Design Hints

Showing 11 - 20 of 106 article(s)
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Farming: Remember When

Hay rakes, tractors, plows and wagons are among the antique farm equipment prized by collectors today. The designs are synonymous with American ingenuity, and their iconography recalls simpler times. Country homeowners can distinguish their properties with gardens that focus on agrarian implements purchased at auction or online. Alicia Hissom, who lives in New Martinsville, West Virginia, acquired her hay rake from a neighbor. She later discovered that the cherished relic originally belonged to her husband’s grandfather. Here are her tips for incorporating farm equipment into a flower bed:

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Island Life

Sue and E.J. Mirambell, who live in Covington, Louisiana, planned their new kitchen to be fully functional for today yet look period appropriate for the New England style they favor. Follow their tips to complete a similar project.

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No-Rules Decorating

Joy Campbell, who lives in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, isn’t one for pigeonholing her style or for following decorating rules. “I’ve never been one to go with the flow or follow what’s in,” she remarks. Instead, she believes her living room should reflect the people who live in it. She recommends the following tips for crafting a home filled with unexpected (and individualized) appeal:

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Building on the Past

Achieving a seamless connection between old and new living spaces can be challenging. When Uniontown, Pennsylvania, couple Toni and Jim Anthony built their master bedroom addition a few years ago, they let history be their muse. Take note of their style cues to create a relaxing retreat with an eye on the past.

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A Fresh Take on a Workspace

Cindy Mack Taggart's favorite room is the heart of her Abilene, Kansas, home. When she started renovations, she was tempted to gut the space and start from scratch. "The appliances were not usable, and the layout of the kitchen did not flow well," she says. Ultimately, she opted to rework the floor plan. "I was able to put my unique country-style stamp on it so it would look like a working American country kitchen," she adds. Here's how you can create the kitchen of your dreams:

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A New Take on Primitive

Kimberly Smith-Johnson, a Quakertown, Pennsylvania, resident and owner of a home decorating business, says, "I like to put a modern twist on country style. I like to mix primitive and country." Her dining room embodies this philosophy and features bold colors, traditional furniture and unique displays. To transform your dining room into a prim entertaining space, consider Kimberly’s five decorating tips:

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Relax and Recharge

To create a peaceful space in your country abode, let Jeff VanVoorhis and Susan Fox be your guides. The pair rank the living room as one of their favorite places to while away the hours. Here are a few of their ideas on putting together a primitive room that evokes a sense of calm:

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Building with Character

Do you daydream about buying and restoring an antique home? As romantic as this notion may sound, lovers of old houses often follow a different path and build a new home that recalls yesteryear but incorporates elements needed for today’s lifestyle. Teri Klinker advocates this old house, new balancing act and says, "Period homes never go out of style." Reflecting on her own experience with designing and building a home with an eye on the past, Teri offers these helpful tips:

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Signs of the Times

Linda and Trevor Meachen's mobile home proves that you don't need a lot of space or high ceilings to use signs to make a strong style statement. With a wide selection of fonts, colors and shapes, the possibilities are endless. "If I like what it says, I'll buy it," Linda explains of her penchant for phrases. She shares several ways to incorporate vintage and vintage-style signage into your own space.

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Seasonal Simplicity

Sometimes a winter welcome means forgoing the typical red-and-green holiday color scheme in favor of a woodsy and rustic palette. As Robyn Thomas decorated her 1850 farmhouse she shares with her husband, Keith, and their children, she aimed to replicate the unpretentious lifestyle of the original residents, and her approach to the holidays is no different. “I think about what the house looked like then,” she explains. Here are some of the ways she decks the halls—including this enclosed porch—with homespun cheer.

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