Country Living
by Sarah Richardson
We're flocking to the countryside like never before. Many savvy city dwellers have decided to minimize their investment in their urban home so they are able to afford a second property.
But instead of dreaming about the classic lakeside cottage, my friends are more inclined to pine for a secluded farmhouse with room to roam and fields to play in — and that beckons in all seasons of the year.
Let’s face it, though … finding a rundown century-old farm that oozes with charm and potential is one thing. Rescuing and restoring it without succumbing to financial ruin is another matter altogether.
Whether you're tackling a cabin, cottage, farmhouse, shack or Shangri-La, my advice is the same: Be innovative, don't try to have all the modern amenities and comforts of home, and be wise about how you spend your dollars. It's supposed to be a fun weekend getaway, not a life sentence of work projects.
Keep it country
Remember why you bought a country home in the first place and resist the temptation to make everything too perfect, slick, new and crisp. What I love best about old houses is their quirks, creaks and signs of age. The patina of a long life is not easy to recreate, so I always try to embrace and reuse anything that really gives charm and character. When it comes to kitchens, you should always opt for the texture of natural materials over laminates and plastics.
Mix and mismatch
If budget and style are on your mind, you'll want to opt for cabinets that are inexpensive and ready to go. Check out the in-stock options at both Ikea and Home Depot — there are simple profiles that can look terrific if you dress them up right. Pack them into your trunk, take ’em on the road to the country, and then finish them off with custom gables and surrounds for a fraction of the price you'd pay for custom cabinetry.
The power of panelling
I have yet to run out of ideas for ways to use tongue-and-groove pine panelling. Bead board is a popular country style choice, but I far prefer the wider boards and simpler profile of tongue-and-groove (always be sure to get good-quality boards with a minimum number of knots in the wood — and avoid warped boards!). Once you've assembled your base cabinets, you can create a dynamite freestanding island by surrounding the cabinets with panelling. Add a chunky baseboard profile to finish the bottom (at least four inches high), and a two- to three-inch crown or cove moulding profile at the top to connect the cabinets to the counter, and your island with be the star of your kitchen (you may think this sounds complicated, but I promise it's not; I've done it myself). Do the same thing to create gables on exposed cabinetry ends or around a refrigerator for a built-in look (you'll need some one- by two-inch lengths of pine to create the front gable to attach the panelling to and plywood to attach the tongue-and-groove to).
Butcher block counters
Forget stone counters in the country — you can't afford them if you want to accomplish everything else on your to-do list (which never shrinks and only gets longer every weekend). The warmth of natural wood counters is perfectly suited to the country. If you buy them pre-finished, they are incredibly durable and look far more expensive than they are. You can get them in lengths of up to 10 feet (perfect for that huge island or giant gathering table you are dreaming of). You can even put butcher block around the sink as long as you opt for a drop-in or farmhouse sink and are meticulous about clean up — don't leave the dishes drying on the wood and you'll be golden.
Open-concept shelving
Weekend getaways are often filled with houseguests and visitors. Between early risers and sleepyheads, lazy lunches, afternoon snacks, and big dinners, the kitchen tends to be in use all day long. Why not make the kitchen more self-serve and cut down on the number of times in a weekend that you are asked "where's the ...” I'm a big fan of long, open shelves where everything you use on a daily basis is in clear view. From grabbing a cup for early-morning coffee to putting away the dinner dishes, open shelves guarantee that everything is easy to find, and more important, easy to put away! My preference is for glossy trim paint on shelves; they are easy to dust and create a fresh backdrop for the dishes you are displaying. You can use antique architectural fragments such as corbels and spindles to provide both decorative and structural supports.
Cook up a vintage vibe
The latest and greatest stove may be more energy-efficient, but I have a soft spot in my heart for vintage appliances. The old models with illuminated push buttons, rounded corners and lots of chrome make me feel like I've stepped back in time — exactly the way you want to feel at your weekend getaway. It's fun making a big Sunday brunch on a 1950s McClary stove with a big warming oven, and there's nothing better than the unmistakable clunk of the heavy door latch on an old fridge. And if the cool factor isn't enough to convince you, then maybe the price will — I got my fridge and stove for less than you'd pay for a cheap white new stove.
Painted backsplash
One of the biggest challenges to country renovating is organizing skilled labour to actually do the work. (Sure, they'll talk to you about it, but making it happen is another story.) My approach is to use as few specialized trades as possible. Forget tile on the backsplash and get the carpenter to use some of the off-cuts from your panelled island to create a backsplash (you can run it up behind your shelves, too.)
Flea market finds
If you don't love tag sales, flea markets and auctions, then this whole country homestead business may not be for you. I think one of the true joys of rural life is picking up vintage treasures to outfit your new abode. Don't make it a burden or life's work, but do enjoy the process of acquiring. I have some great memories of attending weekend auctions with my mom and big outdoor flea markets with friends. The fun is in the hunt, and the treasures you uncover will give you many happy memories and stories to tell. I tend to avoid strictly decorative pieces in favour of practical and useful items. Jugs, vases, platters and bowls will look great both on your shelves and in use on your table. For the greatest success when displaying your treasures, it's best to stick to a monochromatic palette. If you are drawn to a variety of colours, try to group all like colours together on a single shelf for a colour-block effect.
Grab a seat
Casual seating is essential in any kitchen gathering space. A collection of antique stools can be pulled up to your island to give your weekend brunches a diner vibe. When buying old chairs and stools, always check that they are solid and not falling apart. (It's too much work to try to fix a rickety one.) Give them a fresh coat of glossy alkyd paint and your country kitchen will be open for business!
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