Bright White Farmhouse-Style Inspired Kitchen in a Classic Split Level Ranch Home

Who says you can’t have the popular look of farmhouse in a traditional split-level ranch? Certainly not Kelley Harrell, who has a sharp eye for the best elements in this trending style.

Kelley’s style is easily identified as “modern farmhouse” with soft industrial touches throughout. Her house in the Bowmantown community of Telford, Tennessee, has come a long way from the 1979-style when her home was first built.

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“When we purchased our home it looked like it was still 1979,” Kelley says. “There was a pink room, a blue room and a green room – walls and carpet! I wish I had pictures! There was also a lot of wallpaper and a lot of paneling.”

“It was a big undertaking, but I knew I wanted to modernize our home. I love a mixture of farmhouse and industrial styles, so that is what I tried to create.”

Every room of her home is filled with unique treasures that make you want cozy up to the fire or simply sit with friends and family with a cup of coffee and figure out life, laughing along the way. Her home is more than just aesthetically appealing and stylish, it makes you want to “sit and stay a while.”

The evolution of Kelley’s home has been a journey over the last 15 years.

She and her husband, Scotty, purchased the home in 2003 because it was beside Scotty’s parents and they wanted to be close to them and other family members. Plus, it’s on a beautiful piece of property. Surrounded by mature hardwoods on one side and the back of the house, rolling hay pastures on the other side provide an appropriate side view for a true farmhouse, and to complete the look and add to the storybook environment is a very spoiled cow named “Ellie,” who lives out back that seems trained to bat her big eyes at you and flirt with visitors on the back deck.

While the house was in the location the couple wanted, its dated style wasn’t what Kelley wanted in a home so the idea of renovating the inside was always on the table.

“We knew it had good bones, a great location and was a perfect remodel opportunity,” she says. “After basically a complete gut job, we were able to get started creating a home we are happy to call our own.”

In the future, the couple may build a new house on the same road, but for now both said they are loving the process of making this house their own.

Kelley’s biggest source of inspiration comes from home decorators that she follows on Instagram. A couple of her favorites are “Our Faux Farmhouse” and “Dreaming of Homemaking.” Another favorite is Joanna Gaines.

In fact, Kelley has her own Instagram page where she expresses her style dedicated to her home. You can follow her at “118houseofharrell”.

While Kelley and Scotty have worked their way through the entire house making it their own to match their style, the largest project – as it is for many homeowners – has been the kitchen. Her cabinets weren’t that old (installed in 2013) so she knew that she wanted to keep them rather than replace; she just knew that she needed to brighten the space up. A friend had posted a photo showing cabinets painted by Vintage Chic Painting and she called right away to get the process started.

Kelley carefully chose every new detail, from the perfect shade of white for the cabinets and tile backsplash, along with gorgeous new granite countertops, and all new appliances. The added shiplap boards to the ceiling and cabinet end caps is a really special touch. Shiplap used today gives the feel of an old farmhouse or cottage that has had years and layers peeled away to expose the original materials used on walls and ceilings “back then” out of necessity and for durability. What was seen as functional and utilitarian 100 years ago seems hip and stylish today; and shiplap does accomplish this wonderfully to give the feel of something old that has stood the test of time, which exemplifies “vintage” style entirely. Those who love the shiplap look, don’t just see it, they “feel” it!

When asked what she loves most about her new kitchen, she says, “That I chose a bright white color.”

“I love how it brightened up my kitchen – a little paint and it looks like I have a brand-new kitchen,” Kelley said.

She has advice for those debating a kitchen remodel.

“If you are on the fence whether or not to jump in and tackle your kitchen makeover to go for it, you won’t regret it,” Kelley says. “Sometimes I see pictures online and wonder if things really look as good in person as they do online. Mine look even better in person!”

With the kitchen completed, Kelley’s next project is a total renovation of the laundry room. She’s adding shiplap on the walls and the ceiling. When her current project is done, she says she needs a break from the projects for a while.

“It would be nice,” Kelley says, with a laugh, “to not be living in a mess for a while.”

For Scotty and Kelley, their home is their haven. They both work long hours, so it’s important to them that “home” is as comfortable as it can be. Being at home is their favorite place to be, so they put in tremendous effort to make sure that they have exactly what they love surrounding them. Their hard work has paid off and shows in all of the details of this wonderful, cozy home! –VCP

This piece was written by Donnye Phillipsh, owner of Vintage Chic Painting in Johnson City. Vintage Chic offers distinctive finishes for cabinets and furniture. Visit www.vintagechicpainting.com, email at donnyephillips@gmail.com or call (423)557-5097.  Click here to get an estimate online now to start your kitchen transformation.


Click here to get an online estimate now by answering a few questions about your kitchen
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