Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Comfortable Country Style in Cincinnati
Warm colors, extra rooms and plush furniture make a couple's farmhouse-style home worth sharing with guests
Gary and Gayle Schneider were married only a few months when they broke ground on their new home in Ohio. "The process for us involved figuring out who we were going to be together in this new house, what would our new everyday lives together be about," says Gayle. Building their home took about a year, and 10 years later, their home is an accurate representation of the couple: expansive yet welcoming, tasteful yet attainable. Full of natural influences, this is a home created as much for sharing with others as it is made for the owners themselves.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Gayle and Gary Schneider, and dogs Jacob and Abbey
Location: Cincinnati
Size: About 6,000 square feet
That's interesting: The home's size grew during building to accommodate the couple's dining table.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Gayle and Gary Schneider, and dogs Jacob and Abbey
Location: Cincinnati
Size: About 6,000 square feet
That's interesting: The home's size grew during building to accommodate the couple's dining table.
"We've been asked if this was a preexisting farmhouse that the development was built around," says Gayle. "We consider that a compliment." After completing construction of the main house, the couple waited a few years to add on a garage with an upstairs office for their business, Jonah Development.
Natural accessories and upholstered seating bring the foyer's grand proportions down to earth. Sunlight pours in from a second-story window.
Inspired by old houses and buildings seen throughout their travels in Europe, the Schneiders chose to replicate an aged plaster look at home. Using a dual color technique, they covered the walls with khaki and green paint from Sherwin-Williams, mixed with an acrylic glaze.
Settee: Sofa Express
Inspired by old houses and buildings seen throughout their travels in Europe, the Schneiders chose to replicate an aged plaster look at home. Using a dual color technique, they covered the walls with khaki and green paint from Sherwin-Williams, mixed with an acrylic glaze.
Settee: Sofa Express
Although Gayle's favorite summertime spot is the back sunporch, the living room gets her vote during the winter, thanks to a wood-burning fireplace. The feeling of the space is akin to that of an elegant lodge, with a cut stone hearth and plenty of stacked firewood that Gary split.
Armchairs: Tommy Bahama, Direct Buy
Armchairs: Tommy Bahama, Direct Buy
A book wrapped in twine and a collection of cloches serve as a coffee table centerpiece in the living room. The cocktail table was a new purchase, but Gayle and Gary re-stained the top for a well-worn look.
"We built the house with 10-foot, 4-inch ceilings, which helped create a sense of more openness, like being outside," Gayle says. Transom windows allow light to flood the living room, while oversize furniture maintains an intimate feel.
This collection of clocks on a side table holds special significance. Their purpose is to "reflect the different time zones where two of our sons are either currently stationed or deployed in the military," says Gayle.
Clocks: Pocket Watch, Pottery Barn
Clocks: Pocket Watch, Pottery Barn
The design of the formal dining room set off a chain of resizing during the building process. "First we bumped our dining room wall out 5 feet to accommodate our large, family-oriented dining room table and chairs," Gayle says. "With the house plan being symmetrically designed, we then bumped the left side of the house out 5 feet as well, to mirror the change of the right side of the house." As a result, other rooms, such as the kitchen and upstairs loft, gained space.
Chandelier: Veranda Linear, Pottery Barn; cabinet: Grand French Casement Cabinet, Restoration Hardware; dining table: Miller's Furniture
Chandelier: Veranda Linear, Pottery Barn; cabinet: Grand French Casement Cabinet, Restoration Hardware; dining table: Miller's Furniture
The kitchen opens to a bright breakfast area, while a center island offers storage. Open shelving beneath the counter puts bowls and cookware at arm's reach but out of sight. At the end of the island, the couple designed a built-in wine shelf to house their collection.
Glazed alder wood cabinetry creates warmth against stone countertops. Integrated plate racks add to the home's country vibe and offer practical access to everyday dinnerware.
The couple purposely designed their island without appliances. "That was key for us, because that's where we set up our food buffet style — especially during the colder months, when we have different types of gatherings here," says Gayle.
The couple purposely designed their island without appliances. "That was key for us, because that's where we set up our food buffet style — especially during the colder months, when we have different types of gatherings here," says Gayle.
The couple keeps a supply of place settings at the ready for entertaining guests. An antique wooden tray keeps items organized and tidy.
A glass urn from Hobby Lobby corrals a collection of wine corks from bottles enjoyed on vacations or during memorable celebrations.
