Turn a spice rack into a showcase for little treasures. Surround the rack with a quartet of similarly shaped items to expand its visual footprint. Ensure wood collectibles stand out from dark surfaces by framing them within a brightly colored shelf.
Refresh a corn dryer with seasonal fare that’s fit for winter, such as faux apples.
The Fosters removed the soffits above their kitchen cabinets to create more display space for crockery and other dishware favorites. Although most of the room was gutted in the remodel, they kept the quilt-patterned porcelain tile floor that Allen designed and laid when they originally built the home.
Lend custom style to a window valance by gathering it at the center and securing the gather with a string tacked to the window trim. 45
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Left: Joyce wanted to use the dining room suite that once belonged to Allen’s parents but found that the chairs were too fragile, so she replaced them with sturdy Windsor chairs in a contrasting color. Allen built some of the display pieces, including the crock shelf, from wood salvaged after their poplar tree was felled by a storm.
The Fosters angled a four-poster bed in a corner of their master bedroom to create a dramatic focal point. When Joyce couldn’t find accessories to coordinate with her bedspread, she made a bed scarf, pillow shams and accent pillow to fit the bill. The off-white rod-pocket curtain blends with the neutral wall, keeping the focus on the furnishings.
Hang a coverlet over a blanket crane above a bed to give the illusion of a soaring headboard.