102 • AMERICAN FARMHOUSE STYLE
STEP
IT
UP
Staircase style is important to
emphasizing farmhouse style. Learn
how to modernize your stairs with
these innovative railing ideas.- METAL OF HONOR. Keep it sleek and
stylish with metal railings you’d usually
fi nd outdoors. Whether you choose steel,
iron or aluminum, you’re sure to fi nd a
material that freshens up the space. You
can settle for a light polyurethane fi nish,
or spruce up the rail with a bold coat
of paint. - LOVELY AND LINEAR. Handrails often
come in thick, rounded shapes, which
work well for traditional wood rails. If
you’re wanting to make a modern state-
ment, though, look for thin, fl at rails with
crisp lines. - SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD.
For a farmhouse that resonates with
timeless appeal, choose ordinary over
ornate. You may be surprised to realize
that this makes a bolder statement than
fancy designs.
above left: Designing your interiors is a perfect
opportunity to let your own style fl ow. “Kelly has a
great eye for authenticity,” Chris says. “Her ability
to use the paneling and the sliding doors to create
a genuine expression of herself is amazing. The feel
of this hallway is stylish and comfortable. It’s Kelly’s
personality expressed through design.”
left: Flanked by sliding wood doors, Kelly’s
offi ce combines today’s modern functionality
with yesterday’s simple timelessness. “I think
[manufacturers] have caught on that people want
things to be functional and not just attractive,” Kelly
says. For this reason, it’s fairly easy to make your
offi ce both usable and charming.