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Mar 23, 2024

Take a Look Inside This Mississippi Farmhouse

It's open season on antiques! As the editor of Country Living (@rachelhardagebarrett), I have seen and admired my fair share of before-and-afters, but it wasn’t until the spring of 2021 that I

It's open season on antiques!

As the editor of Country Living (@rachelhardagebarrett), I have seen and admired my fair share of before-and-afters, but it wasn’t until the spring of 2021 that I embarked in earnest on one of my own. It all started when I stumbled across a real estate listing for a foreclosed farmhouse in the Mississippi Delta, and before I could say “one Mississippi,” I was driving past long stretches of flat farmland to see it for myself. Built in the 1930s, the home had functioned as a hunting lodge for a family out of Memphis until it changed hands and ultimately fell into foreclosure. Still, despite its seen-better-days state—peeling paint, birds fluttering about in the foyer—I saw endless potential (Those paneled walls! That circular gravel drive!) and enlisted fellow old house lover and Country Living Contributor Holly Audrey Williams (@hollyaudreywilliams) to tackle the house in tandem. Holly was the perfect collaborator: She has restored more homes than you can count on both hands, and we shared a vision for this property that I can best describe as “design with a drawl.” Here’s how, with the help of contractor Obert Douglas and countless others, we got the 100-year-old home ready for a joint family Friendsgiving—and the lessons we learned along the way.

Special thanks to the official sponsors of the 2022 Makeover Takeover: Sherwin-Williams, At Home, and Visit Mississippi.

Here in the "before" you can see the home's dingy front, which was spruced up with new fiber-cement siding in Arctic White along with copper lanterns, urn planters, and a jute doormat (see photo above). We worked with online landscaping service Yardzen and Hatchie Tree Service to bring back some country curb appeal.

Get the Look:Siding: by James HardieFront Door Paint: "Tricorn Black SW6258" by Sherwin-WilliamsCopper Lanterns: "Georgetown" wall lanterns from Circa LightingUrn Planters & Jute Doormat: both from At Home

This property can be hard to find, so we wanted to create a friendly welcome and enlisted Crackerjack Junk Co. to recreate a sign that had hung on the property in its heyday. Tip: Go bigger than you think! After a lot of deliberation, we went with a 36-by-48 sign. Anything smaller would have felt way too small against the 10-acre setting.

We wanted to make a strong statement in the long front foyer, and rich gray walls set against a high-gloss black ceiling and trim did just that. New upholstery on curvy antique chairs offers a nice balance of masculine/feminine as seen throughout the home. Dog Otis very much likes the jute rug.

Get the Look:Wall Paint: "Roycroft Pewter SW 2848" by Sherwin-WilliamsCeiling & Trim Paint: "Tricorn Black SW 6258" by Sherwin-WilliamsJute Rug: from Annie SelkeChair Fabric: "Nils Plaid" by SchumacherPillow: from At HomeVintage Antlers: from Tricia's Treasures

RELATED: These Nine Paint Colors Are Inspired by the Mississippi Delta

Also in the foyer, an antique hunt board welcomes guests with pre-poured refreshment, including Mississippi-made Old Soul Bourbon, in vintage julep cups. To offset the darker paint, we selected brass light fixtures to serve up contrast and warmth. Walking sticks in faux bois umbrella stands reinforce the lodge feel, and a woven basket corrals outdoor essentials.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint: "Roycroft Pewter SW 2848" by Sherwin-WilliamsCeiling & Trim Paint: "Tricorn Black SW 6258" by Sherwin-WilliamsVintage Hunt Board: from ShoppeJute Rug: by Annie SelkeLamps: "Classical Urn Form" from Circa LightingLampshades: from The Shade ShopLantern: "Coventry" from Circa LightingUmbrella Stands: "Bunny Williams Woodland" by Ballard DesignsBasket, Marble Dish, and Candle: from At HomeBlankets: by The Tartan Blanket Co.Vintage Antlers: from Antiquities

An oversized mirror brings Old World glamour to the foyer. To offset the ornate air, we paired the mirror with a fauxbois demilune. A matching fauxbous umbrella stand holds walking sticks for guests to pick-up on their way to walk through the pecan groves.

Get the Look:

Wall Paint: "Roycroft Pewter SW 2848" by Sherwin-Williams

Ceiling & Trim Paint: "Tricorn Black SW 6258" by Sherwin-Williams

Mirror: "Beaudry Mirror" by Ballard Designs

Demilune: "Bunny Williams Wood Creek Demilune" by Ballard Designs

To cozy up the long living room, we created multiple gathering spaces—one for lounging (shown), the others for games and piano sing-alongs. (The piano, not pictured, came with the house—a happy coincidence for Holly and her husband, Chris Coleman, who are both musicians.) Two deep-seated velvet sofas in the perfect shade of green flank a vintage table (cut down from dining height) atop a natural fiber rug. Other “hunted” items include antique trunks and a clover-shaped end table. On the newer side, a black-and-gold mirror presides over the mantel alongside a vintage dog trophy and green lacquered candlesticks.

