REPURPOSEFUL THINKING
Be inspired by a Kentucky homeowner who chooses mainly neutral backgrounds in order to let unique salvaged items, special antiques and coordinated Christmas decor shine.
A Kentucky homeowner turns to salvaged items and favorite antiques to adorn her home, a place where unique finds come to life against neutral backdrops.
AAmy Pardue has a gift for recognizing unfulfilled potential. In fact, it’s one of her best decorating tricks. “I find most of my furniture at Goodwill or in consignment stores,” she says. “I love to buy something that looks horrible. I have a knack for turning an old piece into a real treasure.” Her secret? Some elbow grease and a whole lot of paint. Fortunately, when Amy bought a three-bedroom bungalow in 2007 in Scottsville, Kentucky, heavy-duty renovations weren’t necessary. Although she eventually added an office and a pool, most of the initial upgrades were cosmetic: She painted the interior walls and the kitchen cabinets, replacing one upper unit with bracketed shelves. From there, the only task left was the design, which Amy relished—especially when it included finding discarded furnishings to rehab. “It’s like a surprise what a piece will look like when it’s complete,” she says. Amy’s preferred palette is white, in keeping with her fresh farmhouse aesthetic, with industrial touches. “I grew up in a primitive-style home—my mom has a passion for that style,” she says. While Amy admired the look, the dark furnishings just weren’t for her. “I decided to go for a more vintage farmhouse look,” she notes. “Basically, any piece painted white and distressed fits right in.”
Neutral monochromatic color schemes marry well with the carefully chosen natural-wood pieces that Amy has positioned throughout the house. She adds in woven baskets, architectural salvage, uniquely shaped mirrors, and a few primitive bowls and boxes for texture and interest. Unexpected elements, such as a refinished set of old school lockers and a canvas bearing a passage from The Velveteen Rabbit, serve as conversation starters. “I love to mix in gold and brass as well,” she notes.
Amy’s easygoing style makes holiday decorating a snap. Rather than fill every nook and cranny with Christmas baubles and bric-a-brac, she prefers to incorporate just enough trimmings to provide a dash of seasonal flavor that complements her broader design scheme. To that end, pine sprigs, foliage, berries, bottle-brush trees and simple garlands add festive flair, and the Christmas tree in the living room remains the focal point.
While some might be reluctant to create an entire design around a light-hued color scheme, Amy loves its inviting and comfortable ambience—and its adaptability as the seasons change. “The farmhouse style is not for everyone, but I love the light and fresh look,” she says. “It’s a place that I enjoy coming home to.”