Perfectly Imperfect

A South Carolina homeowner brings vintage and thrifted finds together in fresh combinations that make for a comfortable, inviting family home.

A savvy Southern DIY decorator combines vintage and new finds to bring a family-friendly farmhouse vibe to the ranch home in South Carolina that she shares with her husband and two sons.

If

it’s rusty, dusty and chippy, Amy Grassinger is all about it, and

affinity for well-loved goods is evident as soon as guests step inside her Columbia, South Carolina, home. “I knew instantly that I wanted my favorite white chippy cabinet to be the first piece people saw when they entered,” she says. “That cabinet pretty much sums up my decor; it’s perfectly imperfect.”

Amy and her husband, Jason, purchased the 3,300-square-foot brick ranch in 2017 for their family, which includes two boys, Connor and Adam, and their beloved Labradoodle, Harper. The 1970s-era home boasted a large lot and features such as crown molding and an open kitchen and family room (a renovation completed by the previous owners) that caught the couple’s attention during their house hunt.

With no major changes necessary, the Grassingers embarked on cosmetic updates that set the stage for the cozy vintage farmhouse vibe they wanted. Removing wallpaper, painting, and replacing carpet were easy changes that boosted the home’s visual appeal.

Amy knew a neutral palette would focus attention on her rustic and primitive pieces—“I love using unexpected items as art, like an old wood gate,” she shares—so she chose to use shades of white and gray throughout the interior.

These soothing hues flow through every room of the ranch and set the backdrop for her many vintage and thrifted finds. Above that much-loved chippy cabinet in the entryway, a railroad sign and black-and-white cow picture pair nicely with an old milk can and a small wooden ladder. Rusty rug beaters affixed to the dining room wall make a statement while flanking an old Hoosier cabinet.

“I love pieces that tell a story with their patina,” Amy says. “The more weathered and worn, the more I love it. It has history, and that makes a space more interesting.”

An active Instagram user (@myrustichouse), Amy gathers inspiration from other decorators’ posts and plucks ideas from Pinterest and magazines. Visits to antiques stores and vintage markets also spark decorating updates. She finds that adding a few newto-her pieces to the mix is the quickest way to reenergize a space.

Working new goods into her home may take time, but in Amy’s experience, items you love will find their place. “Sometimes, you just have to play musical chairs to get a feel for where things look best,” she observes.

A case in point is an awkward area in the family room that had proven to be a decorating challenge. Once Amy placed a peg rack on the wall above the sofa table, she instantly thought of her collection of galvanized and painted watering cans. She hadn’t yet found the perfect spot for them, but it had suddenly appeared.

When she’s uncertain whether pieces work together, Amy snaps a quick photo, which helps her get a visual read on the arrangement and allows her to consult friends for feedback.

Over the last few years, Amy has worked hard and had fun affordably creating her perfectly imperfect abode. She says she is pleased that it is not only visually appealing but also functional for her family. “You don’t have to break your budget to create a cozy, lived-in home,” Amy shares. “Using what you truly love will transform your house into a home.” And, some might say, a home filled with cherished treasures is perfect indeed.

An old gate is a distinctive statement piece on Amy Grassinger’s family room wall. Placing a long sign above and a wreath directly on the gate creates more depth. Baskets, a cow-head wall decoration and simple artwork bring added interest. Seating piled with ticking and grain-sack pillows makes the room comfy when the family gathers there to watch television.

Labradoodle Harper is part of the welcoming committee in the entry, where Amy has stationed her favorite chippy cabinet surrounded by other interesting pieces, including an old railroad sign and a cow picture. A stack of painted stools topped with a twig star balances a small wooden ladder.

Right: Amy enjoys creating a comfortable home for her husband, Jason, and their sons, 12-year-old Adam (left) and 14-year-old Connor (right), starting with the front porch of their brick ranch.

Above: Choosing decor for awkward spaces, like this area behind the family room couch, can take time, but once Amy placed the peg rack on the wall, she knew she had finally found a home for her watering can collection. Amy positioned an old toolbox that coordinates with the rack above the sofa table, which helps frame the weathered gate on the wall.

Above: The modern, open kitchen gets the cozy treatment with a blend of vintage and thrifted pieces. Old crocks corral utensils, a magnolia leaf wreath and a sign decorate the stove area, and groups of vintage scales line the tops of the cabinets.

Right: A garland of dried orange slices accents the simple kitchen valance and sets off a wooden star propped on the sill. A bucket of blooms and a handmade Bakery sign further enhance the window.