A Farmhouse Dream Come True for a Family That Moved to the Country

When Ashley and Lucas first bought their farmhouse, they were eager for a home with lots of outdoor space and country appeal. The property they settled on offered that in spades, however the farmhouse itself didn’t exactly jive with their growing family lifestyle. There was no closet space, a bathroom with a laundry room inside, a sink in the hallway, and a dark, closed-off kitchen with no counter space. What it did have was a random freezer room/pantry that felt out of place. Enter Billy and Carolyn, and all of their Farmhouse Facelift experience. Read on to see how they transformed this home into a modern farmhouse dream come true, and all on a $150,000 budget.

Farmhouse Facelift airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada. It is also available on the new Global TV App, and on STACKTV with Amazon Prime Video Channels. HGTV Canada is available through all major TV service providers.

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A Modern Farmhouse Design Success

The goal of this renovation was to update the old home into a modern farmhouse with a touch of retro farmhouse design charm. Billy and Carolyn certainly pulled that off with this gorgeous kitchen, which is almost too pretty to cook in. Lots of white textures open up the space and make it nice and bright, while the newly raised ceiling makes the space feel even bigger than it once was. Add in natural wood finishes, a large island, and extra conveniences like a built-in wine fridge and a pot filler over the stove, and this is a dreamy space perfect for a family of any size.

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A Jaw-Dropping Transformation

To really hit home just how amazing the transformation was, take a look at the before photo. The space was dark and disjointed, the kitchen itself was situated off in a small corner, and the wallpaper was from another era. Add in dark floors, dark trim, dark cabinetry, and a random room for pantry and freezer items, and what was supposed to be a family home felt more like a small cabin in the woods. A new family home plan was needed.

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Plenty of Farmhouse Appeal

Although there are lots of modern things to love about this newly designed space, Carolyn and Billy kept plenty of farmhouse decor intact by taking the build back to basics. That meant opening up the ceiling, but also exposing the brick along the back wall and treating it with a soda blast (baking soda, which is gentler on the finish). They then paired the look with the more modern brick tiling backsplash, tying it all together with modern and refurbished pieces alike.

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What’s Old is New Again

Billy and Carolyn were sure to add a touch of colour to this space with this charming yellow sliding barn door-another farmhouse finish that adds instant character to the space. That door isn’t the only focal point worth talking about though. When they tore down the ceiling, Billy and Carolyn saved the joists and used some of them for the kitchen’s floating shelves. The rest they repurposed into this gorgeous new dining table, giving Ashley and Lucas a space to eat and a story to tell when they entertain guests.

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A Foyer With Charm and Personality

One of the original and outstanding home features that Lucas and Ashley fell in love with was the beautiful crown molding in the front hall. However, water damage meant that it needed saving. Not only were Billy and Carolyn able to bring the look back to life, but they also refreshed the entire front foyer. With treatment, the original floors were completely restored, the staircase benefitted from a few fresh coats of paint, and with the addition of extra molding down the hallway, the entire space feels like a brighter, cohesive space.

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Using Space for Purpose

Family home planning was the key to the success of this renovation. Off to the side of the entrance where the office used to be, Billy and Carolyn repurposed the space to give the family the room and storage that they desperately needed. That meant building out this area with a closet and a second bathroom without interrupting the flow of the floorplan. If you didn’t know an office had been there before you’d never know this space didn’t always exist. That’s an important note whenever you’re trying to maintain a home’s original integrity.

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A Lack of Function

Here’s the space before the transformation. Sure, an office area is nice, but it wasn’t what this family needed. By splitting the area and creating a separate closet and bathroom, Billy and Carolyn instantly added function and value to the home by making better use of a little-used room.

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A Pretty New Powder Room

Welcome to the new powder room, which incorporates the window of the old office to keep it light and bright. Billy and Carolyn were sure to give the space charm through accents like the wallpaper and a hammered, polished-nickel sink, while keeping farmhouse character through finishes like the grey boards and repurposed vanity. Add in some brilliant penny tiles below and the entire space is an extension of the rest of the house, and feels as though it was always meant to be there.

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Swinging into the Farmhouse Life

When you have a farmhouse, you want to enjoy the outdoor farmhouse life. And with a porch as large and gorgeous as the one Ashley and Lucas have, that meant building a custom swing. Billy built this one out of cedar, which means it should last a lifetime. A few fun accessories (oversized cushions, an outdoor carpet, potted plants) make this is a tranquil spot that’s perfect for a morning coffee, for reading, or for relaxing at while the kids play.

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A Dramatic New Look

It’s amazing what a little landscaping can do, but Billy and Carolyn took the outdoor revival one step further by exposing the top window on the front door, giving it a dramatic coat of paint, and by building out safer steps and a railing. Add in two porch zones for the family to enjoy and a few hanging plants, and this updated and charming home is the epitome of a dreamy, modern day farmhouse renovation from the inside out.