Some designs achieve it better than others, but one thing you can guarantee in a Modern Farmhouse is a bright interior.
This Home Tour by Rooms Solutions is a great example of how to do it properly and Shawna, the owner, explains her process excellently below.
Modern Farmhouse is a interior design style that works really well in small rooms.
The light color scheme opens the space up and keeps it feeling fresh.
Alongside the white paint, you’ll often find distressed furniture and sometimes even industrial-style metalwork.
Shawna runs the Instagram account @willowbloomhome and has succeeded in creating a beautiful Modern Farmhouse which manages to be both sophisticated and cozy.
Are you ready to find out how Shawna styles her home and what advice she has for you to do the same?
Let’s take a look…
Home Tour Q&A With Shawna
First Name: Shawna
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Style: Modern Farmhouse
Instagram: @willowbloomhome
Etsy: Willow Bloom Wreaths
Bio: I have always loved crafting and decorating, but I took a different career path, obtaining a graduate degree in science and working for the federal government for 15 years.
Eventually, I felt the need to spread my creative wings, and I made the decision to leave my job. In 2015, I opened my Etsy shop, Willow Bloom Wreaths, and later created my blog WillowBloomHomeBlog.com
I love all types of DIY projects, from painting furniture, adding shiplap and wall moldings to my home, and reupholstering small and large pieces of furniture.
I have become known for my modern farmhouse style and work with décor clients to design their spaces in this style.
I have also worked with several large companies as an influencer, and have been featured on the Instagram pages and websites of Better Homes and Gardens, Pier One Imports, and Cottages & Bungalows Magazine.
I live in Ottawa, Canada with my husband and three boys.
How have you managed to create such bright interior design?
I have always loved light and bright interiors as they are so peaceful and calming.
To achieve a bright look, I used mainly light colours on the walls.
I used a very light grey-beige throughout our hallways, living room, and dining room, and a medium blue-grey in our kitchen and family room.
I tend to use a lot of white- and light grey-painted furniture, as well as light, upholstered pieces in shades of white and natural linen.
I do tend to choose one or two accent colours each season to keep the space interesting.
I almost always use green because it injects a sense of freshness.
When using all neutrals, I really work at incorporating as many textures as possible, from chunky knitted blankets to velvet pillows to rustic wood accents.
What made you first decide you wanted to sell handmade products on Etsy and are you glad you made the leap?
I love this question!
I was unhappy that my day job didn’t allow for a creative outlet- I had always been a knitter, quilter, or crafter, but hadn’t had the time to do so in quite a while.
The idea of creating wreaths and opening an Etsy shop struck me in the middle of the night while we were on vacation.
A week later I had created my first wreaths and opened my Etsy shop.
I have never regretted this decision as living a creative life is so rewarding.
In the five years since I started my Etsy shop I have expanded to include table runners, burlap banners, seasonal decorations like fabric pumpkins and Christmas ornaments, and wood items like shelving and blanket ladders.
Which pieces of furniture do you find trickiest to style together?
For a long time, I struggled with styling pieces of furniture made of different wood tones.
Eventually, I came up with an approach that works for me.
I try to use no more than two wood tones together, and they often need to be of the same colour temperature.
For example, I will mix a dark walnut wood with a lighter weathered oak wood. Both are cool to neutral wood tones.
I also avoid mixing red-toned wood with yellow-toned woods.
And I always use some pieces of furniture that are painted in a neutral shade (white, grey, charcoal).
The painted furniture creates contrast with the wood furniture and keeps the look light.
Your beautiful home seems effortless, have there been any challenges along the way?
Thank you. Yes, when you’re a DIYer there are always challenges with every decor project and it’s something I expect now.
With each challenge, I learn and this makes future projects go smoother.
The excitement of creating something myself makes the challenges worthwhile.
My biggest challenge currently is not having enough time to do all the things I want to within my business.
What advice do you have for those who are still trying to find their style?
My two main bits of advice are to create a Pinterest board of decor you like and to jump in and try different things.
When I was a University student, I created several scrapbooks of decor ideas.
The first scrapbook I made was a jumbled mess of wildly different decor styles.
By the time I got to the third scrapbook a few years later, I could see that a cohesive style was emerging.
Nowadays, Pinterest is an excellent tool to gather images you love and refine your style. Secondly, you have to start decorating at some point.
You could go on forever, gathering ideas, but putting ideas into motion is where the learning really happens.
Try different things, as it is the only real way you’ll know if you love a particular style.
I remember loving images of dark, moody walls and dramatic decor, but when I tried it in my own home many years ago, I knew right away it wasn’t for me, and within a week I ended up painting over it.
One final tip to hone your style is to take photos of your own home and try to objectively study your pictures and think about what you could add to the space to make it more like the photos you have on your Pinterest board.
Rooms Solutions want to say a huge thank you to Shawna for working with us on this article.
We’re sure you’ll agree that this is a fantastic resource to help guide your own interior decorating.
You can find more of Shawna and her home on Instagram: @willowbloomhome and Etsy: Willow Bloom Wreaths
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