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    DIY Mini Flower Vases

    Hi Striped Barn Friends!

    Are you feeling Spring? I didnt think I would ever make it through January-March which is my least favorite time of year! So even with all the rain, I am letting all the Spring vibes come! I am all about flowers and pops of color putting out as much Spring energy as I can! With the change of any season we are half in and half out, actually I think we are a little more in.

    I’ve been doing all my Spring DIY rituals I like to do when the seasons change as I wait patiently for 4th of July! July is another one of my favorite times of year, right behind the Fall/winter holidays! One of my favorite things to do is buy flowers and separate them into little flower vases! Its like flowers popping up everywhere instead of just one big bunch. Different heights and shapes add interest and you can mix in colored vases!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    5th of July…Fall, Halloween and Beyond

    Enter if you dare…Fall, Halloween and Beyond

    Go ahead, you know you want to…you’ve seen the Halloween, Fall, and Christmas decor in the stores and it puts a smile on your face as soon as you see it. You’ve been waiting all year for it to roll around again.Instagram is exploding with seasonal posts that you can’t get enough of, and in your mind your starting to plan this years Halloween/Fall decor. Sound familiar?

    YOU ARE MY PEOPLE!

    Pic source: octoberhaze2

    The 5th of July is becoming the new official planning day for all of us that can’t wait to start planning our Halloween decor! First there was Christmas in July, that took a while to catch on, and it doesn’t sound so crazy…so now there is the 5th of July which is fast becoming the green light to start thinking about Halloween and Fall. I guess everyone decided if you waited until after the Fourth of July it was OK. However, there are some of us who started thinking about it in June…

    If your a DIYer, designer or retailer you are used to planning way ahead so this is nothing new and we are used to being one step ahead with every holiday and every season. I love that others are catching on and jumping in!

    So its now officially July 5th…go ahead you know you want to!

    Happy Planning!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    I Love My Country 4th of July!

    Hi Y’all!

    Fourth of July week is the best week of the summer! Family, friends, food and fireworks!

    Its the holiday that makes us proud, makes us grateful and brings everyone together. However you celebrate, its a day we all celebrate together with our favorite traditions!

    The Barn at Drewia Hill, Chattanooga, TN (one of my favorite venues)

    Some of my favs are; Independence Day, Courtesy of the Red White and Blue, Made in America, All American Girl, Small Town USA, God Bless the USA, I Love My Country, R.O.C.K. in the USA

    What’s on your Fourth of July playlist?

    Happy Fourth of July!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    Every Day is Design Day

    As an interior designer, contractor and stylist, some of my favorite clients are other designers, contractors and stylists! The world of design goes full circle and everyone is connected. For me every day is a design day, that’s how I’m wired:) Whether I’m sourcing, styling, installing, creating or gathering inspo its another day in the life for me…

    Today I’m setting up one of my quartz towers for one of my designer friends!

    Contact me for consultations, products or inspo!

    Happy Designing!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    Wedding, Event, and Interior Design

    Weddings and events are just themed interior design and my fav to style!

    Wedding and event design is like interior design. Weddings are your favorite romantic fantasy come to life, like a themed version of who you are and usually have one purpose…a wedding. Event design is design with a theme and a certain purpose which is shown with your design. Both will still reflect who you are by their design and details, and both have a certain layer of function. Interior design is themed, has a purpose, but it is also more permanent, so it has a higher level of regulations and function involved!

    Photo source: Ruffled Blog

    As a stylist and designer, I love weddings and events because there is a lot more room for creativity in a fun, exciting way, and don’t even get me started on holidays! However, the one thing they all have in common…creating and exceeding your client’s vision within their budget. To me that’s the best part of what I do!

    Happy Planning!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    Want A Fast Update? Add Black Accents!

    Black accents are the little black dress of your interior… a must have!

    Photo: House of Harper Farmhouse Kitchen

    Whether you add a little or a lot is up to your décor style, light factor, and even the scale of your room. Black fixtures or black cabinets? Full black pendants or black trimmed pendants? A black sofa or black trimmed pillows and accessories?

    It all comes down to your full design. Chances are if it’s your kitchen you are probably talking about smooth black texture such as windows, lighting, and fixtures.

    If it’s a different room in your home, rough textures may come in to play which is a bolder presence than smooth texture.

    Here’s a tip…if you want a fast update or refresh, add black accents

    Happy Decorating!

    Carrie
    XOXO

    Goodbye Christmas, Hello New Year!

