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Decorating Guides → Decorating Styles

My Houzz: Ingenuity and Joy Transform an Oregon Farmhouse

A hardworking couple turn an 1800s farmhouse into a welcoming family homestead with original art and DIY touches

Sarah Greenman September 5, 2012

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Obbie and Connie Atkinson have spent the past seven years restoring their turn-of-the-century farmhouse in Eastern Oregon. From installing plumbing, tile and drywall to refinishing furniture, floors and the foundation, this determined and thrifty couple have touched every surface of their home. Their charming space is a product of their joyful ingenuity, enthusiasm and happy partnership.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Obbie and Connie Atkinson and a flock of easily excitable quail
Location: Richland, Oregon
Size: 2,500 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: There are five outbuildings on the property: a toolshed, a potting shed, a chicken coop, a storeroom and a barn.

Farmhouse Exterior by Sarah Greenman

Sarah Greenman: How did you find this home?
Connie Atkinson: We were traveling through Montana, Idaho and Oregon looking for a second home. At the time, we lived in California and knew we could never afford anything there. We thought it would be a vacation home.

We had a list: paved road, property (but not a lot), not in the mountains but in a valley where we could look up at mountains, water nearby and an airport within hitting distance. We drove into Richland and saw an ad in the paper that read "Could once again be queen of the valley." Just looking at it we were gobsmacked.

Rustic Shed by Sarah Greenman

CA: This shed is the coolest thing. It was leaning way over to the side when we first moved in, and everyone said we should bulldoze it. But we loved it the way it was and couldn't imagine destroying it. We could have straightened it, but we didn't. We've done a lot of work to restore it and preserve its sweet lean. Everyone who sees it has shed envy. Right now it's Obbie's tool shop. But my hope is that in a few years it will be my studio.

Farmhouse Porch by Sarah Greenman

SG: How did you know that this home was "the one"?
CA: I sat on the front porch and just had this overwhelming feeling that it was home. I spent years in a state of chaos, moving from house to house, and in all that time I never felt like I was at home anywhere. I just had a breakdown. I wept. I felt like I was home for the very first time in my life.

SG: Where is your favorite spot in the house?
CA: In the summer, it's outside. But in the colder months my favorite place is on the couch with a cup of coffee looking out the picture window.

Farmhouse Living Room by Sarah Greenman

The central living space is a cool, calm mix of white and sage green. The couple plans to rip out the ceilings, which were dropped sometime in the '60s to preserve energy and lower heating costs.

SG: What was the state of the house when you moved into it?
CA: Pretty sad. It smelled bad, and everything needed to be done. The carpet had to go, nasty built-in bookshelves needed to come out, windows — everything. The people who had lived here were heavy smokers. The first time I came out here I stopped in town and had a refrigerator delivered. I showed up at the house with a fridge, a mattress and a tub of TSP (trisodium phosphate). I thought, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"

SG: Tell me about the art in this room.
CA: We filled the walls with meaningful art. The painting above the sofa is of a family member's home in Paso Robles, California. It was painted by my mother's friend, Willa Sell. Obbie created the framed eagle drawing to the right when he was just 12 years old as a nod to his Native American roots.

Sofas: Z Gallerie; paint: Olive Sprig, Olympic Ultra; red corner lamp: yard sale

Farmhouse Dining Room by Sarah Greenman

The dining room is opposite the living room and usually filled with morning light. Connie found the huge antique German sideboard, which she painted white. She admits, "I stewed about painting it for three years and then finally took the plunge."

SG: What inspires your personal aesthetic?
CA: Sadly, everything inspires me. I have a floundering sense of style. If I visit a beach house, I want to come home and do the beach house look. Same with log cabin, or Native American, or Southwest, or desert or English B and B. I want to try it all. Since I'm in a farmhouse, I sort of have to do a country style.

Farmhouse Kitchen by Sarah Greenman

SG: What is or was your biggest design dilemma?
CA: There is very little natural light in the kitchen, which really bothers me. Soon we'll bust out the wall that separates the bath and kitchen to create a kitchen with views and space to accommodate a farm table.

Also, the existing bathroom was once a space with a sink, toilet, tub, water heater and laundry machine — all crunched into a hallway. Getting that bath cleared so we could use it was quite a chore. We want to abandon that bath because it's on the side of the house with the best view.

Floors: Antique Oak finish, Home Depot; cabinet paint: Shelter Green, Martha Stewart Living

Farmhouse Kitchen by Sarah Greenman

As with many old farmhouses, the kitchen has a large root cellar and a large pantry for storing summer's harvest. Connie's brother built the rustic kitchen cabinet from an upcycled window and scrap wood.

Farmhouse Bedroom by Sarah Greenman

The classic blue and white master bedroom has a wide bay window that faces the front of the property. Connie chose bedding that matched her mother's blue and white porcelain pottery.

SG: Where is your favorite place to shop for your home?
CA: Thrift stores and antique places. We have an old place and I like old things. And I love a deal!