A glass urn from Hobby Lobby corrals a collection of wine corks from bottles enjoyed on vacations or during memorable celebrations.
In the breakfast area, Gayle sewed the chair cushions by hand and repurposed pieces of Gary's former house for the walls. "[The shutters] are salvaged from the basement of Gary’s old Victorian house he was living in when we met," she says. "I moved them with us, much to his puzzlement, and figured out how to use them. Now he really appreciates them."
Chandelier: Lowe's
Chandelier: Lowe's
Back on the sunporch, a mix of natural materials strikes an elegant balance. "We use and repurpose what we have that's special to us," Gayle says of their family's decorating philosophy. "When we buy furniture or something else, we make sure it speaks to our hearts and appears to have lived some life already."
The couple created this wooden screen out of salvaged doors, attaching them with the original hinges. A galvanized trough from Pottery Barn is used to chill refreshments, while crisp cotton linens soften the scheme and contribute to a comfortable resting place.
The couple created this wooden screen out of salvaged doors, attaching them with the original hinges. A galvanized trough from Pottery Barn is used to chill refreshments, while crisp cotton linens soften the scheme and contribute to a comfortable resting place.
A decorative cloche from Arhaus contains abandoned bird's nests that Gayle has collected over the years from around the property. They are displayed alongside glass votives and an antique seed-starter tray, making for a warm and personalized centerpiece on the sunporch.
A stone path and stacked split-faced steps lead up to a back entry. An unassuming neutral palette is enhanced with ipe decking and weathered fixtures.
Ipe, a Braziian hardwood, is ideal for outdoor applications, lasting 25 to 40 years without treatment. Gayle says, "It is lower maintenance if you let it age naturally, like teak or cedar, but we've chosen to seal it yearly to highlight and retain more of the deeper, richer color."
Ipe, a Braziian hardwood, is ideal for outdoor applications, lasting 25 to 40 years without treatment. Gayle says, "It is lower maintenance if you let it age naturally, like teak or cedar, but we've chosen to seal it yearly to highlight and retain more of the deeper, richer color."
Just inside the back entry, an antique wooden tray from the flea market is used to corral everything from spare change to cell phones. The tray sits atop a cherished cabinet from Gayle's grandmother. "It has moved with me and been repainted a couple different times, when it's found a new resting spot," she says.
A floral sconce from Arhaus contains hydrangeas that Gayle brings in regularly from the garden.
A floral sconce from Arhaus contains hydrangeas that Gayle brings in regularly from the garden.
Hooks in the mudroom provide easy access to everyday items. The bench was a flea market find that the couple repainted to soften the contrast between the white beadboard walls and the slate floor. A hinged seat means more concealed storage for the household and less clutter.
Coat hooks: Van Dyke's Restorers
Coat hooks: Van Dyke's Restorers
In the basement, the couple went with warm colors and materials. Rather than install typical doors, the Schneiders chose sliding panels made out of reclaimed barn wood. When not in use, the big-screen TV is obscured by the double doors, allowing attention to be given to the displays of family memorabilia.
Leather couch: Arhaus
Leather couch: Arhaus
Considering their penchant for entertaining, a bar in the basement was a must-have. "Our bigger family gatherings often average 25 people," says Gayle. "We've also hosted gatherings upwards of 50 people for ourselves and have lent our home to others for bigger gatherings."
Fresh flowers adorn the countertop as a reminder of nature. Along with the salvaged barn timbers, engineered maple flooring throughout unifies the basement with other areas of the house.
Stools: Tibetan, Pottery Barn; ladder: Days Gone By; flooring: ponderosa, Bruce
Fresh flowers adorn the countertop as a reminder of nature. Along with the salvaged barn timbers, engineered maple flooring throughout unifies the basement with other areas of the house.
Stools: Tibetan, Pottery Barn; ladder: Days Gone By; flooring: ponderosa, Bruce
Across from the bar, the pool table takes center stage and a collection of family photos personalizes the space. Propped on ledges, framed photographs forgo formal gallery presentation while giving greater flexibility to an ever-changing exhibit.
Nestled into the lower-level quarters of the basement, a guest bedroom receives diffused daylight from the terraced patio outside. The headboard, a repurposed barn door, was hosed down and coated with a matte polyurethane.