    It was a great, fun filled holiday season and as always it went way too fast! I start in with Christmas right after Halloween so I’m ready to pull the tree down by Christmas day! Its always bittersweet because as much as I love the lights, decorations, baking and getting together with family and friends, my mind is racing by New Years to begin the exciting new year and create more memories!

    Putting away the ornaments is the hardest. Having years of memories on display even if its only for a few months is the best feeling ever! There are a couple I don’t pack away because I love seeing them all year round!

    If you have any favorites, keep them out and incorporate them in your everyday living. That way they will bring you memories every day, all year!

    I will say its bittersweet saying goodbye to Christmas movies. I’m done after watching them all month but still have to get in the last few…lol

    Hope you had a great Christmas and are excited to build memories in the new year!

    XOXO Carrie

    Don’t miss the Redfin article we were featured in: “Modern Rustic Home Décor Ideas for a Cozy and Quaint Atmosphere”

    Cozy interiors evoke a feeling of the fall, dark evenings, and cool weather. But having modern rustic home décor doesn’t need to be limited to the autumn months. You can create a rustic home design no matter the season that fits with your style and home’s aesthetic. So whether you’ve recently purchased an A-frame house and want to create the perfect cabin interior or want to add a rustic feel to your modern apartment in Austin, TX, we’ve got you covered.

    Redfin reached out to us for our best interior design tips for the perfect modern rustic home design. From furnishings and color schemes to art and fabric choices, your rustic interior is just a few steps away. See full article below!

    Modern Rustic Home Décor Ideas for a Cozy and Quaint Atmosphere

    Source: Onekindesign.com/studiomcgee.com/Phillips Development

    Modern Rustic Home Décor Ideas for a Cozy and Quaint Atmosphere

    Cozy interiors evoke a feeling of the fall, dark evenings, and cool weather. But having modern rustic home décor doesn’t need to be limited to the autumn months. You can create a rustic home design no matter the season that fits with your style and home’s aesthetic. So whether you’ve recently purchased an A-frame house and want to create the perfect cabin interior or want to add a rustic feel to your loft apartment, we’ve got you covered.

    The experts have weighed in and are here to give you their best interior design tips for the perfect modern rustic home design. From furnishings and color schemes to art and fabric choices, your rustic interior is just a few steps away. 

    Don’t make everything match – contrast is key

    Earthy tones and wood furniture are hallmarks of a rustic home design, but you want to make sure that not everything matches. It’s important to have contrast in your space, whether that’s with metal, chunky knit fabrics, or a pop of color to break up the neutrals. 

    At The Striped Barn, we love rustic style,” says owner and designer Carrie Bachmayer, “there’s nothing like a worn, distressed, mismatched style that is also current, trendy, and carefully curated. But to pull off the perfect look takes a combination of styles. Here’s our secret – don’t ever let your pieces fight with each other. When you place them, surround them with opposite textures, patterns, and neutral colors, allowing them to be the star. And remember, less is more, you don’t have to fill your space with every rustic piece you can find, showcase your favorite, carefully curated pieces.”

    Local Furniture Outlet’s, Aaron Masterson says, “It’s best to use natural woods with raw or unfinished steel to give a modern but asymmetrical look to balance the room. Modern rustic room pieces shouldn’t match, but instead, complement each other with different colors and textures. Building around a unique piece of furniture found during a vacation or road trip will create a story and will make it truly your own.”

    “Whenever you walk into a room or a space, and you’re overtaken by a sense of heritage and history that has been communicated through a carefully curated collection of antiquated furniture, fixtures, and fabrication, you’re in the midst of a rustic design style,” says KOVI Home Decor. “Rustic can be achieved through the affectionate usage of worn and distressed leathers, rusted metal, weathered woods, and peeling or chipped paint. The styles that commonly leverage these ‘rustic’ design elements are American Vintage, English and French Country, and Italian, Tuscany-inspired interiors.”

    It’s important to use contrasting textures and finishes in a rustic home design. Tina Bupp of Bupp Woodworks & Designs, comments, “When decorating with a modern rustic theme, we like to incorporate a lot of different elements and textures. We use décor inspired by nature, including different types and species of woods, flowers, leaves, metal, and rocks. Species of wood with more character, such as spalted maple or walnut, can add lots of warmth to the room. Adding a distressed finish to a modern piece of furniture will achieve that rustic look. A statement piece including a river table or wall art featuring preserved flowers can bring nature inside and is definitely a conversation starter. Using live edge wood with unfinished or black steel gives it a modern twist.”

