Decorating & Design
This Family Home Has All The Charm Of An English Farmhouse
Published on February 27, 2020
When a Carmel, Indiana, family recruited designer Whittney Parkinson to transform their home, she knew it was going to be something special. The cramped abode was riddled with awkward 45 degree angles, and with two young children, the homeowners needed all the space they could get. Whittney added a brand new mudroom with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and an organized laundry room, plus refreshed the kitchen — adding a set of beautiful antique light fixtures she’d had her eye on for years — and living room. “I think right now, people just want timeless,” says Whittney. “They don’t want to have to redo anything in five to ten years and keep up with the constantly changing aesthetic.”
Scroll down to tour this charming, laid-back family home!
In the modern farmhouse kitchen, a colorful vent hood — painted in Benjamin Moore’s Smokestack Gray — immediately catches the eye. Wooden accent doors to the right of the range store spice racks for easy access when cooking. Plus, the iconic pendants fit right in.
The quartzite countertops and backsplash look as beautiful as marble but without the maintenance, making it ideal for a young family. “A lot of backsplash tiles tend to trend in and out, so using a full slab is a very timeless move,” says Whittney.
Glass-front cabinetry shows off copper bowsl, ceramics and other treasured knick knacks.
Subtle but impactful moulding brings a vintage vibe to the living room. The stone accent wall is original to the house, so Whittney kept it because of its texture and indoor-outdoor feel.
There was unused space in the garage, so Whittney turned it into a storage-savvy laundry room. A soft shade of Benjamin Moore’s Whale Grey gives the space a light, airy feel, while a floating island is the perfect place to fold and organize clothes.
The desk in the corner gives the stay-at-home mom a quiet retreat where she can plan out her week and have a moment to herself.
Tulu Cloth wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries and sage green beadboard wainscotting adds architectural interest to the powder room. Bonus: when little ones are brushing their teeth and splashing water around, the beadboard acts as a backsplash.
The brass sink exudes antiquated elegance, and creates a beautiful blend of modern and vintage style when paired with a classic marble countertop.
Brass hardware warms up the narrow blue-grey mudroom, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry is ideal for keeping seasonal items tucked away. Plus, beadboard gives the space a touch of heritage charm.
Sarah Shields
Whittney Parkinson Design