Peek Inside a Century Old Victorian Farmhouse
Quilts, chintz, and checks? Check, check, check! This Texas retreat proves that old-fashioned favorites are undeniably new again.
You'd never guess Bailey McCarthy had an urban upbringing by the look of her Bellville, Texas, country home. Filled to the brim with buffalo checks, antique quilts, and fair memorabilia, the century-old Victorian farmhouse is an homage to iconic country decor. "I've lived in a lot of cities, but I've always been more of a country mouse," she says. The interior designer, owner of Biscuit (a bedding line and housewares boutique in Houston) and author of the popular blog Peppermint Bliss, attributes her soft spot for pastoral life to childhood summers spent at her grandfather's ranch in Brookshire, Texas. She wanted her own children to have a similar experience, so when she and husband Pete happened upon a charming farmhouse on 85 acres, they snatched it up. Here's how she embraced her downhome roots to give this farmhouse a fresh—and timeless—look. "We want our house to be comfortable and inviting, without being fancy or fussy," says Bailey. "This is where we come to unwind, reconnect, and build memories as a family."
Kitchen
The previous owners had restored the 105-year-old home, so the kitchen didn't need a total gut job. What it did need were some simple but substantial cosmetic upgrades—starting with paint. When the McCarthys moved in, the walls were beige and the cabinets, which vary in height, were white. "Painting everything black seemed like a good way to make the cabinets blend in with the wall," says Bailey. Next, she swapped out the granite countertops for butcher-block ones. "We wanted the feeling of an old farmhouse that would age nicely with us," she says. "Butcher block is practical, casual, and the opposite of trendy."
Get the Look:
Cabinet Paint Color: Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: For more kitchen inspiration, check out 100 Best Kitchen Decor Ideas to Create the Most Welcoming Space in Your Home.
Coffee Bar
The couple finished off their mini-makeover by bringing in a few country kitchen staples: a farm table that doubles as an island; a brass light fixture that will develop patina over time; black-and-white floral curtains; and open shelves to display her collection of antique pewter and a favorite needlepoint.
Dining Room
Inspired by the lush landscape just outside the enormous windows (which were salvaged from an old train depot!), Bailey filled the room with rustic wood elements and pops of green. The previous owners left behind the giant antler chandelier, which suited Bailey just fine. From there, she selected an antique round table that she had stripped down to the raw wood for a more worn and weathered look. Beech wishbone chairs, which Bailey had lacquered in an apple green shade, make for a lively juxtaposition with the table. They also pop against the large antique hutch that stores her collection of copper Moscow mule mugs and green and white china. A pale pink Oriental rug with subtle hints of sky blue and chartreuse rounds out the mix.
Get the look:
Chandelier: for similar, Faux Antler Chandelier from Pottery Barn
Beech wishbone chairs: for similar, Dining Chairs from Overstock
Living Room
Bailey designed this space to be roomy enough to host a crowd but cozy enough for family game nights around the fire. "I wanted a few big pieces of indestructible furniture that people could pile on, plus some modern elements so it didn't feel too 'themey,' " says Bailey. Case in point: Bailey paired the room's showstopping farmhouse icons—a buffalo check-covered sofa and wildflower chintz armchair—with a streamlined steel-framed coffee table and graphic longhorn watercolor painting (by Houston artist Mary H. Case) to keep the mix from going too traditional.
Bright idea: When weekend guests ask, "What can I bring?" Bailey suggests a beloved paperback book with an inscription to add to their library.
Get the look:
Sofa: for similar, Buffalo Check-Covered Sofa from Wayfair
Armchair: for similar, Wingback Skirted Armchair from Houzz
Bedroom
Bailey designed the room, which was originally the house's parlor, around her company's Wimberley pattern (named after the small Texas town known for its beautiful wildflowers). She upholstered the white-painted bed in a graphic blue-and-white-check fabric to complement the whimsical sheets. Wallpaper with a wood grain pattern, a fresh way to achieve a similar effect as unpainted, wood-paneled walls, creates a warm backdrop for the crisp bed. Gauzy eyelet curtains finish the space with a dose of pretty. "They add a country touch without going full-on 'granny,' " says Bailey.
Bright idea: A sconce provides enough light for Bailey's late-night reading habit without disturbing her husband.
Get the look:
Upholstered Bed: Plaid Wingback Bed from The Inside for a similar look
Wallpaper: Wood Grain Wallpaper from Amazon for a similar look
Antique Quilt
A bold patriotic quilts stands in as graphic artwork in the bedroom. "As someone who's dabbled a bit in sewing, I truly appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of a handmade quilt," says Bailey.
Guest Bedroom
Talk about a cozy retreat. To play up the guest room's snug dimensions, Bailey covered the walls and trim with rich green paint. A four-poster spindle bed, outfitted with a striped wool blanket and wood grain patterned bedding (Paul in Taupe), also from Biscuit, creates a comfy room-within-a-room feel, while botanical curtains add softness and privacy. To give the room a collected-over-time look, Bailey brought in a pair of vintage carved wooden lamps and three sepia-toned landscape photographs with a decidedly Western style.
Get the look:
Wall and Ceiling paint color: Alligator Alley by Benjamin Moore
Duvet: Wood Grain Duvet Cover by Society6 for a similar look
Girl's Bedroom
Bailey embraced her love of pink and green full tilt by painting the walls of her daughter Grace's room a soft shade of the former and choosing a traditional country bed frame in a leafy shade of the latter. An antique quilt looks surprisingly modern when paired with graphic heart-print bedding. Vintage finds, like the Murano glass tulip sconces and the fair banners hanging above the bed (a Round Top find, and Bailey's first purchase for the house) infuse the space with personality.
Get the look:
Wall Paint Color: Middleton Pink by Farrow & Ball
Bedding: Grace pillows by Biscuit
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