Houzz Tour: Breezy Decor Lifts Up a Modern Maine Farmhouse
A family’s first new house gets its appealing look from white walls, vintage trunks and eclectic accessories
Fussy is not a word in the lexicon of Chad and Shanna Perreault. So when it came time to build their first house, they committed to a style that would be easygoing and relaxed. They outfitted the simple structure with repurposed furnishings and pieces from big chain stores for a style the homeowners call “farmhouse vintage.”
On the pressure-treated-wood front porch, an old steamer trunk found at a yard sale acts as a table. It’s decorated with a metal bucket and a black lantern. The folding chair is from Ikea.
Front door: Smooth-Star fiberglass, Therma-Tru
Front door: Smooth-Star fiberglass, Therma-Tru
Every aspect of the home was designed around the busy lives of the family of five. Shanna says she wanted to keep its decor sophisticated yet simple, all without breaking the bank.
That theme begins just inside the entry door, where the walls are painted bright white. Softening the windows are white cotton curtains. Shanna fell in love with the desk she found at Target. She got the chair and crates from an antiques store.
Throughout the first floor, the snap-lock vinyl plank flooring contrasts with the white palette and creates a lived-in look.
That theme begins just inside the entry door, where the walls are painted bright white. Softening the windows are white cotton curtains. Shanna fell in love with the desk she found at Target. She got the chair and crates from an antiques store.
Throughout the first floor, the snap-lock vinyl plank flooring contrasts with the white palette and creates a lived-in look.
The homeowners wanted the living room to accommodate family gatherings without worrying about any mess. Machine-washable white slipcovers protect the Ikea sofas from spills and stains.
Rather than trash their old bureau, Shanna thought it would be a smart contrast if it was painted taupe and fitted with new hardware. The lamp, nestled in a corner, provides soft lighting. The trunk is a spot to put their coffee mugs or snacks.
“We love the versatility of mixing different colors and textures,” Shanna says.
Lamp: Walmart
Rather than trash their old bureau, Shanna thought it would be a smart contrast if it was painted taupe and fitted with new hardware. The lamp, nestled in a corner, provides soft lighting. The trunk is a spot to put their coffee mugs or snacks.
“We love the versatility of mixing different colors and textures,” Shanna says.
Lamp: Walmart
Keeping the footprint open was very important to the homeowners. Just off the living room is the dining room, anchored by a rustic table from Christmas Tree Shops.
Instead of buying new chairs, the Perreaults repainted ones they had and recovered the captain’s chairs with durable fabrics: the backs in vinyl-like gray and the seats in a gray swirl. The bronze-hued ceiling fixture complements the chocolate-brown lacquer bench from Ikea, which adds seating without cramping the room.
“We used chalkboard paint on just a small wall,” Shanna says, noting that the couple often write their grocery lists and kids’ schedules on it. “We also love to write sweet sayings to each other on it too.”
The sliding glass doors lead to a yard. “We haven’t had a chance to build our deck yet. But that’s coming soon,” Shanna says.
Instead of buying new chairs, the Perreaults repainted ones they had and recovered the captain’s chairs with durable fabrics: the backs in vinyl-like gray and the seats in a gray swirl. The bronze-hued ceiling fixture complements the chocolate-brown lacquer bench from Ikea, which adds seating without cramping the room.
“We used chalkboard paint on just a small wall,” Shanna says, noting that the couple often write their grocery lists and kids’ schedules on it. “We also love to write sweet sayings to each other on it too.”
The sliding glass doors lead to a yard. “We haven’t had a chance to build our deck yet. But that’s coming soon,” Shanna says.
Although function and versatility were important, the homeowners also wanted the look of an old vintage kitchen. After they found the made-to-look-antique refrigerator, they fell in love with its matching appliances, all from GE’s Artistry series. White Shaker-style cabinets and black leathered-granite countertops keep the room modern and timeless. The bronzed light fixture is also a pot rack.
“I love to cook and bake with my children,” Shanna says. “I have more than enough space to do that now.”
Light fixture: Lowe’s
“I love to cook and bake with my children,” Shanna says. “I have more than enough space to do that now.”
Light fixture: Lowe’s
Everyday items are stored on open shelves that the homeowners made out of lumber and stained grayish brown. Shanna says she has fun changing out the dishes and pottery from one season to another.
Rather than extend the flooring upstairs, the homeowners chose wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedrooms for warmth and comfort. The couple’s two sons share this bedroom. Shanna found the trunk in an antiques store and uses it to hide toys. The motor oil can is from Hobby Lobby and stores a toy car collection. “They are huge NASCAR fans,” Shanna says of her sons.
On the left wall, Chad installed a built-in workstation where the kids, who are home-schooled, do their homework.
Light fixture: HomeGoods; metal stools: Target
On the left wall, Chad installed a built-in workstation where the kids, who are home-schooled, do their homework.
Light fixture: HomeGoods; metal stools: Target
In the master bedroom, Shanna didn’t want a traditional headboard. Instead, she opted to hang an oversize frame that has chicken wire in the middle, making it the main feature of the room. Throughout the year, she decorates it with flowers, greenery or wooden letters.
The end tables were repainted and decorated with new hardware. For a little pizazz, Shanna painted her tall jewelry box with chalk-finish paint.
Continuing the quaint elegance of the house, bright white linens drape the bed. Contrary to the white palette in the other rooms, these walls feature a taupe color.
Bed linens: Simply Shabby Chic line, Target; chandelier: Home Depot
The end tables were repainted and decorated with new hardware. For a little pizazz, Shanna painted her tall jewelry box with chalk-finish paint.
Continuing the quaint elegance of the house, bright white linens drape the bed. Contrary to the white palette in the other rooms, these walls feature a taupe color.
Bed linens: Simply Shabby Chic line, Target; chandelier: Home Depot
A whimsical white chandelier sets the stage in the little girl’s room. Her parents were pleasantly surprised to find a Fisher-Price crib that has a vintage vibe. Shown here is the crib after its conversion to a toddler bed.
Floor-skimming curtains in gray provide a nice contrast against the white.
Curtains: Simply Shabby Chic line, Target; chandelier: Home Depot
Floor-skimming curtains in gray provide a nice contrast against the white.
Curtains: Simply Shabby Chic line, Target; chandelier: Home Depot
Rather than buy a shelf, the homeowners converted a handmade blanket ladder into a towel holder above the toilet in the powder room. They completed the room with an oval white mirror, black metal light fixtures and a vanity that they painted with chalk-finish paint.
Vanity: Home Depot
Builder: MGM Builders
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Vanity: Home Depot
Builder: MGM Builders
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chad Perreault, a pastor; his wife, Shanna, a stay-at-home mom; and their two sons and one daughter
Location: Gorham, Maine, about 12 miles from Portland
Size: 1,536 square feet (143 square meters); three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
The white-siding-clad house sits on an open 2-acre field in Gorham, Maine. Winters can be very cold and snowy. To prevent air leakage from the structure, as well as cold air seeping in, the house is wrapped with extra sheathing and fiberglass insulation.