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My Houzz: Colorful 1930s Family Farmhouse in Ohio
A quaint childhood home in Madison County gets new love with DIY projects, flea market finds and eclectic vintage treasures
Houzz Contributor. I am a photographer with a passion for interior design. My favorite moments to capture are families enjoying the spaces in which they live.
Houzz Contributor. I am a photographer with a passion for interior design.... More »
Would you want to live in your childhood home? Six years ago, Mark and Elisabeth Yutzy were given the opportunity to rent the house Mark grew up in, a 1930s farmhouse in Ohio, and decided to give it a try. Mark's parents bought the house in the early 1950s, and it had been in the family ever since.
An addition to the house in the 1970s added more space; other than that, the home was as Mark remembered it. The couple brought their colorful personalities to the space with reworked vintage furniture and plenty of DIY touches. "Living here helps bring back memories of my childhood," he says. "Not many people get that opportunity."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mark and Elisabeth Yutzy
Location: Madison County, Ohio
Size: 3,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
That's interesting: The original 1930s wallpaper still hangs in the stairwell and upstairs hall.
An addition to the house in the 1970s added more space; other than that, the home was as Mark remembered it. The couple brought their colorful personalities to the space with reworked vintage furniture and plenty of DIY touches. "Living here helps bring back memories of my childhood," he says. "Not many people get that opportunity."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mark and Elisabeth Yutzy
Location: Madison County, Ohio
Size: 3,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
That's interesting: The original 1930s wallpaper still hangs in the stairwell and upstairs hall.
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| An inviting table set with a vintage tablecloth and Elisabeth's Fiesta dinnerware sits on the front porch. A collection of vintage watering cans nestled together speaks to her love of gardening. Elisabeth found the table and chairs at a garage sale, repainted them and re-covered the seats. |
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In the kitchen, a cabinet found at a garage sale sits adjacent to the stove. The piece adds much-needed storage as well as character.
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A "Fresh Eggs" sign, also a flea market find, is a nod to the farmhouse history of the house. Vintage Dove brand milk-glass spice containers were given to the couple by Mark's sister.
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This Hoosier-style cabinet was spotted by Mark and purchased for only $25. "We didn't have to do a thing to it," Elisabeth says.
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This cabinet is one of Mark's finds and holds treasures from Elisabeth's mother and grandmother, along with other vintage finds.
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| In the living room, a bold red couch and a patterned armchair create a cozy gathering place. The door to the right leads upstairs. Mark recalls coming home after curfew when he was younger and trying to be quiet, "but the stairs would always squeak and wake Mom up," he says. Couch and chair: Smith Brothers |
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This primitive-style cabinet was purchased at a flea market and is one of Elisabeth's favorite pieces. Framed family photos adorn the walls.
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A sitting area in Elisabeth's craft and sewing room offers a place to relax. The dresser was purchased at an auction and painted mint green. The ticking wallpaper, beadboard ceiling and firkin boxes all pay tribute to the home's roots.
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Elisabeth framed pages from 1950s magazines, including Life and Ladies' Home Journal, as artwork. A generous stranger gave her this dresser as a gift.
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According to Elisabeth, this chair was in bad shape when it was picked up from the trash. She gave it new life by repainting it and adding colorful fabric bands for a bright and cheerful touch.
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This view shows the original 1930s wallpaper in the upstairs hall, along with Elisabeth's mother's Amish bonnet displayed on the bedside table.
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| This bedroom, lined with wallpaper from the 1970s, was shared by Mark as a child with three of his brothers. "Once a year we changed the straw in the mattress," he quips. Mark and Elisabeth rescued the full-length mirror after a neighbor discarded it. They repaired the frame and replaced the mirror. |
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Dried hydrangeas and a vintage quilt complement the antique dresser picked up at an auction. The chair is a special find from Mark and Elisabeth's childhood church.