Get the Look:Sofas: "Madeline" by Kathy Kuo HomeCandlesticks: by Salvesen GrahamSconces: "Flea Market" lantern from Circa LightingChandeliers: "Classic Ring" from Circa LightingRug: from Annie SelkeMirror, Aqua Blue Pillows, Green Jug, and Vase: from At HomeFrames: by FramebridgeVintage Books and Trophies: from Palladio Home & Garden

In the living room, an old game table and green-shaded bouillotte lamp create a cozy spot for congregating. To add interest to the shelves, we had an assortment of vintage finds, including an old harmonica and vintage Farmer's Almanac, professionally matted and framed.Get the Look:Sconce: "Flea Market" lantern from Circa LightingFrames: by FramebridgeVintage Lamp: Adams Antiques & the Potager

Because the surrounding landscape offers ample opportunities for alfresco farm dinners, we took a more playful approach to this space, topping a vintage Louis XVI dining table with a ping-pong playing surface. (The top can easily be removed should there be a need for indoor dining.) For a tailored touch, a custom net coordinates with the draperies. A mercury glass bell lantern echoes the tones of metal trophies and an old bar mirror.

Get the Look:Ceiling Paint: "Alabaster SW 7008" by Sherwin-WilliamsPing-Pong Playing Surface: from HB Home FurnishingsCandlesticks: from At HomeDrapery and Ping Pong Net Fabric: “Pyne Hollyhock” by SchumacherDrapery and Custom Ping-Pong Net Fabrication: by Sassy SlipcoversLantern: "Lorford Smoke" by Circa LightingVintage Oil Portrait: from Found Birmingham

Delta rains are no joke, so we wanted a mudroom that could handle the mess, while also evoking the tweed-cap refinement of the boot rooms you’d find in the English countryside. The black, brown, and white color scheme takes its inspiration from hunting dog breeds (also seen on the skirted table). An assortment of wool hats and waxed canvas coats, many from Alabama retailer Tom Beckbe, allow for guests to settle in to country-casual attire. Jute rugs placed in front of each cubby minimize boot removal mess.

Get the Look:Wall Paint: "Natural Choice SW 7011" by Sherwin-WilliamsCeiling and Trim Paint: "Tricorn Black SW 6258" by Sherwin-WilliamsSkirted Table Cloth Fabric: “Pointers” by SchumacherJute Mats: from At Home

During its heyday, the kitchen was outfitted to host quite the parties (one of which was featured in Field & Stream!). Still, the industrial hood, as seen in this before, was a metal behemoth, so we refashioned the space to feel a little friendlier without changing the room's configuration, which helped keep renovation costs more manageable.

The kitchen now feels softer and friendlier courtesy of blue “Sheffield” cabinetry, brass hardware, and flush-mount lights. The island’s countertop in “Charcoal Soapstone” complements a Viking dishwasher and range in “Cast Black,” part of The Delta Hues collection (how fitting!). Assorted kitchen accents keep things cozy, while wood-seated counter stools complement the home’s beams. On the left, a grouping of antique silver trays stacks neatly above a Windsor stool.

Get the Look:Cabinets: "Sheffield" by Legacy CabinetsCabinet, Wall, Trim & Ceiling Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue SW 0031" by Sherwin-WilliamsFaucet: "Broderick" by DeltaHardware: by Top KnobsFlush-Mount Lights: from Circa LightingIsland Countertop: "Charcoal Soapstone" by SilestoneRefrigerator, Dishwasher & Range: "Cast Black" from The Delta Hues Collection by VikingGlass Canisters & Dutch Oven: from At HomeCounter Stools: Allen Stools by Ballard DesignsWindsor Stool: "Tucker" by Serena & Lily

Green floral cafe curtains lend softness to the kitchen without distracting the eye from the 10 acres of pecan trees outside. The pretty brass “Broderick” faucet also lends interest to the pre-existing sink. Canisters provide easy access to baking ingredients.

Get the Look:Cabinets, Wall, Trim & Ceiling Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue SW 0031" by Sherwin-WilliamsDishwasher: from VikingCabinets: "Sheffield" by Legacy CabinetsCafe Curtain Hardware: from Ballard DesignsFaucet: "Broderick" by DeltaCanisters: from At Home

With ample cabinetry already in place, we opted for a Gothic-inspired plate rack on a wall adjacent to the refrigerator. The wood adds a nice pop of contrast against the blue.