    Incorporate earthy colors

    Warm and earthy colors are a great way to design a rustic home interior that lasts all year. Think sage greens, cloudy blue-grays, chocolate browns, and rusty reds. For example, Aesthetic Living comments, “Modern rustic designs focus more on warm and earthy colors like grey, beige, brown, and green. The colors are muted and add a touch of greenery and natural elements to your place. While the greens can be added by introducing live indoor plants and the grey through an accent wall, we suggest you add the browns to your modern home with its rustic wooden beauties.”

    And for Down Shiloh Road’s Dempsey Hankins, there’s one word that sums up a rustic home – cozy. “Creating a warm and welcoming rustic style home is really all about one thing: cozy. You can easily give any space a rustic, cozy vibe by simply using warm earth tones. Using warm earth tones and natural materials such as wood or jute really do a lot to cozy up a space and make any guest feel at home.”

    Located in Bozeman, MT, and Jackson Hole, WY, JLF Architects comments, “Honest materials and a connection to place are hallmarks of our architecture – and of rustic style in general.” Their principal Logan Leachman continues, “We’re known as pioneers in the use of antique, reclaimed timber and locally sourced stone. Incorporating these rustic, time-worn materials with their natural blemishes worn by axes, adzes, boot heels, horse hooves, and the elements—what we call ‘perfect imperfections’—brings a sense of character, permanence, and inherent history to our designs. When we’re done, the idea is that the house has always been there.”

    And art gives you the opportunity to branch out from the earthy colors you’re using. Brenda Olson Art says, “When building a rustic-inspired home, many people choose natural finishes, including wood floors, wood paneling, and stone. With the artwork and décor, you have an opportunity to add personality and color that complements those natural materials. Wall art that is inspired by looking out your favorite window at the cabin, can give you the feeling of being on vacation all year long. When you add accessories, like pillows, you can choose nature-inspired motifs with a bright and modern twist to brighten up your space.” 

    Rustic home décor brings the outdoors inside

    Embracing nature and weaving it into your home’s design is an easy way to create a rustic look. There are many ways to go about this using art and furniture.

    Swati Goorha Designs, speaks to this, saying, “Wabi Sabi is the Japanese art of embracing transience and imperfection. This principle is becoming prevalent in interior design, focusing on accepting natural imperfections of material and emphasis on nature-inspired materials and finishes. There are multiple ways one can incorporate environmentally friendly finishes. For example, by using Limewash paint for the walls, natural fabrics like linen and cotton for window treatments, and upholstery. Using uncoated metals that patina over time adds character to a space. Lastly, natural wood finishes to cabinets and case goods are a great way to bring a rustic vibe to your space.”

    You can also opt for wood furnishings, as recommended by Wall Beds. “One way to achieve a modern rustic look in a bedroom is with the warmth of a sleek real wood bed. Real wood beds are no longer clunky, heavy, dominating pieces, rather, they’re now a functional, beautiful statement.”

    Buckingham Avenue’s Rebecca Miller comments on designing your perfect modern rustic home, saying, “it’s all about bringing nature indoors and adding cozy textures. Decorate with natural elements that are evergreen or seasonal such as stone finishes or touches of greenery. At Buckingham Avenue, we love combining cozy furs with the natural texture of log cabin walls.”

    Another way you can easily bring the outdoors into modern rustic home décor is through art. Kevin Murphy and Margaret Dowling-Murphy of Murphy Wood Art comment, “By incorporating rustic art into your design, it allows you to bring the “outside” into your indoor living spaces, but it’s not just for cabins and farmhouses. Mix rustic textiles like wood with other elements such as glass, wood burns, vibrant colors, landscapes, and eclectic shapes to add a chic yet contemporary flare. Natural elements can also add texture, the finishing touch that can add a cozy feel to your space.”

    Art can bring a natural look to your home

    There are countless ways that art can evoke a rustic and outdoorsy feeling in your home. For example, Mark Leary of Portland, OR’s Mark Leary Designs comments, “Like the wind blowing through leaves or clouds moving in the sky, mobiles offer a unique way to think about decorating. Unlike framed art that sits static on your walls, mobiles give you an awesome opportunity to add movement and energy to your nature-inspired design. When you choose a mobile with your favorite colors from nature, you truly can bring the outside in.”

    Paula Keeney of Dragonfly Wood Art & Crafts talks about the balance art can create in your home, saying, “When decorating with rustic art, I like to use sets of three for balance. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with something modern or retro. It will expand your decorating possibilities.” Similarly, Pradeepa from Limewood Art suggests, “Decorate your walls with nature-themed original art. Art on wooden panels would especially complement the wood theme in rustic homes.” 

