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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

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New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
Blog
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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
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Design & Inspiration

Farmhouse Design with Emily Starr Alfano

By Kali Gibson

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Meet Farmhouse expert Emily Starr Alfano. She'll be sharing all her tips bringing farmhouse style home! Emily is the Starr behind Boston-based lifestyle studio mStarr Design. Getting its start designing weddings and events, mStarr quickly expanded into the world of interior design. With a knack for blending the artisan with the mainstream, Emily makes layered, approachable interiors that reflect her clients’ personalities and lifestyles. Follow @mstarrevdesign on Instagram and see how Emily does farmhouse style in her 1830s home #farmhousedialfano.
 

 

What colors do you recommend for farmhouse design? 
I love earthy colors for a fresh farmhouse feel and a nice mix of warm and cooler tones. I know a lot of people have a tough time deciding on colors. And I certainly get tripped up sometimes {especially when looking at 50 different shades of a particular color}. But I tend to know what I like {or what my clients will like} and more often than not, I simply put together the colors that are inspiring me for a project and they work well together. Sometimes it's best to just go with what you like and you'll be surprised at how nicely they end up looking together.

Glazed Thin Brick in Klamath is the perfect accent for this farmhouse kitchen.

Brick Shown: Klamath (discontinued; for a similar look, try Joshua Tree) // Design + Image: Emily Starr Alfano

Where do you find inspiration? 
It's so wide-ranging! Instagram, blogs, nature, magazines, friends' homes etc.

Three words to describe your design style? 
Organic. Layered. Approachable.

Brick Shown: Klamath (discontinued; for a similar look, try Joshua Tree) // Design + Image: Emily Starr Alfano
 

What does Farmhouse style mean to you? 
Farmhouse style to me is not the more traditionally thought of Farmhouse style. It means incorporating elements that resonate with a farmhouse but mixing in other styles too. So maybe it's shiplap but installed vertically vs. horizontally for a more contemporary look. Maybe it's reclaimed wood floors but installed in a herringbone pattern. I strive to honor certain aspects of our nearly 200-year-old-home but focus on blending styles...Cottage, Farmhouse, Organic, California Cool.

Design + Image: Emily Starr Alfano

What are your top 6 Design Tips to creating a modern farmhouse kitchen or bathroom?

1. Stay away from too much color. I think the farmhouse style is appealing because it's so inviting. Too much color or too many bold colors, and it starts to get away from that.

The farmhouse style is appealing because it's so inviting. Too much color or too many bold colors, and it starts to get away from that.

Tile Shown: 2x6 Driftwood with Glazed Thin Brick in Big Horn // Design: High Street Homes // Image: Jen Morley Burner

Offering a retreat from her luxe floral design studio, Tinge Floral, Ashley Beyer's fresh and chic kitchen offers the perfect backdrop for her organic-inspired style.

Brick Shown: Olympic // Design: Tinge Floral // Image: Kate Osborne

2. Incorporate some type of open shelving and/or rail with hooks.
Some may say this is trendy but I think they're timeless and a beautiful way to display both everyday and decorative items that you {and your guests} want to look at! If you're worried about storage or dust, just do a small section.

With subtle nods to the nautical, this farmhouse kitchen's artisan subway tile backsplash beautifully showcases our signature handmade color variation.

Tile Shown: 4x8 tiles in Mist // Design: EJ Interior Design // Image: Brad Knipstein

3. Herringbone
So maybe this screams more Parisian apartment but it's got historical roots and is the loveliest addition to a home, whether on the floors or the walls.

A herringbone is the perfect pattern for a floor or wall in Farmhouse Design.

Tile Shown:2x6 tiles in Driftwood with Glazed Thin Brick in Big Horn // Design: High Street Homes // Image: Jen Morley Burner

Brick Shown: Klamath (discontinued; for a similar look, try Joshua Tree) // Design + Image: Emily Starr Alfano
 


4. Mix and match metals and woods.
You want to keep things fresh and a little unexpected. There's nothing wrong with matching your faucet, lighting and/or hardware but it's that much nicer to do a mix of metals.

Discover soulful details in this historical master bath featuring 3x6 subway tile and a sweet wallpaper to create the feeling of balance.

Tile Shown: 3x6 tiles in Mist // Design + Image: Benita Cooper Design

Brick Shown: Olympic // Design: Heidi LaChapelle Interiors // Image: Erin Little

5. Make sure to layer textures. 
This will add visual interest and build depth throughout your home.

Working on a farmhouse style kitchen? Layer textures to add visual interest and build depth throughout your home.

Tile Shown: Pickets in Frost // Design: Rudy Winston Design // Image: Janis Nicolay

Glazed Thin Brick in Front Range

Brick Shown: Front Range (discontinued; for a similar look, try Absaroka) // Design: Jon De La Cruz // Image: House Beautiful

 

6. Incorporate vintage {or vintage-inspired} elements.
Adding vintage is a must in any home but especially in a farmhouse. Vintage items have stories to tell and can set your design apart. Sure sometimes vintage can be pricey {and a worthy investment} but there are so many beautiful accents you can find on places like Etsy and Ebay that are more affordable than mainstream items, and certainly more unique!

Color blocked in a pair of neutral hues, this stacked tile tub surround adds a modern touch to a charming farmhouse-inspired bathroom.

Tile Shown: 3x12 tiles in Sand Dune and Feldspar Gloss // Image + Design: Danielle & Ely Franko
 

Arranged in alternating vertical and horizontal patterns, this glazed thin brick floor adds a timelessly classic quality to a warm and rustic bathroom.

Brick Shown: Elk // Image + Design: Danielle & Ely Franko
 

Need some help? Simply call, chat or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly.

Shop the Story

2.5x8 Brick in Olympic
2.5x8 Brick in Big Horn
Picket Tile in Frost Gloss
3x12 Tile in Sand Dune Gloss
  • 1/ Olympic, 2.5x8
  • 2/ Big Horn, 2.5x8
  • 3/ Frost Gloss, Picket
  • 4/ Sand Dune Gloss, 3x12

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Driftwood

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Chickadee Gloss

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Columbia Plateau

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Feldspar Gloss

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