My Houzz: French Country Meets Southern Farmhouse Style in Georgia
Industrious DIYers use antique furniture, collections and warm colors to cozy up their traditional home
Seventeen years ago, Douglas and Kim Nichols sketched out the layout for their dream home on a sheet of paper. Six months later that rough sketch became their charming traditional-style home just outside Atlanta.
Fast forward to present day, and these empty nesters have tackled home improvement projects big and small, from building a handmade fireplace mantel to refurbishing antique furniture. "We are avid DIYers," says Kim. "Anywhere we can save money, we do stuff ourselves." The couple's home is full of antique finds and small treasures that creatively and effortlessly tie into Kim's French country style. Every corner of the home shows off her curated collections and timeless heirlooms. If Kim decides to experiment with changing a theme, updating a piece of furniture or adding color to a room, she fearlessly paints, sands, waxes and rearranges until the job is done.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Douglas and Kim Nichols, and their Yorkie, Bailey
Location: Buford, Georgia
Size: 4,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
Fast forward to present day, and these empty nesters have tackled home improvement projects big and small, from building a handmade fireplace mantel to refurbishing antique furniture. "We are avid DIYers," says Kim. "Anywhere we can save money, we do stuff ourselves." The couple's home is full of antique finds and small treasures that creatively and effortlessly tie into Kim's French country style. Every corner of the home shows off her curated collections and timeless heirlooms. If Kim decides to experiment with changing a theme, updating a piece of furniture or adding color to a room, she fearlessly paints, sands, waxes and rearranges until the job is done.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Douglas and Kim Nichols, and their Yorkie, Bailey
Location: Buford, Georgia
Size: 4,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
A corner island, recently painted olive green, faces the great room; an arched window has been cut out above the sink. The cabinets were previously black, and Kim painted them using a mix of Annie Sloan's Château Grey chalk paint, lacquer and Valspar's translucent glaze in Mocha. Kim and Doug added the tumbled marble backsplash and beadboard wallpaper.
Beadboard wallpaper: Lowe's; countertop: Giallo ornamental granite
Beadboard wallpaper: Lowe's; countertop: Giallo ornamental granite
The formal dining room is open to the foyer and connected to the kitchen. Natural wicker chairs, a beige jute rug and a linen-covered bench offer a warm invitation. Against the wall, antique china hangs over extra dining room chairs flanking a hutch that Kim repainted to achieve a layered, weathered look.
Chandelier: Colonial Lighting; wicker chairs: Cost Plus World Market; paint: Swiss Coffee, Behr
Chandelier: Colonial Lighting; wicker chairs: Cost Plus World Market; paint: Swiss Coffee, Behr
A few collectibles create a casual centerpiece.
Large arched walls open the dining room into the great room; vintage copper cake molds decorate the shared kitchen and dining area.
Wall paint above beadboard: Frappe, Benjamin Moore; beadboard paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint above beadboard: Frappe, Benjamin Moore; beadboard paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
Last year the couple added a sunroom that connects to the kitchen and leads out to a back porch.
Wall paint: White Sand, Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore; couch: Pottery Barn
Wall paint: White Sand, Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore; couch: Pottery Barn
The sunroom is where Kim (shown here) spends most of her time, posting on her three-year-old blog, Savvy Southern Style.
Lamp: Restoration Hardware Outlet; chair: Overstock.com; grain sack pillows: Sutton Place Designs
Lamp: Restoration Hardware Outlet; chair: Overstock.com; grain sack pillows: Sutton Place Designs
Kim and Doug worked together to make the glass lamp above the TV cabinet. Kim found the demijohn for around $20 and bought the lamp kit for only $10. By doing it themselves, the couple made a beautiful glass lamp for a little less than $35.
Bailey the dog's toys are piled into an old Coke crate, and beadboard wallpaper gives the television cabinet a simple, stylish update.
Bench: Joss & Main
Bailey the dog's toys are piled into an old Coke crate, and beadboard wallpaper gives the television cabinet a simple, stylish update.
Bench: Joss & Main
The foyer showcases and sets the tone for Kim and Doug's style. An antique sideboard DIY project painted with a weathered treatment is alongside collections, like canes corraled in a metal wire basket.
Much of Kim's decorating inspiration comes from designer Charles Faudree and his love of mixing styles.
Mirror: Home Decorators
Much of Kim's decorating inspiration comes from designer Charles Faudree and his love of mixing styles.
