Houzz Tour: French Farmhouse Style in Pennsylvania
Marian Parsons reinvents her mid-century home with vintage furniture and crafty fixes
Some of you may know Marian Parsons as the supertalented girl behind Miss Mustard Seed. Thanks to her clever do-it-yourself touches and flair for French farmhouse style, Parsons has created a beautiful and inviting space for herself, her husband and their two sons.
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| The home was built in 1948, and a family room, kitchen and master suite were added in 2002. Trying to marry the old with the new has posed some challenges, but Parsons makes it work beautifully with found pieces, as shown here. The hundred-year-old piano was a gift to the family. Parsons made the pleated slipcover for her sofa from a drop cloth, giving it a fresh, new look. Curtain fabric: Waverly Tucker Resist Chambray; rug: antique from her grandparents |
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| Parsons loves to shop at thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops and yard sales, and regularly visits auctions and Craigslist. Most of the furniture she owns, like these favorite French-style chairs, were found this way. |
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| "The house needed a lot of work, and it's been a work in progress ever since we moved in five years ago," says Parsons. By mixing in antique and current pieces, she's been able to work with the older style of the house. In the guest room she stenciled a border on an inexpensive jute rug. The dresser was also transformed by her handiwork. Jute rug: Hobby Lobby, clearance sale |
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"The kitchen functions beautifully. We have have lots of storage and counter space," says Parsons. She plans to eventually replace the floor, but for now, she has created a bright and beautiful space. An antique farmhouse table is the perfect spot for family dinners.
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Parsons collects copper pieces from antique shops, using a pot rack by Calphalon to display them and keep them nearby for cooking.
Wall paint: Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore; cabinet paint: Impervo by Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore; cabinet paint: Impervo by Benjamin Moore
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| Once an awkward space just off the kitchen, this area was revamped as the family's home office. |
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With a few custom touches, this room now provides a ton of storage. Parsons included a built-in bench and hooks to keep things tidy.
Hooks: Hobby Lobby; cabinet hardware: True Value; wall paint: Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore
Hooks: Hobby Lobby; cabinet hardware: True Value; wall paint: Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore
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Parsons' love of antiques is evident in the collections displayed throughout her home. These pieces add character and coziness to the home office.
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"It's been a labor of love," Parsons says of her home. She and her husband have done most of the work themselves, and she's changed almost every piece in the home in some way. It now really reflects her style, which she describes as "French provincial with a bit of farmhouse thrown in."
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| The way Parsons mixed the seating with wood and painted chairs makes for a memorable dining room. The chairs at the ends of the table were vintage finds that Parsons painted with white chalk paint. Bamboo mat: Peacock Park; curtain fabric: Waverly Tucker Resist Chambray |
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| Like so many other rooms in her home, there are pieces in the master bedroom that Parsons has painted, upholstered or customized to reflect her personal style. The dresser is a find from Craigslist that she painted, and she reupholstered the chair. Lamps: Alice and Jay |
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| Done in a palette of gray, greenish blue, cream and white, the master bedroom is much softer than the rest of the house. Parsons used a pair of antique shutters to add interest to a blank wall. She customized the store-bought shades with ribbon and sewed new curtains, a bed skirt and a pretty bolster pillow for the bed. Wall paint: Halo by Benjamin Moore; headboard: Goodwill |
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Parsons just recently finished a complete renovation of her powder room. Everything in the space is new. An old window was covered to add the beadboard shelving at the far end of the bath. The mirror is an antique that she acquired. Old locker baskets for storage are quirky and charming. And in keeping with her style, she customized the chandelier's shades.
Chandelier: Lowe's; tile: True Value; wire baskets: The Old Luckett's Store; Wall paint: Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Satin White Impervo by Benjamin Moore
More:
10 Wonderful Farmhouses
Rebekah's Weekend Farmhouse Retreat
Sarah's Thrift Decor Chick
Chandelier: Lowe's; tile: True Value; wire baskets: The Old Luckett's Store; Wall paint: Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Satin White Impervo by Benjamin Moore
More:
10 Wonderful Farmhouses
Rebekah's Weekend Farmhouse Retreat
Sarah's Thrift Decor Chick
Ideabook published on Feb. 20, 2012.
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