    Photographer and designer, Justin Driscoll highlights incorporating different types of artwork throughout your rustic home. Driscoll says, “I have three types of styles depending on the room. Some of the artwork is printed on canvas or other unframed, unconventional materials. I typically stray from canvas, but it honestly works well with big spaces. Much of the content is my photography of abandoned and rustic scenes of Western North Carolina. A majority of the other artwork is all black and white. Some of its digital fine art, and others are actual vintage film. When I can find vintage frames, inexpensively in thrift stores, I grab them and make prints that fit accordingly. Lastly, I am a sucker for vintage Americana signage – 1950-1970s beer, auto, tobacco, and Harley signs, to name a few.” 

    Modern rustic design can last all year long

    Rustic design may evoke an autumnal vibe in your home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace the décor throughout the year. If done right, your modern rustic home décor will stand the test of time – and any future home décor trends. 

    Jen and Laura, owners of The Vintage Fix say, “Rustic design is all about filling your space with rich, authentic décor that speaks to your soul. The beauty of rustic design is its freedom to evolve alongside you, little by little, over a lifetime.” 

    Laurie Mohan Rustic Home Decor suggests, “Find a rustic look you love and purchase a few pieces you love, and know you will definitely use. If you purchase a seasonal item, think of a way to use it all year round, like taking a willow planter indoors in the fall and using it for a houseplant, seasonal arrangements, or mitten storage by the front or back door. Take it slow, and ask your favorite artisan for referrals on rustic art in the area that suits your style – they’re often connected with other artists.”

    And Marlaya Ross, owner and interior decorator at Studio One Nine Design, says, “Modern rustic design is so appealing because of how warm and welcoming it makes your home. Keep your space comfortable and cozy by focusing on elements that encourage sitting back and relaxing, like a large ottoman where you can put your feet up, or big comfy throw pillows and blankets you can curl up with while you watch a movie.”

    Sertao Shop’s Josh Thompson states, “There’s a growing trend in bringing natural elements into our homes in ways that are modern yet emphasized with a rustic touch. Although, modern and rustic may sound like polar opposites on the design spectrum, blending the two styles can be quite complementary. Some aspects of a modern rustic look include raw, natural elements that give an outdoor-like appeal.” 

    Thompson continues, “Materials such as wood and stone are highly desired in achieving the right look. In addition, a contrast between light and dark colors also plays an important role and helps in achieving rustic. When adding final touches, one needs to consider the importance of lighting fixtures. Rustic-looking light shades are also desirable as wooden light shades complement the modern rustic interior.” 

    Era Chandok of Mogul Interior, sums the style up saying, “Warm, and cohesive, modern rustic farmhouses are filled with casual, lived-in charm. Taking elements from the ancient architectural design, and mixing them with practical and modern fittings creates a unique statement. The modern rustic design creates a collected, fresh look, yet one that gets worn with time. Using reclaimed distressed wood, like the subtle hues of the carved wood cabinets creates a gathered over time ambiance. Using an old steel sink to convert a rustic chest into a vanity for the bathroom is a great idea. Reclaimed old doors are used to make these chests, and the woods are very earthing. Some have metals like iron and brass that balance the energy in the room by grounding the negative ions into the earth.”

    Modern rustic home décor can be an easy way to create a cozy and cohesive style in your house or rental apartment. With earthy tones, wood furnishings, and art that completes the space, the possibilities are endless for the perfect rustic home design.

    Originally published by Redfin

    I hope you got some great tips, feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or need some help! Y’all know at The Striped Barn we love rustic like country music loves a broken heart!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    Celebrate 4th of July

    Happy 4th of July Striped Barn friends! There’s so much meaning behind this holiday and so much fun to bring out the red, white and blue to show your patriotism, make new memories and celebrate old ones!

    Happy 4th Y’all!!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    MOTHERS DAY INSPO

    Inspo comes in many different ways…This farmhouse kitchen caught my eye as I was searching for mothers day inspo, my imagination lit up as I thought “I bet these flowers came out of an amazing garden!” Then I seriously fell in love with every bit of this kitchen!! (Source: pic from The whole 9 yards design.)

    Design tip: Adding a few features like a farmhouse sink and open shelving can instantly transform the look of your kitchen

    The farmhouse sink, the open shelves…this is one of those spaces that you walk into and immediately feel happy! Your kitchen is the heart of the home so if your kitchen doesn’t make you feel that way then we need to fix that! Lets connect, lets chat and throw ideas around… its time to change up a few things!

    Contact me anytime for inspo and ideas and happy mothers day to all the moms out there!

    Carrie

    XOXO

    Carrie Bachmayer
    Welcome friends of The Striped Barn! Lets chat, design, get creative and share inspiration!
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