Today I received a call from a friend I haven’t spoken to in a while.  She mentioned that she is finally getting started making small but steady changes to her home and felt overwhelmed - thus the phone call.  

She let me know that she and her husband own a farmhouse, <heart flutter>, and are looking to maintain its farmhouse and country feel while still modernizing the space to suit their personal styles, to accommodate for entertaining friends and to accommodate their two dogs.  :)  

I recently read an article on one of my favorite design blogs, apartmenttherapy.com, that spoke about interior design and decor really getting back to basics.  It’s amazing how good style doesn’t stop during a recession.  Instead, it becomes practical and gorgeous making the salvaged/reclaimed trend one that’s here to stay.  After all - it’s been here all along.

Now I would certainly try to join the gap of this makeshift table pictured above using some straight cuts along both planks for more symmetry AND the sake of the gravy boat at Thanksgiving Dinner - but hey that’s just me.  This would also work ‘as is’ with just a large piece of glass on top.  I think this look is fabulous and embodies the ‘farmhouse meets chic’ vibe we’re going for.

Next on the menu:

Ralph Lauren Suede.

This Suede paint technique was designed to evoke the supple hand of brushed suede with rich, authentic character.   This line of Ralph Lauren Paint albeit time consuming, gives a phenomenal finish and remains one of the easiest specialty wall finishes to apply.

Color: Spitfire RL#SU76

-my favorite color from the pallete.  

Suede Paint comes in an array of hues which you can find here: 

http://secure.ralphlaurenhome.com/products/paint/Finishes/items.aspx?haid=76

Also use the Ralph Lauren Paint Store locator on the website to find where you can purchase it.  Most Home Depot Stores do carry Ralph Lauren’s specialty finishes.  

I feel the suede paint finish would be a great solution to her wallpaper dilemma.  The house has different wallpaper in every room.  Some rooms (like the living room), even have two different patterns.  There are spray solutions you can purchase that will breakdown the glue of the wallpaper making it easier to peel off of the wall.  Anything you can’t peel off can normally be taken off with a steamer, a putty knife, and a lot of elbow grease.

This is your friend.  

Meet Valspar Sand Texture Paint.  I have personally used this paint (you apply it with a putty knife - not a roller) and you can create as smooth or as textured a finish as you so desire.  

The consistency in the grain of this paint really does remind me of old horsehair plaster.  (What could be more Farmhouse, after all?:)  … I say skip the part where the extra-hard elbow grease would come into play and use your energy to smooth some texture paint over the imperfections left by the wallpaper removal.  Please do not forget the critical step of priming your walls before you apply the texture paint. Sherwin Williams makes a very good primer for this kind of situation.

Once you’ve completed the long, arduous process of removing wallpaper, priming, and then applying texture paint, you can then begin the long arduous process of suede painting over your new finish.

Sure…  It sounds like a lot of work.  It is - but it is totally worth it.  You’ll have the coolest walls on the block and your farmhouse would be chic, indeed.

Thank You for reading.  Enjoy!

Rachel Marie 

Here are some photographs re-using readily available, versatile material pallets!  You can get these from your local home improvement store for free if you ask!  Another great use would be to stack these platforms outside with a removable cushion for durable outdoor seating.  Enjoy!

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