FRESH ON THE FARM

Take decorating cues from a Kentucky couple who cultivate a happy springtime home with cheerful colors, vintage wares, and seasonal blooms and collectibles.

Kentucky residents welcome spring and Easter celebrations with a charming combination of seasonal colors and blooms, vintage goods and an array of country collectibles.

If houses had the ability to express feelings, Barbara and Kevin Quillen’s abode would be joy and happiness personified. From its bright white facade—including a punchy yellow front door—to its neatly curated interior where every furnishing and decorative object fills the space flawlessly, the Quillens’ dreamy dwelling is as delightful as they come.

Built in 1985 on 6 acres of generational family farmland, the 2,400-square-foot farmhouse in South Shore, Kentucky, is, for Barbara, the anchor of her family. It’s where she enjoys entertaining and where her children and grandchildren come for visits. “My heart has always been right here in my home,” she says. “I hope I’m remembered as someone whose door was always open and who surely had the gift of hospitality.”

With a decorative style that Barbara describes as “country farmhouse with some primitive thrown in,” the interior boasts lovely displays of her favorite collectibles in orderly arrangements, and nothing looks forced or out of place. “I love old crocks, blue Ball canning jars, baskets and quilts—just about anything with some history,” she notes.

A dynamic duo of DIYers, Barbara and Kevin also enjoy changing things up when the mood strikes. Among their enhancements are a shiplap wall in the front hallway, a handcrafted kitchen island and wood-like laminate flooring. “We have changed every room in the house over the years,” says Barbara, who notes that Kevin is the craftsman behind the majority of their wood pieces, including the Amish-inspired dining room table, fireplace mantels, and various other tables, benches and shelves. The couple also installed a tongue-andgroove pine ceiling in the family room. “It was a huge job,” Barbara recalls, “but we love how it turned out.”

In addition to relishing her collection of vintage wares and handcrafted wood furnishings, Barbara delights in seasonal decorating. To celebrate spring, bunny-themed tea towels, plates and figurines are among the items she layers into her decor, along with lettered signage, handmade cloth carrots, and pastel-colored speckled eggs. To accent her vignettes, Barbara employs vibrant shades of yellow via throw blankets, runners, plates and candleholders. Pillows are also a staple in her design configurations. “I make most of my table runners and pillow covers and change them seasonally,” she says.

For all of her care and focus on beautifying her home, Barbara’s main objective is relatively simple: “Every time you walk in your home, it should make you feel happy. Mine definitely does!” If the walls of this upbeat family farmhouse could speak, they would undoubtedly share in the sentiment that the Quillen home is a happy, well-loved gathering space.

Neat and orderly arrangements feel clean and simple in springtime decor. In Barbara Quillen’s dining room, a long buffalo-check table runner anchors a small bench showcasing charming rabbit-themed dishware that complements printed tea towels hanging nearby. On the wall shelf, a tidy row of yellowware mirrors the linear display of aqua mason jars directly above. Yellow blooms and greenery bring a natural note to the well-ordered space.

STEP IT UP Adding seasonal personality to a plain staircase wall is simple. Place a black primitive bench against the wall and layer it with a neutral checked runner and red checked pillows. Accent the seat with a tall lantern filled with pillar candles. To unify the look, hang a large framed sign above the display and drape it with a garland.

“Right here is where I am most fulfilled,” says Barbara of the home she shares with her husband, Kevin. “We’ve hosted birthdays, hayrides, cookouts and Christmas parties— and we’ve loved every minute!”

IN THE HOPPER Repurpose containers such as a small metal bucket and an old colander to hold a bouquet of speckled eggs and a handful of homespun cloth carrots. Arrange the containers on a charger or platter alongside a pitcher bursting with daffodils for a one-of-a-kind springtime vignette.