ONE TO FOLLOW
From the city to the country, a homeowner finds simplicity and joy on the prairie.
Living in the country can bea little simpler and more peaceful than the city, and designer and Instagram influencer, Deborah McDonald of @bvintagestyle, knows a thing or two about both. A wife and mom of two, Deborah grew up in a small rural town in Alberta, Canada. Its open prairies and pastoral landscapes illustrate a relaxed and low-key lifestyle, but what Deborah’s followers may not know is that it was not always rosy. Deborah explains: “When my parents purchased our family farm, all that was on the property was a one-room shack and a two-room cottage, and neither had running water or a bathroom. We boiled water every day to do dishes and to use as bath water. We even used an outhouse throughout the year—even in the dead of winter!” It was the primitiveness of those early years that made Deborah who she is today.
Before she married her high school sweetheart, Deborah traveled the world. “I traveled so much and saw so many places, I truly can’t remember them all,” says Deborah. It was at that time she decided to put down roots. “When my husband and I were married, we decided to move back to Alberta. I knew I couldn’t settle for just any old house. I wanted my own piece of beautiful architecture just like I had seen in so many places around the world. We lucked out and purchased a 117-year-old diamond-in-the-rough. There were multiple units in the house, and it was in terrible condition. Our children were small, my son was 3 and my daughter was 3 months, but somehow we bought this big beauty and made it our home!”
Each Instagram post showcases Deborah and her husband’s labor of love throughout the renovation process. Her talents make up a wide variety of inspiring topics from decorating, DIYs, gardening, recipes and even beauty tips! But she doesn’t stop there, either. If Deborah’s not renovating her own home, she’s conducting workshops in stylized photography, digital marketing and socializing your business, and attending speaking events and in-person workshops. Most recently added to the list? Business trips to France! All of Deborah’s photos are instantly recognized and envelope a clean, crisp, country feel.
These days, Deborah emphasizes less on trends and more on the things that bring her joy. “I’m thankful for the small things, the big things and everything in between,” says Deborah. “Dancing on the back porch with my husband, our two beautiful children and hanging out with our farm of animals is my happy place. What’s not to love?”