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| Elisabeth's style continues into the flower bed. Here, a spray painted chair and table sit in a bed of vinca. One of Elisabeth's recent projects was to drill holes in used paint cans, spray paint them bright colors and plant some of her favorite flowers in them. |
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| Boxwood planted in pots become instant garden borders and can easily be moved. A basket of petunias and lobelia sit atop a large maple tree trunk. Purple sage and spider wort provide color and variety near the bench. A vintage tricycle purchased for $1 can be seen behind the tree. |
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| The updated Adirondack-style glider is made of a durable polylumber consisting of recycled milk jugs. Elisabeth painted a vintage wooden ironing board and placed it on their front porch to hold decorative items and freshly cut flowers in old milk bottles. The "No Dumping" sign was a flea market find. Glider: Holmes Crafted Furniture |
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| The front exterior of the 1930s farmhouse remains structurally the same. The 1970s addition can be seen in the far right of the photo. Because the couple rents, they are limited to what renovations they can do. While they have embraced the quirks that come with an old house, there are plenty of things they'd still love to change. More: How to Get a Modern Farmhouse Look Houzz call: Do you have a colorful, creative home? Share it with us! |
Comments
Becky Harris I am loving the charming tours from my home state popping up on Houzz! Bravo!
12 months ago · Like
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aeykelbo A nice place (love the wood framing throughout the house) and great job on rescuing that yellow rocking chair in particular. But I would probably get rid of the "no dumping" sign. I wouldn't want a reference to garbage to be the first thing visitors see when approaching my home. I had an instant "nose wrinkle" reaction when I saw that. Otherwise, very cute!
12 months ago · Like
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zombieknit I love the way that older houses have a public orientation with the porch at the front for people to see and been seen. Much more neighbourly.
12 months ago · Like
clearfieldbison lucky folks!!! your home reminds me of my grandparents home in central PA
12 months ago · Like
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picabelle Darling. Love so many of the personal touches, but I have to say that I'm very jealous of so many vintage finds for so little. I live in Northern California where a lot of those pieces wouldn't be so nice on the wallet.
12 months ago · Like
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Bobi Jean Varner I have that vintage table cloth, how wonderful to see the old as new.
12 months ago · Like
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charkay I would love to sit and have a galss of iced tea on this front porch! Awesome.
12 months ago · Like
Ann Smitt Pinkie and Blue Boy, I saw lots of renditions of these growing up in the Midwest. I love your rental home it's wonderful. I hope you both decide to make the stay permanate. Enjoy.
12 months ago · Like
patscats2 What an adorable house. I'm not sure I could function in that kitchen, but it's so pretty, I'd just not cook. LOL Love the redo on the rocker and that original wallpaper. Brings back so many memories. My childhood home had wallpaper on almost every wall, flowers, large, small and some in between. That home was torn down 45 years ago and it broke my heart. it was on, what is now a main street, so it had to make way for commercial buildings. I think it was a victorian. Huge two story. Oh what I wouldn't give to go back and see that house today. Really enjoyed this post, thanks.
12 months ago · Like
comphyshopper I have been collecting and decorating with vintage for some 20 years now and have a substantial collection. Was having a struggle debating as to whether I want to go back to something more contemporary, but every time I run across pic's like this my debate ends. I love what the Yutzys have done with there old farm house and just know I'd regret a modern make over. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your home with us!
12 months ago · Like
mmsalg I just love all the quaint, comfy pieces in this farm house. The little touches are what make it so unique and memorable. You can create a little farmhouse charm with a custom piece. Take a look here for more ideas: http://custm.co/hz/53
12 months ago · Like
Ananda What a wonderful house! Can someone please make a B&B like this? I'd love to stay in one. No exotic location or bustling town needed...just a couple of trees and some good books. What a gem!
12 months ago · Like
tlfmom42 What a beautiful home, definately my style. Loved the viewing!
12 months ago · Like
mon1641 Absolutely beautiful.... full of character!
12 months ago · Like
morgana44 Well this is a walk down Memory Lane...or at least what I imagine it was like on Memory Lane.
12 months ago · Like
conniebass Love the history and the era of this decor.
9 months ago · Like
Jeff Jones Snap It Photography You did an amazing job capturing the beauty and charm of this home.
3 months ago · Like
lepbarnes Lovely home! Works for a modern family but still has its charm.
2 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on May 31, 2012.
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