Mirror: Home Decorators
Connected by the foyer, the English room and formal living room stand adjacent to each other. The sitting room was turned into an English room with rich, warm hues inspired by many antique hunting prints. “I’ve always loved the equestrian hunt scene,” says Kim, “My dad had it in his house, and I loved that look."
Finding great pieces of furniture at bargain prices is key when Kim is shopping at antiques malls. The French vaisselier (china hutch) was her latest steal and sits adorned in silver trophies, vintage hardback books, and colorful plates.
Vaisselier: Queen of Hearts; wall art above vaisselier: Ethan Allen; wall paint: Roxbury Caramel, Benjamin Moore
Finding great pieces of furniture at bargain prices is key when Kim is shopping at antiques malls. The French vaisselier (china hutch) was her latest steal and sits adorned in silver trophies, vintage hardback books, and colorful plates.
Vaisselier: Queen of Hearts; wall art above vaisselier: Ethan Allen; wall paint: Roxbury Caramel, Benjamin Moore
Kim recently re-covered the plush sofa with a soft brown fabric to complement the English theme. Bold printed throw pillows accessorize the couch, while antlers and prints line the wall. A French door opens into a back hallway, connecting to the guest bathroom and living room.
Slipcover: Slipcovers On Site; curtains: Pottery Barn
Slipcover: Slipcovers On Site; curtains: Pottery Barn
Kim utilized a tiny hallway space by adding a distressed dish rack. A metal basket holds antique books, while pitchers and plates sit paired on the shelves.
Lavender bushes in herb boxes, a mason jar soap dispenser and a wire basket turn this downstairs guest bathroom into a chic space.
Herb baskets: Farmhouse Wares: wall paint: Wythe Blue, Benjamin Moore
Herb baskets: Farmhouse Wares: wall paint: Wythe Blue, Benjamin Moore
Natural colors, weathered antiques and taxidermy adorn the walls of the Nichols' spacious den.
Doug built the mantel above the fireplace, and Kim painted it with several layers of Annie Sloan's Château Grey chalk paint.
Wall paint: Roxbury Caramel, Benjamin Moore
Doug built the mantel above the fireplace, and Kim painted it with several layers of Annie Sloan's Château Grey chalk paint.
Wall paint: Roxbury Caramel, Benjamin Moore
Large windows bring warmth and light into the great room, brightening the colors and accessories.
Industrial lamp: Restoration Hardware; rug: Wayfair
Industrial lamp: Restoration Hardware; rug: Wayfair
Under the open stairway, a muted gray console table holds an array of Kim’s antique finds.
Antique miscellany fills a large glass jar, and vintage scissors and magnifying glasses highlight a vintage cup. Large demijohns and olive jars discreetly cover the air vent and fill the open space.
Antique miscellany fills a large glass jar, and vintage scissors and magnifying glasses highlight a vintage cup. Large demijohns and olive jars discreetly cover the air vent and fill the open space.
Bailey, the Nichols' Yorkie, guards Doug's favorite chair.
In the downstairs master bedroom, calm colors and quilted, tufted textures create a comfortable mood while colorful farm paintings offer cottage charm. Kim spray painted a stenciled "57" on an old wicker basket above the armoire as an easy DIY update.
Wall paint: Davenport Tan, Benjamin Moore; headboard: Home Decorators
Wall paint: Davenport Tan, Benjamin Moore; headboard: Home Decorators
In the master bathroom, an antique family storage unit is painted seaweed green, and the open shelving displays red coral leaves and bathroom essentials. With limited counter space near the bathtub, a refinished stool holds towels without sacrificing space.
Santos doll: Home Goods
Santos doll: Home Goods
Each of the two upstairs bedrooms has a unique theme. This bedroom used to belong to the couple's son, and Kim describes the room's style as vintage nautical. Framed above the bed is Doug's Navy shirt. A vintage steamer trunk that Kim bought in the 1970s serves as a nightstand.
Sleigh bed and dresser: Rooms To Go; wall paint: Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore
Sleigh bed and dresser: Rooms To Go; wall paint: Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore
A large red wardrobe painted by Kim in Emperor's Silk provides extra closet space. Framed to the left of the wardrobe is a vintage wool bathing suit Kim found on eBay.
Across the hall, natural wood, distressed furniture and floral prints give the second guest bedroom a fresh look.
Wall paint: Dill Weed, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Dill Weed, Benjamin Moore
Bar stools: Twist Swivel, Cost Plus World Market; pot racks: Pot Racks Galore; cow head: Antique Farmhouse