Get the Look:Wall Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue SW 0031" by Sherwin-WilliamsDecorative Accents: from At HomePlate Rack: by Cosmo Fry

We had plans to reupholster the old chicken wire cabinet doors, but when that project didn't pan out, we decided to simply keep things open and paint inside the cabinetry. Now it's the perfect spot to display an assortment of cake stands and antique serving vessels. The oil-painted lady of the house (“Eleanor”) supervises a buffet of pies from local bakery Sweet Tooth Teddy.

Get the Look:

Wall and Trim Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue SW 0031" by Sherwin-WilliamsCake Stands and Bowls: from At Home

How many birds is too many birds? Don't answer that! This English dresser gave us ample room to display our growing collection of pheasant-themed plates and glassware.Get the Look:Wall Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue SW 0031" by Sherwin-Williams

RELATED: Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas for the Perfect Rustic Vibe

Upstairs, visitors can tuck in to a black spool bed outfitted in ticking stripe linens, an ivory coverlet, and a mossy velvet pillow. Two sconces in charcoal-print shades allow more room for the leafy-skirted nightstand to accommodate a green lacquered tray and amber vase. The framed “Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway” print by Ryan Kirby is right at home above the mantel. Finally, a collection of five dapper gents hangs tough above the bed like an old-timey boy band.

Get the Look:Wall Paint: "Alabaster SW 7008" by Sherwin-WilliamsTrim Paint: "Agreeable Gray SW 7029" by Sherwin-WilliamsLinens: from Redland CottonWool Blanket: by The Tartan Blanket Co.Coverlet: from Serena & LilyVelvet Pillow: from Ballard DesignsSconces: from Circa LightingSconces Shades: from The Shade ShopRound Nightstand: from Ballard DesignsNightstand Skirt: “Filigree Flower” from Soane Britain Lacquered Tray: from Salvesen GrahamVase: from At HomeBlack Frame: “Augusta” from Framebridge"Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway" Print: from Ryan Kirby Art

Original to the house, the hunt dog-themed wallcovering showed some wear and tear, but we couldn’t part with it. To freshen things up, we painted the window trim and door in a corresponding color. The sink and tile are also original. New bath linens make guests feel right at home.

Get the Look:Trim & Door Paint: "Oakmoss SW 6180" by Sherwin-WilliamsWallcovering: by Brunschwig & Fils from KravetTowels, vase, and soap dish: from At HomeSconces: "Alton" from Circa Lighting

With such pretty views of the Delta landscape outside the windows, we embraced colors inspired by the region. Poster beds dressed in ivory coverlets and crisp floral and gingham linens lend a sweetness to more lodgelike accents, including arrow sconces and a nubby, natural rug. A perfectly petite nightstand is topped with a brass reading lamp and dog figurines. A striking paper portrait in ivory lends graphic punch to moss green walls.Get the Look:Wall Paint: "Oakmoss SW 6180" by Sherwin-WilliamsVintage Poster Beds: from ChairishCoverlets: by Serena & LilyFloral Linens: from Biscuit Home Gingham Linens: by Heather Taylor HomeVintage Arrow Sconces: from Found BirminghamRug and Basket: from At HomeNightstand: from Ballard DesignsReading Lamp: "The Pixie" from Circa Lighting

Holly will tell you: Pink is a neutral. She's used it on doors, floors, ceilings, and more. Here, like a flattering pink lightbulb, the soft pink on the walls, doors, and trim in the guest room casts a warm glow, and I love how it pairs with the brass bed and wood antiques.

Get the Look:Wall, Door & Trim Paint: "Intimate White SW 6322" by Sherwin-WilliamsBrass Bed: from Brass Beds of VirginiaSkirted Table: Fringed Off-White Twill from Ballard DesignsPlaid Wool Blanket: by The Tartan Blanket Co.Floral Pillows: "Hillside Garnet" by Brook Perdigon TextilesShams and Coverlet: "Augustine" by Serena & LilyLamp: from Edward Ave.Lampshade: from The Shade Shop RELATED: 60+ Farmhouse Decor Ideas to Help You Design Your Dream Country Home

The ol' desk-turned-nightstand trick is an oldie but goodie. In this case, a vintage pheasant print in a tigerwood frame is proudly perched on an antique huntboard from a Birmingham, Alabama, estate sale.

Get the Look:Wall, Door & Trim Paint: "Intimate White SW 6322" by Sherwin-WilliamsArt Frames: by FramebridgeBed: from Brass Beds of VirginiaChair: from Palladio Home & Garden

Rachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.

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