Hear me out — I know that headline sounds a little high-and-mighty, but please stick with me.
I adore rustic farmhouse decor, down to the last cotton stem. Can we still be friends?
Good. I was worried for a second.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you may have noticed my style shifting. A few of you have asked, “What’s going on?” so I wanted to explain what inspired the change.
This spring, Robert, Olivia, Lola and I moved into a new-to-us 1960 colonial revival house. I made a deliberate choice not to cover every surface with rustic farmhouse pieces. It isn’t because I dislike the farmhouse trend — I still love many elements of it — but because this house has its own character and trying to force a different style on it felt wrong to me. I didn’t want to make the home into something it’s not.
Think of it like unnecessary plastic surgery on a naturally beautiful face — why alter something that already has its own story and charm? When we bought this house I knew I wouldn’t be nailing shiplap on every wall. A distressed Farmers Market sign would feel out of place in the kitchen, and lots of rusted galvanized metal, reclaimed wood, and livestock art would stick out instead of blending in.
I’m not banning farmhouse decor entirely. You’ll still find small nods to the style in our living room, breakfast nook, and master bedroom. Some pieces — like our reclaimed wagon bench — are beloved and will remain part of our home. It’s simply going to be less dominant, more subtle.
At our previous house, the farmhouse look made sense — it was a blank slate with little original character, so the rough-hewn, layered feel really worked. This new home tells a different story. Its mid-century bones and traditional details invite a blend of modern and classic finishes with restrained rustic touches rather than a full farmhouse makeover.
So I’m exploring a more refined approach: modern-meets-traditional with just a hint of farmhouse where it naturally fits. Expect cleaner lines, a polished feel, and fewer raw, heavily distressed elements. I’m excited — and a bit intimidated — to try new things and discover what suits our tastes while honoring the home’s original character.
Some of the directions I’m leaning toward: antique gold fixtures, subtle wallpaper accents, and richer materials like marble and dark wood. These elements feel more aligned with the house’s architecture while still allowing a touch of the farmhouse aesthetic I love.
The house and I are getting to know each other, and it’s been a creative education. Opening my mind to new ideas has been rewarding, and I’m curious to see how the style evolves. It might get a little unexpected along the way — and I’m okay with that.
Budget is still a priority. Renovating an older home means priorities and patience: focusing on updates that make the biggest impact while keeping things affordable is essential for us.
There’s a simple lesson here that we heard as kids: don’t do something just because everyone else is doing it. If your instincts pull you in another direction, listen. Don’t try to make a space into something it isn’t — let the home’s character guide your choices.
I hope our DIY journeys inspire you in some way. Your comments, messages, and cheers give me courage and direction. Knowing you’re reading and rooting for our projects is what keeps me excited to share this work.
At the end of the day, decorating is a privilege, not a necessity. We’re fortunate to have a roof over our heads, and in the grand scheme of things, home styling is a small part of life. What matters most is the sense of accomplishment, the personal growth that comes from trying new things, and the joy of discovering what you really love. That’s the heart of this DIY journey.
So, can we still be friends? Are you disappointed that farmhouse pieces won’t be front and center? I promise they’ll still appear — just in smaller, more thoughtful doses that complement this home instead of overpowering it.
