How We Really Kept The Charm & Character Of The Farmhouse (HINT: It’s Salvaged Pieces)

If you are into drinking games, I dare you to try to count how many times I say “character” or “charm” in this post – maybe just water in those shot glasses?? Someone recently asked what pieces are original to house and while there isn’t a ton, it was actually far more than I originally thought. So I thought I’d round them all up, and add a few pieces of furniture that we converted. A huge thanks to ARCIFORM who spearheaded this endeavor. They have a ton of experience restoring everything, so I felt in very good hands. I bought most of them at Aurora Mills, and then ARCIFORM found a few at an auction, but all local and for the most part super affordable for how charming they are. While we really gutted the house these pieces helped build back the character that we love about old houses. Here you go:

The Pocket (And Mudroom) Doors

I found these two matching school doors and loved the glass in them. I feel pretty strongly about adding pieces with a lot of architectural integrity and Anne (from ARCIFORM) really empowered me to go for it with the doors without needing them to all match. I don’t remember how much these were (I think a couple hundred each) and then they had to be patched, cleaned up, and painted (which honestly is the most expensive part of the process so if you don’t DIY be prepared to spend a few thousand on someone else’s time and expertise).

I love them so much. We ended up removing the brass kickplate and shove plate thing (I think they had to remove to dip them) and honestly they were so beaten up that once painted we knew it would be distracting. Now vintage doors (especially these) are super heavy so if you attempt this make sure to get the right pocket hardware that can hold them. The mudroom door isn’t pocket by the way, just the family room door by the dining nook.

While we loved the idea of keeping the original patina it wasn’t a very pretty color. I think in a different house mismatched shabby doors like this could work, but not in this one Read More