Country-Chic Farmhouse in North Carolina

After Scott Bradford and Abbie Charette jumped from California to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, they fell in love with this farmhouse-style residence and its open and contemporary design.

“The views outside the window are similar to a painting, with the flowing rustic property, green trees and endless blue sky,” says Charette. Not wanting to detract from the attractiveness with clutter, she adhered to a simple material and colour palette, balancing the couple’s more modern fashion with the house’s rustic design.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Scott Bradford and Abbie Charette with their two sons, two cats and Buddy, theirgolden retriever
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Size: 3,600 square feet on 4 acres; 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
That is intriguing: When the couple bought the home, they inherited Roy and Daisy, two pot-bellied pigs.

Adrianna Beech

The home, built in 2005, is a gorgeous representation of a classic farmhouse.

Adrianna Beech

The front room serves as a workplace for Charette. A cluster of photograph frames filled with shots of the couple’s boys hangs on the rear wall. Charette chose a colour palette of whites and neutrals to make a calming effect. Numerically labeled patterns and items add a playful touch to the room.

Adrianna Beech

The willingness between the kitchen and the living room means everyone can gather for multiple tasks in a close family setting. Bradford and Charette brought the farmhouse table and ladder-back seats from their home in California and so were pleased to see them match right in. “Since we had come out of a much smaller home into this bigger one, it was a fun obstacle decorating the home, as we had been working on a strict budget and there was a lot of room to fill,” says Charette.

Adrianna Beech

An Andrew Wyeth print of this Bradford House, which conveys an uncanny resemblance to the home, hangs from the living area. The classic pie chest to the right is a reminder of the history behind the architecture of the home. The classical seats arrangement is updated with layers of texture and colour, handmade cushions and nesting side tables.

Small mirrors: Bellesol, Ballard Designs; toss pillows: Etsy

Adrianna Beech

The combo of both shield-back and slat-back dining seats continues the gentle playfulness into the formal dining area and downplays the formality of this crystal and mercury glass chandelier. The wide-plank flooring — with exposed nails — was set up by the previous owner to keep with the farmhouse design of the home.

Adrianna Beech

Previously a craft room, this distance off the kitchen now serves as a TV room. A large sea grass rug in a herringbone pattern was chosen for its low maintenance and friendliness to kids and pets. An Eames-style lounge chair adds a wonderful midcentury modern accent to the room.

Sectional: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; accent cushions: Crate & Barrel; carpeting: Arrowhead, Design Materials

Adrianna Beech

Another angle of this TV room shows tasteful repetition through colour and pattern.

Adrianna Beech

One of the many whimsical and intriguing elements that came with the residence is a water fountain from the TV area.

Adrianna Beech

The kids rooms have built-in beds next to the windows with storage drawers and trundles underneath. The boys love to sit in sunlight and see.

Adrianna Beech

Inspired by Mary McDonald’s Hollywood Regency–fashion interiors, Charette designed the master bedroom having a romantic aesthetic. The sweeping curtains and mirrored accent furniture reflect an elegance and a romance appropriate for a master suite.

End tables: Hayworth, Pier 1 Imports

Adrianna Beech

Charette made a decision to go with a bolder colour palette in the guest bedroom. She says, “My key to decorating is to not spend too much money on cosmetic accents that I know I will want to update every couple of years.”

She incorporated books and magazines with bindings that colour coordinate into the room colours throughout the home. It is a simple, easy way to tie up the design.

Rug: Goal

Adrianna Beech

From the entryway, easy and elegant accents provide a direct hint that the residence is a place of respite for your family.

Adrianna Beech

Outdoor accessories from HomeGoods tie the front porch space collectively in an inviting way.

Adrianna Beech

One of the many chairs structures around the exterior of the home, both rocking chairs on the front porch give a simple spot for relaxing.

Adrianna Beech

The screened-in sunporch is filled with lively information. A black wicker dining place sits on an quatrefoil-pattern rug. Casual cushions and punches of yellow and black during make summer feel endless.

Adrianna Beech

Charette and Bradford inserted an abysmal pool right after they moved in. After consulting with a landscape architect, they chose easy grasses to allow the background to speak for itself.

Adrianna Beech

When they bought this North Carolina home, the few inherited Roy and Daisy, two pot-bellied pigs who still live with them (outside only!) On the property.

Adrianna Beech

Charette and Bradford with their dog, Buddy, on the front porch.

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