When Kay Volmar,
“I renovated the porch first because it’s the only area I could control. I wanted a welcoming space that made me happy.”
a marketing manager, first saw this residence in central Florida, her thoughts were “this home needs to be loved on.” It was originally built in 1912 but had been added onto throughout the years, resulting in a home that was full of possibilities but in dire need of a fresh vision. Kay, who has gleaned her design expertise from blogs, knew just what that vision should be.
As a self-professed “style blender,” she created designs that intersected Minimal Modern Cottage and Industrial Farmhouse, resulting in a home that’s full of life and energy, inside and out!
A SPACE TO INSPIRE
Kay’s first project: the porch. “I renovated it first because it’s the only area I could control,” she says. “I wanted a welcoming space that made me happy.” Kay, and her husband, Marc, switched out the front door, replaced the railings, and covered the original floor with commercial tile. While some may think of “happy” colors as bright and saturated, Kay took a lighter approach to this mood by painting the door Sherwin Williams Waterscape and spray painting the wicker furniture white. When it came to styling the porch, she sought to create an environment that was as inviting and entertaining-friendly as a living room. She says, “The wicker furniture is my take on a couch and two chairs. It’s like an outdoor living room.”The porch, once it was completed, not
“I didn’t want anything cliché. After poking around Pinterest, I decided a hat wall was the easiest and most affordable way to go.”
“I wanted a room that was both masculine and feminine, hard soft and .”
only brought the happy feeling Kay sought but also became a place of hope. She says, “I’m sure my neighbors wondered why on earth the house with the patchy grass, crumbling driveway, crooked siding and endless construction material deliveries had a fully furnished porch, but it gave me hope and represented the kind of home that I eventually wanted.”
STYLE THAT GROWS
Originally a small closet jetted out in between the foyer and dining room. Kay knew it had to go. She says, “We removed it so that it opened up the area while also giving us a clear view to the dining area.” With the closet gone, a few key changes gave the dining room a completely fresh look. Kay and Marc refinished the floors, painted and added trim to instantly brighten and expand the space. Afterwards, Kay placed an elegant farmhouse table underneath a traditional lighting fixture. The table was her first “real adult” purchase from 18 years before. Its timeless style has transitioned with her through the various phases of life, and she warmly calls it the heart of the room.
In order to truly showcase it, she knew unique seating was in order. She found white modern chairs to accent it and two wicker host chairs to bring contrast and texture. Now, when visitors step into the home, they are beckoned closer to the dining room by the glimpses of the industrial meets cottage setup.
COTTAGE KITCHEN CHIC
When Kay and Marc moved in, the kitchen was restricted by its layout: The refrigerator opened to the dining room, and the counter space was severely limited. “I wanted clearer delineation between the kitchen and dining room,” Kay says. “And, since the kitchen is so small, I needed more counter space.” They completely gutted and redesigned the kitchen, opting to position the refrigerator on the opposite wall, extend the counter and install open shelving. A pale gray, almost-white grout brightened the narrow room, and subway tile added a classic touch. Now the kitchen is both functional and stylish: “The open shelving doubles as a place to display my everyday dishes,” Kay explains. “And the extended counter can serve as prep space or as a buffet for meals.”
HAUTE HOME OFFICE
The den, which Kay uses for her office, was an addition to the home and featured a bulky bar that made the room seem cramped. Kay and Marc removed the bar, installed tile flooring, replaced and painted the ceiling fans, and covered the ceiling in shiplap. With the bar gone and the walls and ceiling white, the room immediately felt more spacious. Kay loved the results but needed something to add visual interest to the large, empty wall by the entry. “I didn’t want anything cliché,” she says. “After poking around Pinterest, I decided a hat wall was the easiest and most affordable way to go.” With some copper pipe, clothesline rope, clothesline pins and hats thrifted from Goodwill, she DIYed her way to a home-friendly equivalent of an art installation that’s reminiscent of a high-end boutique. It adds a touch of stylish personality to the office.
In the end, the home bursts with vibrancy that’s not articulated in typical ways but in the subtle effervescence of the designs.