Table lamps: Arhaus; ceiling pendant: Lighting Direct
Table lamps: Arhaus; ceiling pendant: Lighting Direct
Trees line the perimeter of the backyard, while a sunken gathering area highlights the landscape. "We wanted [the basement] to have attractive outside access and a restful garden sitting area of its own," Gayle says. Leading into the lowest level of the home, the patio brings outdoor elements inside, making the basement feel more like another level, as opposed to a closed-off space.
The benches were found at a local gardening center and re-stained by the homeowners.
Fire pit: Sundance
The benches were found at a local gardening center and re-stained by the homeowners.
Fire pit: Sundance
At the top of the stairs, the Schneiders have created an elegant home office alternative. Before they built their company's offices over the garage, this space was used for their business, but now it is a place for writing, researching or just relaxing. "Sometimes I just like to sit up there and think creatively," says Gayle. "It’s such a pretty outside view at that window, so it’s very inspiring to me."
The table holds significance, as it was a gift from Gary when the couple were dating. Gayle has since refinished it, along with the chair. The stool is another thrift store gem that the couple repainted. Inspired by a retail display, Gayle replicated the look of a whimsical arrangement of pages using arboriculture publications found at a flea market.
The table holds significance, as it was a gift from Gary when the couple were dating. Gayle has since refinished it, along with the chair. The stool is another thrift store gem that the couple repainted. Inspired by a retail display, Gayle replicated the look of a whimsical arrangement of pages using arboriculture publications found at a flea market.
While the original plans for their home called for a row of smaller windows placed high along the walls of the master bedroom, the Schneiders wished to be more connected to the outdoors. "We extended the master bedroom at the back of the house with bay windows and included a fireplace," says Gayle. What resulted is a sort of private retreat that the couple describes as "restful and free of life's common clutter."
In contrast to the refined upholstery fabrics, stacked crates give the master bedroom an air of rustic sophistication. Different sizes and styles create dimension in addition to a well-integrated focal point.
Top crate: Hobby Lobby; armchair: Sofa Express
In contrast to the refined upholstery fabrics, stacked crates give the master bedroom an air of rustic sophistication. Different sizes and styles create dimension in addition to a well-integrated focal point.
Top crate: Hobby Lobby; armchair: Sofa Express
Creating the look for the sleeping area of the master bedroom came from creativity and tenacity on Gayle's part. "I was inspired by a rather expensive duvet cover I saw, and I decided to create one," she says. "So for a year I collected similar different fabrics when on sale, and then sewed my own."
She made the coordinating pillows, too, while the white embroidered ones are from Arhaus. The mirror above the headboard is a thrift store find, which Gayle aged with acrylic glaze.
She made the coordinating pillows, too, while the white embroidered ones are from Arhaus. The mirror above the headboard is a thrift store find, which Gayle aged with acrylic glaze.
Through the use of unassuming materials, the master bath embodies luxury in a serene environment. The antique cabinet, found at a flea market, is ideal for storing bath linens and other necessities, while white wainscoting gives the room a period look.
Glass candlesticks: Hobby Lobby
Glass candlesticks: Hobby Lobby
His-and-hers pedestal sinks take up less space in a small corner of the master bath. Even without counter space, Gayle and Gary manage to keep daily essentials at hand, thanks to the built-in medicine cabinets. Gayle says, "[We] assign places for things, so there's a place to put it away," leaving minimal opportunities for clutter.
Sinks: Kohler
Sinks: Kohler
Dark furniture creates a modern contrast in another guest room, while period styles are in keeping with a country atmosphere. The overall effect is comfortable and familiar, for those who are far away from home.
The decor of the room is a perfect mix of high and low. The iron bed is offset by a thrift store Windsor chair in the corner. The couple painted and sanded the chair to give it a worn look, echoed in the bench, a crafts store find.
Bed frame: French Académie, Restoration Hardware
The decor of the room is a perfect mix of high and low. The iron bed is offset by a thrift store Windsor chair in the corner. The couple painted and sanded the chair to give it a worn look, echoed in the bench, a crafts store find.
Bed frame: French Académie, Restoration Hardware
Gayle Schneider and Jacob, a bearded collie mix, enjoy a relaxing moment at the top of the terrace stairs. Since the couple finished their home over nine years ago, their children have grown up and moved away, leaving extra space for houseguests. Though they have opened their home to others needing a place to stay, the Schneiders plan to downsize in a few years. "We plan on having a smaller house but with a more pastoral setting, maybe even with a small lake," says Gayle. "Along with that we'd like to build an event center on the property that can host weddings, creative business meetings or retreats."