Design Dilemma | October 15, 20082 Comments

Design Dilemma: Creating A Country Look In An Open Floor Plan Home

How do you create a rustic, country look in a newly constructed home with an open floor plan?

Homebuilders, in an effort to keep costs low, often eliminate architectural details, such as crown moldings. If the home is contemporary, both inside and out, this is great. But often, there’s a disconnect between a Colonial exterior and the barren interior. If a homeowner, such as Janice, from Pennsylvania, is dreaming of a country look, the lack of architectural detail, combined with an open floor plan can be a challenge.

This is the dilemma Janice is facing. She wants to paint the rooms in order to create different atmospheres. Since they’re open to each other, there isn’t any obvious place for one color to end and a new one to begin.

In addition, Janice likes the look of post and beam construction. She’s considering adding beams through the house to try to create that look. “We want to incorporate some natural wood elements in the house Рkind of an exposed beam look.”

Creating a Rustic Country Look

Faux Post and Beam?
The best way to add character to a home is to install architectural detail. As I mentioned, Janice likes the post and beam look. However, this is not really a decorative style. It’s a type of construction in which the posts and beams are integral parts of the home’s construction. They actually hold the house together.

The only way to create a faux post-and-beam look is to install faux beams made of Styrofoam. They will look exactly like what they are, no matter how well you paint them. The real deal would be so expensive that it would be cheaper to move. Also, because the “beams” would be cemented onto the surface of the wall, it won’t look integrated. In short, I don’t think this is the way to go. So let’s examine a different solution.

Architectural Detailing in a Country Fashion

I recommend creating a cozy, rustic look by adding moldings and wainscoting. Historic country homes are rich in crown moldings at the ceilings and doorways. This is true of baseboard molding as well. Adding these elements to each room will transform the home. These before and after images from Hooked on Houses illustrate this point perfectly.

But I wouldn’t stop there. The home has an open floor plan, making it difficult to define each space as separate. Therefore, I’d add a beadboard wainscot to each of the downstairs rooms. The looks can be altered slightly in each room by varying the heights and the style of capping. Frame out the wainscot so that they end in a logical way.

Here’s a gallery of different styles using beadboard wainscot. Find them at my sponsored link, Wood Corbels.

To find the proper materials, try Architectural Depot. They have a great selection. Elite Trimworks is another resource.

Add Atmosphere With Paint and Wallpaper

Janet’s main dilemma was how to make each room different. “The wall from the dining room runs into the wall of the foyer with no break. We were thinking of doing all rooms a different color, but I want them to look cohesive and not like a rainbow house.”

This problem is solved by the addition of the wainscot. It not only creates a country look, it is the perfect solution for adding different colors to each room. Paint the walls throughout the home one neutral color. Paint or stain the wainscot and trim in a color to suit each room. You now have a country look that allows each room to have its own personality.

Tying The Look Together

I think this home needs a focal point of sorts Рsomething that will tie the colors together and welcome you into the home. Wallpaper is the way to go here. Apply it to the main walls in the hallway and up the stairs. The pattern will add character and depth. It’s also a useful starting point for a color palette. The image below illustrates which walls the paper is applied – up the stairs and on the side of the stairway.

I’ve chosen a selection of traditional papers from William Morris (Blackthorn, Vine, Compton and Corncockle). The colors are rich and the patterns are historic. Many of the papers come with matching and coordinating fabrics. Other resources are Waverly and Graham & Brown.

Palette Suggestions

I used Morris’s Blackthorn pattern to create a for the home. Janice can create her own in the same way. Start with the paper and choose the paints from there. Take existing or planned fabrics into account. Remember, paint always comes last!

Window Treatments

It looks like Janice spent some time on her window treatments. That makes it difficult for me to tell someone they need to start over. However, I truly believe I’m here to give my honest opinion. Here goes.

The problem with the window treatments is their weight and scale. They’re too small and not wide enough to properly frame the window – especially when hung over the more substantial shutters. I highly recommend substituting a padded cornice, in a fabric that coordinates with the hall wallpaper.

Here’s an example of a traditional style. You can vary them from room to room. (Excuse the rather messy Photoshopped job).

A local fabricator can make cornices for you. Try Calico Corners, or get a name from your local fabric shop.

Accessories

Janice has some wonderful opportunities to give her home a truly finished look by accessorizing certain areas. Number one on my list would be her amazing dining room hutch. The shelves are just the thing for showing off a collection of plates and pottery.

Quimper (these are from Merchant of Prato) is one idea. Or, find a popular color that you like, such as blue and white (examples from Cobalt Haven).

You can find all kinds of dishes at estate and tag sales with a popular combination such as this. Keep collecting and change them out as you add new pieces. Hanging plates and trays on the wall is another way to complete the kitchen or dining room without spending too much money.

I’d love to see an antique collection of large tins or pots on this sill. Even better would be an antique rocking horse. Remember the importance of scale. Nothing too skimpy, please!

Top Tips To Create A Country Look

• Create a sense of history by adding architectural details
• Separate the rooms with beadboard wainscot. Altering the heights and using paint can achieve different looks.
• Wallpaper the central hall to integrate the color palette and create a focal point.
• Cornices, covered in a coordinating fabric, will improve the look of the windows.
• Accessorize each room to tie the country look together.

Janice, I hope you like this plan. I’d like to ask everyone to please add your own opinion. What accessories do you recommend? Do have other ideas? We want to hear your opinion. Questions? Ask away and we can all supply some answers.