| Special to the Courier Journal
Modern Farmhouse look in your home
How to achieve the popular Modern Farmhouse look in your home
- A Louisville family recently completed a major home renovation, creating a lighter and brighter space.
- The renovation included removing a wall to improve flow, updating the kitchen with new cabinets and countertops, and adding personal touches throughout.
- The overall design aesthetic is described as a blend of farmhouse and modern styles.
Over the 20-plus years that Kristen Pawlak and her family lived in their Louisville home, they have made various upgrades and updates. But the most recent major renovation resulted in a completely refreshed space that’s lighter, brighter, and better reflects their style.
“We really just lightened up the whole first floor,” Pawlak said, “going into more of a light neutral and light gray palette.”
Pretty powder room
The project started with the powder room, where Pawlak painted the cabinet a shade of gray, replaced the old top with a marble one, and added new art and lighting.
The space had already been re-wallpapered once or twice since the family moved in but this time around, Pawlak opted for an aqua and white wallcovering with a small round pattern.
“I typically love a large-patterned wallpaper,” she said, “but this is just a neat little design. It kind of feels like homespun, and almost quilt-like.”
Pawlak carried this aqua-blue accent color throughout the first floor, including via throw pillows in the living room. The sofa on which they sit is one of a handful of pieces that had already been in the house for several years.
“Even designers have to keep their stuff sometimes and decide where they want to spend their budget,” Pawlak said, “and this was the case with the sofa and the curios, which I’ve always loved.”
The curios are filled with family crystal and photos, bringing a sense of sentimentality to the space.
Pawlak adds that despite keeping the three largest furniture pieces, the room still looks completely different than it did pre-renovation.
“When I first moved to Louisville,” Pawlak recalled, “I was just taken by jewel tones and dark red rooms and all that fun stuff. So the room was painted a dark red for years and years. This is a big change.”
Family room flow
The biggest structural change of the renovation was removing a pocket door between the family and living rooms and widening the connection. This allows each space to seamlessly flow into the next.
Pawlak also painted the large built-in a deep gray, completely transforming the formerly dark, stained-wood piece. She also installed a wallcovering on the back, bringing a little light and texture to the built-in.
“And of course, carefully styling built-ins is a must,” she added.
The fireplace, which was once a dark brick to match the home’s exterior, is now whitewashed.
“Everything is lightened up and has a nice contrast,” Pawlak said, adding that the space also boasts new furniture, rugs, art, and accessories.
This includes a throw pillow with the words, “it’s all about the dogs,” an ode to the family’s two boxer-bully mixes; and whimsical framed illustrations of cows on couches, a nod to the home’s farmhouse feel.
The view from the family room into the living room features a one-of-a-kind piece that is decorative but holds sentimental value as well.
“Our middle son is an artist,” Pawlak explained, “so I have some of his pieces throughout the house.”
Keen kitchen
Pawlak saved the kitchen — the biggest and longest part of the renovation — for last.
“It was completely redone,” she said, adding that there are only three aspects of the old kitchen that remain: hardwood flooring, which they installed several years prior; custom roller shades on the windows; and the thumbprint.
The walls were lightened to match the rest of the house, and the dark cherry cabinets were removed. Pawlak replaced them with gray cabinetry bases and white uppers. The island corresponds, with a gray base and light quartzite top.
“The peninsula and island have beautiful, honed quartzite that I love,” Pawlak exclaimed. “I wanted the Mackinac Island fudge shop marble look. We’re from Michigan, so there are a lot of Michigan references.”
She adds that they didn’t opt for actual marble because it isn’t ideal for a high-use kitchen. The soft material doesn’t hold up well to heat and is susceptible to stains and scratching from food spills.
The large gold lighting fixtures above the island expresses the elegant side of Pawlak’s farmhouse look, while the gorgeous, live-edge farmhouse table offers a bit of a rustic feel.
“I also kept the rustic look with the metal and wood in the chairs and barstools,” Pawlak said, “but I finished with host and hostess chairs with a neutral linen on it. I like mixing it up like that.”
She adds that in addition to changing their home’s overall look and flow, this renovation helped create an abode that’s functional for their family. Even though spaces like the living and dining rooms feature thoughtful setups, nothing feels hands-off; the rooms all feature comfortable areas to relax and get cozy.
“And it’s a bit eclectic in that we have a lot of meaningful family pieces and vintage touches, but it’s not all one way or another,” Pawlak said. “It’s not all new or all old, and I’ve also got some modern pieces mixed in. There’s a nice mix of things, because it’s all things that we like.”
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].
nuts & bolts
Owner: Kristen Pawlak, who is the owner and interior designer at KP Designs/ Decorating Den Interiors.
Home: This is a five-bed, three-and-a-half bath, 3,800-square-foot, traditional two-story home in Louisville’s Owl Creek community. It was built in 1990.
Distinctive elements: Hardwood flooring; quartzite countertops; and custom interior design.
Applause! Applause! KP Designs/Decorating Den Interiors and RK Renovations.