Carolyn and Billy Restore an 1886 Farmhouse After a 1990s Reno Gone Wrong

The original kitchen boasted 1990s era cabinetry, and despite offering loads of space, everything was cramped against one wall, making for a poor cooking experience, and leaving lots of dead space in the room. A large island in the middle of the kitchen matched the scale of the room, and made it feel comfortable, as opposed to too cramped, or expansive.

Lindsey and Shervin dreamed of a kitchen that could meet the needs of their young family. The original space had loads of potential, 300 square feet of it! But a poor layout made for an inefficient experience and so much wasted space.

To make the new farmhouse kitchen fully functional, Carolyn and Billy installed a massive island ideal for baking.

A fresh farmhouse colour palette was introduced with the lower blue cabinets, but the uppers were made white to keep the space light and airy, and to ensure the beautiful new oak beams would really stand out as a focal point.

A walk-in closet off the kitchen was set up as a (very awkward) laundry room, but one look at the space and Carolyn knew it would be better utilized as a pantry. After discovering space on the second floor to move the washer and dryer to, Carolyn set about designing the perfect pantry room, to extend the kitchen’s style, and offer plenty more storage space.

The pantry was open to the kitchen, which Carolyn liked for functionality, but it meant ensuring the design felt cohesive with the kitchen, and impactful. A beautiful toile wallpaper carries the blue from the kitchen cabinetry through, and a mix of open and closed storage allows for beautiful bowls and vases to stand on display, while other items get tucked away.

The dining room prior to the renovation was overpowered by outdated golden arches (without so much as a side of French fries!). Carolyn and Billy loved the flow between the dining and livings rooms, but the arches had to go, and new, fresh colour palette was essential.

Carolyn and Billy’s design brought forth original elements of the home that had been lost to the overpowering 1990s renovation. In a fresh colour palette of bright blue and white, the wainscoting is on full display, and a fireplace stands prominently in the space. A modern light fixture adds a contemporary edge and the French doors leading to the orchard beyond the home are so inviting!

A secret door from the dining room leading to the basement was Lindsey’s favourite element of the dining room, but her second favourite was this beautiful dining table, loaded with character. Carolyn and Billy found it while hunting antiques online. It fits the room, and allows Lindsey and Shervin to finally entertain!

The home’s living room had beautiful high ceilings, but the dated flushmount was too small and made the space look awkward. And a gorgeous bay window was hidden behind sad curtains. Carolyn envisioned a fresh take on the living room that would showcase the gorgeous bones of the room.

The fresh blue and white colour combo, with oversized gingham textiles, feels like a modern take on traditional farmhouse trends. Carolyn and Billy even included a nod to the land the farmhouse sits on, with a repurposed orchard ladder leaning against a wall as storage for blankets. It feels like a true restoration. The home is exactly as it should be.

And what did Lindsey and Shervin make of the makeover? We’d say it’s written all over their faces! It was smiles all around as they toured their new (old) home. Their dream of living in a farmhouse was finally realized with a little help from Carolyn and Billy!