PROJECT REVEAL - New Life for an Old Farmhouse

 Step inside my cozy, casual, and charming enchanted world where a mix of new, vintage and heirloom pieces celebrates the past with a nod to the future . . .

Karen Savage Design's sky Blue Living Room seamlessly brings the outside in.

Charm abounds in the idyllic countryside where we live, which includes Amish-style architecture, flickering gas lanterns, horse-drawn buggies and heritage barns which have stood for generations. And our historic century old farmhouse, barns and outbuildings fit right into the countryside. But the interior of our farmhouse has never quite reflected the typical farmhouse predictability. Don't get me wrong - we both love simplicity, practicality, history and bringing the outside in, but couldn't come together on what it looked like. We also believe our home should tell our own story based on choices that reflect our values. our faith and or unique authenticity - this is God’s purpose for every home today - to create a place that mirrors our Creator's unconditional love for us.

Therefore, this was more than a typical interior design farmhouse style makeover because it is our refuge, our sanctuary - a place that is more than a mood or style aesthetic - a place where we've loved, lived and raised our family. A place where we want to step inside and smile each time we come home. This old house has breathed new life into us and those we share it with for over three decades and is rooted in the pursuit of simplicity, recognized gratitude, grace and casual comfort.

We also wanted something that was both practical and livable. So, we respected its history, reconfigured the floor plan to support our lifestyle and used curated design concepts that solved problems in a way we both agreed on (see bottom of post). Then I designed the appropriate furniture to fit our needs and complete the whole in a way where I can constantly curate the decorative layer with flowers from my garden #godslovebouquets, and collections inspired from our nature walks and continuous, curious and creative pursuits.

The result is a layered, modern traditional aesthetic, but in a way that is fresh, fun, comfortable and inviting - a cozy, casual, and elegantly charming peaceful place to recharge and reconnect - a sanctuary where we belong and long to come home to.

Karen Savage Design's Sky blue Open Concept Room presents a better, present-day version of itself.

Our great room interior displays a selection of heirloom antique pieces pieces from both sides of the family which we love because they remind us of the care we received when we were young from those we respected. Mixed appropriately with the new furniture it becomes an unexpected layer - there’s tension created throughout the space by mixing old and new design elements together in a fresh new way that actually works well together. Besides the antiques we've inherited, we also repurpose found items to express our creativity, grow our faith and steward our resources well.

Karen Savage Design's sky blue open concept room celebrates the past in the here and now.

I love to play with color, surround myself with flowers from my garden and take a few risks. So I started with a sky blue linen performance fabric that reminded both of us of a mid-morning Summer sky here on the farm. This hue grounds the whole house in varying proportions to create movement and a thread of continuity. Then I added an unexpected layer of patterns using blue and white fabrics for the custom window treatment, dining room chairs, ottomans and pillows. that schemed well with my Grandmother's blue willow collection. The result, is an interior defined by a powerful yet balanced sense of color and pattern that's not quite traditional and not quite modern but always timeless.

Great Room Layout & Floor Plan - new construction shown in orange - Karen Savage Design

Special consideration was given to our precious pup too. Since she is part sneak thief, part princess, I selected finishes with durability and cleanabiity in mind which included an ivory performance leather for the bespoke English roll arm sofa. Sweet Bella even tucks in at night on a custom dog bed slip covered in the same fabric leftover from this project.

Blue & White Render Design Concept Karen Savage Design

All of the elements including our collections, add up to a cohesive aesthetic story. A cozy, casual, and elegantly charming enchanted space that reflects our values, faith and lifestyle—two-legged and four—nestled in the middle of Amish country where we've put down our roots and have grown by God's goodness and grace.

Blue & White Specification & Procurement List Karen Savage Design

Interior design is so much more than reacting to day to day choices and is so much more than a vibe or predictable style theme. When done intentionally, it's a way to create a place we all need - a place where we belong that reminds us of love and connection which provides us with a sense of well being.

I believe that was God's purpose for home in the first place.

Inspired? I can help you bring any space to life. Schedule a free 30 minute consultation, and I'll walk you through how I tell stories through design so you can thrive at home too.