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Home Decor

How to turn your home into a cozy country getaway

Design superstar Sarah Richardson shares her best tricks for turning a dated '80s bungalow into a pretty summer home — all on a savvy budget.
How to turn your home into a cozy country getaway

Photo by Stacey Brandford

Escape to the country

A great find

A Saturday afternoon drive near our farm seemed like a nice, easy outing on a fall day, but little did we know that this car ride would kick off a whole new adventure. We explored a road we'd never been on, then stumbled across an amazing property for sale. The property was inspiring, but the house looked like a dud. Our first thought was to tear the house down, but once I got inside, I realized the space and views were great. So I decided to take on a challenge and fix the house up for us to live in while we make plans to rebuild on the property. With a combination of big-box basics and flea market finds. I set about transforming the house into a cozy country getaway. Maybe the new house will just have to wait a while.Sarah's designer trick: "Create an inexpensive custom mantel using salvaged finds. Here, two antique corbels were added to a piece of reclaimed baseboard to create a stunning focal point."Pillow fabric, Kravet Canada. Furniture, Sarah Richardson Design. Drapery fabric, Designer Fabrics. Chandelier, accessories, side table, Antique Shows Canada. Lamp, L'Atelier, 416-966-0200. Rug, Elte. Ceiling panelling, flooring, fireplace tile, Lowe's.

How to turn your home into a cozy country getawayPhoto by Stacey Brandford

Hang hooks at staggered heights

Wow guests as soon as they open the front door. Decorative exterior brackets support open shelves, and oversized baskets store everyday items. Installing hooks is an easy way to keep the area neat and coats off the floor.Hooks, shelf brackets, wall panelling, Lowe's. Pillow fabric, Lee Jofa.

How to turn your home into a cozy country getawayPhoto by Stacey Brandford

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Mix and match cabinet door styles

Add interest to your kitchen cabinetry by installing two distinct door profiles in complementary colours. Creamy white shutter doors on the upper cabinets nod to country-coastal style, while cool grey Shaker-style doors on the lower ones ground the space without making it feel heavy.Sarah's designer trick: "Tie together an open-plan living space by using the same flooring material throughout. Here, engineered walnut floors were easy to install and even easier on the wallet."

Hardwood floors, cabinets, counters, mixer, sinks, faucets, dishwasher, fridge, microwave, stove, hardware, backsplash, lighting, Lowe's. Canisters, Sears

How to turn your home into a cozy country getawayPhoto by Stacey Brandford

Hang coach lanterns indoors

Hang lanterns on wall hooks to save space on tabletops. It's a great small-space alternative to a chandelier, which can obstruct sightlines. They also cast a nice glow in the evening and add to the cottage charm.Sarah's designer trick: "Turn kitchen cabinets into a custom banquette in your eat-in kitchen. You'll create more space, seating and lots of extra storage. It's the perfect place to store bulky serving pieces that are used only occasionally."Table pedestal, The Door Store. Sidechairs, Savoia Chair. End chairs, Of Things Past. Pillow fabric, drapery fabric, sidechair fabric, Designer Fabrics. End chair fabric, Lee Jofa. Leather on banquette, Perfect Leather Goods.

How to turn your home into a cozy country getawayPhoto by Stacey Brandford

Install a simple chair rail

Even an open concept space offers the opportunity to play with colour. Installing a simple chair rail adds a bit of detail and allows you to paint different colours above and below the rail.

How to turn your home into a cozy country getawayPhoto by Stacey Brandford

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Divide your shower curtain

Divide a single shower curtain into two panels to frame and show off a gorgeous tile pattern. By mixing inexpensive tile and stone with decorative trim, you can create a luxe look at a fraction of the cost. Sarah's designer trick: "Create a custom vanity with ready-made lumber items from the trim department. Here, a decorative panel was installed between two turned-pine legs, painted and topped with a grab-and-go granite counter."Faucet, mirror, hardware, fixtures, medicine cabinet, tile, accessories, lighting, custom vanity components, Lowe's. Shower curtain fabric, Quadrille Fabrics.Light a bathroom with industrial lamps: Give a dated powder room an instant lift with pretty wallpaper and a coat of paint. A classic pedestal sink is less expensive than a vanity and adds sculptural detail. Installing inexpensive galvanized wall sconces brings a little of the outdoors inside.Cole and Sons wallpaper, Kravet Canada. Fixtures, tile, accessories, mirror, shelf, medicine cabinet, lighting, Lowe's.

How to turn your home into a cozy country getawayPhoto by Stacey Brandford

Cover your ceiling with wood panelling

Transform your ceiling from builder basic to country chic with tongue-and-groove panelling. Painting it a subtle hue is an easy way to unify the room's palette.Sarah's designer pick: "Choose vinyl windows instead of wood ones to save money. To give the illusion of wood, I ordered these windows without hardware and had locks and lifts attached."Headboard, Sarah Richardson Design. Bedside table, Absolutely Inc. Chair fabric, Brunschwig & Fils. Tie-dye pillow, Indigo. Rug, Ikea. Drapery fabric, Designer Fabrics. Accent table, footstool, chandelier, Antique Shows Canada.

How to turn your home into a cozy country getawayPhoto by Stacey Brandford

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