Blue chair: JD Mercantile in Richland; paint: Navigation, True Value; bedding: Tuesday Morning; throw pillow: Ikea

Farmhouse Bedroom by Sarah Greenman

The upstairs guest room reflects the Western terrain and the colors of the surrounding high desert. A hat rack, woven rugs and a vintage Grand Canyon wall hanging help to create a backcountry ambience.

Farmhouse Bedroom by Sarah Greenman

The couple calls the upstairs bedroom the "AARP Dorm." Several beds can be pushed together to create king-size sleeping arrangements, and there's a '70s-era accordion room divider.

Farmhouse Kids by Sarah Greenman

Grandchildren frequently visit and enjoy sharing these cozy quarters, which Connie has lovingly outfitted with matching twin beds, handmade dolls and a vintage children's desk.

CA: One of the main reasons we purchased this home was to facilitate family gatherings. We wanted a beautiful place where our kids could relax and bring their children.

Bedding: Target; desk, chair: yard sale

Farmhouse Kitchen by Sarah Greenman

Connie is always moving her home office from room to room to keep it clear of the latest home improvement project. Its current home is in the upstairs bedroom.

Desk, chair: El Paso Import

Farmhouse Bathroom by Sarah Greenman

The couple converted a canning porch off the back of the house into a bathroom, complete with a vintage soaking tub and a walk-in shower. Connie found the salvaged door at a local yard sale. To save space, Obbie mounted it like a sliding barn door.

SG: What are you working on next?
CA: Finishing the bath remodel. It was absolutely necessary and ended up being a splurge of time since we did all of the work ourselves. Once it's finished, we'll eliminate the old bath. As with most things, we're chewing this one bite at a time.

Farmhouse Entry by Sarah Greenman

The foyer is a bright mix of natural light and wood details. The gallery wall on the staircase is filled with watercolors, most of which were painted by Connie's mother.

SG: If these walls could talk, what would they say?
CA: I think they'd say, "Thank God someone came and saved us. We needed tender loving care."

Farmhouse Shed by Sarah Greenman

The Atkinsons purchased the home in 2005 from Dan Forsea, a third-generation rancher. Forsea created a wrought iron sculpture as a gift for the Atkinsons, inspired by the hordes of quail that populate the property. It hangs on the side of Connie's potting shed next to an enormous lilac bush.

CA: We have made the most amazing friends here in the valley. I feel like they've been here all along, just waiting for me to show up and join the gang.

Farmhouse Porch by Sarah Greenman

A yellow vintage rocking bench adorns the east side of the wraparound porch. Connie sewed the throw pillows using vintage tablecloths and handkerchiefs.

CA: We hadn't intended this to be our full-time home, but it grew on us big time. Every time I sit on the front porch, the house feels like it's mine. This home is my sanctuary. Obbie and I can't get enough of the peacefulness here. I sat out here for 20 minutes the other day and didn't hear one man-made sound. You can do that here.

Farmhouse Landscape by Sarah Greenman

SG: What do you love about gardening?
CA: I didn't know I liked gardening until I had space to garden. This place is called Richland for a reason. The soil is amazing. First I started a little perennial garden, and then I just went crazy and started digging everywhere. I don't know anything about gardening, and I didn't have a plan. I'm learning as I go. If a plant does well then it gets to stay. Next year, I'll try more veggies.

Farmhouse Shed by Sarah Greenman

There are five outbuildings on the property, including a toolshed, a potting shed, a chicken coop, a storeroom and a barn.

CA: I always say, "My barn is like the ocean. I love to look at it, but I don't really need to go in." Obbie loves it, though. He's in there all the time.

Farmhouse Exterior by Sarah Greenman

SG: What was your proudest homeowner moment?
CA: I have it all the time. It happens when someone from the valley sees what we've done with the place. They can't believe it. It feels so good to give this beautiful home the love and tenderness it deserves.

by Sarah Greenman

Obbie and Connie Atkinson enjoy glasses of wine at a favorite nearby overlook.

SG: Any advice for homeowners looking for a fixer-upper?
CA: If you're looking for a home, sit down and make a list of all the things you want. And if you come close to the list, you're doing very well. Once, when we were discouraged and feeling tired of looking, we almost bought a home that didn't meet the list. I'm so glad we didn't! You'll manifest what you need if you stick to it.

Houzz call: Do you live in a creative home? Share it with us!

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Comments (30)

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leipua

Happy to read this. One week ago Just bought our own quirky 75 yr old farmhouse. Our story so much like theirs in almost giving up, but accidentally ran across our part time country get away. Its true you that it just fills like home. Ours needs some up dates, but article encouraging for me.

1 Like September 8, 2013 at 4:32PM

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Roy Leonard

I lived in Joseph, on the other side of the Wallowas from you, for a few years. MIss the area terribly, maybe (if I'm lucky...) I'll find another of the many labor-of-love houses like yours to move to when I retire. You did a great job in preserving that beauty!

2 Likes April 8, 2014 at 6:38AM

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Debbie

A beautiful home for a beautiful couple. I love the story about sitting on the porch, knowing this was finally home. Congratulations. It was clearly meant to be.

2 Likes May 31, 2015 at 4:13AM

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