essential Russet” fabric by Sunbrella
Trim Paint: “Pure White” by Sherwin-Williams
Grasscloth Wallpaper: “Palette” in Moss by Rifle Paper Co.
Layer In Texture
A textural grasscloth wallcovering and reupholstered cane chairs (see next slide) add woven warmth, as does the patterned Turkish rug. On the windows, French pleat detailing dresses up simple Sunbrella linen drapes. (The fade-resistant panels will also hold up beautifully against the room’s ample sunlight.) Elsewhere, a leather-accented chandelier, figural horse lamps, and vintage riding helmets give a nod to Victoria’s love of all things equestrian.
Get the Look:
Curtains: Sunbrella Linen French Pleat Drapes by OutdoorDrape.com in “Linen Natural” fabric by Sunbrella
Brass Room-Darkening Curtain Rods: by Crate and Barrel
Turkish rug: from Revival Rugs
Grasscloth Wallpaper:“Palette” in Moss by Rifle Paper Co.
Vintage equestrian helmets: Cabin Antiques, Raleigh, NC
Weekend Project: Chair Revival—Before
Victoria loved the caning of her six Facebook Marketplace chairs, but the finish felt dated. Her solution...
Weekend Project: Chair Revival—After
Navy spray paint topped with a spray lacquer finish and a plaid Sunbrella fabric to recover the seats did the trick.
Get the Look:
Chair Cushion Fabric: “Simplicity Garden” by Sunbrella sunbrella.com)
Chair Paint: Navy American Accents 2X Cover by Rust-Oleum
Lacquer Finish: Lacquer Spray by Krylon
Next Up…
Take a tour of the rest of Marcus and Victoria's house and see all their amazing room makeovers: the living room; the bedroom, bath, and laundry; the backyard; and the kitchen.
Jennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.
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